In the year 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported a total of 163 fatal workplace injuries in Illinois. The total number of workplace injuries in the whole country during the same year was 5,147, according to the census of fatal occupational injuries program. But what happens to a worker when they get an injury while working? When should you get workers compensation benefits in Illinois? Third party workplace injuries are serious, and you deserve help from an attorney who knows how to handle these cases.
Worker’s Comp Insurance in Illinois
The state of Illinois requires every employer to have a worker’s compensation insurance program that covers all the employees. The insurance cover in Illinois protects the employee’s legal rights. It ensures that they receive compensation due to a workplace illness or injury, regardless of whether they are at fault or not. It covers damages that are caused by the employee’s work wholly or partially, and any work-related injury an employee gets while outside the workplace. In these cases, you need a Chicago construction accident lawyer on your side.
Worker’s Compensation and Personal Injury Claims
However, according to HG.Org, the worker’s insurance does not cover all injuries. Some of the injuries it does not cover include those an employee receives when they commit a serious crime, self-inflicted wounds due to fights, injuries an employee receives while not at work, or those they get when acting against the company’s policy.
When to Report a Workplace Injury in Chicago?
Employees have a responsibility to report any injuries they receive at work on time. The time frame given is within 45 days of the date of occurrence. The injured party should write to the employer indicating the date and time of the injury, together with a brief description of the accident leading to the injury.
When Worker’s Compensation Benefits Aren’t Enough
If the insurer to the company fails to provide the required compensation, the employee has a right to file a compensation claim to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. The employee has to prove that they deserve to get compensation due to work injury. They should also show that they provided the employer with all the information regarding the accident on time. The legal procedures when seeking worker’s compensation may be complicated. Employees should, therefore, seek the help of an excellent personal injury attorney in Chicago to help them through the case.
