What is Workers' Compensation?

Worker’s Compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits to employees who experience work injuries or occupational diseases. Generally, benefits are paid regardless of fault if they arise out of and in the course of your employment. If you have any questions or doubts about whether or not your situation is covered, do not hesitate to give us a call. We will provide you a free consultation.

What are the Benefits Under Workers’ Compensation?

1.    Medical care;

2.    Temporary Total Disability (TTD) pay while recovering from the injury;

3.    Vocational & rehabilitation/maintenance benefits;

4.    Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits for employees that suffer disability or disfigurement but can continue to work;

5.    Permanent Total Disability (PTD) for employees rendered totally disabled;

6.    Death benefits to surviving family members.

Types of Injuries Covered

The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act covers all injuries or diseases that occur in the course of employment, whether they are immediate injuries from an accident or conditions developed over time due to work activities. This includes, but is not limited to, falls, machinery accidents, repetitive stress injuries, and occupational diseases.

How to Start a Claim

Report the Injury: Notify your employer about the injury as soon as possible. Failure to give timely notice can affect your ability to recover. Obtain a copy of the injury report completed with your employer.

Seek Medical Attention: Get medical treatment and ensure that the incident and its connection to your workplace are well-documented. Discuss with your employer if there are any requirements to see a specific doctor or if there is an occupational health provider that your employer arranges. You do have the opportunity to get medical care provided by a doctor of your own choosing. You should discuss this with your attorney to assure that you get the medical care you need paid for by the employer.

File a Claim: Your employer should report your injury their workers' compensation insurance company. Be mindful of the time frames you have to report your injury and file a claim. Gary Peterlin can discuss these time frames with you. Don’t delay in reporting your claim. Consult an attorney about filing a claim with the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Commission.

Consult a Workers' Compensation Lawyer: The employee, in a compensable claim, should not have to pay for any of the medical care or related expenses, such as medication or physical therapy. The advantages of discussing your situation with an attorney: the attorney can advise you as to the steps that you should be taking and the issues that you must avoid in obtaining your benefits, most importantly getting a recovery for your injury and secure the benefits and relief you are entitled to as a result of your injury.

 Complexities can arise during the claims process. Consulting with an experienced lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the full benefits you deserve. Attorney Gary Peterlin, with decades of experience in workers' compensation claims in Illinois, can guide you through every step of the process. His expertise and dedication to his clients have been proven time and again.

Understanding your rights and the proper steps to take after a workplace injury can significantly affect the outcome of your claim. If you're navigating the complexities of a workers' compensation claim in Illinois, consider reaching out to Gary Peterlin for professional assistance and representation. You want to have your case preserved in the best possible way, and expert advice from an experienced workers compensation attorney can do just that. Once time passes, it is often too late to go back and fix some of the mistakes we see people make in going through a workers’ compensation claim. It does not cost you anything to call and consult with our law firm.