Are You Getting the Maximum Benefits?
Worker’s compensation is insurance that employers are required to carry by Illinois law that can cover medical bills and lost income for employees who get hurt or become ill due to job duties. If you’re injured in an accident at work, your employer will file a claim on your behalf with their insurance company so that they can pay for all of your medical expenses and lost wages while you recover.
While many people think of worker’s comp as something only for construction workers or factory workers who get hurt on site, there are actually many different types of injuries that qualify under worker’s compensation law: anything from repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis; falls from heights; burns caused by hot equipment; punctures/cuts sustained while working with sharp objects like knives or scissors; exposure to toxic chemicals such as asbestos fibers…the list goes on!
What is Worker’s Compensation?
Worker’s compensation is a form of insurance that helps employees who have been injured or become ill due to their job. The purpose of worker’s compensation is to provide financial support to workers who cannot work due to their injuries while also protecting employers from lawsuits by employees seeking compensation for their injuries.
Worker’s compensation benefits include:
- Medical care and treatment
- Temporary disability payments while you’re recovering
- Permanent disability payments if you are permanently disabled by your injury
- Vocational rehabilitation if your injury requires you to change jobs
- Death benefits if you lost a loved one due to a work injury
What Qualifies as Injury or Illness at Work
You may be injured or become ill while working. This can happen due to the nature of your job and/or the conditions at work, such as excessive heat or cold. If you are injured or become ill due to your job, you should file a worker’s compensation claim with your employer immediately. You should also seek medical attention for any injuries sustained during employment.
The Worker’s Compensation Process
The worker’s compensation process can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. The first step in filing a claim is to contact your direct supervisor, who will guide you on how to proceed. You may be asked to provide medical records or other documentation of injury-related expenses or lost wages.
If the claim is denied by the insurance carrier, you have the right to appeal.
Types of Benefits
There are three types of benefits available to you under workers’ compensation:
- Medical benefits. These cover all medical expenses associated with your injury, including doctor visits, physical therapy and surgery.
- Wage replacement benefits. If you can’t return to work right away because of your injury, then this type of compensation will help pay for lost wages until you can go back to work or find another job. The amount varies based on how much money you were making before getting hurt.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits. These benefits help workers learn new skills or find new jobs if they cannot return to their previous position due to their injuries. Vocational rehabilitation benefits can cover education or training expenses, job search assistance, and other related costs.
Hiring a Lawyer
If you’re injured on the job, hiring a lawyer is essential. A personal injury law firm will have a worker’s compensation attorney on staff who can help you get the maximum benefits available under Illinois law and protect your rights. Hiring a lawyer will also save you time and money in the long run since they know precisely how to navigate the system and get results for their clients.
An experienced lawyer can easily navigate complicated legal proceedings— and they’ll do so on your behalf! They’ll negotiate with insurance companies (saving time and stress), file the paperwork when necessary, ensure you don’t miss critical deadlines, appear at hearings if needed…the list goes on!
Be sure to inform your employer that you are seeking legal assistance to ensure you file everything correctly; employers get skittish when attorneys are brought up and may need reassurance that you aren’t being hostile— you just want help.
Choose someone local who understands Chicago laws specifically related to workers’ compensation cases because these vary slightly depending upon where one lives within Illinois state borders.
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