Why is two weeks an important time frame for an Illinois work injury?
Under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, an employer or their insurance company has two weeks to either pay TTD benefits or approve medical care or have a good faith dispute as to why they are not paying. If they don't, we as Illinois workers' compensation lawyers can hit them for penalties. These penalties can be as much as $10,000 for failure to pay TTD and 50% of the cost of any unpaid medical bills or procedures that are not reasonably denied. All of that money goes in to the pocket of the injured worker because under Section 16 of the Act they would have to pay our 20% fee as well.
It amazes us that so many law firms don't take advantage of this law. If we have a client that needs a back fusion and they can't get it, if the surgery is being unreasonably denied, a penalties petition is great leverage for getting it approved.
Two weeks is also an important time frame because while your employer doesn't have to pay you for the first three days you miss from work due to a work injury, once you hit 14 days - and that includes days you aren't scheduled to work - they do.
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.
