If you work in Illinois, it will be important for you to have an understanding of how the state’s workers’ compensation program operates. Most people never expect to become ill due to a work-related situation or environment or to get hurt at work but this can and does happen. Being prepared and informed is important when it comes time to file a claim for benefits.
Even if you believe your situation is clear and that your injury or illness is work-related, you should learn about some of the factors that may contribute to either a denial of benefits or a dispute about your benefits. As explained by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, the failure to notify an employer within the given timeframe of an injury or an illness is one factor often associated with a dispute or a denial.
Other factors include a dispute about whether or not a true employer-employee relationship existed at the time of the stated event and if the injury or illness can accurately be linked to a workplace incident or environmental exposure. An employers’ coverage may also contribute to problems with a workers’ compensation claim as can disagreements about whether or not an event or exposure ever happened.
If you would like to learn more about the workers’ compensation program and how to file for and receive benefits after you have been injured or made ill due to a work-related event or environment, please feel free to visit the hurt or sick employee’s rights page of our Illinois workers’ compensation website.
