INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?Call Us 24/7 (888) 841-4878
WORKER’S COMPENSATION
We only get paid when we win your caseServicing Greater Chicago Area, IL
We Represent Injured Workers Throughout the Greater Chicago Area
Every worker in Illinois deserves a safe workplace. Companies and organizations should never put profits before people. Unfortunately, on-the-job accidents remain a serious issue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that 104,000 workers are injured in Illinois each year. Our state’s mandatory workers’ comp insurance system helps to ensure that injured employees are able to access medical coverage and financial support for lost income.
At I Am Calling My Lawyer, our Chicago workers’ comp attorneys have the skills and knowledge that you and your family can rely on. With more than five decades of collective experience, our lawyers know how to get results for workers. If you or your loved one was hurt on the job, we are here to help you navigate all aspects of the claims process. For a free consultation with a top Illinois workers’ comp professional, please call us at (888) 841-4878 or get in touch with us directly through our website.
What to Know About Workers’ Compensation in Illinois
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act is a state statute that provides important legal protections to employees in Illinois. If you were hurt while on the job, your claim will fall under this law. Here are four key things to know about the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act:
Coverage is Mandatory: Virtually every employer in Illinois is required to provide workers’ comp insurance coverage for their workers. Failure to do so could lead to serious legal sanctions.
These are No-Fault Claims: Through workers’ comp, a person who was hurt on the job can make a no-fault claim for benefits. In other words, you are not required to prove that your employer (or any other party) was responsible for your accident. The mere fact that it happened at work is generally sufficient to get benefits.
It is the Exclusive Remedy: Workers’ comp is typically the exclusive remedy that injured employees have against their company. With very few exceptions, you cannot file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. You must file a workers’ comp claim. That being said, you do have the right to sue other negligent defendants. If your work injury was caused by a negligent third party—a subcontractor, manufacturer, property owner, etc.—you can file a workers’ comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit.
Several Types of Benefits are Available: Illinois workers’ comp offers several different types of benefits. Benefits may be available for all medical care deemed reasonably necessary, temporary disability payments (wage replacement), vocational rehabilitation, and compensation for permanent disabilities/impairments.
Five Steps to Take After a Work Injury in Illinois
1) Complete the Required Injury Reports with Your Employer
Take the time to fill out this report correctly as misinformation on the report may negatively affect the outcome of your case. But, don’t just sign anything your employer hands you. Make sure you read through all paperwork and understand what they mean now and in the future of your case. In Illinois, injured workers have 45 days to notify their employer of an accident. Failure to do so could undermine your ability to bring a claim.
2) Visit a Doctor Provided by Your Employer
Legally, an employer appointed doctor might be required by your company to complete a medical examination. The results will then be forwarded to your employer, but don’t stop there.
3) Visit an Independent Medical Professional
This will ensure that your medical examination was completed correctly and not swayed by your employer to avoid paying for higher compensation. You have the right to seek treatment from an independent physician who you trust.
4) Consult and Hire a Workers’ Comp Lawyer
Once you have completed both doctor examinations, consult and hire a personal injury attorney in the Chicago area. Many reputable attorneys will offer free consultations so make sure you take the time to find the right attorney for you.
5) Make a Claim with Your Insurance Company
Your new personal injury attorney will help you gather the necessary paperwork (Including doctor reports, employer contracts, accident location information, etc.) and set up a claim with your insurance company. Your personal injury lawyer will then obtain temporary workmen’s compensation payments for you while you are unable to work.
Workers’ Comp Claim Denied? You Have the Right to File an Appeal
Sadly, some workers run into problems with their employer, a claim administrator, or the insurance company. They do not get to make the final decision on your benefits. You have the right to appeal an adverse decision. If your workers’ comp claim was denied in Cook County, DuPage County, or anywhere else in Northern Illinois, please call our law firm for free legal guidance and support.
We Represent Workers Throughout the Chicago Area
While some industries see higher accident rates than others, the unfortunate reality is that workers can suffer a serious injury in any occupation. If you were hurt on the job, you have the right to high-quality medical care. You also have the right to receive financial support while you take some time off to recover. At I Am Calling My Lawyer, we represent workers throughout the greater Chicago metro area, including:
Truck drivers;
Union members;
Factory workers;
Construction workers;
Railroad workers;
Office workers; and
All other employees.
Once you are released by a treating physician and receive all of your medical bills and records, you are eligible to receive your full settlement amount. If you or a loved one has been involved in an injury at work, contact the experienced worker's compensation lawyers in Schaumburg (Greater Chicago area) by visiting our website at IAmCallingMyLwyer.com or calling us at 888-841-HURT.
Why People Choose Our Workers’ Comp Attorneys
The workers’ comp claims process can be complicated. At I Am Calling My Lawyer, we help people navigate the system—so that they can maximize their financial support. When you get in touch with our Schaumburg office, you will be able to speak directly with a local workers’ comp attorney who can:
Answer your questions and explain the process during a free consultation
Gather the documents, records, and evidence you need to move forward
Handle workers’ comp paperwork
Take all necessary action to protect your rights
With a proven record of obtaining successful results for injured workers, our Illinois workers’ comp lawyers are ready to get started on your case today. We represent clients on contingency—you do not pay anything until we help you recover financial compensation.
Call Our Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Legal Help
At I Am Calling My Lawyer, our Chicago workers’ comp attorneys have the knowledge and legal experience that you can count on. If you or your family member was hurt on the job, we can help. Contact our legal team at (888) 841-4878 for a free, fully private review and evaluation of your case. With an office location in Schaumburg, we advocate for the rights of injured workers throughout the entire region, including in Streamwood, Hanover Park, Roselle, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows, Arlington Heights, Palatine, and Elk Grove Village.
This is an all too frequent occurrence for the unfortunate people that are injured while on the job. An employer may come to the conclusion that because an employee filed a workers compensation claim he or she should be fired. If you can establish that you, more likely, got fired from your job because you made the claim then you can prevail on this type of claim. This case is called wrongful termination. If the employer can establish that you were fired due to actual work performance issues then the employer can possibly defeat your claim of wrongful termination. There is a statute of limitations that applies to making this wrongful termination claim so, please do not delay in learning what grade you may have this a fortunate situation. Please remember to contact WWW.IAMCALLINGMYLAWYER.COM with any questions about an accident claim and please remember to not delay making that call. There are strict time rules that apply.
In large part, worker’s compensation is designed to protect employers from far reaching personal injury claims by acknowledging a certain benchmark of liability. Because of this, insurance companies will do everything they can dismiss your claims and obscure your rights. If you understand the following, you can stand up to insurance adjusters in court and demand your fullest compensation under the law. You are entitled to compensation for:
1. ALL PAST AND FUTURE MEDICAL EXPENSES
Although pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment are not covered under worker’s compensation, your injuries are. In fact, your employer’s insurance is required to cover any medical treatment that is related to your accident for life, even after you stop working there. Testimony and medical reports from your doctor will be needed to determine the costs and extent of the this treatment.
2. “LOSS OF USE” OF YOUR INJURED BODY PART(S)
“Scheduled loss of use” benefits are a monetary award that accounts for the loss of use of various body parts, be it your neck, knee, shoulder, arm, ankle, eye, ear, finger, or anything else. The benefit is calculated according to the duration of the loss of use and the specific body part. Certain body parts are covered for different periods of time as well. Vision loss, for instance, has a longer compensation timeline than a finger injury.
3. LOSS OF INCOME
If your injury prevents you from earning at the same level as before, you are entitled to weekly compensation checks even before you return to work. If you are unable to work, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income indefinitely.
In Illinois, virtually all employers are required to provide workers’ comp insurance coverage for both full-time and part-time employees. If your company failed to do so, you may be able to hold them liable for your injuries in court. Call an Illinois work injury lawyer right away.
Few things are more frustrating than the denial of workers’ comp benefits. In Illinois, you have the right to appeal. You can file an official form called an ‘Application for Adjustment of Claim’ within three years of your injury.
You have the right to recover from a job-related accident. If your employer is trying to force you back on the job before you are physically ready, call an experienced Chicago, IL workers’ comp lawyer for immediate assistance.
FIND OUT THE VALUE OF YOUR CASE IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES
Take the time to fill out this report correctly as misinformation on the report may negatively affect the outcome of your case. But, don’t just sign anything your employer hands you. Make sure you read through all paperwork and understand what they mean now and in the future of your case. In Illinois, injured workers have 45 days to notify their employer of an accident. Failure to do so could undermine your ability to bring a claim.
