How Do I Apply for Workers’ Comp?

Applying for Workers' Compensation

Many people believe that they only need to give their employer notice that they were hurt to start the workers' compensation process. This is not entirely true.

You do need to notify your employer of your work injury or illness, orally or in writing, within 45 days of the accident. Your employer must then inform its insurance carrier of the injury. If the injury prevents you from working for more than three days, your employer must file an accident report with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and pay you temporary total disability (TTD) benefits or explain, in writing, why it is denying benefits.

However, the employer's accident report does not trigger the Commission to act. To protect your right to receive future benefits, you also need to file a workers' compensation claim with the Commission. Generally, you must file a claim within three years of the accident or within two years of your last TTD payment. The Commission will then assign the case to an arbitrator for a hearing.

You may also be interested in:

• When should I start to receive workers' compensation payments?
• Workers' compensation eligibility
• Workers compensation employee misclassification

​Getting Timely Medical Treatment

Another important step in applying for workers' compensation is getting timely medical treatment. Not only is it important for your health, but it will also help your workers' compensation case. Tell your medical providers that your injury was caused by a work accident so that they know your employer is responsible for the bill. Ask them to document your injuries for your workers' compensation claim.

Apply for Workers' Compensation with an Experienced Lawyer

Many people believe that they will lose money by working with an attorney. In many cases, however, the exact opposite is true. The fact is that workers' comp insurance companies make money by denying claims. They are incentivized to give you only as many benefits as they have to, and they will send clients to doctors with whom they have relationships to get a diagnosis that is favorable to them and reduces your award.

​Our lawyers understand these tactics and know-how to fight them to get just compensation for injured workers.

​Contact us today at 309-688-5297 to schedule an initial consultation at our law offices in Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield, and Chicago.