Do you have to report your injury?

The simple answer is yes. The statute states that you have 45 days to report the accident to a supervisor or management personnel. This reporting can be either written or oral and must include the date and the place of the accident. Make sure you use common sense when reporting.

You should tell co-workers about your injury to protect yourself in the event that your employer takes the position that no accident occurred. Likewise, keep a list of witnesses for future reference.

You shouldn't wait 45 days to report the incident, the sooner-the better. However, late reporting is better than no reporting. You are still entitled to recover even if you report late provided the employer can't prove that they were prejudiced by the late reporting.

If you have a repetitive injury or occupational illness that isn't necessarily related to one specific instance, make sure you report the injury or illness when you're first diagnosed by a doctor.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein concerns Illinois law. You should consult with an attorney in your area regarding work place injuries in other states.