DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TO WORKERS’ COMPENSATION?

There is no time to waste if you were injured at work. You probably already know that you need to apply for workers’ compensation benefits in a timely manner, but maybe you are not sure how to go about that process. If you have questions about the Illinois workers’ compensation system, some of the following information may be helpful.

First and most importantly, you should seek medical care right away. Your health is extremely important so early medical intervention is best. When receiving care immediately after and in follow-up appointments, you should provide a thorough description of the event that caused your injury. Indicating that you are unsure how you were injured could make it harder to get workers’ comp benefits.

Working with an attorney during this process is also a good idea. This is because your employer does not handle your workers’ compensation claim — his or her insurance does. The insurance companies are experts on all things related to workers’ comp and are generally more concerned about their bottom lines than workers’ health. Having expert guidance on your side can be essential for navigating your claim.

According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, it is illegal for your employer to fire you if you apply for workers’ compensation benefits. This is important to know since some employers try to bully victims into taking on the burden of their injuries all by themselves. If you would like to find out more about applying for workers’ compensation benefits and your rights under the law, you can visit our website.