Overview of Illinois workers' compensation benefits
Here’s an overview of what you can expect to receive in terms of benefits if you’re hurt on the job in Illinois. All work injuries are usually covered, and workers’ compensation is your only option – you generally cannot sue your employer for a work injury.
Medical bills
In Illinois, workers injured on the job are entitled to 100% of their medical expenses. This includes immediate treatment and ongoing medical care, as well as prescriptions, physical therapy and surgery in many cases. The basic rule is that the treatment has to be necessary and related to your injury in order to be covered.
Lost wages
If you are unable to work because of your injury, or if your doctor restricts your activities and your employer can’t accommodate you, you’ll get paid for part of your lost income. This is called Temporary Total Disability, or TTD. You will receive 2/3 of your average weekly wage over the last 52 weeks. There is no time limit on how long you can receive TTD payments. They end when you can go back to work, or when your employer can accommodate any restrictions.
Permanent disability
Permanent Partial Disability, or PPD, is for permanent injuries. The amount depends on the type of injury you have and how it affects your life now and in the future. If you can’t work, or can only work at a job that pays less, you may be compensated for part of the difference. The PPD amount is negotiated by lawyers and can be different in every case.
Employer penalties
If an employer wrongfully denies you benefits, they may have to pay you a penalty. Other than this, there are no punitive damages or “pain and suffering” damages in workers’ compensation cases in Illinois.
Suing a third party for your injury
Although you can’t sue your employer for a work injury, you may be able to sue a third party who was at fault. For example, if you’re installing cable for a customer in a high-rise building, and the elevator malfunctions and you get hurt, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against the building owner. You could still pursue workers’ compensation as well.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact Us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for you situation.
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