Illinois workers’ compensation law requires every employer in the state to purchase workers’ compensation insurance coverage. The general rule is that if you suffered a serious work-related injury or illness, benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act are your sole and exclusive remedy. There are very few exceptions to this rule.
Time Limitations
A workers’ compensation lawyer in Centralia, IL will advise that, in order to receive maximum benefits, an injured employee must give his or her employer notice of an accident and injuries within 45 days of the accident. He recommends that such notice be in writing, dated, and include the date and location of the accident. The employee has three years after the date of the accident to file an Application for Adjustment of Claim.
The Employer’s Obligation
If the employee misses more than three days of work after his or her date of injury, the employer is required to submit an accident notice to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. They must then do one of the following three things:
- Start paying the injured employee temporary total disability.
- Request additional information with an explanation of why compensation is needed.
- Deny workers’ compensation benefits with an explanation of why they’re being denied.
A workers’ compensation insurer will do whatever it can to devalue a legitimate workers’ compensation claim, or may even deny it in its entirety. Serious work-related injuries and illnesses in Illinois require representation by a serious and effective workers’ compensation lawyer in Centralia, IL. Contact Olson & Reeves, Attorneys at Law to arrange for a free consultation and case review after suffering any work-related injury or illness. No legal fees are due unless you obtain a settlement.
