What Should I Do If I’m Injured at Work?

If you or a loved one has been injured while on the job it is important that you find a Chicago, Illinois workers’ compensation attorney to help guide you through the next steps that you should take. The steps following an at-work injury are critical because many states have a certain time period during which you must file a claim. If you don’t file within that certain amount of time, you may not be eligible for any type of compensation down the road. As a general rule of thumb, the sooner you talk to an attorney and file a claim the better.

Report All Accidents to Your Employer

Many times, injuries develop after the accident has already happened. Unfortunately, this could be outside of the statute of limitations, so it is important that you report any and all workplace accidents to your employer as soon as they occur. As soon as you become aware of an injury, you should report this to your employer as well. Make sure to request a copy of the accident report. This is good to have for your own records and also serves as confirmation that a report was filed with your employer. 

What Types of Accidents are Covered? 

There is a wide variety of workplace accidents that can occur, so it is important to be aware of the types of accidents that are covered. Many workers who are injured may suffer from ligament tears, broken bones, contusions or concussions as a result of faulty equipment or poor instructions and protocol from management or corporate. You will also be covered if facilities are neglected by your employer or if general safety requirements are not met. When in doubt, feel free to contact our team to determine whether or not you have a case. 

What If the Accident is My Fault?

Still contact our Chicago, Illinois workers’ compensation attorney if you think the accident was your fault. Workers’ compensation is designed to help those have been injured without needing to prove fault. However, self-inflicted injuries or injuries that occur due to the result of horseplay will not be covered. 

Types of Recovery Included

Of course, the exact type of recovery that you receive is never guaranteed. Common examples of recovery obtained from workers’ compensation cases include temporary total disability, permanent partial disability, permanent total disability, survivor’s benefits, pain and suffering, financial recuperation of medical bills, financial recuperation of time off of work, or payment for training in a new vocation.

It is always best to consult our team if you have questions regarding workers’ compensation. Contact us today to get started!