Nobody clocks into their job expecting to leave with an injury. However, accidents can and do happen in the workplace. If this has happened to you, you may have the right to pursue a workers’ compensation claim, which can cover the cost of your medical care, offset a portion of your missing wages, and give you the safety net you need during this difficult time. While securing these benefits might not always be as straightforward as it should be, working with a skilled Illinois workers’ comp attorney can make the process as effective and efficient as possible.
At Galanti, Patti & Winterscheidt, P.C., we understand the challenges workers face when hurt on the job in Columbia, Illinois. Our legal team has spent decades fighting for the rights of injured workers in Southern Illinois, helping them secure the benefits they need to recover and move forward with their lives. Let us put our experience to work for you. Call us today at (618) 258-0420 or contact our office online for a free consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney serving Columbia, and let’s talk about your rights together.
The Illinois workers’ compensation system protects employees and employers alike through a no-fault insurance program. If you’ve been hurt on the job or become sick because of your working conditions, you could be entitled to workers’ comp benefits regardless of who was to blame. Nearly every employer in Monroe and St. Clair Counties must carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees.
The system covers various workplace injuries, including:
Common workplace accidents – Falls, machinery accidents, and lifting injuries
Repetitive stress injuries – Conditions that develop over time from repeated motions
Occupational illnesses – Health conditions caused by workplace exposure
Vehicle-related injuries – Accidents while driving for work purposes
Construction site accidents – Falls from heights, equipment failures, and other hazards
Contact our office for a free review of your case if you are unsure whether your injury qualifies for workers’ comp benefits.
When you suffer a work-related injury, you may be eligible for several types of benefits through the Illinois workers’ compensation system:
Workers’ comp offers coverage for all reasonable and necessary medical treatment, including:
Hospital stays and surgeries
Doctor visits and specialized care
Prescription medications
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Medical devices and equipment
If you cannot work during recovery, you could be entitled to one of the following benefits:
Temporary Total Disability – Pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage while you’re completely unable to work
Temporary Partial Disability – Covers a portion of the wage difference if you can work in a limited capacity
For lasting effects of your injury, you may qualify for:
Permanent Total Disability – Long-term benefits if you cannot return to any type of work
Permanent Partial Disability – Compensation for permanent limitations that affect your ability to work
If you cannot return to your previous job, these benefits help you transition to new employment through job search assistance, skills assessments, training programs, and career counseling.
Illinois workers’ comp death benefits financial support to surviving family members when a workplace accident results in death, including:
Burial expenses
Ongoing financial support for dependents
Educational benefits for dependent children
Some workers in the Columbia area fall under additional federal protection laws that exist separately from the state workers’ compensation system.
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act provides specific protections for railroad workers, who are exempt from workers’ comp laws. Unlike standard workers’ compensation claims, FELA cases require proof that the railroad failed to provide a safe workplace. However, these claims often result in more substantial compensation, including:
Medical expenses
Full lost wages
Pain and suffering
Future earning capacity
Quality of life changes
With the Mississippi River forming our western border, many local workers perform duties on boats and barges. The Jones Act (also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) protects these maritime workers when they suffer injuries due to employer negligence. Benefits can include:
Daily living allowance during recovery
Complete medical care coverage
Future economic losses
Quality of life compensation
Pain and suffering damages
These cases require a thorough familiarity with the relevant areas of the law to handle properly. At Galanti, Patti & Winterscheidt, P.C., we understand both state and federal worker protection rules and how they might apply to your unique situation. We can determine which benefits and protections you’re entitled to and fight for maximum compensation under all available programs.
Taking the proper steps after a workplace accident can protect your rights and strengthen your claim for benefits:
Seek medical care – Get treatment immediately after your injury. Your health comes first, and prompt medical care creates crucial documentation of your condition.
Report your injury – Tell your supervisor about your injury as soon as possible. While Illinois law gives you 45 days to report a work-related injury, early reporting helps prevent claim denials.
Take notes – Keep detailed records of your medical treatment, injury-related expenses, and time missed from work. Try to get contact information for any witnesses, as well as photos of the accident scene and any visible injuries.
Follow medical advice – Attend all appointments and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Skipping appointments or ignoring medical recommendations could hurt your claim.
Avoid social media – Keep details about your injury off social media platforms. Insurance companies often monitor these accounts to find ways of reducing or denying claims.
When you are seeking successful results in your workers’ comp claim, your choice of attorney can make all the difference in the world. Our law firm stands apart in our dedication to injured workers throughout southern Illinois. We bring decades of experience handling workers’ compensation claims in Monroe and St. Clair Counties. Our attorneys have:
Filed thousands of workplace injury claims
Successfully tried more than 500 workers’ compensation claims
Won numerous appeals of denied claims
Built strong relationships with local medical providers
Developed a thorough knowledge of area employers and industries
We focus exclusively on workers’ compensation law, allowing us to stay current with changes in regulations and case law. Our attorneys are committed to giving you the personalized attention you deserve, answering your questions in clear language, and guiding you through every step of the claims process. Our experienced legal team serves clients in Columbia and throughout Monroe and St. Clair Counties with skill, dedication, and compassion. Contact Galanti, Patti & Winterscheidt, P.C. today at 618-258-0420 for your free consultation, and find out how a workers’ comp attorney serving Columbia, Illinois, can help you.
Our offices are located at 150 S. Bellwood Dr., East Alton, IL 62024. Here is how you can find us.
From the North:
Take IL-3 South towards East Alton
Turn left onto E Airline Dr
Turn right onto S Bellwood Dr
The destination will be on the left
From the South:
Take IL-3 North towards East Alton
Turn right onto E Airline Dr
Turn right onto S Bellwood Dr
The destination will be on the left
From the East:
Take I-270 West
Take exit 7 for IL-3 towards Wood River
Merge onto IL-3 North
Turn right onto E Airline Dr
Turn right onto S Bellwood Dr
The destination will be on the left
From the West:
Take IL-140 East towards East Alton
Turn right onto IL-3 South
Turn left onto E Airline Dr
Turn right onto S Bellwood Dr
The destination will be on the left
