On Your Side From Start to Finish
Step 1: Report Your Injury
In order for you to take advantage of your rights, Illinois workers' compensation laws require that you report your injury to your employer within 45 days. (There are some exceptions.)
You will have the opportunity to see a doctor of your choice.
Step 2: File Your Claim
In most cases, you have up to two years (sometimes, three or more) to file a claim for Illinois workers' compensation benefits.
Additionally, you may want to seek benefits allowed under:
- The Second Injury Fund
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Social Security Disability
- Unemployment Programs
Step 3: Attend Your Worker's Compensation Hearing
Workers' compensation hearings take place at various locations throughout Illinois.
Hearings can address a wide range of issues, including:
- Lost Wages/Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
- Settlements/Permanent Partial and Total Disability (PPD and PTD)
- Medical Care
- Vocational Rehabilitation
People who have already been through the process can also schedule hearings if they need to restart benefits that have been cut off, request additional medical care or address other issues.
While these are fairly informal hearings conducted by an arbitrator, the rules of evidence do apply, so this step should be handled with the help of an experienced lawyer. The employer and insurer always have an attorney.
Step 4: Appeal the Decision
If workers' compensation benefits were denied, or insufficient benefits were granted, Illinois law gives you 30 days to appeal the decision to the Illinois Industrial Commission.
If the outcome still does not meet your needs, we can represent you in further appeals in the Illinois state court system.
An Important Note About Our Fees
Many people who suffer an injury at work wait too long to enlist the help of an experienced attorney. They wait until something goes wrong because they are worried about the cost.
That is not something you have to worry about.
We handle all cases on a contingency basis, which means we receive a percentage of the total compensation you are awarded. This amount will be the same whether you enlist us at the very start or whether you wait until the last minute.
By enlisting us now to help you through the Illinois workers' compensation process, we can make sure that everything is handled properly from the first step on. We can help you get the compensation you need as soon as possible.
Contact Us For a Free Consultation
Call our St. Louis workers' compensation lawyers at 1-866-435-4721 or send us an e-mail.
