Being injured on the job is a difficult and stressful situation. Fortunately, there are services in place to help individuals who find themselves in this unfortunate predicament. Chicago workers’ comp lawyers can provide invaluable assistance when it comes to navigating the complicated world of workers’ compensation. Below, we will discuss some of the most important information you need to know about Illinois workers’ compensation laws.
The Illinois Workers Compensation Act covers any type of work-related injury or illness, including physical or psychological injuries that may have been caused by repetitive stress or trauma. This includes both on-the-job injuries and illnesses that were contracted due to exposure in the workplace. In addition, some injuries incurred during activities related to your employment may be covered under workers’ compensation insurance, such as those sustained while attending company events or business trips.
There are three main types of benefits available through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation system: medical benefits, temporary total disability benefits, and permanent partial disability benefits. Medical benefits cover all reasonable medical costs associated with your injury, including medical visits and medication costs. Temporary total disability benefits provide income replacement for individuals who are unable to work due to their injury. Permanent partial disability benefits provide compensation for individuals who experience a permanent loss of use of a body part due to an injury sustained at work.
Your employer is responsible for providing coverage for your workers’ compensation claim. The employer must purchase a policy from an insurance company that will pay out if there is a valid claim made against them. It is important to note that employers cannot deny employees access to these funds if they become injured on the job. That is illegal for them to do so under state law.
In order for your claim to be successful, you must report your work-related injury within 45 days from the date you became aware of it or when your doctor diagnoses it (whichever comes first). Additionally, claims must be filed within 3 years from the date of your accident or when you became aware of your illness/injury (whichever comes first) or else they will not be considered valid by the court system. It is best practice to report any work-related injury or illness immediately following its occurrence in order to ensure that your claim remains valid and intact should you choose to file suit at a later date.
If you live in Chicago and have been injured while working, then you may benefit greatly from hiring one of Chicago’s leading workers’ comp lawyers who specialize in handling these types of cases. These professionals can help guide you through every step of the process and ensure that you receive all necessary benefits under state law as quickly as possible. Additionally, most workers’ comp lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning no money up front. They only get paid once they successfully recover funds on behalf of their clients. It’s important that anyone dealing with an injury on the job understands their worker’s rights under state law and seeks legal advice if needed. Contact the attorneys at Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg for a consultation today.