Top 3 Steps for Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

According to the Illinois Worker Compensation Act, your employer is responsible for your safety at work. This includes ensuring they purchase worker compensation insurance and implement safety standards in the workplace. If you have been injured on a job, you have the right to ask for compensation.

If you are denied this, you can file a complaint with help from a lawyer who is familiar with the filing procedure of the state. Here are the steps you will be advised to take:

Step 1- Seek Medical Care Immediately

Under the Act, you can choose your own physician after you are injured at work.

Step 2 – Report the Accident and Injury at Work

If you don’t report the injury and the incident that caused it with your Human Resource Department within 45 days, you may lose out from receiving compensation. Make sure you submit the claim in writing. They should have a form for you to fill as per company policy. If you meet with resistance at this point, hire an attorney right away. Also, the deadline does not apply if you suffer from an occupational illness (like lung disease from breathing in toxic fumes at your place of employment).

Step 3 – File the Claim with the Commission

After reporting the incident, you need to file a formal claim with the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Commission. This will involve a special application your lawyer can help with.

Don’t worry about getting backlash from your employer during the filing process. Your attorney will get in touch with their insurance company on your behalf - and this includes meeting with your boss.

While you can file the worker compensation claim yourself, the complex paperwork and procedure may get the better of you. The result may be loss of wages that you deserve and medical bills you will have to pay out of pocket.

This is where the Law Office of Fedor Kozlov is here to help. With more than five decades of combined experience in worker’s compensation and other issues, we can ensure you receive the compensation you deserve from uncooperative employers. We will stand up for your rights and ensure you get paid for the pain and suffering you are going through. In fact, you can pay us only when you get paid. That’s how confident we are when it comes to each case we handle.

Get in touch with us for a free consultation in Schaumburg, IL by call in 888-841-4878.