Healthcare workers in Illinois are often required to lift, transfer, or reposition patients as part of their daily responsibilities. While essential to patient care, these physical demands can lead to serious injuries—especially when proper lifting equipment or staffing support is lacking.
At Illinois Workers’ Comp Lawyers we help injured healthcare employees recover the workers’ compensation benefits they are entitled to under Illinois law. If you’ve been hurt while lifting a patient, your injury may qualify for compensation—even if no single, dramatic accident occurred.
How Lifting Injuries Happen in Healthcare
Lifting patients is not the same as lifting objects. Patients may move unexpectedly, resist being transferred, or require awkward positioning. Over time, or in a single incident, these conditions can result in injuries such as:
- Back strains or herniated discs
- Shoulder and neck injuries
- Knee or hip damage
- Muscle tears or sprains
- Repetitive stress injuries
These injuries may occur when a nurse lifts a patient from a wheelchair to a bed, when a technician assists with physical therapy, or during emergency response efforts. Injuries can happen quickly, or develop gradually over time from repeated lifting.
Are You Eligible for Workers’ Compensation?
Under Illinois law, most healthcare workers are eligible for workers’ compensation if their injury occurred during the course of employment. This includes:
- Registered nurses and nursing assistants
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Hospital and nursing home staff
- Home health aides
You do not need to prove that anyone was at fault. Even if the injury developed gradually or involved a preexisting condition aggravated by lifting, you may still qualify for benefits. If your employer disputes the claim, legal help may be necessary to move your case forward.
What to Do After a Lifting Injury at Work
Taking the right steps after a lifting-related injury can help preserve your claim and protect your rights:
- Report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible. You have 45 days under Illinois law to provide notice.
- Seek medical care immediately. Follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and imaging scans may be required.
- File a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission within the appropriate timeline (3 years from injury or 2 years from last benefits payment).
- Document your work duties, how the injury occurred, and any changes in your ability to work.
Early documentation can prevent delays and strengthen your claim if your employer’s insurance company raises questions later.
What Benefits Can Injured Healthcare Workers Receive?
Illinois workers’ compensation benefits are designed to help injured employees recover without financial strain. If you were hurt lifting a patient, you may be entitled to:
- Medical treatment costs, including surgery, therapy, and medication
- Temporary total disability (TTD) payments while you are unable to work
- Permanent partial or total disability, if the injury leads to lasting impairment
- Job retraining, if you cannot return to your previous duties
- Mileage reimbursement for travel to medical appointments
You are not required to accept a settlement that does not fully account for your recovery or long-term limitations. Legal guidance can help you determine the fair value of your case before making decisions.
Contact Illinois Workers’ Comp Lawyers Today
Lifting-related injuries are far too common in healthcare—and they can leave dedicated professionals struggling to return to work. At Illinois Workers’ Comp Lawyers, we work to ensure you receive the full benefits you’re entitled to under Illinois law. Whether your injury happened suddenly or developed over time, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to get started on your workers’ compensation claim.
