Illegal immigrants and Illinois workers' compensation
I am a big believer in dealing with the law as it is as compared to the way I or anyone else wants the law to be. This thought is clearly shown when discussing illegal immigrants who get hurt on the job in Illinois.
A caller told us the workman's comp law firm in Chicago that he consulted with said he would not get benefits because he was an illegal immigrant. He wasn't being paid under the table so in every way but one he is like every other worker. And like it or not, he gets work comp benefits.
The reason for this law is to discourage employers from hiring illegal immigrants. Basically our legislators didn't want companies to have an incentive to hire illegals, e.g. they would hire them thinking that would be a way around work comp laws.
I personally think it's a good law although it doesn't deter anyone. Unfortunately some injured workers are afraid to come forward. We can't guarantee anything, but we have never heard of a worker getting in trouble with the Government because they pursued benefits.
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 your situation.
