Workers’ compensation benefits provide coverage for medical expenses and lost wages while you recover or provide income if you can never work again. If you were hurt on the job or lost a loved one in a workplace accident or to an occupational illness, you may be entitled to coverage for your medical bills, lost wages, and death benefits.
Seeking workers’ compensation benefits can be challenging. An Oak Lawn workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a claim, meet important deadlines, and represent you in any legal proceedings.
According to the fiscal year 2020 annual report from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, roughly 200,000 workplace-related accidents take place in the state every year. Many of these incidents cause minor injuries that do not keep the employee out of work, but others cause serious injury and even death.
820 ILCS 305, also known as the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, protects employees in Illinois from the financial fallout of work-related injuries or illnesses. It gives workers the right to obtain financial compensation for accidental injuries they sustain while working or diseases they develop because of their occupation. In most situations, employees who accept workers’ compensation benefits cannot sue their employers.
This law requires most employers in Illinois to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers who should carry this insurance but fail to do so must pay a penalty fee.
Almost any employee who is injured on the job or develops a disease because of their job can file a claim. In cases of accidental injuries, workers’ compensation insurance covers employees even when they are at fault for the accident.
Workers’ compensation provides many benefits to sick or injured employees. According to the Workers’ Compensation Handbook from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, here are some of the benefits available:
A workers’ compensation lawyer in Oak Lawn can help sick or injured employees with every aspect of their cases. Seeking workers’ compensation benefits can be confusing and overwhelming. You have the right to navigate the process with the assistance of a lawyer so you can focus on your physical recovery.
Here are some of the ways a lawyer can help you:
As an employee, you must notify your employer about your injury:
If you file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, you must file it within three years of an injury, death, or disablement or two years after the last TTD payment or medical bill, whichever is later. Your lawyer can help you meet workers’ comp deadlines so that you do not forfeit your right to compensation.
Your lawyer will gather evidence showing that your injury or illness arose out of your employment and that you were employed and entitled to workers’ compensation benefits at the time of the injury. They will also collect evidence showing the extent of the injury and the degree of disability it has caused you.
Employers may try to avoid paying your claim by disputing the cause of your injury or illness or your average weekly wage at the time of the injury. The insurance provider may dispute the extent of your disability or try to end your benefits before you are recovered. Your lawyer will fight back against these parties and advocate for your rights.
Your lawyer will negotiate a settlement that fairly compensates you for your injury or illness.
Our team has a strong record when it comes to representing employees in workers’ compensation cases. Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients who have been injured on the job. Here are a few of the workers’ compensation cases we have successfully settled:
If you were injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits covering your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. An Oak Lawn workers’ compensation lawyer with The Kryder Law Group, LLC can advocate for your rights in a workers’ compensation case.
Call our office today for a free, no-obligation case consultation. Because we work on contingency, we collect no fees unless we win your case.