If you were injured while performing your job duties, don’t panic: you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, receiving these benefits is rarely an easy process. First, you need to determine your eligibility and make sure you are filing the right workers’ compensation claim.
Understanding how workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Waukegan works can help you avoid legal mistakes and get the money you desperately need at this time.
According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, all employers must provide workers’ compensation insurance to their hired employees who were injured on the job. Exceptions are sole proprietors, corporate officers, business partners, and limited liability companies. Employers who violate the Act can face criminal charges, large fines, and in rare cases, even imprisonment. That is why, in most cases, employees will have proper insurance coverage.
The majority of people who are employed will likely be covered for benefit. In Waukegan, the following people eligible for filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Any worker who suffers an injury while performing job-related duties is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, including injuries from workplace accidents, repetitive stress injuries, and occupational illnesses. Employees can file a claim even if the injury occurred when they were performing their duties offsite.
Workers’ compensation benefits apply to both part-time and full-time employees, as long as they are legally employed by the company. Independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers may not be eligible. However, exceptions exist depending on the nature of their work arrangement.
Employees do not need to prove employer negligence to receive workers’ compensation benefits. As long as the injury occurred during employment, workers can file a claim, even if the employer followed all safety protocols.
If a worker dies due to a job-related injury, their surviving dependents may be eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits. These benefits can cover funeral expenses and financial support for the worker’s dependents.
To be eligible for filing a workers’ compensation claim in Waukegan, an employee has to follow strict deadlines. They need to notify the employer about the injury not later than 45 days after the accident. Delaying this notice could make it harder to obtain benefits on time.
If the injury occurred from a radiological exposure, the employee has 90 days to notify the employer after they suspect receiving an excessive radiation dose. In the case of occupational diseases, the deadline is less strict. The employee should notify the employer as soon as they become aware of the condition.
If the employer does not react to the claim or refuses to pay the benefits, the employee has to consult an attorney.
To receive workers’ compensation benefits, an employee has to go through many complex steps. In some cases, they may not receive enough money or even face a denial. To achieve the desired outcome, consider speaking to an attorney before filing a workers’ comp claim.
A skilled legal team from Schlack & Bassmaji can help you determine your workers’ compensation claim eligibility in Waukegan and initiate legal action. We can also help you choose a healthcare provider who will not ask for compensation until the case is over. Call us for a free case evaluation today.
