Workers' Compensation
Workers’ compensation benefits are provided by law to employees who are injured on the job regardless of who was at fault for causing the accident. The benefits are intended to provide a safety net for employees while the recover from their injuries. In addition to payments for time missed from work and medical bills, employees are entitled to other benefits such as permanent impairment and permanent disability.
Have you suffered a personal injury at work? If so, the Janssen Law Center can help you claim the benefits that you are legally entitled to. Our knowledgeable and dedicated attorneys will guide you through the entire legal process to ensure you receive the compensation that you deserve.
In all cases, workers’ compensation insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible. Getting an attorney early in the process will help minimize the insurance company’s ability to manipulate your claim.
It is important that you contact us immediately if:
- An insurance company sends you to doctor that is not your treating physician
- An insurance company refuses to authorize treatment recommended by your treating physician
- An insurance company refuses to pay your income benefits while you are off work
- An insurance company assigns a nurse care manager to your case
- A doctor sends you back to work too early
- A doctor releases you back to work without work restrictions, but you are still unable to perform your job
- You do not get an impairment rating
- You are finished with your medical treatment, and you cannot go back to your time-of-injury job
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More about Workers' Compensation Lawsuits
What Kind of Benefits Are Injured Workers Entitled to?
If you were seriously hurt in a workplace accident, or cannot work because of an occupational disease or other work-related injury, you are entitled by law to certain benefits paid by your employer:
- Medical Benefits - The employer, through its workers’ compensation insurance carrier, must pay all reasonable and necessary medical bills. In most cases, you will see a doctor designated by your employer. In some cases, you have the right to see your own physician or chiropractor if you think you are not getting the right care, but you must coordinate with your employer.
- Income Benefits - If your injury prevents you from working, workers’ compensation pays 67 percent of your average weekly wage (up to a cap) while you recuperate. Partial benefits can be paid if you are only able to work part-time.
- Impairment - You must be compensated for any physical limitation or anatomical loss (severed fingers, back surgery, lost range of motion, chronic pain) from a work-related injury. The impairment is expressed as a percentage of the whole person, with a rating determined by a doctor.
- Permanent Disability - If your impairment is severe enough that you can no longer perform your job or must take a lower paying position, you may be entitled to additional benefits. Workers’ compensation may also cover vocational retraining if your permanent injury requires you to find a different line of employment.
When Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?
You should hire a workers’ compensation attorney when you have a serious injury that will impact your ability to work. Our workers’ compensation attorneys can hire vocational rehabilitation experts to determine the extent of your disability benefits and negotiate a settlement with your employer’s insurance carrier.
How Much Is My Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?
The value of a workers’ compensation claim is based on the nature of a person’s injuries and whether those injuries will impact a person’s ability to work. Workers’ compensation benefits are based on the law. Our attorneys will work with experts to determine the nature and extent of a client’s injuries and disability.
What Kinds of Injuries Are Typical of Workplace Accidents?
Workplace accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and workers’ comp is supposed to be in place as a no-fault system to protect workers. Accidents we work with frequently as workers’ comp attorneys include:
- Injuries occurring from lifting or carrying objects
- Slip-and-fall accidents while moving around the office
- Work-related environmental illness
- Car accidents during business-related travel
- Any other incident that occurs in the ordinary course of work
Do I Need to Prove Fault?
No, because workers’ compensation is a no-fault form of insurance your employer carries, which means as long as your accident happens in the normal course of work, you don’t have to prove someone else acted poorly to get covered.
Is There Any Type of Case That Isn’t Covered?
If you get hurt doing something outside the normal scope of your work duties, you may not be covered. For example, if you get into a fight with a co-worker while you’re on the clock, that may not be covered. With only a very few exceptions, almost every business in Illinois must carry workers’ compensation. If your boss says that you’re not, you should immediately contact a workers’ comp attorney and ask them about your options.
