Workers' Compensation
Chicago Work Injury Lawyer | Wheaton Wrongful Death Attorney
Workers' compensation is a form of social “insurance,” which employers are required to purchase in order to compensate employees for injuries or illnesses sustained on the job. Nearly 3.3 million people suffered non-fatal work-related injuries and illnesses in the United States in 2009, and 4,340 workers died from those injuries. Over half of the employees injured on the job required days away from work, job transfer, or restriction of job duties, which can impose a serious financial burden on the injured.
Workplace injuries may arise from one specific event, such as an explosion, or may be the result of job-related stresses over a period of time, as is the case with carpal tunnel syndrome. Workplace illnesses, such as asbestosis, are typically caused by exposure to harmful substances over a period of weeks, months, years, or more. Illinois' workers' compensation laws provide for the following types of benefits:
- Medical care to cure or provide relief for the injury
- Temporary total disability
- Temporary partial disability
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Maintenance benefits during rehabilitation
- Permanent partial disability
- Permanent total disability
- Death benefits for surviving family members
In Illinois, almost all workers are covered by workers' compensation laws, with the exception of certain types of employees, such as real estate agents, salespeople who work strictly for commission, and household employees. To learn whether or not you are entitled to workers' compensation benefits in Illinois, contact the experienced attorneys at Shannon Law Group, P.C. to discuss your claim.
Report your workplace injury immediately.
As soon as you are injured on the job, or your doctor diagnoses a work-related illness, you should immediately report it to your employer. If you do not report your injury or illness within 45 days (90 days for radiological exposure), you may lose your right to file a workers' compensation claim altogether. Once notified, your employer must immediately report your claim to its insurance carrier. You should contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney if you believe your employer has fraudulently denied benefits owed to you. In Illinois, disputes regarding benefits are filed with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, a state agency established to enforce workplace injury laws. In order to prove a workers' compensation claim in Illinois, an attorney must prove all of the following:
- Your employer was subject to the Illinois Workers' Compensation or Occupational Diseases Act when the accident occurred.
- An employment relationship existed between you and your employer on the date of your injury.
- You were injured or exposed to an occupational disease or toxin while performing duties in the course of employment.
- Your injury or illness was caused by the accident or exposure.
- You notified your employer within the statutorily mandated time period.
Even if you had a pre-existing condition at the time of the accident or exposure, you may still be eligible for workers' compensation benefits if you can prove that the work aggravated your medical condition.
Contact an experienced Illinois workers' compensation attorney.
At Shannon Law Group, P.C., we are committed to assisting clients who have been wrongfully denied workers' compensation benefits in Illinois. We have extensive experience helping injured workers get the compensation they deserve for their injuries. If you are unable to visit our law offices because of your injury or physical disability, we will be happy to come to you at your home or hospital room to discuss your case. Feel free to call Shannon Law Group, P.C. at 1-866-881-9980 for a free consultation with an experienced workers' compensation attorney.