Can an injured worker be held liable for medical bills? An Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Answers
When injured on the job in Illinois, many workers fear they will become responsible for paying mounting medical bills. In this case, it is often advisable to seek representation by a Chicago personal injury attorney who specializes in workers comp cases. He or she can ensure your rights are protected. Under the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act, your employer is responsible for payment of all medical bills that are reasonable, necessary, and related to the work injury. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you ensure payment is made by your employer or its workers’ comp insurance carrier.
Due to some recent amendments to the worker’s compensation laws, medical providers are no longer allowed to place unpaid medical bills in collections, or send you a bill for the unpaid balance, or file suit on those bills. All they can do is send you reminders. There are certain actions that you or your Chicago personal injury attorney need to take in order to place the medical provider on notice that a bill is related to a worker’s compensation claim. Once they are made aware of that fact, they have to hold those bills in abeyance until the conclusion of your Worker’s Compensation claim.
Obviously, if a bill is found to be not compensable under your workers comp case, you are ultimately responsible for payment. However, as long as those bills are related to the work injury, you have a right to have your employer or its workers comp insurance carrier pay those bills. A competent Illinois personal injury lawyer who concentrates on workers comp cases can ease your worries about payment, and ensure you are protected according to the law.
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