Wheaton Workers’ Compensation

Wheaton is a city located in Illinois with a population of approximately 53,568 people and a total area of almost 11.5 square miles. The Wheaton economy employs over 20,000 people and is home to various industries including but not limited to: educational services, professional and scientific tech services, utilities, healthcare and management consulting services. Sadly, just like in every other state, Illinois workers often suffer preventable injuries in workplace accidents. If this has happened to you or someone you love, a skilled Wheaton workers’ compensation attorney can help you determine your next steps and possibly seek benefits. At Therman Law Offices, we will closely examine your case, and we create custom legal strategies for each client. Time is of the essence in these cases, so it is important to act as quickly as possible after the incident.

Illinois Workplace Accident Statistics 

Every year, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (the “Commission”) publishes statistics on workplace injuries. According to the Commission’s 2017 report, approximately 200,000 work-related accidents take place in Illinois every year. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that there were 171 fatal work injuries in Illinois in 2016. The private transportation sector had the highest number of deaths in the state with a total of 35, up from 22 the prior year. Our legal team of workers’ compensation lawyers serving Wheaton has handled virtually all types of workers’ compensation cases including claims involving:

• Chemical exposure;
• Machinery malfunction;
• Accidents while an employee is travelling;
• Injuries from falls;
• Repetitive stress injuries;
• Injuries caused at work because of negligence by a third party.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers to provide workers’ compensation benefits to employees who are injured or become ill in the course of employment. Under the Act, the injured worker will be entitled to the following: 100 percent of all reasonable and necessary medical expenses; wages in the amount of 2/3 of their average weekly wage; certain disability benefits depending on the nature and severity of the disability; compensation for disfigurement depending on the seriousness of it; and death benefits in the event that you lost a loved one in a workplace accident. It is important to note that an employee with a work-related injury or illness is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Unlike a worker’s salary, workers’ compensation benefits are not taxable income to the worker.

Appealing a Denial of a Workers’ Compensation Claim

If your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, do not lose hope, because you may be able to appeal, and a knowledgeable Wheaton workers’ compensation attorney can help. According to the Commission, 50 percent of employees who are denied benefits file an appeal. Of these appeals, an estimated 1,000 result in decisions, 400 result in settlements and just 100 result in denials. Insurance companies often deny workers’ compensation claims if the injury does not appear to be work-related. If your claim has been denied, you can file an “application for adjustment of claim” with the Commission. This form must be filed within three years after your injury or after you were disabled due to an occupational illness, or within two years after the last payment you received for benefits, whichever is later. Once a case is filed before the Commission, it is assigned to an arbitrator who will conduct a hearing where both sides will get to present their arguments. After the hearing, the arbitrator will issue a decision. You should be aware that it is possible to appeal the arbitrator’s decision as well.

Hire a Skilled Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Wheaton

Workplace accidents can lead to serious, long-term injuries. If you or a family member has been hurt in a workplace accident in Wheaton, we may be able to help. At Therman Law Offices, our seasoned workers’ compensation lawyers understand the nuances of this area of law and can potentially apply our insights to your case. Our team is dedicated to helping injured workers seek the medical attention and financial compensation they rightfully deserve. For a free consultation, please call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.