I’m Not Sure If My Injury is Work-Related — What Should I Do?
Injuries don’t just appear out of thin air — they all have a cause. Repetitive stress injuries can come from office jobs just as back injuries can come from manual labor. The first thing you should do if you are hurt is to seek medical attention — not only can you start the road to recovery, but your doctor will be able to tell you whether your injury could have resulted from your job. If there is a chance that it could be work-related, your next step should be to speak with an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney.
How Long Do I Have to Initiate an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claim?
One of the most important parts of initiating a workers’ compensation claim is the notice requirement: you must notify your employer within 45 days of the injury, or within 45 days of discovering that the injury may have resulted from your job.
It may be obvious that you should notify your employer after an accident at work that caused you immediate harm, but it is important to realize that not all work injuries are apparent right away — not only do many compensable injuries occur over a long period of time, but workers’ compensation benefits are available if an existing injury was worsened by performing your job.
That is why the notice requirement is based on awareness of the injury “arising out of” your employment. For example, if you have worsening back problems over the course of several years and are only later informed by a doctor that it could have been caused by your job, you may be able to initiate a claim with the help of an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney.
After so much time has passed, your employer’s insurer is likely to deny your workers’ compensation claim initially, which is why it is important to have a capable lawyer working on your behalf. In such a case, a well-documented medical history of treatment can strengthen your claim. While the insurer will likely claim that you should have reasonably known the causes of your injury sooner, the important thing is when the doctor informed you of a possible connection with your job.
Rubens and Mulholland: a Successful Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law Firm
If there is even a small chance that your injury could have resulted from your job, you should speak with a capable Illinois workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your legal options. Rubens and Mulholland has an impressive record of success in workers’ compensation claims, and there is no fee unless you collect. For a free consultation, contact Rubens and Mulholland online, at 312-201-9640, or toll-free at 866-890-9640.