You shouldn’t wait to report a workplace injury in Chicago due to deadlines affecting your rights. Workers have 45 days from the date of their injury or 45 days from the date they became aware of an illness to notify their employer. The clock continues ticking on other deadlines, and waiting may make it harder to get necessary documentation.
Time is not on your side. Call Smoler Law Office today for a free case evaluation from a workers’ comp attorney in Illinois.
Legal Deadlines for Reporting Workplace Injuries in Illinois
An important legal deadline for reporting workplace injury is 45 days from the date of injury or the date you became aware of an occupational illness such as carpal tunnel or toxic exposure. This deadline is to notify your employer of the injury. Few exceptions apply. If you wait to report, you could lose your ability to get workers’ compensation benefits.
Generally, you have three years from the date of injury or diagnosis to formally file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. These workers’ comp deadlines are strict legal requirements, not mere suggestions.
How Delaying Your Injury Report Can Jeopardize Your Chicago Workers’ Comp Claim
Delaying your injury report can impact your claim in a number of ways. Memory becomes more unreliable with time, and documentation may be harder to get. Employers or insurance carriers may have an easier time claiming that your injuries are not work-related. Getting medical care as soon as possible strengthens the documentation of causation between your work and the injury. Waiting too long often means giving up your right to compensation for medical bills, wage loss, and other related damages.
Consulting a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Early Makes a Difference
In the Chicago area, about 3,840,900 people work in nonfarm occupations. Any of them is vulnerable to getting hurt on the job. A workers’ compensation attorney may make all the difference in these cases. A lawyer can:
- Give clarity on deadlines and exceptions
- Help you make your report to your employer, especially with a focus on preventing disputes over the legitimacy of your claim
- Guide you through the workers’ comp claims process
- Advocate for your rights if your claim is disputed or denied
- Add more protection if employer retaliation occurs
Smoler Law Office can help with workers’ compensation claims at any stage. Contact us today.
