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Aurora Workers Compensation Attorneys

Millions of Dollars Recovered for Our Clients

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Published on: October 20, 2022 | Last Updated on: September 23, 2026
Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor (2004).

8000+

Cases Settled

Putting Money Back in Your Pocket

$415,000

Workers' Compensation

$267,384

Workers' Compensation

$190,158

Workers' Compensation

If you are an Aurora, IL employee who has been injured on the job, you may be eligible to receive worker’s compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is an employment insurance benefit program that helps pay a person’s medical expenses and lost wages that might have accumulated as a result from a work-related injury or illness. You must file a claim to receive Illinois workers’ compensation benefits.

This is the percentage of function you lost, usually set by doctors’ impairment ratings and negotiation. Most contested cases settle between ratings. Not sure? Leave it at a middle value and talk to us.

Gross pay, before taxes. Don’t know it? Divide your annual pay by 52.

Illinois caps carpal tunnel from repetitive trauma at 15% loss of use of the hand in most cases, and 30% with clear and convincing evidence.
Estimated PPD Benefit
Enter your weekly wage to see your number
for the × loss of use × per week Your rate is capped at the Illinois maximum PPD rate of $1,084.66.

Is your case worth more?

An attorney will review your numbers, , and tell you honestly whether your case should be worth more. Free and confidential.

No fee unless we win. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Thank you. An attorney will review your numbers and reach out shortly. Rather talk now? Call 312-786-4442.

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PPD is one part of an Illinois work injury claim. Medical bills, temporary disability checks, wage differential, and disfigurement can add substantially more. Rates shown apply to injuries from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

How Illinois Calculates a Workers’ Comp Settlement

Unlike a car accident case, an Illinois permanent partial disability award is not a negotiation from scratch. Section 8(e) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act assigns every body part a fixed number of weeks. Three numbers decide the baseline value of your injury:

1

Scheduled weeks

Each body part is worth a set number of weeks under the law. A hand is 205 weeks. An arm is 253. A leg is 215. Injuries to the back, neck, or body as a whole use 500 weeks.

2

Loss-of-use percentage

Doctors rate how much function you permanently lost. A 10% loss of a hand means 10% of 205 weeks, or 20.5 weeks of benefits. This rating is where most cases are won or lost.

3

Your PPD rate

You receive 60% of your average weekly wage for each week, capped at the state maximum of $1,084.66 for injuries from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

Example: A warehouse worker earning $1,000 per week suffers a hand injury with a 10% loss-of-use rating. The math: 205 weeks × 10% = 20.5 weeks. The rate: 60% of $1,000 = $600. The PPD award: 20.5 × $600 = $12,300, on top of paid medical bills and temporary disability checks.

Current Illinois Workers’ Comp Rates (2025-2026)

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission updates benefit-rate maximums twice a year based on the statewide average weekly wage. These are the current figures this calculator uses:

RateAmountApplies to
PPD rate formula60% of your average weekly wagePermanent partial disability awards
Maximum PPD rate$1,084.66 per weekInjuries July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
TTD rate formula66 2/3% of your average weekly wagePaid while you cannot work at all
Maximum TTD rate$2,008.60 per weekInjuries January 15, 2026 to July 14, 2026
Statewide average weekly wage$1,506.49The basis for the caps above

Source: Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission benefit-rate tables. If your injury date falls outside these windows, different maximums apply to your claim.

Illinois Body Part Injury Values (2025-2026)

Maximum values below assume a 100% loss at the current maximum PPD rate of $1,084.66 per week. Most injuries involve partial loss, so real awards are a percentage of these figures.

Body partScheduled weeksMaximum value
Back, neck, or body as a whole500$542,330
Shoulder (body as a whole)500$542,330
Hip (body as a whole)500$542,330
Arm253$274,419
Leg215$233,202
Hearing, both ears215$233,202
Hand205$222,355
Foot167$181,138
Eye (loss of sight)162$175,715
Thumb76$82,434
Hearing, one ear54$58,572
Index finger43$46,640
Middle finger38$41,217
Great toe38$41,217
Ring finger27$29,286
Little finger22$23,863
Any other toe13$14,101

Source: 820 ILCS 305/8(e) schedule for injuries on or after February 1, 2006; amputations above the elbow or knee add weeks. Illinois courts treat shoulder and hip injuries as body-as-a-whole claims.

Want the full breakdown of what each injury is worth at different ratings? See our Illinois workers’ comp settlement chart.

What This Calculator Does Not Include

The PPD formula is the floor, not the ceiling. A full Illinois workers’ compensation claim can also include:

  • All medical treatment, paid by the employer’s insurance with no deductible
  • Temporary total disability (TTD): 66 2/3% of your wage for every week you cannot work
  • Wage differential: if you must take a lower-paying job, 66 2/3% of the difference, payable to age 67 or for 5 years, whichever is later
  • Disfigurement: up to 162 weeks for serious and permanent scarring
  • Penalties when an insurer unreasonably delays or denies payment

Insurance companies know most injured workers never run this math. That is exactly why they make early lowball offers before your rating is established. Learn more about your rights from our Illinois workers’ compensation lawyers.

Illinois Workers’ Comp Settlement FAQs

Get a Free Review of Your Number

Your loss-of-use rating is negotiable, and it is the single biggest lever in your settlement. An attorney will tell you, honestly and for free, whether your case is worth more than the calculator shows.

Or call 312-786-4442

This calculator provides an estimate of permanent partial disability benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act based on the figures you enter. It is not legal advice and not a guarantee of any result. Actual benefits depend on your documented wages, medical evidence, disputed ratings, and IWCC approval. Rates shown apply to injuries occurring July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and are updated by the IWCC. Attorney Advertising.

An experienced Aurora workers’ compensation attorney can help you with the legal issues involved with the claims process. The legal team at the 844 See Mike represents injured workers through the claims process and can help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact our Aurora personal injury firm today to request a free consultation about your case.

Worker’s Compensation Benefits in Aurora, Illinois

Illinois law requires employers to maintain workers’ compensation insurance that will cover the cost of injuries if an employee is injured or falls sick while on their job.  A worker is entitled to worker’s’ compensation benefits on their very first day of work.  There are some exclusions to the law, however.  For instance, the Illinois workers’ comp law does not require sole proprietors, independent contractors, business partners, corporate offices, or members of LLCs to participate.  Although these classifications are not mandated to have workers’ compensation under Illinois law, they may still elect to participate in benefits.  You can visit this site to verify your employer’s workers compensation insurance coverage.

Illinois Worker’s Compensation Cases

If you have suffered an injury during your job duties, you are entitled to file a worker’s compensation claim to cover the costs of medical treatment and lost wages.  Most employees, whether they are construction workers or part-time secretaries, will be entitled to receive benefits for any occupational disease or work injuries.  In fact, it is reported that 91% of Illinois workers are eligible for worker’s compensation.  If you have been injured, you must notify your boss and file a worker’s compensation claim to receive benefits.

You may want to hire a Aurora workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure you file your claim correctly and receive the full benefits you are entitled to.  The personal injury attorneys at the 844 See Mike help clients recover compensation for work-related injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation on the legal process for filing an Aurora, IL workers’ compensation claim.

What to do after a Work Injury in Aurora?

The first thing you should do is seek professional medical care after any workplace injuries.  You must get appropriate medical care and take care of your well-being.  Additionally, you will need proof from a doctor that you had medical treatment for all injuries sustained while performing your job duties.  A doctor will be able to provide information to support your worker’s comp claim, such as documentation of any temporary disability or permanent injuries suffered.  Your doctor will also be able to provide the estimated cost of your medical bills. This will help determine your worker’s comp weekly cash benefits.

How Injured Workers File Workers’ Compensation Claims

After you have received medical assistance and have confirmed an illness or injury, you must notify your boss.  All injured workers are required by Illinois workers compensation law to notify their employer of their injury.  You must notify your boss or employer within 45 days of the day of the injury. Next, your employer must accept or deny the claim within 14 days.  It is wise to keep checking on the status of your claim with your boss or HR.

If you have been denied a claim by your employer or their insurance company, then you must submit a claim to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.  There, you will request a hearing in front of a neutral arbitrator to rule on your workers’ comp claim.  While it is not mandatory, a workers’s compensation lawyer will be able to help you with legal representation for the arbitration.  The workers’ compensation lawyers at the 844 See Mike are well acquainted with the arbitration process.

Deadline For Filing Workers’ Compensation Claims

Suppose your employer has either denied or failed to respond to your worker’s comp claim within 14 day. In that case, it is time to consider filing a workers’ comp claim directly with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC).  Make sure you have written notice of the denial from your place of employment before you begin to file your claim with the state.  Under Illinois law, you have three years to file a workers’ comp claim with the IWCC.  However, you may want to start your claim as soon as possible to start receiving benefits.

How Aurora Workers’ Compensation Claims are Processed

Workers’ comp benefits will help with medical bills and lost wages after a workplace accident, however in some cases, the benefits paid out may not be enough to cover the full extent of an injured worker’s losses.  The IWCC will hold an arbitration, which is a hearing on whether or not they believe you have been injured and are entitled to worker’s compensation benefits.  While they try to schedule hearings in a timely manner, it can sometimes take many months before you even get a date.  However, you can still negotiate in settlement talks with the other side until the hearing.  Reach out to one of our Aurora workers’ compensation attorneys to learn more.

Once you file a worker’s compensation claim, you will be barred from filing a lawsuit against your employer, however, you may be able to pursue a third-party liability claim.  A third-party liability claim is a personal injury claim against a third party (someone who is not your employer) who was negligent and contributed to your workplace injury. However, you legally must file a personal injury claim within two years after the injury occurs. This is the Illinois Statute of Limitations law, which limits the time in which a person can file a lawsuit.   After the 2-year deadline, you will be prevented from filing a claim.  The 844 See Mike has decades of experience in personal injury cases in Aurora, IL.  Talk to our lawyers to learn more about how to pursue a third-party claim to receive full financial recovery.

Aurora Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

It is always best to consult with a workers’ compensation lawyer to ensure you receive all the benefits that you are entitled to. The 844 See Mike has decades of experience resolving workers’ compensation cases.  We serve clients in:

  • Cook County
  • Dekalb County
  • Dupage County
  • Kane County
  • Kendall County
  • Throughout all of Illinois

Our workers’ compensation lawyers are ready to work on your case today!

Call an Aurora attorney for a Free Workers’ Compensation Case Evaluation

The Aurora workers’ compensation lawyers at 844SeeMike Personal Injury Lawyers know how to represent injured workers.  We have successfully represented injured Illinois workers for decades.  Unfortunately, workplace accidents occur too often.  Whether you have suffered a temporary injury or a permanent disability, you are entitled to worker’s compensation benefits.  Navigating through the workers’ comp claim process can be tough, especially if you are not feeling well.  We can help you recover the medical benefits and lost wages you need to get back on your feet.

We serve clients throughout the state in all areas of workers’ comp and personal injury law.   Our law offices work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not get paid unless we win your case.  Additionally, we offer free consultations.  Contact us to discuss your work injuries eligible under workers’ compensation law. Together, we can help you get back on the right track.

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