What Types of Work Injuries Are Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

 Posted on September 28, 2026 in Workers' Compensation

Getting injured on the job can pose a real threat to your livelihood. If you are forced out of work for an extended period, or you are only able to work in a limited capacity, you may have some real worries about staying afloat financially. Thankfully, workers’ compensation can provide financial stability while you recover from your injuries. If you are unsure whether or not you are covered by your employer’s policy, reach out to our Joliet, IL workers’ comp attorneys.

At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we have over 150 years of total legal experience. In our firm’s long history, we have successfully represented victims of workplace accidents, so you can rely on our attorneys to help you pursue the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to.

What Kinds of Injuries Are Covered Under Workers’ Comp in Illinois?

Workers’ compensation in Illinois covers most injuries that happen while you are doing your job. The injury needs to arise out of your work and occur in the course of your work. You do not have to prove that your employer did anything wrong. In most cases, you also do not lose benefits if your own mistake led to the injury. Covered injuries can include:

• Sudden accident injuries: Falls, cuts, burns, and broken bones are common in warehouses, factories, and construction sites.
• Back and neck injuries: Lifting, twisting, and carrying heavy loads can strain muscles or damage discs in the spine.
• Head injuries: A fall or a falling object can cause a concussion or a more serious brain injury.
• Occupational diseases: Workers exposed to chemicals, dust, or fumes can develop lung disease or other illnesses. These claims fall under a related Illinois law known as the Occupational Diseases Act.
• Worsened preexisting conditions: If your job made an old injury worse, the new harm can still be covered.

Some injuries are harder to prove than others. A slip on a wet floor is easy to connect to work. A slowly worsening shoulder injury can take more medical proof. Insurers sometimes argue that an injury happened at home or came from age alone. Clear medical records and a solid timeline can help answer those arguments.

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover Repetitive Stress Injuries in Illinois?

Repetitive stress injuries can be covered under workers’ compensation in Illinois when they are caused by the worker’s job duties. These injuries do not come from one accident. Rather, they build up slowly from the same task done again and again. Illinois courts have long accepted that this kind of gradual harm can count as a work injury.

Common repetitive stress injuries include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and trigger finger. Workers who type, sort packages, work on assembly lines, or use vibrating tools face a higher risk.

These claims can be tricky since there is no clear accident date. For a repetitive stress injury, the injury date is generally the date when both the condition and its connection to your work became reasonably clear. The exact date depends on the facts of the case. Insurers may claim the injury came from hobbies or normal aging. A doctor’s opinion tying your condition to your job duties is often among the strongest proof in these cases.

What Can I Be Paid for in a Workers’ Compensation Claim in 2026?

Workers’ compensation benefits in Illinois cover several types of losses. The first is medical care. The insurer should pay for reasonable and necessary treatment for your work injury. This can include doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and medicine.

You can also receive payment for lost wages. Temporary total disability benefits can be paid while you are unable to work as you recover from your injury. These benefits usually equal two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a state maximum. The state adjusts these limits on a regular schedule.

Some workers qualify for more. If your injury is permanent, such as the loss of use of a hand, you may receive permanent partial disability benefits. If you must take a lower-paying job, wage differential benefits can help make up part of the gap. Families of workers who die from a job injury can receive death benefits.

Workers’ compensation does not pay for pain and suffering. However, if someone other than your employer caused your injury, a separate claim against that party may be possible.

Do I Need to Document My Injuries for a Successful Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Documenting your injuries is one of the best ways to build a strong workers’ compensation claim. Gaps or unclear details can lead to delays or denials.

Start by getting medical care and telling the doctor that you were hurt at work. Explain exactly how the injury happened. Doctors write down what you say, and those notes often become key evidence. Be sure to attend every appointment. Missed visits can make it look like your injury is not serious.

Keep copies of medical bills, work notes from doctors, pay stubs, and letters from the insurer. Write down the names of coworkers who saw the accident. If you can, take photos of your injury and the place where it happened.

How Soon Should You Report a Workplace Accident to Your Employer?

Ideally, you should report a workplace accident resulting in an injury as soon as possible. Illinois law gives you 45 days from the accident to notify your employer (820 ILCS 305/6). The longer you wait, the easier it is for the insurer to question whether the injury happened at work.

Tell your supervisor right away, even if the injury seems small. Report it in writing and keep a copy. Include the date, time, place, and a short description of what happened.

Reporting to your employer is not the same as filing a claim. A formal claim is filed with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. You generally have three years from the injury date, or two years from the last workers’ compensation payment (whichever is later) to file.

Contact Our Joliet, IL Workers’ Comp Attorneys

A work injury can leave you without a paycheck while the bills keep piling up. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we help injured workers in Joliet and across Will County pursue the benefits Illinois law provides. We can gather medical proof, handle the paperwork, and push back when the insurer denies or delays your claim. Contact our Will County, IL workplace injury lawyers or call 815-727-0100 to set up a free consultation.