Five interesting Illinois work comp facts about various injuries
We've received a lot of e-mail questions lately from the blog (thanks for that). Here are five good questions that we thought readers would want to know the answers to:
I fainted at work because the air conditioning was out and hit my head. Does my employer have to pay my bills? Generally fainting is not covered unless you can show something about your job contributed to it like having to work in an unusually hot environment. If that was the case here it should be covered. FYI, if you had fainted on a scaffold, ladder or other dangerous device, even if the fainting wasn't work related, the fact you were in a dangerous position for your job would make the case a winner.
I have a scar on my face from a work injury. Does the insurance company have to pay for plastic surgery? If your doctor thinks it's medically reasonable then yes. We can't imagine a Judge turning that one down. If it was on a place like your low back, thigh, etc. it would be more of a challenge.
My job requires me to stand eight hours a day. I now have tarsal tunnel syndrome. Do I have a case? The act of having to stand isn't a case. However, if you have to stand on uneven floors, walk a great distance, wear protective shoes, etc., that could change things.
I was in physical therapy for a back injury and during some of the exercises hurt my knee. What now? Because you were in PT for a work related injury, the knee injury would be part of that case too. It's all covered (or will be by the time we are done with it).
Broken foot on the job. Now my elbow hurts from using crutches. Is that a new case? This happens all of the time and much like the physical therapy example, since the new injury can be traced back to the original injury it is all part of the same claim.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
