Every day, workers arrive at their jobs to put in the hours that guarantee them a paycheck. Most people rely on their jobs to provide food and shelter for their families. When you are unable to work because of a workplace injury, the mounting pressure of your financial responsibilities may be overwhelming to deal with.
Whether you work at a desk in an office or on a construction site, every worker is at risk of sustaining some type of injury from a workplace accident. When you are dealing with losses from a workplace injury and your livelihood is in jeopardy, you need the backing of an experienced workplace accident lawyer to help you get compensation for your injury and secure your financial future. For more information about how a Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you, contact Smith LaCien LLP via telephone at (312) 509-8900.
If you have been injured on the job in a vehicle crash, the best thing to do is to speak with a Chicago accident lawyer about your legal options. At Smith LaCien, your initial consultation is free and if we represent you, you pay nothing unless we win. Call (312) 509-8900 to schedule your free consultation.
U.S. employers reported an astonishing 2.8 million non-fatal, work-related employee injuries and illnesses in 2022. Injuries are most common in construction, freight, and warehouse injuries, but can occur in retail, hospitals, and office settings as well. The most common workplace injuries include the following:
Workers’ compensation in Illinois also provides compensation for PTSD related to on-the-job trauma such as witnessing a death or maiming.
Benefits from workers; compensation claims aren’t limited to employees who’ve suffered the above injuries. If your injury wasn’t listed, speak to your attorney about how a workers’ compensation claim or third-party lawsuit can benefit you.
The most common cause of injuries on the job is falls. Both premises liability accidents and falls from heights are commonly cited in workers’ compensation claims in Chicago. Worker’s compensation claims often seek benefits for the following causes of work injuries:
Less commonly, workplace violence is also cited in workers’ compensation claims. When an employee is injured while on the job, they shouldn’t be left with the undue burden of medical expenses and the financial hardship associated with work injuries that prevent a prompt return to work. A workplace accident lawyer in Chicago can help represent an injured client throughout all aspects of their claim for benefits.
With workers’ compensation insurance claims, injury victims do not have to prove their employer liable or file a lawsuit. Workers’ compensation insurance protects employers from most lawsuits by allowing injured employees to file a claim for benefits directly from the workers’ compensation insurer. However, there are some circumstances in which an employee injured on the job may hold specific individuals or business entities liable for damages including the following:
Third-party lawsuits are appropriate when a non-employer is responsible for an injury to the employee. Ask your Chicago Workplace accident attorney about the possibility of a third-party lawsuit rather than a workers’ compensation claim in your case. Unlike worker’s compensation, a third-party lawsuit allows injury victims to seek compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, potentially increasing the overall amount of recoverable compensation.
Generally, all Illinois employers, whether they have one employee or a hundred, are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. From the moment a worker is employed, the employer is required to have workers’ compensation coverage for the worker. Failure to have insurance can result in a minimum fine of $10,000. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission estimates that about 91% of Illinois workers are covered by workers’ compensation insurance.
Workers injured in the workplace are expected to find legal remedies in their workers’ compensation insurance coverage. Benefits for Illinois workers injured on the job include:
The objective of workers’ compensation is to take care of an injured worker’s work-related illness or injury without having to prove fault. The advantage of this is that injured workers can quickly get compensation for their work-related injury or illness.
It may be difficult to keep a cool head if you’ve experienced a sudden painful injury while on the job, but by taking specific steps, you can help protect your physical health and financial future. Immediately after the injury, take the following important steps:
Always go to a hospital immediately after an injury. Ask for a complete medical evaluation as well as treatment for your obvious injuries. Be sure to report every symptom, no matter how minor, and any that develop over the following days. Ask for a detailed medical report with your injury description, the doctor’s treatment recommendations, and your prognosis for recovery. Then, follow all of your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Most employers have pre-selected physicians for injured employees covered under workers’ compensation claims. Once your employer learns of your injury, they must begin the process for a workers’ compensation claim and accept or deny the claim within two weeks of the notification.
Call the Chicago workplace accident lawyers at Smith LaCien for a free confidential consultation. An attorney can help organize your evidence and present a compelling case to minimize the chance of a denial. An attorney from Smith LaCien is also ready to help with the appeal process if your claim is denied.
If you’ve suffered a permanent disability, your workplace accident attorney will seek permanent total disability benefits so you don’t face financial hardship as well as severe injury and disability.
While workers’ compensation is supposed to be a quick and simple process for getting compensation for your work-related injury, it is possible that there will be a conflict between you and the insurance company holding your workers’ compensation policy. The insurance company may dispute the cause of your injury or the necessity of the medical care that you receive. Also, your workers’ compensation benefits may not cover the extent of the damages that you suffered as a result of your injury. Similarly, workers’ compensation may not cover death, which means a Chicago wrongful death attorney can help secure compensation for your lost loved one.
Insurers often prioritize their profits over paying out on claims, including workers’ compensation insurance adjusters. It helps to have an attorney on your side with a strong local reputation for success in Chicago workplace injury claims. Your attorney from Smith LaCien LLP will do the following:
Call our Chicago law office today to speak to an attorney at Smith LaCien, LLP so we can begin working on a strong strategy for your compensation.
If you are recovering from a workplace injury and need legal assistance to get the compensation you need to get your life back on track, Smith LaCien LLP can help you. Our experienced Chicago accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and advance your interests through the process. Call (312) 509-8900 or contact us using our online form to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.