What is workers' compensation and how does it benefit me?
The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act was enacted to provide benefits to anyone injured while working in Illinois. The Act also provides benefits to anyone who was hired in Illinois but was injured in another state or anyone working for a company whose principle place of business is in Illinois.
The benefits provided by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act include:
- MEDICAL BENEFITS - 100% coverage, no coinsurance or deductibles
- FREE CHOICE OF DOCTORS - Two or more of your own choosing
- LOST WAGE BENEFIT - Two-thirds (2/3’s) of your gross weekly wage (paid within 2 weeks of your accident)
- REIMBURSEMENT FOR TRAVEL - To and from doctors and therapy appointments
- VOCATIONAL RETRAINING OR RE-SCHOOLING
- COMPENSATION FOR DISFIGUREMENT - Burns, cuts, etc.
- PENALTIES - Against the insurance company for failure to pay benefits
- LUMP SUM SETTLEMENT - Monies for your injuries
If you were injured on the job and then subsequently laid-off, you may still have a viable workers' compensation claim. The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act allows an injured worker to file for benefits for up to three (3) years after their work-related accident. If you were laid-off or even if your employer has gone out of business, you may still have a claim for workers= compensation benefits.
The insurance company says your claim is being denied.
This is the most commonly used phrase in the insurance industry. However, simply because they are telling you that your claim is denied, doesn't necessarily mean that you do not have a viable claim. The insurance companies tell you this because they want you to walk away. If this has happened to you, contact our office and we can accurately assess whether or not your have a claim for workers' compensation benefits. DO NOT take the insurance company at their word.
The insurance company says your claim is closed.
This the second most commonly used phrase in the insurance industry. An Illinois workers' compensation claim can only be closed one of two ways: 1) by the signing and approval of a Lump Sum Settlement contract and 2) by the decision of an arbitrator. If you received workers' compensation benefits and have returned back to work, you may be entitled to a cash settlement or award from an arbitrator of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
Get a second opinion
Are you unhappy with your current workers' compensation attorney? Are you phone calls going unanswered? Has your attorney done nothing while you wait for weeks, sometimes months, without any money? Do you feel your claim is not getting the attention it needs? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, we will gladly provide you with a second opinion. Should you decide that you would like to retain our services and fire your old attorney, you will never pay more than a 20% attorney fee.
Donald W. Fohrman & Associates, Ltd.
101 W . Grand Ave., Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60610
chicagolegalnet@yahoo.com
Call us today at 800-437-2571 for a free no obligation consultation
Recent Settlements
Auto Accident
$875,000 for a serious leg injury to a driver involved in an intersection collision.
Personal Injury-Third Party Case
$1,800,000 Settlement for a worker who fell from a defective lift and sustained a back injury
Retaliatory Discharge
$220,000 settlement for a hospital worker who was fired after filing for Workers’ Compensation Benefits.
We are experienced in resolving the practical and legal problems facing United Employees after being injured on the job.
More >>
Illinois Workers Compensation Lawyer Blog
- Illinois mechanic proves material increase in disability, wins award under Section 8(d)2 The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission granted the claimant's petition for review under Sections 8(a) and 19(h), finding that the claimant's ....
- Boeing Settles Health Lawsuit An American Airlines flight attendant filed a suit against Boeing alleging that the bleed-air system aboard flight AA843 was faulty exposing her to ....
- Illinois taxi driver establishes employment relationship but fails tp rove compensable injuries The Illinois Workers' Compensation held that an employment relationship existed bewtween a taxicab business and the claimant-driver. However, the ....