Report Sooner Rather Than Later
Workplace accidents are often unexpected and can have devastating consequences. When these occur, it's crucial to not hesitate and report your accident as soon as possible to a supervisor or HR representative. Read on to learn why.
Why Report Early?
Depending on the nature of your accident, the damages done to your physical and mental health could have immediate or long-term implications that need to be addressed. For example, someone who works with chemicals in a lab may not experience the effects of toxic exposure until years later, while a construction worker may have an immediate injury from a fall.
Reporting your accident immediately, no matter the circumstances, ensures that you have a written record of what happened to you. This helps you in the long run if more issues arise as a result of your accident and serves as essential evidence for filing a claim. Furthermore, this also allows you to get the treatment you may need quicker, which could help you have a speedier recovery.
Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim
If your workplace accident left you unable to do your regular job functions or significantly affected your health, the next steps after reporting would be to file a Workers' Compensation claim with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Doing so will help put you on the right track to recovery for damages sustained.
In addition to filing this claim, you may want to seek the help of an experienced Illinois Workers' Compensation attorney. They work to guide you through the process and help you understand the complexities that may arise from the accident's circumstances.
Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
If you need legal representation or assistance for your Workers' Compensation claim, trust the award-winning team at Leonard Law Group. With over two decades of experience, they know how to navigate the red tape that can come with workers’ comp claims. Call (312) 487-2513 to schedule a free consultation.