Focused Solely On Workers’ Compensation Defense
At Keefe & DePauli, P.C., our legal practice is concentrated exclusively on workers’ compensation defense and occupational disease defense. We have a long and successful record representing businesses in Illinois and Missouri for more than six decades and counting. Our attorneys are committed to helping advance your company’s interests, and in ensuring that your business is not unduly or inappropriately burdened by the workers’ compensation laws in your state.
In addition to our legal advocacy on behalf of our clients, a number of our attorneys are frequently consulted by judges, arbitrators and other attorneys for their thorough knowledge and deep insight into workers’ compensation law. Several of our firm’s lawyers have also served as expert witnesses for insurers and other attorneys in workers’ compensation litigation matters. Firm members also regularly share their knowledge in the form of journal articles, book chapters, private presentations and insurance industry seminars.
Offering A Wide Range Of Workers’ Compensation Services
Keefe & DePauli, P.C., will assist your business in every aspect of workers’ compensation law, from the start of your case until its resolution. We make a point of framing each new development in its proper legal context, in order to empower you with clear information and reliable recommendations so that you can make decisions with confidence.
We will help you identify exactly what information you need, and we will help you obtain it and put it to use in a carefully crafted legal strategy designed to advance your interests forcefully while making efficient use of your time and resources. Our services include:
- Occupational disease
- Independent medical evaluations
- Compensability and benefit assessments
- Subrogation
- Suspension/termination of workers’ compensation benefits
- Utilization review and medical fee schedule analysis
You can count our team to be your legal support in handling workers’ compensation claims.
Employer-Related Claim Risks And Common Defense Challenges
As a business owner in St. Clair County, facing workers’ compensation claims can be stressful. Your company is exposed to risks that can significantly impact your operations and reputation.
If a worker injures themselves, your business experiences business disruptions because you lose valuable skills and labor. The way of handling the injured employee’s claim can affect team morale, possibly creating friction among workers. Ultimately, noncompliance with Missouri laws exposes your business to costly regulatory penalties.
Furthermore, you also face challenges in proving or disproving work-related causation in claims. Without immediate investigation and clear evidence, claims can quickly escalate into costly, protracted disputes.
Why Early Investigation Matters In Workers’ Compensation Defense
Prompt investigation can be a powerful tool to control workers’ compensation costs. Missouri law has established strict deadlines for employers to validate claims. Failing to act within these mandated windows can result in penalties.
Following your employee’s work accident, you have the right to choose a treating physician for the entire duration of the workers’ compensation claim. Securing the facts early allows you to gather witness statements, document precise workplace conditions and preserve critical footage. These can also help deter fraud, as you have clear evidence to identify fabricated or exaggerated claims.
Managing Claim Costs Through Return-To-Work And Transitional Duty Programs
Return-to-work programs help in reducing claim duration and minimizing expensive lost-wage payouts. It also decreases the potential litigation costs and improves business reputation.
Simultaneously, helping your employees ease into work benefits them. By reintroducing them to their job with light duties, it helps them recover faster through gradual reconditioning. This also lessens their worries of missing out on work and feeling unneeded in the organization.
Identifying And Defending Against Suspicious Or Inflated Claims
Unfortunately, fraud claims exist and can hurt your bottom line. While you want to give the benefit of the doubt to your injured workers, be alert for red flags. These can include late reporting, inconsistent injury descriptions and a lack of objective medical support.
At Keefe & DePauli, P.C., we can help you spot and address questionable claims. Our attorneys can help you preserve records related to the accident and expose malingering.
Years Of Experience Representing Self-Insured Companies
In addition to representing businesses that use third-party insurers, we also have extensive experience working with self-insured companies. Our detailed understanding of the unique benefits and risks of self-insurance gives us the tools we need to help such businesses navigate workers’ compensation issues when they arise.
Get More Information About Our Services
If you would like to know how we can help you and your company, the first step is to meet with us by phone or at our office in Fairview Heights, Illinois. To schedule a meeting, please contact us by calling 618-537-1478 or by sending an email.