Healthcare Workers Can Face Unique Risks in Illinois

 Posted on December 07, 2023 in Uncategorized

Healthcare workers can suffer more workplace injuries than most other professions. Doctors, nurses, aides, technicians, and other healthcare personnel often handle heavy equipment, deal with demanding and rude patients, perform physical tasks, and risk exposure to infectious diseases. These hazards can lead to career-altering or even life-threatening injuries.

If you are an Illinois healthcare worker who has suffered a workplace injury, you may have a right to workers’ compensation benefits. An Illinois attorney can help you understand your legal options.

Determine If Your Injury Qualifies

Illinois Workers’ Compensation law provides wage replacement, medical care, and rehabilitation services to employees injured in work-related accidents. Generally, you must show your injury occurred within the scope of your employment duties.

Common compensable claims from healthcare professionals include:

• Back injuries from lifting patients

• Slip or trip and fall accidents

• Needle stick injuries

• Exposure to infectious diseases

• Injuries from workplace violence involving patients

Not all injuries qualify. For example, you likely cannot claim benefits if you hurt yourself commuting or during your lunch break. An attorney can examine your situation and advise if your injury meets Illinois workers’ compensation requirements.

Understand the Benefits Available

In addition to paying for all reasonable and related medical treatment, Illinois workers’ compensation for healthcare employees can provide:

• Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if the injury forced you to miss work

• Permanent partial or total disability benefits for career-ending injuries

• Vocational rehab to retrain for another position

You will need to get the proper value of your claim under Illinois guidelines and fight for the highest amount of compensation you are able to get. Unfortunately, an amount is never guaranteed, but you should always try to go after as much as possible.

Act Fast to Protect Your Rights

It is critical to act quickly to avoid jeopardizing your Illinois workers’ comp rights and benefits. Specific laws and deadlines apply, including:

• Reporting the injury promptly to your employer

• Filing a claim within three years of the injury (certain exceptions apply)

• Attending all required hearings with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission

Additionally, insurers often deny claims immediately, hoping injured workers will not push back. Having an assertive lawyer on your side can help.

Contact a Bensenville, IL Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

The process of filing, negotiating, and settling a workers’ compensation claim for healthcare employees can be complex. However, a DuPage County, IL workers’ compensation attorney can handle every aspect of your case while you focus on your recovery. Do not leave your finances or future up to chance. Call Kaiser Law at 630-274-4400 for a free consultation and see the next step you can take.