Disputes are heard by an arbitrator near where you were injured
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission is located in Chicago. However, there are locations across the state where arbitrators hear cases and resolve disputes. After filing a claim, you will be assigned to one of these locations based on where your injury occurred. Even if your employer is in Chicago, if you were injured on a job assignment in Peoria your claim will likely be assigned there.
Location matters when it comes to hiring a workers’ compensation attorney, but you don’t necessarily need to hire an attorney near your assigned arbitration location. Instead, the important thing is to find someone who is familiar with that location. Their office doesn’t need to be in that city or town, but they should go there often enough to know the arbitrators. A lot of people end up with a Chicago attorney because it’s simply where a lot of attorneys are located, especially those who focus just on work injury cases. The key is whether they have a good reputation and relationship with the arbitrator assigned to your claim.
Other things to look for in a work injury attorney: many years of experience, a focus on workers’ compensation law, a good reputation in the legal community, excellent customer service (returning phone calls, etc.), and a willingness to take your case to trial if necessary.
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.
