Benefits Available Under the Workers’ Compensation System

Attorneys for Employees Harmed on the Job in Wheaton and Schaumburg

 

Sadly, workplace injuries are common in Illinois and throughout the United States, and can include back injuries, head injuries, occupational illnesses, and more. If you have suffered a work-related injury, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Our Wheaton and Schaumburg workers’ compensation lawyers represent injured workers across Illinois. Figuring out your legal rights to benefits under the workers’ compensation system can be daunting, which is why having a skilled legal advocate who understands the intricacies of workers’ compensation laws can make all the difference in your case.

 

The workers’ compensation system prevents workers from suing their employers following a work-related injury or illness. In Illinois, most businesses are required by law to carry workers’ compensation insurance, which provides benefits to their employees who have suffered a work-related injury or illness. The program is entirely free for the employee and coverage kicks in the moment a worker begins his or her job.

 

Benefits Available Under the Workers’ Compensation System

 

In Illinois, injured workers may be eligible receive a number of workers’ compensation benefits depending on the nature and extent of the harm they have suffered on the job. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act requires workers’ compensation, for example, to cover all medical care that is reasonably necessary to treat a worker’s injury or cure his or her illness. This includes first aid, emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and any medication that may be needed throughout the process.

 

In some cases, a workplace injury can render you unable to work for a certain period of time. Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits may be appropriate if you are not able to work in the same capacity as before and have to perform light-duty work as your recover from your injuries. A worker engaged in light work earns less than he or she usually would, and TPD benefits are designed to bridge the gap between pre-injury wages and post-injury wages. These benefits are paid until the worker returns to his or her regular job or reaches maximum medical improvement. If you are entirely unable to work due to your workplace injury, temporary total disability (TTD) may be more appropriate as injured workers receive TTD benefits during the period in which they are healing and are receiving medical care for the work-related injury.

 

Unfortunately, in other cases, a workplace injury may lead to permanent disability. If your injuries caused permanent disability or disfigurement but you are still able to work, you will likely be eligible for permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits. PPD benefits kick in once a worker reaches maximum medical improvement (i.e., the maximum amount they are going to heal). If you are unable to be gainfully employed due to the work-related injury, you will likely qualify for permanent total disability benefits (PTD). PTD benefits are typically paid for the life of the injured worker or until the disability ceases.

 

In Illinois, injured workers may also be eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation and maintenance benefits. These are programs designed to enable an injured person to work within their capabilities.

 

In the most serious cases, workplaces accidents can lead to death. If you have lost a loved one to a workplace injury or illness, you may be entitled to death benefits, also sometimes known as survivor benefits. These benefits typically cover funeral and burial costs as well as provide ongoing wage benefits to the deceased worker’s surviving family members, most often the deceased worker’s spouse and children under the age of 18, who are considered ‘primary beneficiaries’ under the law.

 

Workers’ Compensation is a No-Fault System

 

Workers’ compensation provides no-fault benefits, which means that you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who caused the workplace accident. In other words, whether your employer or your colleague caused the workplace accident – your sole recourse will generally be a workers’ compensation claim. One exception to this rule is if a third party (i.e., someone other than a colleague or employer) causes your injury. In such cases, you may be able to sue the third party. For instance, if malfunctioning equipment was the cause of a worker’s injury, that worker may be able to file a products liability claim against the manufacturer or seller of the defective product, and a skilled injury lawyer can help.

 

Seasoned Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Wheaton and Schaumburg

 

If you have sustained a workplace injury or illness, we can help. At Therman Law Offices, our hardworking and dependable work injury lawyers will do everything we can to help you pursue the maximum benefits available under the workers’ compensation system. We understand how to handle these cases and we pride ourselves on providing unmatched client service throughout Wheaton and Schaumburg, as well as nearby areas. We proudly serve injured workers from communities including Arlington Heights, Wood Dale, Streamwood, Elgin, Bloomingdale, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Bensenville, and Roselle. To discuss your case in more detail, please call us today at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.

CONTACT US

FREE CONSULTATION
Chicago 773-839-8944
Wheaton & Schaumburg 847-744-8400

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    Client Reviews

    Scroll to Top