The state of Illinois has a no-fault workers’ compensation system that can help an injured employee access benefits, even if their behavior contributed to their condition. However, there are circumstances that can cause a worker to receive a denial after filing a claim.
It is useful for workers in Illinois who have experienced harm or injury on the job to understand how the no-fault system functions.
Workers’ compensation
The workers’ compensation program in Illinois runs according to a no-fault rule. This means it does not matter whose behavior contributed to injury or harm in a workers’ compensation claim. In other words, an employee does not need to prove that their workplace injury results from their employer’s negligence or misconduct. Employees who make mistakes and hurt themselves on the job can still seek coverage under workers’ compensation in Illinois.
Reasons for denial
There are situations in which insurers deny claims for workers’ compensation. For example, a worker in Illinois generally cannot receive benefits for an injury that occurred while the worker was intoxicated. In some cases, employers require workers to undergo drug and alcohol testing after a major workplace accident.
Horseplay, or behavior that deviates significantly from job duties, can also result in a denied claim, particularly if the injured party initiated the playful actions. On the other hand, nonparticipating parties who sustain injuries might be eligible for workers’ compensation.
Job-related injuries can be expensive and disruptive for workers and employers alike. The no-fault statute in Illinois’s workers’ compensation program helps injured employees gain access to crucial support as they recover and deal with the complications of workplace injuries.
