Illinois

What you need to know for Illinois…

Illinois workers’ compensation claims are administered through the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC). If a workplace injury or illness occurs, both the employer and the injured worker have responsibilities to ensure the claim is reported and processed correctly.

For Employers

If an employee reports a workplace injury or illness, Illinois law requires employers to take prompt action.

1. Ensure the employee receives medical care.

If the injury requires immediate attention, direct the employee to appropriate medical treatment.

2. File the First Report of Injury.
For injuries resulting in more than three lost work days, employers must file a Form IC45 (Employer’s First Report of Injury) with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission within five days of learning about the accident.

3. Report the injury.
Employers must promptly report the injury to the Care West Claims team using the online claims reporting form. Click on the Submit A Claim button in the left menu to initiate the claim.

For Workers

If you are injured at work or develop a work-related illness, you should take the following steps.

1. Report the injury to your employer.
Notify your supervisor or employer as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Illinois law requires this notice within 45 days of the accident.

2. Contact Nurse Triage.
If medical care is needed, contact nurse triage promptly at (844)-326-2918 and inform the provider that the injury occurred at work.

3. File an Application for Adjustment of Claim.
Workers may file an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission via the IWCC’s CompFile electronic system to formally initiate a claim.

Illinois law generally allows injured workers up to three years from the date of injury (or two years from the last payment of benefits, whichever is later) to file a claim, but reporting the injury and submitting the necessary forms as soon as possible helps avoid delays.

4. Claim Review
After a claim is filed, the insurance carrier will review the claim and issue a determination regarding benefits and coverage.