If you are an employee in the state of Illinois and have been injured on the job, you may be wondering what type of compensation you are eligible for. Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that helps provide financial assistance to workers who have suffered injuries or illnesses related to their job duties.
This blog post will discuss how workers’ compensation works in Illinois and the types of coverage it offers.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a system of benefits provided to employees injured while performing work duties. Benefits cover medical bills, lost wages due to missed work days, rehabilitation costs, and other forms of financial assistance.
Employees do not need to prove negligence or fault by their employer to receive benefits. In exchange for these benefits, employers are protected from being sued by employees for workplace-related injuries or illnesses.
What Does the Illinois Workers Compensation Insurance Cover??
Illinois workers compensation insurance covers all reasonable medical expenses resulting from a workplace injury or illness. This includes hospitalization, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, prosthetics, mental health services, and more. It also covers any wages lost as a result of missing work due to injury or illness.
Moreover, if workers cannot return to their previous job due to injury or disease, they may qualify for vocational retraining services. Other benefits include temporary total disability payments, permanent total disability payments, and death benefits.
Temporary total disability payments are available to employees who cannot work temporarily due to injury or illness. In contrast, permanent total disability payments are available to those with permanent disabilities. Death benefits can help family members manage funeral costs and provide survivors with ongoing income replacement.
How Do I File an Illinois Workers Compensation Insurance Claim?
To file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC), you must submit the Notice of Accident or Occupational Disease and Claim for Adjustment. This form must be filled out completely and accurately, signed by both yourself and your employer, and returned within 14 days of your injury or diagnosis of an occupational disease. Once your claim has been submitted and accepted, the IWCC will begin processing your claim and assign a case number. The case number will be used when communicating with the commission regarding your claim.
Who Pays for Workers Compensation?
Employers in the State of Illinois must obtain workers compensation insurance coverage through private insurers or the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Employers typically pay premiums for this insurance coverage; however, some employers opt to self-insure. When a claim is approved, the insurer or self-insured employer pays out the benefits due to the injured party.
In Conclusion
If you are injured on the job in Illinois, you may be eligible for workers compensation benefits. These benefits can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other necessary costs associated with the injury or illness. You can file a claim directly with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission by submitting the Notice of Accident or Occupational Disease and Claim for Adjustment.
That said, employers in Illinois are responsible for providing coverage via insurance companies or self-insurance plans, which fund the benefits owed to injured workers. Although filing for workers’ compensation can be confusing initially, understanding the basics can help ensure a successful outcome.