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Work Injuries services offered in Cicero and Chicago, IL
Even if you follow safety rules and your employer takes precautions, you can suffer an on-the-job injury. Some work injuries and illnesses occur over years of exposure to your work environment. No matter the cause, depend on the Cermak Immediate Care team to do your initial evaluation, provide treatment, and diligently take care of all the workers’ compensation reports. Call the office in Cicero and the Marshall Square neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, book online, or walk into the nearest office for an immediate evaluation.
What are the most common work injuries?
On-the-job accidents, the most well-known work injuries, include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Accidents involving tools
- Car and truck accidents
- Construction accidents
- Being struck or crushed by an object or vehicle
- Exposure to chemicals
- Lifting injuries
These injuries cause many problems, from cuts, strains, and sprains to fractures and chronic back pain.
However, you might not know that two other work-related injuries are covered by worker’s compensation:
Overuse injuries
Overuse injuries gradually develop as you perform the same motion. Frequently repeating the same movement stresses the tissues, causing strains, sprains, and pinched nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome (a pinched nerve in the wrist) is among the most common overuse injuries.
Occupational disease
An occupational disease is an illness directly related to your work environment. For example, you could develop a respiratory disease over years of inhaling toxic substances like asbestos, chemical fumes, and dust. You could also develop a skin condition from contact with irritating substances.
What should I do after a work injury?
Take these five essential steps if you suffer a work-related injury:
1. Seek medical care
Schedule a medical evaluation as soon as possible after your injury or when you learn you have a work-related condition or illness.
Prompt care prevents the injury from getting worse and is the first step toward returning to work with optimal health. Your initial medical exam also creates a record verifying your injury is due to your job, which you’ll need for workers’ compensation.
2. Notify your employer
Notify your employer immediately or after you get medical attention. If possible, put what happened in writing to create a record.
3. File a claim
Though your employer will notify the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC), the IWCC won’t take action until you file a claim.
4. Keep a record of your expenses
Document all medical expenses during your treatment and rehabilitation. You’ll need them for workers’ compensation.
5. Keep your medical appointments
Keeping your Cermak Immediate Care appointments is the best way to heal. But there’s another reason you shouldn’t skip out on your healthcare: Workers’ compensation requires progress reports. They could refuse to cover your care if they don’t get the reports completed by your provider.
What should I expect during treatment for a work injury?
The skilled Cermak Immediate Care team does work injury evaluations and provides comprehensive treatment supporting your healing.
They also have experience completing and submitting workers’ compensation reports on time.
Walk into the nearest Cermak Immediate Care office for immediate care if you have a work injury. You can also call or use online booking to schedule an evaluation.