FAQ | Getting Started

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

This area of law provides compensation and benefits for employees who are injured in the workplace. Provision can be made for weekly payments in place of employment wages, compensation for economic loss, reimbursement or payment of medical and similar expenses, and vocational rehabilitation. It also includes benefits payable to the dependents of workers killed during employment.
 

FAQ - We can help you with answers to your questions, including:

• What is workers' compensation?
  
  
• What types of injuries are  covered? 
  
  
• Who is eligible for workers' compensation?
  
  
• Who chooses the medical care?
  
  
• How are disputes handled?
  
  
• Who oversees disputes?
  
  
• Who pays the benefits?
  
  
• What types of benefits does the law provide?
  
  
• Who is responsible for providing for workers' compensation benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act?
  
  
• What injuries are covered by the Workers' Compensation Act?
  
  
• Is a worker entitled to benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act for injuries that result from performing repetitive motion in the course of the job?
  
  
• Does a worker have a viable workers' compensation claim if they re-injure a previous injury or aggravate a pre-existing condition?
  
  
• Is a worker who sustains an on-the-job injury entitled to compensation if the injury causes disfigurement?
  
  
• What medical benefits does the Workers' Compensation Act provide to workers after they have sustained a work-related injury?
  
  
• Is it important for a worker to give an accurate and extensive description of the accident to their own medical providers?
  
  
• What benefits are provided by the Workers' Compensation Act if the injuries sustained by the worker are permanent in nature?
  
  
• What if an injured worker is unable to return to their usual trade or profession after their treating doctor has exhausted all forms of treatment?
  
  
• What if the injured employee, after their recovery, is unable to return to any type of work?
  
  
• Is an injured employee entitled to vocational rehabilitation?
  
  
• What benefits are payable to survivors of a worker whose death is caused by a work-related accident?
  
  
• Must an injured worker notify their employer of a work-related injury?
  
  
• Does an injured worker have to file their workers' compensation claim within a specific period?
  
  
• Should an injured worker allow their employer or its workers' compensation insurance company to record a statement of the accident?
  
  
• Should an injured worker sign any documents for their employer or the employer's workers' compensation insurance company?
  
  
• Is an injured worker required to submit to an examination from a doctor selected by the workers' compensation insurance company?
  
  
• Is an injured worker required to cooperate with a rehabilitation nurse retained by the employer' s workers' compensation insurance company?
  
  
• What redress does an injured worker have if they are not receiving the benefits they are entitled to under the Workers' Compensation Act?
  
  
• Should an injured worker apply for unemployment benefits?
  
  
• Can a worker receive Social Security Disability benefits as a result of a work-related injury?
  
  
• Should an injured worker apply for group health insurance benefits instead of Workers' Compensation benefits?
  
  
• Can an injured worker be harassed or fired for filing a claim for Workers' Compensation benefits with the Illinois Industrial Commission?
  
  
• When is a Workers' Compensation claim considered settled and permanently closed?
  
  
• Can a worker file a lawsuit against their employer for the injuries they sustained from a work-related accident?
  
  
• Is an injured worker entitled to monies for payment of union dues, continuation of health insurance benefits or other similar benefits?
  
  
• If an injured worker decides, for whatever reason, to discharge their present attorney, will they have to pay more than 20% in attorney's fees or be concerned about an interruption of their Workers' Compensation benefits?
  
  
• What is a Third Party case?
  

Getting Started

Be prepared to bring these items to the first meeting with the lawyer: Gather all copies of:

- Any incident or first injury reports

- Wage information

- Medical records

- Medical bills

- Any contact information for the employer and its workers' compensation insurance carrier.

ACW Law has talented lawyers waiting to help you with your Workers' Compensation issues. Please contact:

Tom Lamb