Even using the utmost caution, we spend at least eight hours a day at work, and eventually, most of us are bound to get hurt in one way or another. Although the number of fatal workplace injuries dipped somewhat in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, as the unemployment rate continues dropping, workplace injuries are expected to rise again. 

Illinois requires nearly every worker to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance provided by their employer. However, just because an employer has workers’ compensation insurance does not mean that they will be willing to pay or willing to pay fairly. Sometimes employers even flout the law and do not get workers’ compensation at all. If you have been injured at work, you may want to seriously consider getting help from an Illinois workers' compensation attorney who can help. 

What Does a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Do? 

The responsibility of a great workers’ compensation attorney is to secure the best possible outcome in your case. They know the system and the kinds of mistakes that often trip people up. Attorneys with experience resolving workers’ compensation cases also have the knowledge to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies and non-compliant employers. 

People who are injured while on the job may experience multiple issues that affect their ability to continue working, as well as their overall health and well-being. Fortunately, workers’ compensation benefits are available for those who have suffered work-related injuries. While workers’ comp claims may be focused on disability benefits that address a person’s loss of income due to a work injury, an injured worker can also receive medical benefits. By understanding the types of coverage provided and the steps they should take following a work injury, a person can make sure they will be able to receive the proper medical care that will fully address the ways their injuries have affected them.

Workers’ Compensation Medical Benefits

An employer is responsible for paying for all medical treatment necessary to address a work-related injury and ensure that a worker can recover as much as possible. In addition to receiving first aid or emergency treatment following a workplace accident, an employee can also receive medical benefits that pay for ongoing treatment. This may include visits to doctors or specialists, surgery, physical therapy, medications, chiropractic treatment, and assistive devices such as prosthetics or wheelchairs.

Following a work injury, a person can protect their right to receive medical benefits for workers’ compensation by seeking medical care as soon as possible. By informing medical providers that an injury is work-related, this will ensure that the providers will bill the person’s employer for the care provided. An employee should also notify their employer of the date and circumstances of their injury and the name and address of the doctor or medical facility where they received treatment.

A work-related injury can cause a great deal of difficulty in a person’s life. After being injured, a person may require emergency medical treatment and ongoing care, and their ability to return to work may be affected. Fortunately, workers’ compensation is available for anyone who has been injured on the job. In addition to fully covering the costs of medical treatment related to an injury, workers’ comp will also provide benefits that address a person’s loss of income due to an inability to work. Injured workers should be sure to understand when they will qualify for different types of workers’ compensation disability benefits.

Temporary or Permanent Disability Benefits

When an injury temporarily affects a person’s ability to work, they will qualify for disability benefits while recovering. These benefits will last until they reach the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI). If a person misses at least four days of work, they can receive temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. These benefits will not cover the first three days of missed work unless the person misses a total of at least 14 days of work. These benefits will be paid during a period where a doctor states that the person is unable to work or when they are able to do light work but their employer cannot meet these accommodations. TTD benefits pay 66 ⅔ percent of the average weekly wage (AWW) that a person earned in the 52 weeks before the date of their injury.

If a person can return to work on a part-time basis while they are recovering, or if they will be limited to working in a position that pays less than what they earned before they were injured, they will qualify for temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits. These benefits address the losses a person experiences when working at a reduced capacity. TPD benefits pay 66 ⅔ percent of the difference between the person’s AWW and the amount they earn while they are temporarily disabled.

Last spring, many offices and other workplaces around the country were forced to close as a result of the shutdowns enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19. Some employees, such as those who work in non-essential businesses (restaurants, bars, casinos, salons) were temporarily laid off from their jobs as a result of federal and state-issued orders. Employees in other industries were able to shift to a remote working arrangement—also known as “telecommuting,” or simply working from home. According to various estimates, up to 42 percent of the American labor force is currently working from home, at least in some capacity, and many employers are finding that the transition has had benefits for their companies.

Working from home does have its challenges, however. Managing time and distractions can be difficult for some people, as can putting household responsibilities aside to focus on work. However, there is one concern in particular that many telecommuters have, especially if they were injured while working from home. Does workers’ compensation cover injuries that occur at an employee’s residence?

When it comes to being injured on the job, many injuries are readily apparent and require immediate medical attention. For these types of injuries, it is often easier to pursue workers’ compensation benefits because it is simple to prove that the workplace was the direct cause of the accident. For other workplace injuries, it can take weeks, months, or even years to fully manifest, making it more difficult for someone to claim benefits. One such injury that can be difficult to receive benefits for is carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a chronic injury to the wrist and hand.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

In your arm, you have what is called the median nerve, which runs from your forearm through the carpal tunnel (a small opening in your wrist) and into your hand. The median nerve is responsible for the feeling and sensation of the palm side of your thumb and fingers, not including the pinky finger. If that nerve is stretched, compressed or otherwise irritated, it could lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.