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We’re committed to helping injured people in Wilmette, and we’ll help you navigate the entire claims process from start to finish—from filing the claim to following through to seeking your benefits, we’ll make sure that you understand everything that should be and will be done.
When you get hurt at work, you generally have 45 days to report the incident to your employer, but it’s best to do so as soon as you can. Once you’ve notified your employer, you’ll want to consider seeking legal representation, as having a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side can be the difference between getting the proper compensation and being left out in the cold.
Don’t take any chances when you’re dealing with a work-related injury: contact a Wilmette worker’s compensation lawyer to get the claims process started.
The Most Common Workplace Injuries
When you get hurt on the job, it’s important to act relatively quickly to deal with the situation. If you’re not sure if your injury will qualify for worker’s compensation benefits, one thing you can do to get a better idea is to research and learn about some of the most common workplace injuries.
Then, you can compare your injury to those. You may be surprised to find that many injuries that don’t seem like they’ll qualify for benefits actually do.
Some of the most frequently occurring workplace injuries include:
- Struck against an object: Injuries involving objects such as windows, doors, and walls.
- Overexertion: Likely the most common workplace injury, these are caused by pushing, pulling, holding, throwing, lifting, or carrying.
- Traffic incidents: Injuries sustained while using company vehicles.
- Fall to a lower level: Falling off a roof or ladder, or down stairs.
- Caught in/compressed by: Injuries that typically involve heavy machinery or occur in factories.
- Slips and falls: Injuries from slippery or uneven floor surfaces.
- Struck by an object: When a person is injured from a falling or dropped object.
- Workplace assaults: Injuries occurring when one or more workers is assaulted on the job.
What to Know About Workers’ Compensation Cases
When you file a workers’ compensation claim, though a work injury attorney in Wilmette will be able to help, it’s important for you to understand the different parts of the case as well. For instance, you’ll want to know about the statute of limitations, what paperwork you’ll need to keep on hand, and the types of compensation you may need to fight for.
The different types of compensation may include medical bill reimbursement, lost wages, permanent injury, or something else. If you need help understanding these aspects, a work injury attorney will be virtually indispensable.
How to File a Claim and What the Process Is
Filing a workers’ compensation injury claim doesn’t have to be complicated—working with a work injury attorney can greatly simplify things.
First, you should report the incident to your employers—this should be done within seven days. When you seek medical treatment for your injuries, be sure to inform the medical staff that your injury is work-related, as your workplace may dictate which doctors or facilities are eligible to provide care.
Next, the doctors or your employer will submit a report to the insurance carrier. The carrier will open a benefits claim, and the claim will be reviewed. If it is found to be compensable, the carrier will contact the injured party as well as the employer to determine the rate of pay or amount of benefits that will be paid while the injured person recovers. If the claim is denied, for some reason, the injured person may appeal that decision.
