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Restoring Dignity & Control After An Injury 

Can your worker’s comp claim be denied?

On Behalf of | Feb 27, 2023 | Workers' Compensation |

An injury on the job should never leave you financially devastated. If you are hurt at work, or while performing employer-approved tasks, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits so you can pay for the resulting medical expenses as well as lost wages.

But not all workers’ comp claims end in compensation awards. Unfortunately, your workers’ compensation claim can be refused for a variety of reasons. If this happens, you might want to know what went wrong so you can figure out your next course of action. Here are a few questions that might help you understand why your worker’s comp claim could have fallen through the cracks.

Did you report your injuries properly?

Illinois workers’ compensation laws require that you report your work-related injury or disabling condition to your employer within 45 days to be eligible for benefits. And this reporting must be made in writing. Taking too long to report your injuries can lead to a claim denial. While reporting your injury, be sure to include the following:

  • The nature of the injury you sustained
  • When and where and how the injury occurred
  • What you were doing at the time of the injury
  • Any witnesses to the incident that resulted in your injury

Alongside reporting the injury in time, it is also important that you file your broader claim within the statute of limitations period. And in Illinois, the statute of limitations for worker’s compensation is three years from the date of the workplace accident or reasonable discovery of your disabling condition.

Did you delay seeking treatment?

If you are hurt or taken ill either at work or at home, you need to seek treatment ASAP. That’s just common sense. In the context of workplace injury, failure to seek prompt treatment will not only jeopardize your health but your workers’ comp claim, which is a legal process, as well.

Get help fighting for your workers’ comp benefits

A work-related injury can keep you away from work for days, weeks, months or even for the rest of your life. The last thing you want when going through those difficult moments is a denied workers’ compensation claim. If your claim has already been denied, don’t hesitate to seek legal guidance about your right to appeal.

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