Workers Compensation in Rockford, IL
You aren’t alone if you wonder how workers’ compensation works.
Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides wage and medical benefits to people who have become ill or injured while at work. How far this coverage goes depends on Illinois state law.
If your injury or illness is eligible for compensation, the insurance carrier should help ease the financial burden.
Learn some of the basic principles of Illinois workers’ compensation insurance and how the process works.
Workers Compensation Statistics in Rockford, Illinois?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Illinois industries with the most injuries is trade, transportation, and utilities. The education and health services industry also reports a significant number of injuries. The majority of Rockford work injuries are sprains and strains, typically caused by twisting, lifting, or repetitive motion. Falls and contact with objects or equipment also account for a large number of work-related Rockford injuries. These injuries can range from minor to very serious. However, more than half result in missed or restricted work.
How Does Workers Comp Work in Rockford, Illinois?
Unfortunately, going through the process of applying for workers’ compensation begins with getting sick or injured on the job. The circumstances surrounding the incident that led to your problems are especially crucial. For example, the injury had to occur during your regular work duties. While an event that happens during your lunch break wouldn’t apply, getting into a car accident while running an errand for your boss would qualify for a claim.
Illinois requires all Rockford employers with at least 1 employee to carry workers’ compensation insurance. All reasonable and necessary medical expenses are covered, but the physician must be approved by your employer. In addition, lost wages can be compensated if more than 3 days of work are missed. According to the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission, the range of weekly lost wage payments is adjusted yearly. For 2021, the minimum is $605, and the maximum is $1,614. In the event of a fatal injury, weekly death benefits and funeral expenses are also provided.
For example, say your supervisor asked you to drop something off on your lunch break. While running this errand you then get in a car accident on your way to the destination. Any resulting injury is eligible for workers’ compensation. However, if you are on your lunch break, performing no such task when you get in an accident, it does not qualify for a claim.
The steps you take immediately following a workplace incident in Illinois are critical for filing a claim. Follow the following steps to preserve your rights and learn how workers comp works.
Get Medical Attention
After you get injured or feel ill, the first step is to see a doctor. Don’t delay receiving help from a Illinois healthcare professional. Taking too long could not only jeopardize your health, but you run the risk of missing deadlines.
Even if you believe your injury is minor, get a proper medical report detailing the extent of the damage and how it occurred. This step is the top priority in the workers’ compensation claim process. Otherwise, your employer cannot file a claim with the insurance carrier.
You may have regular checkups and testing for weeks or months before a doctor finally connects your illness with your job. Your medical records will become the foundation from which the workers’ comp carrier will launch its investigation.
Generally, your doctor determines if the illness happened because of your work conditions or became aggravated by them. Once they do, see your human resources representative to file a workers’ compensation claim.
File a First Report of Injury
Once you have a medical diagnosis relating your illness or injury to your job, you must file a claim with your employer.
Employees in Rockford must report an injury to their employer within 45 days. If the employer fails to file a claim, the employee may do so directly. However, this direct claim must be made within 3 years of the injury.
Timeline and Other Information
If your Rockford worker’s compensation claim is denied, you can request a hearing with the Workers Compensation Commission. The Commission must issue a decision within 180 days of your initial request. If you are temporarily disabled, wage benefits can continue until your condition stabilizes or until you can return to work. Unlike some states, Illinois does not cap the duration of temporary benefits. If your condition has stabilized and you are still unable to work, you may be eligible for permanent disability benefits.
Your employer should furnish you with information about the claims process. The adjuster or insurance carrier representative may want to speak to you at some point about the incident and any possible witnesses to the event. In the meantime, the workers’ comp insurer may begin paying medical benefits while the investigation into your claim continues.
Why You Should Hire a Rockford, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
While workers’ compensation claims may be straightforward for some cases in Rockford, Illinois, in others, it may be more difficult. For example, your employer may decide to question whether you were hurt on the clock or on your own time. It’s also common for a company to question the full extent of your injury. Hiring a Rockfordworkers’ comp lawyer ensures that you have an advocate to fight for your rights as a victim.
Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer In Rockford, Illinois
If you are hurt or contract an illness as a result of your job in Rockford, Illinois you need to find the right people to help. Since the workers’ compensation claims process can have pitfalls, you should consider getting a local attorney who knows how to avoid them.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
