Fortunately, most offices, factories, construction sites, and other workplaces are much safer today than they once were. Local, state, and federal government agencies have enacted workplace safety regulations to protect workers from harm. Despite these safety innovations, accidents often occur on worksites. Some of these accidents result in debilitating injuries that force people to quit their jobs.
Fortunately, with the help of a skilled attorney, most workers in Carpentersville can collect benefits after suffering workplace injuries. Your employer might owe you workers’ compensation benefits if you suffered a job-related injury or illness. A Carpentersville workers’ compensation lawyer could help you follow the correct processes to obtain the benefits you deserve.
State law requires that most employers carry workers’ comp insurance or agree to self-insure their employees. Insurance benefits protect employees who sustain work-related injuries or develop illnesses because of their job duties. Workers’ compensation benefits pay injured employees for their reasonable medical expenses and a portion of their lost wages.
If an accident results in a permanent injury, such as the loss of a limb, the state workers’ compensation statute provides them with payment for the damage. Likewise, if an injury is so debilitating that the worker cannot return to their former job duties, the benefits might include payment for vocational retraining.
In most situations where an injured person seeks compensation for their losses, they must prove that somebody did something to hurt them. However, workers’ compensation claims are different. Benefits are no-fault, meaning an injured worker does not need to show that their employer caused them harm. Hurt workers can usually collect benefits even when responsible for their injuries.
Benefits are exclusive under workers’ compensation statutes. For example, an injured worker cannot pursue a personal injury suit against their employer while collecting benefits. However, workers can file claims against third parties, such as subcontractors or independent contractors, who might have contributed to their injuries.
If an injured worker has questions about how the Illinois workers’ compensation statute might apply to them, a knowledgeable attorney in Carpentersville could guide them through the process and ensure they comply with strict procedural requirements.
In most cases, accidents in the workplace are usually preventable, but often caused by another person’s negligence. Compensation benefits apply to most injuries suffered at work, including the following:
Workers who suffer sudden acute injuries while on the job can usually collect workers’ comp benefits. People who develop illnesses or health conditions after working for a period can also obtain benefits. An experienced lawyer in Carpentersville could help a hurt employee evaluate their injuries and file for the appropriate workers’ compensation benefit amount.
Workers frequently face dangers when performing their job duties. However, employees should be able to obtain payment for workplace injuries and illnesses. Unfortunately, some employers try to protect themselves financially by denying their employees benefits.
If you suffered a job injury, you deserve access to employee benefits. Luckily, an attorney could fight for the benefits you need. Contact a Carpentersville workers’ compensation lawyer today to learn more about the filing process.