Someone famous once said “90 percent of life is showing”. This applies to Illinois Workers’ Compensation too.
If you do not file an application, you cannot get Work Comp benefits.
It does not cost anything to file.
No attorney fees unless you win, and they are limited to 20 percent of what you recover.
You never know what the Judge will do. You cannot recover or settle until you file. And if the insurance company does not offer anything you can only recover if go to trial.
You never know what witness will say under the pressure of trial.
The bottom line is show up and be prepared; life is always surprising.