What Evidence Can You Use For Your Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claim?

In Illinois, employers are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance for employees. When an employee gets injured in Illinois while on the job, they can recover workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation insurance can help injured employees pay their medical bills and replace most of their lost wages. However, after suffering an injury, you need to provide evidence showing that your injury is work-related before you can recover any workers’ compensation benefits. You need to provide evidence showing how the injury has impacted you. There are many forms of evidence that you can use for your Illinois workers’ compensation claim. The following are some crucial pieces of evidence that can help your Illinois workers’ compensation claim.

Personal Account

One of the most crucial pieces of evidence that can help your Illinois workers’ compensation claim is your own account of the incident that led to your injury. In your personal account, ensure you document what happened before, during, and after the accident. If you were working with a piece of equipment when your accident occurred, ensure you include that information in your statement.  Providing an accident report to your employer immediately after the accident is an essential piece of evidence.

Witness Statements From Co-workers

If a co-worker was present during your accident, your workers’ compensation claim might benefit if you have them give a statement. A statement from a colleague who witnessed your accident can, for example, provide crucial information about what the working conditions are like for your job. If a co-worker witnessed your accident, ask them to give as much information as possible. The more details your co-worker can provide, the better for your case.

Medical Records

The insurance company might argue that you had a pre-existing condition or suffered your injury in another incident. Your medical records establish a verifiable diagnosis and link it to the accident that occurred while you were on the job. Your medical records can show the severity and progression of your injury and the costs and length of treatment.  Getting medical treatment immediately after an accident and providing an accurate history of the accident will further aid in establishing the accident as the cause of you injuries and need for treatment.

Expert Testimony

Your attorney can help you find an independent doctor to assess you and give their expert opinion on the extent of your injuries and the treatment you need. Apart from a medical expert, you could also use an occupational expert. For example, if your injury has impacted your capability to perform work duties, a vocational rehabilitation expert can help you prove how your injury may limit your ability to do some work duties. Additionally, an accountant can help show how the injury has impacted your financial situation.

Photos and Video Footage

Pictures can come in handy in a workers’ compensation claim. That is why it is vital to take photos after suffering a work-related injury. Images of the accident scene, any equipment involved, your injuries, and damages to your clothes can help your workers’ compensation claim. Also, if your workplace is equipped with security cameras, the video footage from those security cameras could be used as evidence in your workers’ compensation claim. An attorney can help you request a copy of the footage. Usually, security footage is kept for a short time, so make sure you act fast.

Contact Us for Legal Help

If you’ve suffered a work-related injury in Illinois and need help through the workers’ compensation process, contact our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer at Connolly Injury Law at (312)-780-0816.

Source:

law.cornell.edu/wex/workers_compensation