It is a felony in Illinois for an employer not to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Some employers try to be "tricky" and call all of their employees "independent contractors" as a way to get around that rule. Of course if you are not truly an independent contractor (e.g. they control what you do, where you do it, provide equipment, etc.) then you get work comp benefits.
Other employers just simply break the law at risk of huge fines and jail time if they get caught. They also face the possibility of having to pay all of the benefits of an injured worker which can of course cost greatly more than it would if they just followed the law and paid insurance.
If you suspect that your employer doesn’t have insurance or if you are just curious, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission allows you to search on-line at www.iwcc.il.gov/coverage. I also believe that you can report an employer anonymously if they are in violation.
If you do get hurt working for an uninsured employer, unless they have a really successful business or there was negligence on a third party that resulted in your injury, it can be a real challenge to find a lawyer who is willing to take on your case.
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.
