Many people in Illinois need to work two jobs to make ends meet. If you or someone close to you works two jobs and was injured at one of them, you may be wondering about your next steps. When it comes to workers’ comp for people working two jobs, lawyers in Chicago will tell you everything you need to know about how to recover benefits.
While having two jobs can complicate the workers’ compensation issue, we know how to navigate these situations. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., our workers’ compensation lawyers in Chicago will analyze the facts of your case and help you recover. We have been serving clients for 24 years. Call today for a free case evaluation.
Workers’ Comp for People Working Two Jobs Attorneys in Chicago Who Treat You Like Family
We are a boutique, client–focused firm. That means you are never just a case file or a number in a system. From the first phone call, you will notice the difference: we listen, we explain, and we respond.
Our team is friendly, approachable, and deeply committed to the families we serve. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers understand that a workplace injury affects more than your paycheck; it impacts your health, your household, and your peace of mind. That is why we take the time to answer your questions clearly and honestly.
A Unique Advantage in Negotiations
Our founding partner, attorney Charles N. Therman, brings a powerful and uncommon perspective. Having previously worked on the insurance side with Allstate, he understands how insurance carriers evaluate claims, where they look to limit payouts, and how they approach negotiations.
That insider knowledge allows us to anticipate adjusters’ tactics and build stronger cases for our clients. We know how files are reviewed. We know what adjusters are looking for and how to present your claim in a way that demands serious attention.
Understanding the Workers’ Compensation System
Workers’ compensation is a statutory system that entitles employees who have suffered an injury or illness at the workplace to certain benefits. This is a no-fault system, meaning that the employee is entitled to benefits regardless of whose fault the workplace accident was.
When people work two jobs, a number of different scenarios may be present. For example, the first job may be full-time, and the second job may be part-time. In other cases, a person may have two or three part-time jobs.
Regardless of the specific time allotment at each job, if a person is injured while working at one of their jobs, that person can seek compensation for lost wages from all of their jobs. Using the income from both jobs will result in an increase in the benefits that can be recovered in a workers’ compensation case.
Available Workers’ Comp Benefits for People Working Two Jobs
In Illinois, employees who have been injured on the job have the right to fully paid medical care for the injury. Depending on the circumstances of the specific case, you may also be eligible for a portion of your lost wages, disability benefits, and more.
To recover benefits as a worker with two jobs, you must demonstrate that the employer at the job where you suffered the injury was aware of your second job. The employer must not have objected to the employee having a second job. If these conditions are met, both jobs will likely be used to calculate the employee’s average weekly wage.
How Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Calculated?
The average weekly wage forms the basis for the benefits that an injured employee receives. Consider the following example. You work two jobs, of which the first job pays you $600 a week, and the second job pays you $400 a week. You suffer a serious injury on the first job, and the doctor tells you that you cannot work for a month.
This would inevitably affect the second job, as you cannot work there either. In such a scenario, we would gather wage information from both jobs and use the total weekly income ($1,000 from both jobs) to calculate your weekly benefits.
In Illinois, a person is entitled to two–thirds of their weekly wages for missed work, which would entitle you to $666.67 per week. These calculations are complex, and at Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we will make sure that nothing is overlooked.
Can You Sue Your Employer?
Typically, workers’ compensation is the sole remedy for employees, meaning that they cannot sue their employer for negligence related to a workplace injury. Of course, there are certain exceptions to this rule.
If a third party, like a manufacturer or a careless driver, caused your injury, you may be able to sue that third party for negligence. Our Chicago car accident on the job lawyers can examine the facts of your case and help you identify all of the potentially liable parties.
Why You Need a Workers’ Comp Lawyer in Chicago
When you are injured on the job, your financial stability can change overnight. Workers’ compensation laws in Illinois are designed to protect you, but the system is not always simple or fair. Insurance companies focus on limiting payouts.
Employers may misunderstand their obligations, and mistakes in wage calculations can cost you thousands of dollars.
Our Chicago workers’ comp for people working two jobs attorneys can help you by:
- Protecting full wage calculations: Your benefits are based on your average weekly wage. If you work two jobs, both income sources may need to be considered. Insurance carriers often calculate benefits using only the job where the injury occurred. We review your employment history carefully and fight to ensure your full earnings are included.
- Gathering evidence to support combined income: Proving dual employment requires documentation. Pay stubs, tax returns, employment contracts, and payroll records must be collected and presented correctly. We organize this evidence, identify gaps, and build a clear record that supports the highest lawful benefit amount.
- Representing you before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission: If disputes arise, your case may go before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Hearings involve legal arguments, medical evidence, and procedural rules.
- Ensuring future medical rights are protected: A workers’ comp claim is not just about today’s bills. Serious injuries can require long-term care, additional surgeries, or extended therapy. Our attorneys evaluate whether a settlement properly accounts for future medical needs and protects you from giving up critical rights too soon.
Workers’ compensation is supposed to protect injured workers, but without experienced legal guidance, you risk leaving money and medical benefits on the table.
When you need workers’ comp for people working two jobs, lawyers in Chicago from our team will fight for the long-term security you and your family deserve.
Contact Our Chicago Workers’ Comp for People Working Two Jobs Lawyers Today
If you work multiple jobs and have been injured at one of them, you can still recover workers’ compensation benefits. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we understand the complexities that can arise involving benefits for people working two jobs.
Call our office to learn more about your legal rights and options, or contact us online. Our workers’ comp attorneys for people working two jobs in Chicago can assist you with the initial claim and with any appeals that may become necessary.