I Went Home After an Injury Without Telling My Supervisor: Can I Still File a Workers’ Comp Claim in Chicago?

Many workers fail to get medical treatment immediately after their workplace accidents in Chicago. Perhaps you suffered a head injury that affected your mental judgment. Maybe the adrenaline after the accident numbed the pain, preventing you from realizing how serious your injury was. Maybe you simply wanted to “tough it out,” but now regret this mindset. Whatever the case may be, you should still be able to file a workers’ comp claim in Chicago.

See a Doctor Before Doing Anything Else

If you still haven’t seen a doctor after your workplace injury, you should do so immediately. Instead of worrying about what might happen with your claim, it makes more sense to prioritize your health. The longer you delay, the more problems you’ll cause not only for your workers’ comp claim, but also for your own health. Certain injuries can become much worse over time if you do not receive immediate treatment.

You Should Still Receive Coverage From Workers’ Comp

If you’re worried about how you’ll pay your medical expenses, rest assured that workers’ comp should still cover your healthcare bills. Even if you failed to see a doctor immediately after the accident, you should still be able to access coverage for medical bills and lost income. Remember, workers’ comp is supposed to be a “no-fault” system.

Notify Your Employer Immediately

After you have received medical treatment, it’s time to contact your employer and inform them about your workplace injury. Be honest, and explain your circumstances. It’s okay that you didn’t seek medical treatment immediately, but providing your employer with an injury report is mandatory. If all goes well, they should be understanding about your situation and help you file your claim.

Why Acting Quickly Is so Important

Seeing a doctor and reporting your injury quickly is important because you need to establish that your medical issues are work-related. Wait too long, and the amount of time between the accident and the injury may start to raise suspicions among your employer and their insurer. In a worst-case scenario, the insurer might argue that the injury must have occurred outside of work. Your insurer might also try to claim that your injury occurred before your workplace accident.

If the insurer tries to deny your claim because of these circumstances, don’t hesitate to contact a workers’ comp lawyer in Chicago. These legal professionals can help you prove that you deserve coverage regardless of any delays.

Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Help Me? 

If you failed to see a doctor immediately after your workplace injury, you should still be able to file a valid claim. However, every moment you delay causes additional issues.  If you’re reading this and you still haven’t seen a doctor, put down the article and get treatment. From there, you can contact an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago. Connolly Injury Law can help if you’re having any issues with your claim.

Source: 

iwcc.illinois.gov/