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Working with an Illinois Workers' Compensation Lawyer

Written by: Michael J. Helfand

Reputation Level 16

Employment Employment At Will Wills Workers Compensation

Posted over 2 years ago. Applies to Illinois, 0 helpful votes, 0 comments

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Contact information

Bring contact information -- name, address, telephone number -- for your doctor(s), your employer and your employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier. Your attorney will need to contact all of these people. Having the information in hand will save time.

Written timeline

Before your first meeting with your attorney, take the time to write out what happened when you were injured. Include the date of the injury. There are specific time limits in Illinois for filing a workers' compensation claim. Your attorney should know exactly how much time you have before any deadlines. Write an account of exactly what happened leading up to and including the injury. Include a list of the people who were there when you got hurt. These people may be useful in the future as witnesses. Also write down who you told about your injury and what you told them. In Illinois, you must notify your employer of your injury within 45 days, so it will help your attorney to know exactly when notice was given.

Diagnosis

When you meet with your attorney, know your medical diagnosis. If you don't know, or if you aren't sure, contact your doctor. Your attorney also will want to know the prognosis for your injury or illness. The extent of your injury may affect your benefits in Illinois.

Medical history

Bring documentation -- or at least make some notes -- of your medical history. Most importantly, include any history related to the area of the body injured in your work accident. In Illinois, you are entitled to benefits for aggravation of an existing injury, but it must be carefully documented. A medical history will help your attorney gather all relevant medical records.