Not getting your timely disability benefits?

We were contacted recently by a worker who was going through a difficult situation that was made even worse.  He was injured on the job and couldn’t work, and was getting advice from his lawyer that didn’t make sense.  While he should have been receiving regular disability benefits for his lost wages, he wasn’t.  And his lawyer was telling him to wait for a lump sum payment.  Meanwhile, the man was running out of money.

Turns out, the lawyer was not someone who generally handled Illinois workers’ compensation cases, which likely accounts for the odd information the worker was getting.  If the lawyer had been more experienced in the workings of the system, he would have known that this worker was entitled to receive temporary total disability benefits (TTD) for his time off work, and he did not have to wait to get the payments started.

TTD in Illinois workers’ compensation allows for workers injured on the job to get a regular benefit check to compensate for the lost wages from the injury.  So if you’re unable to work, or you have to work with restrictions that can’t be accommodated because of your injury, you are entitled to receive TTD benefits.  The amount of your check will generally be based on 2/3 of the amount of your average weekly wage if you’re unable to work. 

Since these benefits are meant to compensate you during this period that you can’t earn what you could previously, then it would not make sense for you to have to wait for the payments to start.  If you’re not getting the benefits you’re entitled to, then your lawyer can request a hearing to get the compensation started. 

Even lawyers that are very skilled in certain areas may not be experienced enough in handling workers’ compensation cases in Illinois, to fully protect your rights.  Your financial loss during a tough time after an injury is too important and timely to have a lawyer who is learning as he or she goes along, about the practice of workplace injuries.

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.