Workers’ compensation is insurance that your employer carries. If your employer does not carry the insurance, then you cannot receive benefits under the system.
Luckily, the state mandates all employers with at least one employee must carry workers’ compensation. If an employer does not have insurance, it might face severe fines and other penalties. You also then have the right to sue the employer in court.
Waiting period
When you begin working for an employer, you automatically get coverage under workers’ compensation. There is no waiting period for your right to get benefits.
Out-of-state
If you work for an employer that is outside of Illinois, you may wonder how that impacts workers’ compensation coverage. The law says regardless of where your employer is if you suffer an injury in the state and your work is in the state or you signed a contract in the state for this job, then the employer must abide by Illinois’ workers’ compensation law.
Rules
You should become aware of the basic rules of workers’ compensation This includes all deadlines, which are very important. If you miss a deadline, it could negatively impact your right to benefits. Furthermore, you need to understand how the insurance provides coverage and know what injuries or illnesses it will cover.
Workers’ compensation is meant to help avoid personal injury lawsuits associated with work injuries. It helps to keep the courts free of these claims and ensures you get fair treatment under the system.
Before you make a workers’ compensation claim, it is a good idea to understand how the system works. You will want to make sure your employer has coverage and is abiding by the law so if you have an accident, you can get benefits.
