Watch Out- Danger in Completing Workers Compensation Forms

This is a cautionary tale to protect the value of your Illinois Workers’ Compensation case.

The forms you complete at the beginning of your work injury are very important and may make the difference between winning and losing.

Just imagine that you have sustained a work injury and work wants you to complete forms for off work pay and an incident report.

Suppose that you complete the form and you mark it is not a work related injury, or fail to mark that it is work related.

Or suppose that you complete the doctor office form and mark that it is not work related, or fail to mark that it is work related.

The Arbitrators and Workers’ Compensation Insurance companies pay close attention to these forms.

Some people initially will fail to tell others that it is a work related injury. There may be a variety of reasons: I misunderstood. I didn’t know that a gradual onset injury over time was a really a work injury. I was afraid they would fire me. I did not know who pay the bills.

Changing your story later will lead to all kinds of trouble.

The Arbitrator and Workers’ Compensation Insurance company will often take the position that there was no work injury because you told them so at the beginning of the case.

Do yourself a favor and report all work injuries in writing, immediately.

Confused? Uncertain? Make sure to discuss it with an experienced lawyer right away. Feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

 

 

Death by Forklift is Really the PITs — Occupational Health & Safety

Source: Death by Forklift is Really the PITs — Occupational Health & Safety

Click above to read.

OSHA safety tips. You do not want to have to see an Illinois Workers’ Compensation attorney because it means you were injured. You especially do not want to have your family see a work comp lawyer.

LeRoy officer injured while making arrest | Local Crime & Courts | pantagraph.com

LEROY — A LeRoy police officer was injured while arresting a Nebraska man on multiple charges late Sunday night.

Source: LeRoy officer injured while making arrest | Local Crime & Courts | pantagraph.com

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An officer injured in the course of performing his duties is entitled to Illinois Workers’ Compensation benefits. It does not matter that the person who the officer arrested intentionally caused his injuries. The officer will be provided paid medical benefits, off work pay, and a settlement for the value of his injuries.

Top Thing to Do When You are Injured

The first thing you should do when you are injured, whether it be at work or in a vehicle collision, is to report it to your work or the police.

Documentation is very important in work injury or motor vehicle accident cases.

You must be able to prove all aspects of your case from accident to medical treatment and lost wages.

Going to the emergency room or the doctor immediately will also prevent any defense that you were injured elsewhere or that the injuries were not severe.

Make sure that you tell emergency personnel and medical personnel how the accident happened and about all your injuries.

Make sure that you keep all your doctor appointments, follow all doctor treatment recommendations, and keep going to the doctor until all your injuries are healed.

Ask the doctor to document any final and permanent restrictions.

Ask your human resources department to keep track of all lost time from work.

The purpose is to document the accident, the injuries related to the accident, and what treatment was reasonable and necessary to address your injuries.

This will help you obtain full value for your injuries.

Questions about your work injury or motor vehicle collision claim? Feel free to contact Illinois injury lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.

Social Security disability backlog tops 1 million; thousands die on waitlist – The Denver Post

More than 1 million Americans await a hearing to see whether they qualify for disability benefits from Social Security, with the average wait nearly two years — longer than some of them will …

Source: Social Security disability backlog tops 1 million; thousands die on waitlist – The Denver Post

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Horrible situation. It is overwhelming to have to wait for over 2 years to get a decision in your disability case. If you cannot work, then what are you supposed to do?