Illinois law protects injured workers

When you are injured while working at your job—regardless of who was at fault—Illinois law automatically entitles you to workers compensation.  The Womick Law Firm CHTD in Carbondale, IL stands ready to help you determine your eligibility and fight for your rights and entitlements.  There are a number of different kinds of incidents and resulting injuries covered by workers compensation law, including:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Chemical/toxic exposure
  • Cumulative trauma injury
  • Industrial accident
  • Machinery malfunction
  • Occupational disease
  • Repetitive stress
  • Unsafe premises

When these injuries occur on the job, Illinois state legal regulations hold employers and their insurance companies responsible for a wide range of benefits:

  • All medical expenses
    • First aid
    • Emergency room service
    • Ambulance service
    • Hospital care
    • Doctor fees and prescriptions
  • Rehabilitation
    • Physical
    • Mental
    • Occupational
  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD) during recovery period when you are off from work
  • Death
  • Additional monetary benefits if you suffer:
    • Disfigurement
    • Permanent partial or total disability

Why you need a workers compensation attorney

Illinois employers and their insurance companies and attorneys obviously have a vested interest in limiting their obligations to workers under these laws. If your injuries appear expensive, they may deploy their own investigators immediately to collect evidence to dispute your claim. So, it is important for you to have your own advocate working on your behalf, beginning as soon after the accident as possible.

What to do when you are hurt on the job

There are certain things you should do to protect your rights in a workers compensation claim.  First, report your injury right away and get immediate medical care.  Keep in mind that you are not required to use a doctor selected by your company or their insurer.  Select your own doctors, clearly explain what happened and how you were injured, and make sure they understand the nature of your job and what tasks you have to perform.  Then, follow the doctor’s orders and keep a record of all appointments, treatments, and prescriptions.  When it is time to return to work, get a written document from the doctor describing restrictions you may have.

Read more about how to proceed if you are injured on the job in I Was Hurt at Work. What Do I Do Now? created by attorney Jill Womick-Bloodworth.

Serious lawyers for serious cases!

When you are injured on the job, get advice from the knowledgeable, experienced workers compensation lawyers at the Womick Law Firm CHTD.  The entire firm is committed to providing you with the most viable and practical legal representation throughout Southern Illinois.  Call us today at 1-800-598-2440 or contact the Womick Law Firm online for immediate evaluation of your case.