Illinois Workers’ Compensation FAQs (Pt. 2)

Picking up from where Illinois Workers’ Compensation FAQs (Pt. 1) left off, below are some more answers to frequently asked questions about Illinois workers’ compensation claims and benefits.

Q – What deadlines do I have when it comes to an Illinois workers’ compensation claim?

A – There are some critical deadlines that people need to be aware of when it comes to Illinois workers’ compensation claims, as failing to meet a specific deadline can result in people’s benefits getting significantly reduced or their claims for benefits getting denied altogether.

Some of the specific Illinois workers’ compensation deadlines that people should be aware of are as follows: 

• 45 days after the date of an accident – Within this time frame, injured people will have to officially report their workplace injury to their employers. Typically, this means providing a written statement of the injury to a supervisor or authority at work.
• 90 days after the date of an accident – Within the time frame, injured people will have to see a doctor for a diagnosis of their workplace injury.
• 3 years after the date of the accident or injury – Within this time frame, injured people have to file a workers’ compensation claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) or lose their rights to benefits for their workplace injuries.

With these deadlines and time frames, people should be aware of the fact that the sooner they take the required action (whether that be reporting the injury, seeing a doctor or officially filing a claim with the IWCC), the better. Waiting in these cases can end up creating more complications for injured workers, particularly when it comes to proving the nature and severity of the workplace injury.

Q – Can I still receive Illinois workers’ compensation benefits if a workplace accident aggravates a pre-existing injury?

A – Yes. As long as the incident that has aggravated a pre-existing injury occurred during the course of performing one’s job (i.e., when a person was “on duty”), an injured person can obtain Illinois workers’ compensation benefits for these injuries. 

Because, however, these cases can be more complicated (as employers’ insurance companies may raise more questions and challenges in these claims), it will be critical for injured workers to have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on their side to advocate their rights and ensure they are able to obtain the full amount of benefits they deserve.

Look for the conclusion to this blog series for some more important info about Illinois workers’ compensation claims and benefits.

Mount Vernon Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

Have you been hurt at work? If so, the Mount Vernon workers’ compensation lawyers at the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are here for you. We take pride in tailoring our legal representation to specifically meet our clients’ needs and in expertly guiding them through each stage of the complex workers’ compensation process. While our attorneys are skilled at standing up to insurers on behalf of our clients, we are also counselors who can provide our clients with helpful legal advice regarding their best options.

Contact Us 

If you have sustained a workplace injury, or if you have lost a loved one due to any work-related injury, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.