What Evidence Do I Need to Provide to Prove that an Injury Occurred While on the Job?

Injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for work-related injuries that arise out of the course of employment or are causally connected to the employee’s job duties. Obtaining workers’ compensation benefits for a repetitive stress injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can present a number of unique challenges, however.

For instance, an employee may not always know that a repetitive stress injury is caused by his or her job duties. Moreover, it can be difficult to prove that a repetitive stress injury arose out of employment. An employee must provide detailed information about his or her job duties, along with supporting medical information indicating that an injury arose out of employment or is causally connected to a claimant’s job duties.

In Brooks v. State Police of Illinois, 21 ILWCLB 35 (Ill. W.C. Comm. 2012), a typist filed a workers’ compensation claim for carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive trauma injuries. She indicated that her job duties included typing transcripts, checking reports, and other computer work. Although she testified that she noticed her hands going numb while typing, an arbitrator found that she had failed to provide adequate evidence that she sustained injuries in an accident arising out of employment or that her medical condition was causally connected to her job duties.

The arbitrator specifically found that because the claimant’s testimony regarding her job duties was vague, it was difficult to determine what her job duties actually were and that none of the claimant’s treating doctors had a clear and accurate understanding of her job duties. Accordingly, the arbitrator found that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the employee’s carpal tunnel syndrome was attributed to her job duties.

What the Case Means for Injured Workers

In order to obtain workers’ compensation benefits, the injured worker must provide sufficient evidence regarding his or her work duties. If the injured workers’ job duties are vague or varied, or if the treating doctors do not have a clear understanding of the employee’s job duties, the IWCC may deny workers’ compensation benefits.

The Chicago worker’s compensation lawyers at Donald W. Fohrman & Associates, Ltd. focus on helping injured employees, including those who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress injury, obtain workers’ compensation benefits for their medical condition. As experienced workers’ compensation lawyers, we are well-versed in the various injuries that can occur in workplace accidents, and we will help ensure that you provide adequate evidence to support your claim.

Whatever your workplace injury, the Chicago workplace injury attorneys at Donald W. Fohrman & Associates are prepared to vigorously fight to get you the medical attention and financial compensation that you deserve. Contact our office at (800) 437-2571 to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable Chicago workplace accident attorneys.