Common Workplace Injuries That Become Workers’ Compensation Claims

Our Illinois workers' compensation lawyers discuss common workplace injuries that often become Workers’ Compensation Claims in Illinois.

A workplace injury can affect almost every part of a person’s daily life. Some injuries happen suddenly in serious accidents, while others develop over months or years of repetitive work. Many people hope their pain will go away on its own, only to find it gets worse and starts to impact their ability to work, earn a living, or handle daily tasks. Illinois workers’ compensation laws are designed to provide medical and financial help to Antioch employees hurt while working.

Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, including 820 ILCS 305/1, most employers in Illinois must have workers’ compensation insurance for eligible employees. We often help workers who feel overwhelmed by missed work, growing medical bills, physical challenges, and worries about their jobs. Some are afraid of losing their jobs for reporting injuries, while others face disputes about medical care, disability benefits, or whether their injury is covered. Knowing which workplace injuries often lead to workers’ compensation claims can help employees decide when to get medical care and legal advice.

Back And Neck Injuries Frequently Lead To Claims

Back and neck injuries are some of the most common workplace injuries in Illinois workers’ compensation cases. They often happen in jobs that involve lifting, bending, heavy labor, warehouse work, construction, delivery, nursing, manufacturing, and transportation. Some injuries result from sudden falls or lifting, while others build up over time from repeated strain.

Workers can experience herniated discs, spinal compression, muscle tears, nerve damage, or ongoing pain. Treating back injuries may involve physical therapy, injections, work restrictions, or surgery. Under 820 ILCS 305/8(a), injured workers may qualify for reasonable and necessary medical care related to their workplace injury. Often, employers or insurance companies question if the injury is work-related or if the worker had the condition before the accident.

Slip And Fall Accidents Can Cause Serious Harm

Slip and fall accidents happen in many different work environments, including offices, restaurants, factories, retail stores, hospitals, and construction sites. Slip and fall accidents can happen in many workplaces, such as offices, restaurants, factories, stores, hospitals, and construction sites. Wet floors, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, loose cords, icy walkways, ladders, and unsafe stairs often cause these falls. Employers sometimes challenge claims involving falls by arguing the employee was not performing job duties at the time of the accident.

Repetitive Trauma Injuries Often Develop Slowly

Not all workplace injuries happen in a single accident. Repetitive trauma injuries build up slowly from repeated movements or physical stress. People working on assembly lines, in offices, healthcare, warehouses, factories, and manufacturing often get repetitive use injuries in their hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, or neck.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a well-known repetitive trauma injury. Workers can also get tendonitis, nerve compression, rotator cuff injuries, or ongoing joint pain. Since these injuries develop slowly, people sometimes wait to report symptoms until things get worse. Insurance companies may question these claims because there is often no single accident date.

Construction Accidents Often Cause Severe Injuries

Construction sites are risky because workers are often around heavy machinery, high work areas, power tools, electrical systems, and dangerous materials. Falls from scaffolding, ladder accidents, equipment failures, trench collapses, and being struck by objects can cause serious injuries.

Construction workers can suffer traumatic brain injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries, crush injuries, burns, or permanent disabilities. In some cases, injured workers may also have claims against other contractors, equipment makers, or outside parties if they played a role in the accident.

Shoulder, Knee, And Joint Injuries May Affect Long-Term Mobility

Shoulder and knee injuries are common in jobs that require lifting, climbing, kneeling, pushing, or repeated movements. Torn rotator cuffs, meniscus tears, ligament injuries, and joint damage often need a lot of treatment and rehab.

These injuries can make it hard for a worker to return to their old job duties. Under Illinois workers’ compensation law, some people may get permanent partial disability benefits under 820 ILCS 305/8(d) if they have a lasting physical problem after treatment.

Workplace Exposure Injuries Can Create Serious Medical Problems

Some workers get hurt or sick from chemical exposure, toxic substances, poor air quality, or unsafe work conditions. These claims can involve breathing problems, chemical burns, work-related illnesses, or long-term health issues.

Healthcare workers, factory workers, and people who work around hazardous materials may face higher risks depending on their job. Claims for work-related illnesses can be difficult because symptoms often appear slowly over time.

Reporting Injuries Quickly Can Be Important

Illinois workers’ compensation law has notice rules that injured workers need to follow. Under 820 ILCS 305/6(c), employees usually must tell their employer about the accident within 45 days in most cases. Waiting too long to report can lead to disputes about whether the injury happened at work.

Getting medical care quickly can help document the injury. Medical records, accident reports, witness statements, imaging, and doctor evaluations are often important evidence in workers’ compensation claims.

Benefit Disputes Frequently Arise In Workers’ Compensation Cases

Many workers think benefits will start right after a workplace injury, but disputes are common. Insurance companies may deny claims, question medical treatment, challenge work restrictions, or say the worker can return to work sooner than they should.

Some workers worry about retaliation after reporting injuries or filing claims. Illinois law usually does not allow employers to retaliate against employees for using their workers’ compensation rights, but disputes about job loss or workplace treatment can still happen after serious injuries.

FAQs About Workers’ Compensation In Illinois

What Injuries Qualify For Workers’ Compensation In Illinois?

Many workplace injuries can qualify for workers’ compensation if they happened while you were working. Common examples are back injuries, repetitive trauma, broken bones, head injuries, falls, construction accidents, and work-related illnesses.

Do I Need To Prove My Employer Was Negligent?

No. Illinois workers’ compensation is usually a no-fault system. Injured workers do not have to prove their employer was at fault to get benefits. The main question is whether the injury is related to work.

How Long Do I Have To Report A Workplace Injury?

Under Illinois law, injured workers generally must notify their employer within 45 days of the accident or injury under many circumstances. Reporting injuries promptly may help avoid disputes involving claim validity.

Can I Choose My Own Doctor?

Illinois workers’ compensation law often gives employees some choice about medical providers. However, the rules can get complicated depending on employer-approved provider programs and referrals.

What Benefits Are Available Under Workers’ Compensation?

Benefits can include medical care, temporary or permanent disability payments, help with job retraining, and death benefits in fatal workplace accidents.

What Happens If My Claim Is Denied?

If your claim is denied, it does not mean your case is over. You can request a hearing and take legal steps before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission to challenge the denial or any disputes about benefits.

Can Repetitive Stress Injuries Qualify For Workers’ Compensation?

Yes. Repetitive trauma injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and chronic joint problems may qualify if they are related to your job and supported by medical evidence.

Can I Be Fired For Filing A Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Illinois law usually does not allow employers to retaliate against employees for using their workers’ compensation rights. Still, disputes about workplace retaliation can happen after serious injuries or claims.

Call Our Antioch Workers’ Comp Attorney For Help With Your Claim

Workplace injuries can cause financial stress, physical pain, and worries about your job future. The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. helps injured workers in Antioch and across Illinois with workers’ compensation claims, denied benefits, medical disputes, and workplace injury cases.

Contact our Antioch workers’ compensation attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens by calling us at 847-395-2200 to receive your free consultation.

January 12, 2022February 7, 2023

What Is My Recourse If My Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied?

Workers Comp In Illinois and other states, workers’ comp insurance covers workplace injuries. If you were injured and your claim was denied, there may be several reasons behind it. You may feel as if you are out of options, but there are steps you can take to reopen your case.

What You Should Do If Your Workers’ Comp Is Denied

If your workers’ compensation request is denied, the first thing you should do is to file an Application for Adjustment of Claim through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC). Your employer should file this form, but you can do so as well.

Once that is done, you can request a hearing with them to appeal the rejection. You will get an arbitrator and a case number for your hearing appeal. Workers’ comp lawyers in Waukegan have to file these claims within three years of a worker’s comp rejection.

If you need to get an answer from them fast, you can ask for an emergency hearing via a Petition for Immediate Hearing. However, you can only use this option if your employer owes you more than 12 weeks of disability payments and if you were unable to return to work.

Top Reasons Workers’ Comp Claim Denial

Just because your claim was denied doesn’t mean your employer has it in for you. There are several reasons why you are in that situation. Some of the common reasons for workers’ comp denial include the following:

Your injury did not occur in your workplace. Employers usually deny claims for damages that happen outside the workplace, or if they are not the result of work their employee did for them.
You failed to report the injury on time. You have 45 days to report your injuries to your employer to get the ball rolling for worker’s compensation claims.
Your employer thinks your injury was your fault. If drugs and alcohol consumption led to your injuries, chances are your claim may be denied. If that isn’t the case, you should hire experienced worker’s comp lawyers in Waukegan to sue for compensation.
You have a pre-existing condition that may be confused with an injury. Even these conditions are covered under worker’s compensation if your work duties aggravate your condition. If your employer tries to deny it, you have a solid case on your hands and can hold them liable.

Contact Robert Edens for Legal Representation

If your workers’ comp claim was denied for none of the reasons mentioned above, you should file a lawsuit with help from the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens. We have been fighting for the rights of employees like you across Illinois and have more than two decades’ worth of successful cases to show for it. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clientele.

We can ensure you can get the compensation you deserve. The longer you wait, the higher the chances of claim rejection. We will put all of the resources to work to make your claim strong, and we are not opposed to aggressive tactics if it means you are compensated. Get in touch with us for a consultation today!

January 5, 2022February 7, 2023

How Long Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation in Illinois?

An occupational injury can severely affect your health, career, finances, and emotional wellbeing. While workers’ compensation can compensate you for some of those damages, you are back on square one if they are denied. At that point, you should hire Antioch workers’ compensation lawyers to get the compensation you deserve.

The benefits you get will depend on your specific situation. This includes your medical state and your earnings pre injuries.

Temporary Total Disability Benefits

In Illinois, your workers’ compensation claim allows you to get medical treatment for work-based injuries for a specific period. While you are recovering at home, you can also collect temporary total disability benefits or TTD. These are usually two-thirds of your average weekly salary and can last from a few weeks to years.

TTD benefits are paid till you:

Return to work without any medical restrictions.
Released back to work with medical conditions.
You reach the Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) status. Your doctor will deem you eligible for this status if your medical condition stabilizes to the point that you can work without compromising your health and wellness.

Your TTD can be terminated if your boss gives you a light job that isn’t physically demanding. This can happen whether you return to work or not. You can still be entitled to benefits if your employer cannot accommodate your work restrictions. If your benefits are denied, consult with Antioch workers’ compensation lawyers as soon as possible.

When TTD is Terminated

Once your TTD benefits are terminated, you can still get other workers’ compensation benefits such as the following:

Maintenance awards that cannot be less than your TTD benefits. These should also include expenses and the costs you need for vocational training (if you need to switch professions because of your physical limitations).
Wage differential benefits to offset the reduced salary you get in your new position because of your condition.
Permanent partial disability benefits (PPD) are paid to injured workers as compensation for a permanent work injury as per the body part injured. It is often a lump sum. On the other hand, if your claim has to go to trial first, you may get weekly benefits only. You cannot get weekly and wage differential benefits together either.

Many workers in Illinois and across the nation are told they are ineligible for worker’s compensation for one reason or another. However, not all of them are true. Hardworking employees often get coerced into opting out of those benefits or settling for reduced benefits because of irresponsible and greedy employers and insurance companies.

Contact Robert Edens to Get the Compensation You Deserve

People who file claims months after their injuries never knew they had the right to do so immediately. By the time they file their claim, it is too late. If you think your employer has denied your benefits illegally, get in touch with the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens today. Our Antioch workers’ compensation lawyers have years of experience helping hard workers like you get the benefits they deserve.