As a matter of course, the State of Illinois, like most states, requires employers to buy insurance that covers any injuries of workers while they are hurt on the job. However, the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim and successfully getting compensation can be complex and intimidating to an employee who is injured performing job-related duties. The reason that these claims are difficult to manage are that there are deadlines that must be met, and some workplace injuries may be caused by the negligence of a third party who was involved in the work setting. A Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer can help after a work-related injury, by helping you wade through the filing process, and by evaluating your case to find any other sources of negligence.
What to Do After Being Injured at Work
When you’ve been hurt at work, the first thing to do is to seek medical attention for managing your injuries. You have 45 days to notify your employer of the injury, but the sooner you do this, the better. If you miss more than three days of work due to the injury, your employer must submit an accident report to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. The employer must then also either begin compensation payments to you, or tell you why they are being denied the opportunity to receive these payments. If benefits are denied, you must file a claim with the Commission. Hiring a lawyer at this point is also a good idea to help you manage your case and get the most advantageous result.
When You Can Also File a Personal Injury Claim
Some workplaces use different third parties at the work site to help finish work contracted to be completed for a client. For example, a construction site may have contractors that are not employers of a party who is injured on the job. However, a contractor may be guilty of negligence that leads to an employee injury. In cases like this, a civil personal injury claim may also be filed, as the negligent third party may be an additional source of compensation. This is especially true of a protocol or rule at the job site was neglected and it resulted in a safety issue occurring when this happened. An experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can help you determine when to do this.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation With a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Today
If you’ve been injured at work, call to schedule a free consultation with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago today. The experienced legal staff at the Budin Law Offices will help you navigate the workers’ compensation claim waters smoothly, so that you get the compensation you deserve. We serve the city of Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas. Call us at 312-377-0700 and let us give you legal guidance you can trust.