The amount you get paid for being off work from a work injury in Illinois or for a settlement is based on your average weekly wage. In general, you get 2/3 of your wage, tax free, for the time that you are unable to work due to being injured on the job. There are maximum amounts though that insurance companies have had put in to protect their bottom line. In other words, if you are some rich doctor or stockbroker who makes $30,000.00 a week, if you get injured on the job you won’t get $20,000.00 a week in TTD benefits.
The maximum amount you can receive for work comp pay in Illinois is based on the state wide average weekly wage of all employees. Over time as wages go up, rates of pay for work comp for being off work (TTD benefits) and for a settlement (PPD benefits) go up. In other words, a high wage earner with a back injury in 2021 will have a case worth more than someone with the exact same wages and injury from 2016.
TTD rates are updated every six months. For injuries that happen between January 15, 2021 and July 14, 2021 the new maximum rates for being off work are:
Temporary Total Disability Benefits: $1,613.93
That is also the maximum rate if you become permanently disabled for your settlement, have an amputation or lose an eye.
For all other settlements, the PPD rates are adjusted once a year. For injuries that happened between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, the new max rates are:
Permanent Partial Disability Benefits: $871.73
For some Illinois workers, they were injured before the new maximum rates came out. In other words, if you got hurt January 20th this year, if the insurance company is paying you under the old rates, you should retroactively get paid for the increase.
These rates will again change this July. If you have questions about pay rates or anything else related to IL work comp law, please contact us at any time.