Lisfranc Injuries And Illinois Workers' Compensation

A Lisfranc injury might not be a common term, but for workers in industries that require heavy lifting, climbing, or operating on uneven surfaces, it’s a serious and potentially career-altering injury. If you’ve suffered a Lisfranc injury on the job in Illinois, it’s crucial to understand what you’re dealing with medically and legally.

The Lisfranc joint is located in the middle of the foot and involves the bones and ligaments that connect the front part of the foot to the arch. A Lisfranc injury can range from a simple sprain to a complete fracture-dislocation where the bones in the middle of the foot are displaced.

These injuries are often caused by direct trauma (such as something heavy falling on the foot) or from indirect forces (like twisting the foot awkwardly while it is planted). Symptoms can include swelling, bruising on the bottom of the foot, inability to bear weight, and significant pain.

Because the injury can look like a standard sprain at first, it’s not uncommon for Lisfranc injuries to be misdiagnosed or ignored. Without proper treatment, that can cause long-term complications.

Jobs That Often Lead to Lisfranc Injuries

In Illinois, we often see Lisfranc injuries in workers who:

Operate heavy machinery
Work on construction sites or in demolition
Carry or lift heavy objects
Climb ladders or work on scaffolding
Perform delivery or warehouse duties on hard surfaces
Are involved in high-impact work like firefighting or law enforcement

These roles often involve the kind of stress, awkward foot placement, or trauma that can result in serious foot injuries. But of course this injury can happen on any job out there.

Treatment and Recovery

Lisfranc injuries can take months to recover from and often require:

Imaging and Diagnosis: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans are needed to confirm the extent of the injury.
Immobilization: Mild injuries might be treated with a cast or walking boot.
Surgery: More severe cases require internal fixation (screws, plates) or even fusion of the bones in the middle of the foot.
Physical Therapy: Long-term rehab is often needed to regain strength and mobility.
Time Off of Work: Recovery can take weeks or months, especially if the job is physically demanding.

For some, the injury results in permanent limitations, chronic pain, or arthritis in the joint. It may impact the kind of work they can do going forward or their ability to return to work at all. The good news it that Illinois workers’ compensation laws protect you in this scenario as long as you know your rights. Which leads to our next point.

Finding an Experienced Illinois Workers Comp Attorney

Injured workers are entitled to significant benefits under Illinois workers’ compensation laws. These benefits include medical care, wage loss (temporary total disability), vocational rehabilitation, and a settlement for long-term damage. Almost every case is worth something and major Lisfranc injuries can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Insurance companies often downplay injuries, especially those that are commonly misdiagnosed like Lisfranc injuries. We’ve heard from workers who were told it was “just a sprain” and sent back to work too early, only to have long-term damage worsen over time. Some employers try to shift blame, argue the injury was not work-related, or push back on surgery and extended recovery time.

Having a workers compensation attorney who understands Lisfranc injuries and how they affect workers in physical jobs is critical. A good attorney will fight for all necessary medical treatment, including surgery if needed. They will push back against attempts for the insurance company/employer to limit or deny your benefits. And it costs nothing up front to get an attorney.

Not all lawyers are equal when it comes to complex foot and joint injuries. We have a state wide network of workers comp attorneys across Illinois who have handled cases involving Lisfranc injuries and know how to deal with reluctant insurance carriers and complicated medical evidence. That does not guarantee a result, but gives you the best chance of success.