When you get injured at work, you expect to be treated fairly. However, your case is handled by your employer’s insurance company, and you are immediately launched into an adversarial process. The adjuster assigned to your case is there to protect the insurance company’s interests, not yours. This can cause your claim to be denied or minimized – all in an effort to protect the insurance company’s profits.
If you were injured at work, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer from Feagans Law Group P.C. can help level the playing field. We can explain your legal rights and options and help you seek the compensation you deserve
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that protects employees and employers. In exchange for not suing their employers when injured on the job, injured workers provide compensation under this system without having to prove their employer was negligent. Employees generally have the right to benefits under this system when they are injured on the job while performing duties within the scope of their work. They can recover compensation even when they are negligent in causing their own injuries. Our injury attorney in Geneva is prepared to assist with your case today.
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Injured workers in Illinois may be entitled to the following benefits under the workers’ compensation system:
- Medical benefits – Workers’ compensation can cover all medical expenses that are reasonable and necessary following an on-the-job injury.
- Permanent total disability benefits – If the injured worker suffered a permanent total disability, amputation, or loss of an eye, they can receive a minimum of $726.34 up to $1,936.86 in weekly benefits, beginning Jan. 15, 2025.
- Permanent partial disability benefits – The amount of permanent partial disability benefits is based on a schedule depending on the type of injury.
- Temporary total disability benefits – Temporary total disability benefits provide a maximum of $1,936.86 in weekly benefits, beginning Jan. 15, 2025. The minimum amount is between $400 and $600, depending on the number of dependents.
- Death benefits – Death benefits provide weekly benefits to the surviving spouse for life, not to exceed more than 25 years or $500,000 and to the decedent’s minor children until they are 18 at the same rate as permanent total disability benefits.
Who Is Responsible for My Damages?
Employers are responsible for paying workers’ compensation benefits, usually through their insurance provider. Generally, employers are legally immune from suit for personal injuries under workers’ compensation laws.
However, cases may arise when someone other than your employer is responsible for your injuries. You may have a third-party claim against parties such as:
- Negligent motorists who cause a motor vehicle accident that injures you
- Manufacturers of defective products that injure you while you’re working
- Contractors who perform their duties negligently in a manner that injures you
- Negligent property owners who failed to maintain the property where you were injured
If you have a third-party claim, you may be able to pursue compensation for the full extent of your injuries, including pain and suffering.
Contact Our Geneva Workers’ Compensation Attorneys to Learn More About Your Legal Rights
If you were injured at work, you deserve the maximum benefits under Illinois law. Our Geneva workers’ compensation can review your case, help handle your claim, and appeal your case, if necessary. Contact Feagans Law Group P.C. today.