Worker’s compensation insurance, carried by every employer, is a vital protection for workers against getting seriously injured on the job. When you’re working if you get hurt, no matter what the injury is, worker’s compensation is supposed to kick in to cover your medical bills, recovery costs and sometimes a portion of your lost wages.
However, all too often when people get injured on the job, they find their worker’s comp claim denied. In some cases, this is because they made a simple misstep in reporting their accident. It’s vital to take the right steps in accident reporting to make sure you’re covered. Learn how to make a Chicago work-related accident report, the steps you need to take, and why you should have the services of a Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer.
Reporting a Work-Related Accident in Chicago
When you’re injured in the course of work, the first thing you should do is notify your employer. Report the incident to your supervisor, and arrange to get medical attention. If it’s an injury that has crept up over time, the moment you realize it’s been caused by work, make a report.
This is absolutely vital: when you get injured at work, you have a limited window of time in which to report your injury or you may lose your rights to worker’s compensation benefits. In most cases, this limit is 30 days, but the longer you wait, the more you’re helping the insurance company find an excuse to deny your claim.
Completing an Injury Incident Report
When you report your injury, your supervisor may have you within the next day or two, fill out an incident or accident report to initiate your request for workers’ compensation. If you don’t get one from your employer, you should request one from the state workers’ comp board.
This form will include relevant information about the incident, including:
- The nature of your injury
- How the incident happened
- Who was involved
- The location, date and time
- Any medical procedures or treatment you’ve had
When you turn this form into your employer, the process of receiving worker’s comp benefits begins. Be sure to keep a copy of the form for yourself and your records, in case you need to back up your claim later.
Following Up
Make sure you keep detailed records of every step of your claim, from the moment of your injury all the way through. There may come a time when you have to justify the benefits you’re requesting or receiving, and the more concrete evidence you have, the better you’ll be. Keep track of all forms, documents and medical records, maintain detailed notes regarding how your injury has affected your ability to work, and keep pay stubs, time sheets, and receipts for all of your costs and out-of-pocket expenses, including medication, travel and the like.
Fighting a Denial with an Injury Attorney
Even the most organized people with the most justified of cases sometimes see their claim denied. When this happens, don’t give up! It’s not the end of the road; you can fight a claim denial.
In order to do so, however, you’ll need the services of an experienced workers’ compensation attorney like those available through Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers We’ve helped many people just like you get the compensation they deserve for their injuries, and we can help you as well. Just give us a call today.
