What Types of Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Regardless of what industry you work in, you may sustain an injury at your place of work at some point over the course of your career. If this is the case, you may be eligible to recover compensation through special insurance carried by your employer. As such, if you are the victim of an accident at work, you may wonder if the injuries you’ve suffered are covered by this policy. The following blog explores what types of injuries you can seek compensation for and the importance of working with an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney to help you navigate the aftermath of an accident.

What Types of Injuries Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim For?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand when you are eligible to file a claim through your company’s workers’ compensation coverage. Any time you are injured while performing duties related to your job, you can submit a claim. This is true even if you were responsible for the accident. Your employer does not need to share partial liability in order to submit a claim and recover compensation. However, there are exceptions, such as if you were intoxicated, engaged in horseplay, or the injury occurred outside of work hours.

As such, you can recover compensation for a wide variety of injuries, including, but by no means limited to, the following:

• Broken bones
• Burns
• Cuts
• Electrocutions
• Soft tissue injuries
• Neck and spinal cord damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Loss of hearing or sight
• Limb loss
• Paraylsis
• Illnesses from workplace conditions (cancer, scleroderma, respiratory conditions, etc.)

What Should I Do After I Sustain an Injury On the Job?

Following an injury sustained while working, it’s imperative to take the necessary steps to protect yourself. Generally, the first thing you should do following an accident is seek medical attention. If the injuries are urgent, you should go to the emergency room as soon as possible. If they are not urgent, you should still schedule an appointment with your provider as soon as possible.

Next, you’ll need to formally report the injury to your employer. You should note that you only have forty-five days from the date on which the accident occurred to pursue a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois. Failure to report the injury during this time can result in being prohibited from recovering the funds you deserve.

Finally, you should connect with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible to help guide you through this process. Unfortunately, this can be an incredibly difficult matter, which is why it’s in your best interest to connect with the Law Firm of Kevin A. Moore to help you file your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our team today to learn how we can assist you.