Chicago Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

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If you were injured on the job in Chicago, IL, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills and lost wages. With the help of a Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers, you can ensure you’re receiving the full benefits you deserve. Call us at (312) 929-2884 for legal help.

Our lawyers have over 30 years of experience helping clients navigate the complex workers’ compensation system. Over the years, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of injured workers.

Your initial consultation is always free of charge, so don’t hesitate to contact our law offices in Chicago, Illinois, to schedule a free consultation today.

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How Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Me Recover Compensation After a Workplace Accident in Chicago

Workers’ comp provides valuable benefits for injured employees. However, the system is also complicated. Insurance companies don’t always play fair. Your employer may even challenge your right to compensation.

An experienced Chicago personal injury attorney can make a world of difference. At Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve been recognized by Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers.

When you hire us, our workers’ compensation lawyers in Chicago will:

Handle all paperwork and make sure you meet all relevant deadlines
Search for evidence to support your workers’ compensation case
Ensure you’re receiving the full amount you deserve under the law
Protect you if your right to benefits is challenged
Assess your right to additional damages under state law
File an appeal and represent you at all hearings if your claim is denied
Negotiate with the workers’ compensation insurance companies on your behalf

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers know the laws inside and out. To learn more about how we can help, call our law firm for a free case review today.

How Common Are Workplace Accidents in the State of Illinois?

Employers in Illinois reported about 102,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021. Over 67,000 of those injuries were serious enough to result in days off work, job transfers, or work restrictions.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 176 Illinois workplace accidents were fatal in 2021.

Overview of Illinois Workers’ Compensation Laws

Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, nearly every employer in the State of Illinois is required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp benefits provide a safety net to employees who are injured or develop illnesses on the job.

You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if:

You were an employee at the time of the accident (independent contractors aren’t covered)
You sustained injuries in a work-related accident or developed an illness due to working conditions

You can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of the circumstances. That’s generally true even if you were responsible for your own injuries. However, you also forfeit your right to sue your negligent employer or co-workers for damages.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover for My Workplace Injuries?

The value of your workers’ compensation claim depends on multiple factors, including:

The severity of your injury
The cost of your medical treatment
How much time you will miss from work
Your average weekly wages before the disability
Whether you can work in any capacity during recovery
Whether your injuries are temporary or permanent
Whether you have additional rights under Illinois personal injury laws

Under the Illinois workers’ compensation system, injured workers receive about ⅔ of their average weekly wages during their recovery. However, those benefits are subject to a weekly cap. During the first half of 2023, that cap is $1,848.20.

What Types of Damages Are Available Under Illinois Workers’ Compensation Laws?

When you file a claim for workers’ comp, you may receive the following types of benefits:

All reasonable and necessary medical expenses during your recovery
Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits if you are unable at all to work during your recovery
Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits if you are able to work in a limited capacity during recovery
Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits if you have suffered a permanent disability that prevents you from ever working again
Permanent partial disability (TPD) benefits if you suffered a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your prior earnings level
Vocational retraining and maintenance benefits, if you’re able to work but cannot return to work in the same industry
Death benefits for the families of fatal work accident victims

These benefits are designed to offset the financial cost of a work-related injury. In other words, workers’ compensation only compensates injured workers for their economic damages.

It’s also possible that you may have rights under Illinois personal injury laws. If someone other than your employer caused your injuries, you can file a third-party claim for additional damages.

In addition to your financial expenses, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Anxiety
Depression
PTSD
Diminished quality of life
Loss of consortium

For example, you may have a valid third-party claim against a negligent driver in a car accident, a property owner who failed to maintain their property, or even the manufacturer of defective work equipment.

Can Comparative Negligence Laws Impact My Right To Recover Damages in Illinois?

In personal injury cases, the modified comparative negligence law in Illinois can impact your right to compensation. You lose your right to compensation if your percentage of fault is 51% or more. If your share of the blame is less than 51%, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of fault.

Shared fault won’t impact your right to workers’ compensation benefits. The Illinois workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system.

That doesn’t mean your right to benefits can’t be challenged. Instead of trying to pin the blame on you, the insurance company might claim that your injuries were pre-existing or that they were not sustained in the course of employment.

Workers’ Compensation Should Provide Compensation for All of Your Work Injuries

At Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers, we often represent injured workers who have sustained:

Broken bones
Back injuries
Head and neck injuries
Soft tissue damage
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Concussions
Facial injuries and eye injuries
Organ damage
Burns
Amputations
Paralysis
Catastrophic injuries

We can also help you fight for fair compensation for wrongful death if you lost a loved one in a fatal work accident.

What Are the Leading Causes of Workplace Accidents in Chicago, Illinois?

The most common cause of workplace deaths in Chicago is falling. That said, workplace injuries and illnesses can happen because of many different things.

Some of the most common causes of workplace accidents in Chicago include:

Lack of proper fall protection
Dangerous property conditions
Failure to communicate about dangerous conditions
Failure to properly train and supervise workers
Inexperienced workers
Defective or improperly installed scaffolding
Improperly installed scaffolding
Failure to inspect and maintain the worksite
Violation of state labor laws and OSHA safety regulations
Faulty electrical wiring
Repetitive motions
Overexertion
Falling objects
Missing or defective machine guards
Failure to provide proper respiratory protection
Defective work equipment and tools

At Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of workplace accident claims, including those involving;

Scaffolding accidents
Slip and fall accidents
Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs
Motor vehicle accidents
Trucking accidents
Construction site accidents
Electrocution
Electric shock
Accidents where a worker is caught between two objects
Defective products
Dangerous premises
Building collapse
Fires or explosions
Exposure to toxic substances
Accidents involving cranes, forklifts, and other heavy machinery
Workplace violence
Kitchen accidents in restaurants

Regardless of how you were injured, it’s important to seek legal advice if your right to workers’ comp is challenged. Our Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys will fight to make sure you’re receiving the full benefits you deserve.

How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation if I Was Injured on the Job in Chicago?

Most injured parties must prove negligence to recover damages under personal injury laws.

They must establish:

A legal duty of care existed
A breach of duty occurred
The breach caused the injury
The damages involved

You are not required to prove negligence to recover workers’ compensation benefits. If your injury or illness occurred in the course of employment, you are entitled to benefits.

You also don’t have to be injured on the job site to receive benefits. If your job duties take you off of your normal worksite and you’re injured, you can still receive workers’ compensation benefits.

To preserve your right to workers’ comp benefits, you must notify your employer or supervisor within 45 days of the accident. For occupational diseases, you must provide notice as soon as reasonably possible.

You have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under the Illinois statute of limitations.

Contact a Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorney To Arrange a Free Consultation Today

If you were injured on the job, don’t wait to take legal action. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago workers’ compensation attorney. We’ll do everything possible to protect your legal right to compensation.

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Chicago, IL

Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers
Address:
134 N La Salle St #2160
Chicago, IL 60602

Phone:
(312) 929-2884

Business Hours:
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Our personal injury law firm in Chicago, IL, also provides: