1. Report the injury immediately

When you are injured, you should immediately inform a responsible employee of the company about your injury. It is not enough that you mentioned it to a co-worker or a co-worker saw it happen.

Make sure you have informed your supervisor or someone else in management of your injury. You should also insist upon filing a written report of injury and request a copy of the report.

2. Seek immediate medical care

Do not try to be a "hero". Go to the doctor immediately. One of the most common ways that an employer or its insurance company defeats a claim is to argue that you must not have been hurt that badly or you would have sought immediate medical attention.

3. Choose a doctor of your own.

In Illinois, you have the right to choose your own doctor. You should take advantage of that right. Although at some point in the process the employer may ask its own doctor to examine you, you do not have to use its doctor for your ongoing treatment and care.

4. Bill Workers' Compensation insurance.

a) Special coverage for work injuries.

Your employer carries Workers' Compensation insurance and must pay all your medical bills that arise from a work-related injury. This coverage is completely separate from the medical or health insurance coverage that you or your spouse may have through work.

b) Better coverage than regular medical insurance.

Health insurance plans are usually subject to deductibles and co-payments. The health insurance coverage usually restricts you to certain doctors, hospitals and medications.

Workers' Compensation coverage does not have deductibles or co-payments. There are no restrictions on which doctors, hospitals or medications you may use. Workers' Compensation should be your first choice for an on-the-job injury; health insurance is your back-up plan.

Make it clear not only to your doctor but also to his staff, including his billing staff, that this is a work-related injury and a Workers' Compensation claim. Do not ask the physician's office to bill your health insurance or your spouse's health insurance.

5. Thoroughly explain to your doctor the accident and your injuries.

Once you have clarified with your physician that this is a Workers' Compensation injury/claim, carefully explain to the doctor what happened so there is a record of it from the very beginning. It is also important for you to describe all of your injuries to the doctor, from the most serious to the most minor.

6. Tell the doctor what hurts each time you see him.

Each time you visit the doctor, you must inform him about everything that is ailing you. This is true even if the main reason for a particular visit has nothing to do with your injury.

For example, if during the course of recovering from your injury, you see the doctor because of a sore throat, also mention the problems you continue to experience from the injury. Otherwise, the employer may claim that your failure to voice any complaints to your doctor about your injury is proof that you are no longer suffering the effects from that injury.

7. Follow your doctor's orders.

It is important for you to follow all of your doctor's instructions exactly as the doctor gives them to you. That includes taking all medications, attending all physical therapy, observing any physical limitations the doctor imposes on you, and completing follow up care with your doctor and any other doctors to which the doctor refers you.

8. Be sure your doctors understand your job.

Describe in detail to each one of your doctors all the physical tasks you undertake while performing your job. Do not assume that your doctor, even though highly educated and intelligent, understands the exact nature of your job.

9. Get restrictions in writing.

If your physician places restrictions upon your return to work, or instructs you not to return to work, ask him to make a written notation of that in your file. This creates a record in the event of questions in the future.