Illinois Workers’ Compensation Injuries

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides compensation for accidental injuries or death suffered in the course of employment, including: payment for medical expenses, payment for lost wages, job training and a settlement or award for the permanent nature of your injuries.

There are four types of injuries Illinois workers’ compensation may cover: traumatic physical injuries, repetitive trauma injuries, mental injuries and occupational diseases.

Traumatic physical injuries
Traumatic physical injuries represent the most common claim in Illinois workers’ compensation law. This type of injury can be traced to a specific incident that caused a specific accident at a specific time. For example, you slip on a wet floor and fall while at work and break your leg.

Following an injury on the job, you should seek medical attention immediately. As soon as possible, notify your employer of the accident or injury. If notification isn't made within 45 days of a work accident, you may forfeit your right to workers’ compensation benefits.

If you are injured at work it is important that you give an accurate description of exactly what happened to your medical provider. If a dispute arises as to how, when or if a you sustained an injury as a result of a work-related accident, a detailed and accurate description of the accident given to your medical provider could substantiate the your claim.

Other common examples include lifting injuries, car accidents on the job, being crushed by a machine or having something fall on you. The bottom line is that your injury can be traced to exact time and location.

Repetitive trauma
Not all workers' compensation injuries can be traced to a specific time and place. Some work injuries build up over time due to repetitive stress. These types of injuries generally result from doing the same action for hours each day. Jobs that require repeated lifting and/or squatting can cause repetitive motion injuries to the back, hips, and knees. The most common repetitive trauma problem is typing which can cause carpal tunnel, ulnar neuropathy, cubital tunnel and neck injuries.

Your job doesn't have to be the primary cause of your injury. Even if your work was only a contributing cause of the problem, you are eligible to receive benefits.

As soon as you suspect that you have developed a condition from repetitive trauma at work, you should report it to a supervisor. In addition, when you see a doctor you should give them a detailed description of your job activities.

Mental injuries
Employees who suffer emotionally as a result of physical injuries as well as emotional strain may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. An example of a mental injury that arises out of a physical injury is when a worker suffers a head injury and experiences memory loss as a result. Another example would be if you became depressed over a back injury that is now limiting you and need counseling.

An example of a mental injury that arises out of emotional strain is when a factory employee is too traumatized to return to work after witnessing a co-worker’s leg amputated at work.

Psychological injuries that arise from something that you see or experience like being robbed at gun point are harder to prove than if the mental injury stems from a work related accident.

Occupational diseases
An occupational disease is any chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work or occupational activity, and may include: skin diseases and conditions, allergic reactions, neurological disorders, contagious diseases, lung and respiratory illnesses, silicosis, asbestos, and cancer. A person disabled by a work-related occupational disease receives the same benefits as for an on-the job injury.

These injuries can be difficult to prove and a good lawyer will do things to help the case like calling in OSHA or a local health inspector so they can prove there is something in the environment on the job that is causing problems.

To win a claim for an alleged work injury you don’t need to prove that your job was the only cause of your problem. Instead you need to show that it caused, aggravated or accelerated your condition. If you want to know if you have a claim, just have questions or want a referral to an Illinois work injury law firm, please contact us at any time. All calls are free and confidential.