Worker’s Compensation claims are much more common than you may think. You might be surprised to know that they can happen anywhere, not just at dangerous work sites. Did you know that there are many different types of claims people can make in the office?
Here are some of the most common things people file for. Always make sure you have a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side so that you can get the most out of your case. This can either make or break what you may get out of your case.
In this Article:
- Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims
- Most Common Worker-Related Injuries
- How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim
- Seek Treatment Immediately
- Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Types of Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers who put their physical well-being at risk day in and day out deserve to know that they will be financially supported in case of a work accident. Workers’ compensation claims exist for this very reason and help cover workers in various situations.
Medical Treatment
Workers’ comp covers any costs that result from your work-related injury. That could mean:
- Doctor visits
- Medical tests
- Prescriptions medications
- Medical equipment (i.e. wheelchairs)
- Hospital stays
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
Many employers will send you to their own doctors for treatment. But know that you are not required to use these doctors and have every right to find your own. In fact, that may be best so that you can find someone you trust and know works for your best interest, not your employer’s.
However, make sure you find a doctor you know you can stick with. It’s not a good idea to jump around to several doctors. Illinois’ two-doctor rule only allows coverage for up to two doctors. However, this does not include referrals you may receive from the primary doctor.
Workers’ Comp Disability Benefits
Serious work injuries may take some time to heal, temporarily or permanently disabling the worker. Workers’ comp will also provide disability benefits to help support employees who cannot fully return to work at full capacity. Workers’ compensation disability benefits include temporary partial disability, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, or permanent total disability.
Generally, it’s best to contact an attorney if you have not yet fully recovered from your work injuries. A workers’ comp layer can help maximize the compensation you are owed to help give you peace of mind while you navigate a new disability.
Rehabilitation and Career Support
If your injury prevents you from doing the same job you had before your work accident, workers’ comp will help cover the cost of finding a new line of work that you can do. That will likely involve vocational rehabilitation and other career support services.
Death Benefits for Dependents
In the worst-case scenario, a work accident may result in the death of a loved one. Workers’ compensation death benefits help relieve the financial burden many families face after such a sudden and unexpected loss.
Death benefits can be paid to the deceased worker’s spouse, minor children, and other dependents to help cover burial and funeral costs as well as 2/3 of the worker’s weekly wages.
Most Common Worker-Related Injuries
Work injuries can be caused by virtually anything. However, some work-related injuries are more common than others.
Exposure to Harmful Substances
Many workers file a workers’ compensation claim due to exposure to harmful substances. Substances could include:
- Extreme temperatures
- Radiation
- Electricity
- Loud noises
- Harmful substances
- Stressful or traumatic events
- Contagious or infectious diseases (i.e. COVID-19)
- Changes in water or air pressure
Work injuries caused by exposure to harmful substances can often cause serious injury and require extensive treatment. Workers’ compensation insurance exists to make sure employees are covered in case of these types of accidents.
Overexertion
Non-impact injuries that can cause overexertion are a common type of workplace injuries. These include times when an employee is injured due to excessive physical activity such as lifting, pushing, holding, carrying turning, or throwing
Repetitive motion injuries are another form of overexertion and are fairly common in the workplace. These injuries result from doing the same small taskover and over again, resulting in stress or strain.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents
Slip, trip, and fall accidents can happen anywhere. This includes the workplace. If there were particularly dangerous conditions that caused someone to fall and hurt themselves, a workers’ compensation claim may be reasonable.
It is an employer’s duty to keep the workplace safe for the people who work there. If there was a wet surface somewhere on the ground without having a “wet floor“ sign on it, the employer may be held liable in this case.
Contact With Equipment and Other Objects
Many professions require heavy, complicated, or dangerous equipment, putting employees at great risk of injury. So it should be no surprise that contact with equipment and other objects is a common work injury in workers’ compensation claims. Contact includes:
- workers struck by a moving object.
- workers who kick, bump into, step on, or are pushed or thrown onto an object.
- vibration injuries
- workers crushed or struck by collapsing equipment, structures, or material
How to File a Workers’ Comp Claim
To file a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois, you need to notify your employer within 45 days of the accident. Your employer will then be required to file the claim with the Workers’ Compensation Commission if your injuries resulted in more than 3 days.
Employers must accept or deny your claim within 14 days of your reported injury. But know that it’s always best to notify your employer as soon as possible so you can begin receiving compensation for your expenses right away.
Also, note that workers’ compensation is not a lawsuit but a form of insurance. Therefore, workers’ comp is a no-fault system and you do not have to prove that your employers’ negligence caused your injuries. But it’s best to notify your employer as soon as possible an
Seek Treatment Immediately
It’s always best to seek treatment immediately if you’ve been injured at work. Don’t wait! Even if your workers’ comp claim has not gone through, you want to have clear documentation of your injuries and that they were caused at work. Be sure to mention to your doctor that your injuries are work-related so this is also clear in your medical records.
Unlike personal injury claims, you don’t have to wait to complete your treatment before you can start receiving workers’ compensation payments for your injuries. So starting treatment sooner rather than later is in your best interest.
Contact a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your accident, you need to reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer to go over the specifics of your case. He or she will be able to look at it with a legal eye to see who may have been at fault for your accident and stress held responsible for the damages incurred.
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the faster he or she can begin working on your case and gaining compensation and justice for you. This will also increase the likelihood of having a good outcome at the end of your case. For a FREE case review, call (312) 600-6000 and find out why thousands say… Larry wins!
