State law mandates that all businesses offer worker’s compensation benefits to employees injured on the job. This insurance coverage allows workers to collect payment for medical expenses and lost income for their work-related injuries. Unfortunately, employees commonly make mistakes when applying for worker’s compensation, leading to delays or a denial of benefits.
Correcting errors, negotiating approval, and agreeing to a benefit amount without professional help can be a complex and stressful process. However, an experienced workers’ compensation attorney could assist you. Contact a diligent lawyer about common mistakes in Joliet workers’ compensation cases if you need benefits to pay for your losses after a workplace incident.
Employees can avoid delays in their workers’ compensation benefits by preparing themselves for easily avoidable mistakes. Common errors made by claimants include:
Seeking immediate medical care after an injury on the job is the most vital step to receiving workers’ compensation benefits. Failure to seek treatment after a workplace accident could force an insurer to conclude that a person’s injuries were not severe enough to warrant compensation.
In addition to seeking medical attention, saving all documentation related to the injury and any ongoing treatment that can be submitted to an insurance company is critical.
Often, an employer will dispute a worker’s employment status at the time of their injury. Obtaining proof of employment status after a workplace incident could help avoid long delays in receiving benefits. However, failing to acquire this proof could negatively impact a workers’ comp claim.
An employer or insurance company may argue that an injury did not occur on the job. To avoid these disputes, employees should seek medical attention and inform a physician about the harm they sustained because of their job duties.
Employees can also ask medical professionals or a human resources worker at their company to record how an injury occurred and document it accordingly. Failure to prove that an injury happened while an employee was working could make filing a claim more challenging.
Finally, employees must notify their employer about their injuries within 45 days of an accident. Failure to provide this notification could cause an employer to argue that an injury was not unrelated to work duties.
To avoid common when filing a worker’s compensation case, contact a skilled attorney member in Joliet. If an insurer denies an employee benefits following the correct workers’ compensation application steps, a legal team member could help appeal this decision.
After an employer receives notice of a workplace injury, they must immediately inform the workers’ compensation insurer. Additionally, a company must inform an insurer even if they want to dispute a claim for benefits. After an insurance company receives a notification of a job-related injury, the employer must begin making payments to the injured worker, give them written instructions about the benefits process, or give them written notice of why they denied the claim.
If an employer intentionally fails to offer an employee workers’ compensation benefits, they may be subject to a $500 daily fine. According to Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, employers are prohibited from charging an injured worker for any part of their medical coverage or benefits after a workplace injury. Likewise, an employer must never harass or discharge an employee for collecting the benefits they are entitled to after a workplace injury. A knowledgeable lawyer could provide advice and solutions regarding common mistakes in Joliet worker’s compensation cases.
Workers’ compensation benefits offer employees financial stability after sustaining injuries on the job. However, obtaining payments can be challenging, and strict guidelines must be followed to avoid delays or denials of benefits.
Reaching out to a skilled legal professional could be the best way to receive a prompt settlement. If you need help filing or collecting benefits, contact a seasoned lawyer about common mistakes in Joliet workers’ compensation cases.