Workers Compensation Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois Work Injury Attorney

With all of the layoffs happening these days, a lot of injured workers are taking a severance package.  Most of these severance packages say something to the effect of "In exchange for this severance you give up your right to bring any claim for anything at all against our company."

Some specifically mention workers' compensation claims.  The reality is that even if you sign that severance agreement, you don't lose your right to file an Illinois workers comp case.  Under Section 23 of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, only the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission can bring a case to a close. 

To be safe we always encourage people to have their claims formally filed with the Commission.  But either way you can essentially have your cake and eat it too.   Please note that if you have any work restrictions or might in the future, we do not recommend that you take a severance without consulting an Illinois workers' comp lawyer.

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.

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We recently were called by someone who needed a Rockford carpal tunnel lawyer.  He was concerned because he has been laid off and his employer wants him to sign a severance agreement that states he will forfeit the right to pursue Illinois workers' compensation benefits or any action at the Illinois Worker's Compensation Commission.

We told him to sign the document because according to Section 23 of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, only an approved settlement contract from an Arbitrator can cause someone to give up their work injury rights.   Since this severance was not being entered into at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, we do not believe that any rights will be lost for him.

All that said, if you are offered a severance agreement and might have a work injury or any other right under Illinois or Federal law, it is extremely important that you have an attorney review that document as failure to do so could cause you to lose some rights forever.

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.

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