Illinois Workers Compensation

History of Workers Compensation in Illinois

The history of workers’ compensation in the state of Illinois dates back to 1912 when the state passed the first workers’ compensation law in the United States. The law was a result of a long and hard-fought battle between labor unions and employers, who had been resisting the idea of compensating workers for work-related injuries.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, which was signed into law by Governor Edward F. Dunne on June 28, 1911, went into effect on July 1, 1912. The law established a system of no-fault insurance that provided medical care, disability payments, and death benefits to workers who were injured or killed on the job. In return, employers were granted immunity from civil lawsuits by their employees.

The Illinois law served as a model for other states, and by 1949, every state in the United States had passed some form of workers’ compensation legislation. The Illinois law has undergone several revisions over the years to address issues such as occupational disease, vocational rehabilitation, and the rights of injured workers.

Today, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission oversees the administration of the state’s workers’ compensation system, ensuring that injured workers receive the benefits to which they are entitled, and employers are held responsible for providing safe working conditions.

What is Illinois Workers’ Compensation?

In the state of Illinois, workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job or suffer from work-related illnesses. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) oversees the workers’ compensation system in the state.

Employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. If an employee is injured on the job, they must notify their employer as soon as possible. The employer must then provide the employee with a claim form to fill out.

Once the claim form is submitted, the employer must report the injury to their workers’ compensation insurance provider within 7 days. The insurance provider will then investigate the claim and make a determination as to whether the claim is valid.

If the claim is approved, the injured employee may be eligible for the following benefits:

1. Medical expenses: The insurance provider will pay for all necessary medical expenses related to the injury, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and prescription medication.
2. Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits: If the employee is unable to work while they recover from their injury, they may be eligible for TTD benefits. These benefits are equal to 2/3 of the employee’s average weekly wage and are paid for as long as the employee is unable to work.
3. Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits: If the employee suffers a permanent disability as a result of their injury, they may be eligible for PPD benefits. These benefits are determined by a formula that takes into account the extent of the disability and the employee’s average weekly wage.
4. Vocational rehabilitation: If the employee is unable to return to their previous job as a result of their injury, they may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services to help them find a new job.

It is important to note that employees must report their injury within 45 days of the incident, and must file a claim within 3 years of the incident. Additionally, employees have the right to appeal any decision made by the insurance provider or the IWCC.