You think you are having a normal Monday at work until you need to visit another part of the warehouse to retrieve a shipping item. On your way to pick up what you need, you trip and fall – badly. You injure your knee and suffer a concussion too. Now, you’re going to be out of work a bit until you recover. Will your injury qualify for workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation basics
In Illinois, if you suffer an injury at work, you qualify for worker’s compensation. Employees must inform their employers within 45 days of their work injury to qualify for workers’ comp. Employees also need to promptly seek medical treatment for their workplace injuries. You should check with your employer if you need to visit a doctor who your company’s workers comp insurance plan approves.
If you can’t work for at least three days after your injury, you should begin receiving workers’ compensation benefits right away. If your employer’s insurance provider is denying your workers’ compensation benefits, you should be notified of that within that time.
Third-party liability claims
You also may have a third-party personal injury claim if you suffer a slip-and-fall injury on the job. If you are a delivery driver and slip and fall on someone’s icy stairs while delivering a package, you could sue the homeowner because their negligence caused you to suffer an injury. Or if an outside cleaning company cleans the floors of the warehouse you work at, you could sue that company if it didn’t post a sign that the floor was slippery and you fell and sustained an injury.
Getting help after a work injury
If you have problems getting your workers compensation benefits, you should consult an experienced attorney. You want to ensure you receive maximum benefits while you recover from your injury. If you feel a third-party’s negligence contributed to your work injury, you also could have a personal injury claim. An attorney can help you determine if another party might be responsible for the injury you suffered.
You shouldn’t have to worry about paying your medical bills after suffering a work injury. You should be able to focus on your recovery and getting back to work. That’s why it is important to get the workers’ compensation benefits you deserve.