What if No One Witnessed My Workplace Accident in Chicago?
Many people in Chicago work alone with little to no supervision. If you were injured and no one saw your accident, you might wonder how this will affect your workers’ comp claim. Can you still recover compensation even if there were no witnesses? This is a relatively common question, and one you can explore with an experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Chicago.
Workers’ Comp Is a “No-Fault” System
The first thing you should know is that you don’t really need to “prove” much in order to file a valid workers’ comp claim. Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, a workers’ comp claim falls under a “no-fault” insurance system. In other words, you should be able to receive compensation regardless of who caused your accident. Even if you caused your own injury, you can still file a valid claim.
This makes witnesses relatively meaningless in many situations. The only thing you really need to do is prove that the accident occurred at the workplace or was related to your normal work-related duties.
You May Only Need to Prove That You “Clocked In”
The only real requirement may be to establish that you were at work at the time of your accident. This could be as simple as showing a timesheet that proves you “clocked in” before the accident. Even if no one saw your accident, this evidence will establish that you were at work at the time. This alone should make you eligible for compensation.
Even if your job doesn’t have timesheets, someone might have seen you at work at the start of the day. Even if you later started working in an isolated area with no supervision, the initial contact with another worker could help prove that you arrived at work that day.
See a Doctor After Your Accident
Medical treatment is always important after a workplace injury. However, it could be even more crucial if no one witnessed your accident. In this case, your medical records might represent important evidence that helps establish your injury was work-related. See a doctor as soon as possible if you haven’t already.
File an Accident Report
Another easy step to improve your situation is to file an accident report with your employer. Describe the accident in as much detail as possible, and provide a written report to your manager or supervisor. Your accident report may help establish the facts surrounding the accident in the absence of witnesses. Just remember to keep your story as consistent as possible if you ever repeat it to your employer or insurance representatives. Your lawyer can help you draft the accident report if you’re feeling uncertain.
Can a Chicago Workers’ Comp Lawyer Help Me?
A Chicago workers’ comp lawyer may be able to help if no one witnessed your workplace accident. Since workers’ comp is a no-fault system, the lack of witnesses shouldn’t be a major factor. However, legal assistance may be necessary if you’re facing a denied claim or similar issues. Continue this conversation alongside Connolly Injury Law for further guidance.
Source:
iwcc.illinois.gov/
