An
Illinois Workers Compensation claim
is started by the injured worker or his or her lawyer formally filing an application for adjustment of claim with the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission pursuant to the Illinois Workers Compensation Act.
Before filing an
Illinois Workers Compensation claim, the injured workers or their
workers compensation lawyers
must first determine whether the Illinois Workers Compensation Statute governs the injury. This includes an analysis of whether the Illinois Act is the proper jurisdiction, whether the benefits are covered by the Illinois workers compensation system, whether some other federal law or act governs the injury of the type of worker, and whether the nature of the injury is covered by the Illinois Workers Compensation Act. Federal Workers Acts govern some federal workers. Some classifications of injured workers, such as seamen, dock workers, railroad workers and federal workers are not governed by the state of Illinois Workers Compensation Act.
Jurisdiction under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act is found generally in these injuries: 1. The injured workers contract was formed in the state of Illinois; 2. The work accident occurred in the state of Illinois; or, 3. The employer is principally located in the state of Illinois.
The types of benefits covered by the Illinois Workers Compensation Act, which can be collected by the injured workers or his
workers compensation attorneys
include: 1. Medical benefits for reasonable and necessary medical care; 2. TTD - temporary total disability; 3. TPD- temporary partial disability; 4. PPD - permanent partial disability; 5. PTD - permanent total disability; 6. Death benefits including funeral expenses; 7. Wage differential or diminished wage earner benefits; 8. Statutory loss benefits; and 9. Vocational rehabilitation or maintenance benefits.
The Illinois Workers Compensation Act is a state based system that applies to injured workers in Illinois claims. Jurisdiction of the Illinois Workers Compensation Statute reaches to out of state work injuries if the contract for hire was made in Illinois. Certain Illinois workers claims may be governed by other statutes. You should consult an experienced
Illinois Workers Compensation law firm
if you have questions about which statutes apply to the work injuries. If more than one statute governs, then an experienced Illinois Workers Compensation Attorney can advise you under which statute provides you the best remedy or damages for your injury.
Some work injuries may be governed by the federal workers compensation statutes.
FELA
- Federal Employees Liability Act governs injuries on railroads by railroad workers who can sue their employer for negligence.
FECA
- Federal Employees Compensation Act governs work injuries of a wide range of federal employees.
JONES ACT
- the Jones Act governs injuries by seamen in navigation of ships and vessels in the ocean, rivers, and waterways.
LONGSHORE AND HARBOR ACT
- governs work injuries of dock workers and port employees who are not seamen.
Each of these systems have their own workers compensation claim filing requirements and statutes of limitations.
If an injured worker determines that the state of Illinois Workers Compensation Act governs the work injury, then under Illinois Workers Compensation laws, the workers compensation claim is initiated by formally filing an application for adjustment of claim. This form can be downloaded from the Illinois Workers Compensation website.
The steps to follow in filing an Application for Adjustment of claim under the Illinois Workers Compensation statute are published on the Commission website, as follows:1. Complete the application for adjustment of claim form.
2. Answer all questions on the application for adjustment form. Include description of accident, body part injured, and nature of the injury.
3. Complete the proof of Service section on the back of the form, including the employer’s name and address. Sign and notarize your signature.
4. Mail or deliver a copy to your employer.
5. Send or deliver 3 copies of the completed and signed application to the Illinois
Workers Compensation Commission.
6. Keep a copy for your records.
The
Illinois Workers Compensation Act, contains an Illinois
workers compensation fraud statute
which makes it unlawful file a false or fraudulent workers compensation. The Commission fraud unit is in charge of fraudulent claims.
If you have any questions about how to
file a workers compensation claim in Illinois, contact an experienced Illinois Workers Compensation attorney.
Ron D. Coffel
is an Illinois Workers Compensation attorney with nearly 35 years of experience handling Illinois work injury cases.
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