Workplace Injuries and Benefits

With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, recovering from an injury in the workplace is not as daunting as it may seem.

Regarding most workplace injuries, some insurance companies (and even employers) may attempt to deny compensation for injured employees, perhaps by claiming that the injury was sustained or developed outside the workplace or that it is less severe than the victim claims. However, as workers’ compensation is generally a no-fault system, injured employees are not required to establish fault for their injuries to receive compensation.

Although this is usually straightforward, cases involving employees who were injured in car accidents on-the-job are more complex. In fact, such employees may even have two separate cases: a personal injury claim, and a worker’s compensation claim.

In Illinois, these cases are usually resolved by the impartial Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. A case may first be overseen by an arbitrator, and a three-commissioner panel may review his/her decision. Then, cases may be appealed to a circuit court, Appellate court, or the Illinois Supreme Court.

Generally, workplace injury benefits in Illinois may fall under six categories:

• Medical care that is reasonably necessary to treat the employee’s injury;
• A) Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits for the duration of the employee’s absence from work;
B) (Applicable to injuries sustained on or after February 1st, 2006): Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits for an employee who is recovering from his/her injury but working on “light duty” and receiving less compensation;
• Vocational rehabilitation/maintenance benefits for an employee who is recovering in a vocational rehabilitation program;
• Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits if an employee sustains a permanent disfigurement or disability but still is able to work;
• Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits for an employee who is permanently unable to work due to an injury;
• Death benefits for surviving relatives if an employee loses his/her life to an injury.

Most workplace injury disputes are settled without further legal action, and having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side is the only way to ensure that you earn your compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in the workplace, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.