Were you hurt at work recently in Schaumburg or somewhere else in Illinois? You have 45 days to tell your employer about the injury, or the claim could be denied. A workers’ compensation attorney can help you with the claim process, but how is your lawyer paid? Learn more below, and if you have legal questions, the Schaumburg workers’ comp lawyers at I Am Calling My Lawyer can assist.
Most workers’ compensation attorneys are paid when the case settles. The attorney is often paid approximately 20% of the settlement you receive. You probably will not need to pay out-of-pocket costs to hire your attorney, and they will probably pay any expenses to expedite the claim. However, you should talk to your attorney during the initial consultation to learn how they are compensated.
There are many benefits available to Schaumburg workers who were hurt at work. Depending on how severe your injuries are, the benefits could cover part of your lost earnings, medical bills, and possibly permanent disability or vocational rehabilitation. Even if your company pays on your claim, you may not be receiving everything you are entitled to, so it is recommended to have a workers’ compensation attorney review your case. Some benefits to which you may be entitled are:
If you cannot work for more than three days because of your injury, you may be entitled to receive partial wages during your recovery. In Illinois, you are typically entitled to receive approximately 66% of your weekly earnings. If your injury allows you to work, but you need to take a job with lower pay or fewer hours, you could also receive a wage differential.
The Workers’ Compensation Act states that your employer must pay for your reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to your job-related injury. This could include medications, equipment, rehabilitation, hospital care, surgery, etc. You are not required to pay co-insurance or deductibles to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
If you suffered a severe and permanent disfigurement to part of your body that the public can see, such as the head, neck, face, or upper chest, you could receive benefits equal to 60% of your pre-injury average weekly earnings for up to 162 weeks. However, the amount and duration depend on the degree of disfigurement.
If the injury happened at work in Illinois, the fact that it was your fault does not matter. The Workers’ Compensation Act has a ‘no fault’ provision, meaning you are entitled to benefits under the law for any injury arising at work. Even if the accident that caused your injury may have been your fault, you can usually get benefits. However, it is always wise to have a workers’ comp attorney review your case to learn if the case is compensable.
While most Illinois workers are entitled to workers’ compensation for a job-related injury, getting maximum benefits can be challenging without legal help. Our Schaumburg workers’ comp lawyers at I Am Calling My Lawyer can help you, so call today at (888) 841-4878.
1990 E. Algonquin Rd., Ste 230
Schaumburg, IL 60173
