Workers’ compensation is a form of no-fault insurance that covers medical expenses and provides partial wage replacement for Illinois workers who are injured on the job. However, there are a few important deadlines in workers’ comp cases.
If you were injured on the job, an experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you with your claim and protect your rights if your employer doesn’t fulfill their obligations.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements
Nearly all employers in Illinois must have workers’ comp insurance or be self-insured. Those who do not carry work comp insurance when they are supposed to may face fines of up to $500 for each day they are non-compliant with the law.
Additionally, there is no waiting period for workers to become eligible for workers’ comp benefits. From their first day on the job, workers are covered by workers’ comp insurance.
How Long Does an Employee Have to Report a Work Injury?
If you suffered an injury on the job, you must report it to your employer or manager as soon as possible. Provide notice both verbally and in writing. Keep a copy of the email you send to your employer informing them about your injury in case you need to prove that you provided notice on a timely basis. The deadline is fairly short, so do it right away.
How Long Does an Employer Have to Report a Work Injury?
After an employer learns of a work injury, they have to report it to their Workers’ Compensation insurance carrier within an even shorter period of time, especially if there is a fatality. Employers who fail to report workplace injuries within the deadlines could face fines and may open themselves up to a personal injury lawsuit as well.
Contact Our Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
If you were injured on the job and need help with your workers’ compensation claim, contact Galanti, Patti, & Winterscheidt, P.C., for a free consultation with a skilled Illinois workers’ comp lawyer. During your initial consultation, we’ll review your case, explain the workers’ compensation process, and answer any questions you have.