How Do I File a Claim for Workers’ Compensation in IL?

Sustaining an injury on the job can be overwhelming, as there are many steps involved in the process of recovering the compensation you deserve. As such, if you are unsure what you must do to file a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois, the following blog explores the steps in this process as well as the benefits you can recover. In addition, you’ll discover why working with an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney is imperative in the fight for the justice you deserve.

What Are the Steps to File a Claim for Workers’ Compensation?

If you have sustained an injury on the job, it’s imperative to take the necessary steps to best protect yourself when filing a claim. Generally, the first step involved in this process is to seek immediate medical attention for the injuries you’ve sustained. It is a common misconception that, in Illinois, you must go to a doctor approved by your employer. However, you’ll find that you have the right to choose your own doctor in the state. As such, you should go to the emergency room if the injuries are urgent or schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

Once you have sought medical care, you’ll find that the next step you must take is to alert your employer to the injuries you’ve sustained while on the job. In Illinois, you have forty-five days from the date on which your injury occurred to report it to your employer. However, the sooner you inform your boss, the better. If the injury is the result of cumulative trauma, like developing a repetitive strain injury, you have forty-five days from the date on which you learned about the condition.

Once you notify your employer, you’ll need to gather evidence, which includes your medical records, expenses, and any other relevant documentation. Though your employer is also responsible for submitting a claim, you will also likely have forms to file. Generally, this entails submitting an Application for Adjustment of Claim form through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commision’s online system, through the mail, or in person. Once you have filed the claim, you’ll need to check on your case status, which can be accessed online to ensure that you are approved for the benefits you deserve, and you can file an appeal if any are denied.

What Benefits Can I Receive?

In Illinois, injured workers are eligible to recover certain damages to help compensate them for the damages they have sustained. Generally, this only applies to economic damages, which reflect calculable, monetary losses endured by the injured party. Injured workers are unable to recover non-economic damages, which include losses like pain and suffering or mental anguish.

As such, if you have sustained an injury on the job, your workers’ compensation claim can help recover the costs associated with lost wages, medical expenses, career rehabilitation, and funeral expenses. Typically, you can receive up to two-thirds of your average weekly income if you are unable to work due to the injuries you sustained on the job.

As you can see, filing a claim for the compensation you deserve following a workplace injury can be incredibly complex. That is why it is in your best interest to connect with the team at the Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore. Our team understands how overwhelming these matters can be to navigate, especially while healing from an injury, which is why we are committed to assisting you. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you.