Thousands of workers in Illinois are injured on the job each year. If it should happen to you, state law mandates that you receive benefits covering the cost of medical treatment and lost time from work, no matter who was at fault, say attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC.

Medical coverage begins the moment you sustain a work-related injury. Your employer is responsible for providing benefits, paying them directly to you or through an insurance company that administers the program. Absolutely no part of the workers’ compensation insurance premium or benefits can be charged to you.

If you’re injured on the job, here are the first steps:

• Immediately report the accident to your employer or supervisor and a union steward, if there is one.
• Try to gather the names and addresses of any witnesses, obtain photos and secure evidence before leaving the scene.
• Give a detailed description of the accident, including all injuries and complaints, to the doctor or hospital that treats the injury.

Sometimes an injury may not be obvious. Therefore, the law allows employees up to 45 days to notify their employer about an occurrence. For an occupational disease or repetitive trauma claim, a person must give notice as soon as he or she becomes aware of the condition, but there are important limitation dates to be aware of, so it is strongly recommended that the person consult with an attorney.

Benefits not only cover emergency medical services, but when necessary, physical, mental or vocational rehabilitation. The injured person is also eligible to receive weekly payments until returning to work. If the injury or disease results in permanent disability, other benefits may be available. Should the injury or disease result in death, certain family members may be entitled to benefits.

Romanucci & Blandin offers general information on the rights of injured workers in a free 12-page booklet titled “The Injured Employee’s Guide to Recovery Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.” Among issues addressed are how disability is determined, who is entitled to survivors’ benefits, and how workers’ compensation claims are handled.