In Illinois, it is an unfortunate fact that every year, many workers are injured while on the job. And if an injury is severe enough, an employee may be forced to stop working for a prolonged period of time.
But when workers are injured, they should be able to depend on the financial support offered by workers’ compensation to help cover medical expenses and lost wages. Unfortunately, recent studies indicate that injured workers are having a harder time receiving compensation.
According to researchers, there has been a decline of benefits for injured employees. One explanation for the decline could be the decreasing rate of work-related accidents. But there could also be a less positive explanation.
A university economics professor who helped author a report released by the National Academy of Social Insurance says that in some states, the rules for filing claims are now more stringent. As a result, it has become more difficult to get claims paid.
Another possible factor contributing to the decline in workers’ comp payments could be the increased rates that insurers are charging employers. This rise in employer premiums may be a response to increased hiring in certain job sectors, such as manufacturing and construction, which typically have higher associated costs.
But if you are injured on the job, you should be able to receive the compensation that you need. One thing you can do to improve your odds of receiving fair payment on a claim is to contact an attorney who is experienced in handling workers’ compensation cases. The attorney could go over the details of your accident to make sure that you file a claim that addresses all of the issues your injury has caused. The attorney could also act on your behalf by dealing directly with your employer as well as their insurance company.
Source: Business Insurance, “Workers seeing fewer comp benefits,” Sheena Harrison, Sept. 27, 2015