When one suffers an injury while they are on the job in Illinois, they generally must rely on workers' compensation to cover medical expenses and recuperate wages lost due to the injury. Unfortunately, the workers' comp system is not always all that easy to navigate, nor is the workers' compensation system always looking out for one's best interests.
Is Illinois workers' compensation the same as SSDI?
When a worker in Illinois is injured on the job -- performing their work duties at their place of work -- they can look to the workers' compensation system for assistance. Workers' compensation benefits can help to pay for medical expenses, replace lost wages and to compensate injured workers for a reduction in the their ability to do their job. In cases where the injury prevents a worker from returning to work for an extended period or results in a long-term disability, the worker may also qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Health-care employees at risk of workplace injuries
When one thinks of hazardous workplaces, they may imagine the rolling deck of a crab fishing boat, skeletal frame of a skyscraper under construction or a manufacturing plant with its high-pressure stamping and pressing machines. But, what about a hospital? Nursing home? These are probably not the first job sites that come to mind. Yet, statistics show that health care workers are more likely to be injured on the job than workers in either construction or manufacturing.
Workers in health care face daily job hazards & injury risks
The health and social care industry is now the largest source of jobs in the country, representing 8 percent of the national gross domestic product. The health care industry employs over 18 million American workers and over 80 percent of the workers are women.
What is a repetitive strain injury?
Workers who are injured on the job have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits for their medical bills and time lost at work. One injury workers may not be aware is caused by their job is a repetitive strain injury (RSI).
