If you’ve suffered workplace injuries in Indiana, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. This no-fault insurance covers medical expenses, lost wages, and more. A South Bend workers’ compensation lawyer from our personal injury law firm can help. We have been helping injured workers win compensation for decades, and we are ready to provide you with the legal representation you need.
In this Article
What Is Indiana’s Workers’ Compensation System?
By Indiana law, injured employees are entitled to benefits regardless of who caused the accident—whether it was the employer, a coworker, or even the employee themself.
The Indiana Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) oversees the state’s workers’ compensation system. It handles disputes and challenges and hears appeals; it ensures compliance with workers’ compensation laws, and it provides resources for injured workers and employers.
What Coverage Do Workers’ Compensation Benefits Provide?
Indiana’s workers’ compensation provides medical, rehabilitation, income support, and other benefits for employees injured on the job. Key benefits include:
Medical benefits cover necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries.
Income benefits provides two-thirds of the average weekly wages if you’re unable to work due to temporary total disability (TTD).
Rehabilitation benefits help injured workers return to work.
Death benefits offer support to dependents if the worker dies due to a job-related injury.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) caps your combined monthly income from workers’ compensation and social security disability income (SSDI) at 80% of your Average Current Earnings (ACE) prior to your disability.
Why Can Workers’ Compensation Cases Be Denied?
Workers’ compensation claims can be denied for reasons like late reporting, non-work-related injuries, insufficient evidence, missed deadlines, non-covered conditions (e.g., intoxication or horseplay), disputes over employment status, or pre-existing conditions.
A South Bend workers’ compensation attorney can help with an appeal.
Do I Need a South Bend Workers’ Comp Attorney?
Yes! Our skilled workers’ compensation attorneys provide legal help to protect the rights of injured employees. If you’re suffering from occupational diseases or serious injuries from work, we ensure your medical bills (doctor and hospital bills) are covered and your payments continue without interruption. If disputes over your settlement arise, our experienced team works to resolve them quickly and efficiently, so you can focus on your recovery.
What Is a Third-Party Lawsuit in a Workers’ Compensation Case?
In some cases, you may be able to sue if a third party’s negligence contributed to your workplace injury. Third-party lawsuits differ from workers’ compensation by allowing claims for non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering) but require proving negligence. Indiana’s 51% rule Indiana Code § 34-51-2 bars recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault.
For example, if you were on the job and were injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a negligent driver, you might have a valid personal injury lawsuit. An Indiana workers’ compensation attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Most Common Workplace Injuries
Some of the more common injuries workers may experience include repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. More serious conditions can also occur, including back injuries, shoulder injuries, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and brain injuries.
What to Do After a Workplace Accident in South Bend, IN
If you suffered a work injury, follow these steps:
Notify your employer immediately. You have 30 days to report it, but sooner is better.
Seek medical care from the doctor chosen by your employer or their insurer. For emergencies, visit the nearest ER.
Document everything with photos of the scene, your injuries, and gather witness information. Keep all medical records and receipts for medical costs.
Understand your rights—Indiana’s workers’ compensation covers medical bills and partial wages, even if the accident was your fault.
Consider pursuing a third-party insurance claim if someone other than your employer caused the accident with a lawsuit for additional damages.
Consult a workers’ compensation lawyer if your claim is denied or you need help.
Contact an Experienced Attorney in South Bend Today
We represent clients across Indiana and the Midwest. If you suffered injuries in a work-related accident, call us. Each workers’ compensation attorney on our legal team has the experience to assess your workers’ comp claim and determine the best course of action to secure the benefits and maximum compensation you deserve.
Our Law Firm Offers Free Case Evaluations
Call our law office today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your personal injury case, explore your legal options for reimbursement of losses, and address your concerns. We work on a contingency basis: you pay no legal fees unless we win.
Get help from a South Bend workers’ compensation lawyer if you’ve been injured on the job and need to file a workers’ compensation claim.
$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.
$500,000
$500,000 Policy limit settlement for a 48-year-old woman injured in a Cook County head-on collision after another driver made an unsafe left turn into traffic.
$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.
$300,000
Recovery for a 16-year-old girl who suffered a skull fracture after her e-bike struck a metal driveway marker placed along the roadway.
$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.
$250,000
Recovered for an individual who suffered a severe knee injury after a slip and fall on a wet floor at a Will County retail store.
$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.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
(312) 223-1700