In 1911, the Illinois Workers'
Compensation Act was enacted by the Illinois legislature to provide
financial protection through the payment of specified benefits, to any
worker who sustains an on-the-job injury.
Every employer is responsible for
providing Workers' Compensation benefits to injured workers directly
(self-insured) or through the purchase of a Workers' Compensation
insurance policy. These benefits are provided at no cost to employees.
Every worker injured in Illinois, hired
in Illinois but injured while working in another state or injured while
working in another state for employer whose principal place of business
is in Illinois, is covered by the Act.
On-the-job injuries covered by the
Illinois Workers' Compensation Act include any injury arising out of or
in the course of employment, in addition to any injury resulting from
repetitive trauma such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Also, accidents
resulting from re-injury or aggravation of a pre-existing condition are
compensable under the Act.
In exchange for receiving Workers'
Compensation benefits in a timely manner and regardless of fault,
employees gave up the right to ever sue their employers for a
work-related injury.
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