Worker’s Compensation
Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Chicago
Dedicated Job Accident Lawyer for Residents of Chicago
Workplace injuries are a common occurrence in Illinois. According to a 2011 survey by the state Department of Public Health, more than 76,000 people suffered from accidents on the job that left them unable to perform their regular duties. Fortunately, the Illinois workers’ compensation system is designed to pay medical expenses and lost wages to people who need them. If you are in this situation, skillful work injury attorney Robert H. Hanaford can help you file a claim and pursue the assistance you need.
Free consultationHe has over three decades of experience as a workers’ compensation attorney in Chicago, helping individuals in communities
Injured Employees May File a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that provides financial assistance for people hurt at work. It is a no-fault system, meaning that an injured employee does not have to prove that the employer did something wrong. He or she may be eligible to receive reimbursement for medical bills and lost wages regardless. If you work in Illinois, there is a good chance that you are covered by the workers’ compensation system in this state from your first day on the job. Employers are required to either purchase this type of insurance or request permission to be self-insured.
Usually, the workers’ compensation system is the only option available to an injured employee, meaning that he or she cannot sue the employer after an accident, even if negligence was involved. However, there are two general exceptions to this rule. First, an injured worker may be able to pursue a claim against third parties that have contributed to his or her harm. For instance, the manufacturer of a dangerous product that caused a workplace accident can generally be sued in court, as long as the victim doesn’t work for the manufacturer. Second, employers who fail to purchase the legally required insurance can often be sued by their employees in court.
Seeking Coverage for Medical and Disability Benefits
Most accidents that occur as a result of an employee performing his or her regular job duties will give rise to a claim for workers’ compensation.
There are several categories of benefits that an injured person can pursue with the assistance of a workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago, depending on the specific circumstances.
These include:
- Medical care that is reasonably related to a physical injury;
- Vocational rehabilitation;
- Temporary partial disability;
- Temporary total disability;
- Permanent partial disability;
- Permanent total disability; and
- Death.
The amount of money that an employee may be awarded hinges on the type of harm that he or she has suffered. For instance, a worker who has a temporary partial disability will receive less extensive benefits than a worker with a permanent total disability. If an employee is killed on the job, death benefits are paid to surviving family members.
If you are hurt at work, you should promptly inform your employer. You can then file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Although it’s possible to take this action on your own, an experienced attorney can help submit the best evidence of your harm. This will help increase your chance of receiving compensation for the full value of your injury. As with many other insurance claims, insurers often attempt to save money by offering less than what you need to recover from an accident.
Hanaford Law Offices is a personal injury attorney providing high-quality legal services in Florida across Naples SW Florida and Chicago Illinois.