If you’ve been injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The Kryder Law Group, LLC can help you navigate the workers’ compensation system and get the benefits you deserve. We can also help determine if there is a third-party that may be liable for your injuries, such as a negligent property owner or contractor.
We represent injured workers in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood and surrounding areas. We have a long history of fighting for the rights of workers and injured victims and we know the workers’ compensation system inside and out.
We can help you with all aspects of your workers’ compensation claim, from negotiating with the insurance company to appealing a denial of benefits. We understand the stress and frustration that comes with being injured and unable to work. Let us help you get the benefits you need to get back on your feet.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and let you know what options are available to you and help you recover compensation you need. Don’t wait, call us today.
According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) handbook, workers’ compensation is a system of insurance that provides benefits to employees who are injured or become ill as a result of their job.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act covers most injured workers who are hired, injured, or whose employment is in the State of Illinois from the moment they start the job. Benefits from the workers’ compensation insurance system can include medical bills, income replacement, and benefits for surviving family members if the worker is killed. Specifically, according to the IWCC handbook, the workers’ compensation law and the Illinois workers’ compensation system provide:
Reasonable medical care or medical treatment to cure or relieve the employee of work related injuries;
Temporary total disability benefits (TTD) while the employee is out of work as they recover from their severe injuries;
Temporary partial disability benefits (TPD) while the employee work on light duty for less pay while recovering from their injuries;
Vocational rehabilitation and maintenance benefits for injured employees who is participate in state approved vocational rehabilitation programs;
Permanent partial disability benefits (PPD) for an employee who is able to work, but who has sustained a permanent disability or disfigurement;
Permanent total disability benefits (PTD) for employees who are permanently unable to work;
Death benefits for surviving family members.
In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you must:
Be an employee of a company that is covered by workers’ compensation insurance
Have been injured or become ill as a result of your job
Medical Care
You are entitled to reasonable medical care to cure or relieve your injuries. You should see a doctor as soon as possible after the injury. Your employer or their insurance company may require you to see a specific doctor, but you have the right to change doctors once. After that, you will need approval from your employer or their insurance company to switch doctors.
You are entitled to have all reasonable and necessary medical expenses covered, which may include:
Doctor’s visits
Surgery
Hospitalization
Rehabilitation
Therapy
Medication
Prosthetics
Permanent Disability Benefits
If you suffer a permanent disability as a result of your injuries, you may be eligible for benefits. The amount of benefits you receive will depend on the severity of your injury and whether you are able to return to work.
Income Replacement Benefits
If you are out of work as a result of your injuries, you may be entitled to income replacement benefits. These benefits are intended to replace a portion of your lost wages. The amount of the benefit is based on your average weekly wage. You will receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount set by the Illinois legislature.
These benefits are paid every two weeks and are subject to Federal and State taxes.
Death Benefits
If an employee dies as a result of their job-related injuries, surviving family members may be entitled to receive death benefits. These benefits are paid to the surviving spouse and/or children of the deceased employee. The amount of the benefit is based on the deceased employee’s average weekly wage.
Most common Industries for Work Injuries in Chicago
The most common industries for work injuries in Chicago are:
Construction industry
Manufacturing
Transportation
Healthcare
Warehousing
Railroad workers
If you have been injured while working in any of these industries, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Contact our experienced Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers to discuss your options. Our Chicago, IL law firm will assess your case and can help determine if a third-party is also responsible for your injuries. We will fight on your behalf to make sure you obtain compensation that is both needed and deserved.
Types of Workplace Injuries
There are many different types of workplace injuries that can occur. Some of the most common include:
Workers’ compensation benefits may be available to you if you have been hurt at work. To discuss your alternatives, contact our workers’ compensation attorneys. Our legal team will assess your situation and advise whether a negligent third party can also be held accountable for your injuries through personal injury lawsuits.
Can You Sue Your Employer?
Generally, you cannot sue your employer for injuries that occur at work. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If your employer intentionally harmed you or if your injuries were caused by a defective product, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit for the workplace injury.
You also may have a claim against a third party if they were responsible for your work injury. For example, if you were injured in a car accident while making deliveries for work, you may be able to sue the other driver. If you were injured by a defective piece of equipment at work, you may be able to sue the manufacturer of the equipment.
If you have a work injury, contact our workers’ compensation attorneys to discuss your legal options. Our Chicago, IL law firm will review the facts of your case and can help you determine if you have a claim against your employer or a third party.
Third-Party Liability
In some cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a third-party in addition to getting your work injury benefits. This is most common in construction accidents where another company was responsible for the safety of the worksite. For example, if you were injured in a fall from a scaffold that was not properly erected, you may be able to sue the company responsible for the scaffold.
It is important to note that an injured worker cannot receive both workers’ compensation benefits and a personal injury settlement against their employer. However, a lawyer experienced with workers’ compensation cases can negotiate with the insurance companies to try to maximize the recovery in a work injury claim.
If you have been injured at work, contact our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers to discuss your legal options. We will review the facts of your case and can help you determine if you have a third party claim for your work related injury.
What Should You Do If You’re Injured at Work?
If you’re injured at work, there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights:
Report the accident to your employer as soon as possible.
Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if you think they are only minor injuries.
Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster without first consulting with an attorney.
Do not sign any documents related to the accident without first consulting with an attorney.
Contact a workers’ compensation lawyer who servers the South Shore neighborhood to discuss your case.
Call today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney knowledgeable in workers compensation laws. Our work injury lawyers will review your Chicago workers’ compensation claims and advise you of your legal options under Illinois law. There is no fee unless we recover financial compensation for you.
South Shore Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!
(312) 223-1700