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When you become injured at work, you may want to know if you are eligible to apply for compensation. Filing a claim may seem complicated initially, but following all the requirements could recover your losses, including lost wages, medical expenses, and more.
Our skilled workers’ compensation attorneys dedicate themselves to helping protect employees’ rights to financial recovery after a job-related injury. Learn about workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Chicago, and find out if filing a claim is right for you to do in your situation.
Following the eligibility requirements for compensation helps Chicago workers recover losses after a job-related illness or injury.
To file a claim for workers’ compensation in Illinois, one must be an employee. The employee can be full-time, part-time, or seasonal. If the worker is a freelancer or independent contractor rather than an actual employee, that person usually is not eligible to claim workers’ compensation benefits. Most business owners are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance to cover expenses related to work-related injuries and illnesses. However, some employers, such as sole proprietors and business partners, are not required to carry this insurance.
The injury or illness must have developed while on the job, and there needs to be evidence showing this. Workers injured on the job site but not on the clock may not be eligible for workers’ compensation in Chicago. However, the worker could be eligible if the injury or illness developed off-site while doing work that the employer sanctioned. A physical injury could include any of the following:
A work-related illness could also be a disease or condition developed due to exposure to dangerous chemicals or other environmental factors. A professional lawyer could help determine if a client’s injury or illness qualifies as work-related.
Employers in Illinois may require injured employees to get care from medical professionals covered under the workers’ compensation insurance plan. If an injured employee chooses an unapproved healthcare provider, they may not be eligible for compensation.
Workers’ compensation claims may be denied if the employee does not meet specific deadlines. For example, the worker has 45 days from the time of injury or the discovery of the work-related illness to report it. It is best to inform the employer about the injury or illness as soon as possible. This increases the chance of getting the claim approved successfully.
In Chicago, employers have a deadline of 14 days to approve or deny the workers’ compensation claim based on eligibility.
When you are unsure whether you can benefit from workers’ compensation, talk to a lawyer at McCready Law. We could help you navigate the legal filing process, beginning with determining your workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Chicago.
To get started or to learn more about your eligibility, contact us to schedule a complimentary legal consultation. Our seasoned personal injury attorneys could answer any questions you have regarding the legal process and help you get started with a claim.