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Like any personal injury lawsuit, you’ll first need to prove that another person or business entity is responsible for your injuries and was negligent. Where a case becomes more complicated for a self-employed person is in the calculation of lost wages. If you work for someone else, either as an hourly or salaried employee, it is rather straightforward to calculate how many hours or days of work you lost due to your injuries and provide a letter stating what regular compensation and bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation you missed out on. You can also include any sick, vacation, or bonus days you had to use during your hospitalization and recovery. If you are self-employed, the process becomes more complicated.
If you’ve been injured on the job, you’ll need to file a claim first with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. In Illinois, you’re allowed to select your own doctor to treat workers’ comp injuries. This is so that you have a better chance of securing a physician who has your recovery and best interests in mind, rather than one who has a vested interest in the insurance company’s profits.  You will, however, need to secure a doctor who accepts workers’ comp insurance, so make sure you let them know upfront that you were injured on the job, and it will be the company’s insurance policy paying. The doctor will need to know this information ahead of time because the insurer will certainly require the doctor to obtain authorization before performing certain treatments or tests.
If you were injured in a trucking accident in Chicago, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Cicero, or a nearby community, call the injury attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law for a free consultation.

How to Find the Best Workers’ Compensation Attorney Near Me

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Injured worker visiting lawyer on advise on worker's compensation claim

Finding the right attorney after a workplace accident can help victims recover costs through a workers’ compensation claim. People suffer injuries due to work-related accidents at an alarming frequency. Victims of workplace injuries are able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. The workers’ compensation claims process is a difficult system to navigate.  This process is made more difficult by insurance companies. The likelihood of claimants obtaining the benefits they are entitled to be dependent upon retaining a competent workers’ compensation lawyer.

What Tools Are Available to Find a Lawyer?

Injured victims have several tools at their disposal to find a workers’ compensation attorney. They can contact their local bar association, as many bar associations maintain a lawyer referral service and will provide the contact information for a qualified lawyer. Lawyers can also be located by conducting a simple google search. Victims can get referrals through coworkers, family members, or friends who have filed claims in the past as well. Finally, victims can search through legal directories. 

Evaluating an Attorney

There is no sole factor that should be used when evaluating a lawyer. Rather, a claimant should consider multiple sources of information when choosing an attorney. Many law firms and lawyers advertise their services on their websites. These websites often contain information regarding a lawyer’s background, education, and areas of practice. This information is useful when evaluating an attorney as it demonstrates his or her accomplishments and professional experience. Firms may also provide testimonials from previous clients on their websites, as well as awards they have earned. 

Some lawyers may participate in websites that provide peer reviews. Additionally, reviews written by past clients can be found on Google. An attorney or firm’s social media pages may provide further insight into the satisfaction of previous clients and the outcomes of prior cases.

What to Ask When Meeting an Attorney

Lawyers typically offer free consultations. During this consultation, an injured victim should ask a workers’ compensation lawyer how the worker’s compensation process works and for evaluation of his or her claim.  The answer a lawyer provides can demonstrate his or her familiarity with the Workers’ Compensation System.  Additionally, an evaluation may reveal more options to a claimant, such as the possibility of a crossover case or additional damages. 

About the Author

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Law Group, Ltd.

Chicago accident lawyer Kurt D. Lloyd