What to Do After a Work Injury in Chicago
Checked against the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission handbook · Last reviewed October 27, 2026
Listen to this guide · 2 min · read by an AI voice
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This short guide is read by an AI voice, from Chicago Work Injury Doctors.
If you got hurt at work, first of all, take a breath. You’re not in trouble, and you don’t have to figure this out alone. Here’s what to do, in order.
One. Get safe and get care. If it’s serious, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Emergency care never uses up one of your doctor choices.
Two. Tell your employer. Do it as soon as you can, by text, email, or in person, and keep a copy. Say when it happened, where, and what hurts. The legal deadline in Illinois is 45 days, but sooner is always better.
Three. Choose your doctor. In Illinois, you generally get two choices of doctor. A doctor your employer sends you to usually doesn’t count as one of them. And here’s the big one: see a doctor before you call a lawyer. A lot of people do it backwards. Getting checked first helps you heal sooner, and your records show what happened from day one.
Four. Keep a simple record. Photos, names of anyone who saw it, your work restrictions, letters from the insurance company, and every bill. A folder on your phone is enough.
Five. Follow your restrictions. Do what your doctor says about lifting, hours, and time off. Those notes are what the insurance company relies on.
Six. Watch your deadlines. A claim usually has to be filed within three years of the injury, or two years after your last benefit payment, whichever is later.
This is general information, not medical or legal advice.
If you’re hurt and need a doctor, Illinois Orthopedic Network, at 712 North Dearborn, usually sees injured workers the same day or the next. No referral needed. Call 312-951-8200. Take care of yourself.
Short answer: get medical care, tell your employer within 45 days (in writing if you can), choose a doctor who treats work injuries, and keep copies of everything. Those four things protect both your health and your claim.
Six steps, in order
-
Get safe and get care
If it is serious, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Emergency care never uses up one of your doctor choices.
-
Tell your employer
Report it as soon as you can, by text, email or in person, and keep a copy. Include the date, the place and what happened. The legal deadline is 45 days.
-
Choose your doctor
You generally get two choices of doctor in Illinois. A doctor your employer sends you to usually does not count as one of them.
-
Keep a simple record
Photos, names of witnesses, work restrictions, letters from the insurer and every bill. A folder on your phone is enough.
-
Follow your restrictions
Do what your doctor says about lifting, hours and time off. Those notes are what the insurer relies on.
-
Watch your deadlines
A claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission usually must be filed within three years of the injury, or two years after the last benefit payment, whichever is later.
How to report the injury
Notice can be spoken or written, but writing gives you proof. A short text or email to your supervisor is enough:
“I was hurt at work on [date] at [place]. I [what happened, for example: hurt my lower back lifting boxes]. I am reporting it as a work injury and will be seeing a doctor.”
Your employer should then tell its insurance company, even if it disagrees that the injury happened at work. If you miss more than three scheduled workdays, your employer must also file a report with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Seeing a doctor
Many people are sent to a company clinic on the first day. That is fine for first aid, but it is not your only option. Illinois law lets you choose two doctors, plus anyone they refer you to. How the two-doctor rule works.
If the company clinic sent you back to work and you are still hurting, a second opinion is common.
Need a doctor for a work injury? Illinois Orthopedic Network at 712 N Dearborn St usually sees injured workers the same day or the next. No referral needed.
Going back to work
Your doctor may give you work restrictions, such as no lifting over a certain weight or shorter shifts. Then one of three things usually happens:
- Your employer offers light duty that fits your restrictions. You work within the limits.
- Light duty pays less than your old job. Temporary partial disability benefits may make up part of the difference.
- Your employer cannot accommodate the restrictions, or the doctor takes you off work. Temporary total disability benefits may apply: two-thirds of your average weekly wage, within state limits.
Benefits are covered in more detail in who pays for treatment.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting to see if it gets better before telling anyone
- Only reporting it out loud, with nothing in writing
- Ignoring work restrictions to keep the boss happy
- Throwing away letters from the insurer
- Posting about the injury or your activities on social media
- Assuming you have to keep seeing the company doctor
Common questions
Can I be fired for reporting a work injury?
Illinois law makes it illegal for an employer to fire, harass or refuse to rehire someone for exercising their workers’ compensation rights. An employer can still discipline or fire someone for other valid reasons. If you think you were punished for reporting an injury, speak with a workers’ compensation attorney.
Does it have to be reported in writing?
No. Notice can be given verbally or in writing. Writing is better because it gives you proof of the date. A text or email to your supervisor works.
What if the pain started slowly, not from one accident?
Injuries that build up over time, such as carpal tunnel or back pain from repeated lifting, can also be work injuries. Report it when you realize your job is causing it, and see a doctor.
Do I need a lawyer?
You do not need a lawyer to report an injury, see a doctor or file a claim. In disputed cases, most employees do hire one. The Commission’s staff cannot give legal advice.
Hurt at work in Chicago? Call Illinois Orthopedic Network or send a request and the team will call you back.
Sources
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Handbook on Workers’ Compensation
- Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305
This page explains Illinois rules in general terms. It is not legal advice, and every claim is different.