May 26, 2020
No one sets out to sustain an injury at work, but accidents and incidents happen. Every day, workers go to work and never return home the same.
When dealing with a work injury, it may seem like a foreign language or process. You may not know exactly how the workers’ compensation claims process works, but this knowledge is necessary to achieve a resolution for your injury. Take a look at the first steps in handling a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois.
Notify the proper manager
A crucial step to ensuring you retain the right to file a claim is notifying your employer. Your workplace may have a sign posted about the proper person to take the report. If you do not know who to report your injury to, you can tell a supervisor or a human resources representative.
See a doctor
You may need immediate treatment depending on what type of incident or injury occurred, and as such, may not have the ability to report it. Even if you have a less severe injury, you may have to treat first and report later. This practice is acceptable and will not bar you from filing a claim. To qualify for a workers’ compensation claim, you need to seek medical treatment. If possible, try to have your employer send you to the hospital or their occupational clinic.
Go through the process
When you have received an initial medical workup and reported the injury, your employer will transmit a claim to its workers’ compensation insurance carrier. The employer and insurance provider may refer to this as a first report of occupational injury. This is your account of the incident that led to your injury. You may want to include any witnesses who can provide further information. The insurance company will then review the claim and may start administering medical benefits, even while the review process goes forward.
If you or someone you know has been injured at work and is interested in learning more about work related injuries and what to do, please feel free contact our team at Prime Law Group, LLC. Our accomplished McHenry County Personal Injury lawyers and team can help To schedule your free consultation, call our office today at 815-338-2040.
Also please feel free to complete our online inquiry form. If you have any questions on the process or need additional information, let us know how we can help!
