Initial Claims

Attorneys for Injured Workers Throughout Schaumburg and Wheaton

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that helps injured employees. Employees throughout Illinois in various industries may be hurt on the job while performing work-related duties or completing tasks at an employer’s request. Injuries that fall under the coverage of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA) may be new or exacerbated, pre-existing conditions. If you need assistance with an initial claim for benefits, the Wheaton and Schaumburg workers’ compensation lawyers at Therman Law Offices can offer dedicated and effective representation.

Initial Claims for Injured Workers Throughout Illinois

The workers’ compensation claims process set forth by Illinois law requires injured employees to comply with specific deadlines and procedures in order to receive benefits. Employers maintain workers’ compensation insurance to provide for workers in the event of a work-related injury or illness. Benefits assist workers who are unable to perform their occupational tasks while healing, or undergoing treatment for injuries. Financial support can include medical costs, payments for disability, and costs for vocational training.

To qualify for workers’ compensation under the IWCA, the employee must have suffered a work-related injury or illness. The first step when filing a workers’ compensation claim is to notify the employer of the accident or injury. Injuries covered by workers’ compensation range from back injuries and broken bones to crushing injuries and torn ligaments. It is important to provide an employer with written notification of the accident or illness, including as much description as possible. Some workplaces include employment handbooks that detail a procedure for notifying the employer of an injury.

According to law, injured workers have 45 days from the date of the incident to deliver written notice. The deadline for reporting a workplace injury may be extended if the injury has slowly developing symptoms, or those that occur over a period of time, such as repetitive stress injuries. If an initial claim is based on a work-related illness, the employee should let their employer know when they become aware that their condition is in fact work-related.

After a worker reports an injury and makes a claim for benefits, the insurance company investigates and determines whether to approve or deny the claim. If a claim for benefits is denied, the employee must receive a written explanation detailing the reasons for denial. Procedural errors can lead to the denial of a claim, as can disputes regarding the injury itself. Upon denial, the worker may file an appeal with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, and a skilled work injury attorney can help.