Accident on the job are common. In fact, in 2023, there were 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported across the United States. If you’re hurt on the job, one of the first questions you probably ask is “Can I get workers’ compensation?” and “How much do you get for workers’ compensation” in Illinois? It’s a fair question—your bills don’t stop just because you’re injured, and you still need to take care of yourself and your family.
Illinois workers’ compensation laws can feel confusing and at times the experience can be frustrating. The good news is that the system is designed to pay your medical bills, cover part of your lost wages, and compensate you for any permanent harm from the injury. In this workers’ compensation payout guide, we break down exactly how the payout system works, what benefits you can expect, and where to get help if something doesn’t seem right.
We’ve been helping injured workers since 2001. Our job is simple—give you real, honest guidance and connect you with the best workers’ compensation attorney for your situation. We have helped tens of thousands of injured workers and would love to help you. Please call us any time at 312-346-5320 for a FREE consultation. We recommend great work comp attorneys everywhere in Illinois.
The Key Things To Take From This
- How much you get for workers’ compensation depends on your wages, how long you’re off work, and the seriousness of your injury.
- Illinois is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t have to prove your employer did anything wrong.
- Benefits include medical care (everything gets paid, nothing out of pocket), wage payments (2/3 of your average weekly wage) and eventually a settlement.
- A workers’ compensation attorney can help if payments are delayed, denied, or miscalculated. But it costs nothing to hire a lawyer and a good one can of
Payments Made Under Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law
1. Payment of All Medical Bills
You should never pay:
- ER visits
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- Specialists
- Tests (MRI, X-ray, CT scan)
You should never pay for any medical care that is related to your work injury. Other things you might not think of as medical care could be included such as gym memberships, home modification (typically if someone is wheelchair bound), vocational rehabilitation to look for a new job if needed or even transportation.
2. Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Your Wage Replacement
This is the benefit everyone wants to understand: how much does workers’ compensation pay when you can’t work?
In Illinois, TTD pays two-thirds (66⅔%) of your average weekly wage. This is your average payout for workers’ compensation while you’re off work.
Example:
If you earn $1200 per week before taxes → your TTD benefit is $800 per week. This money is tax free.
These checks continue until:
- Your doctor releases you back to work
- Your employer accommodates restrictions
- You reach maximum medical improvement or find a new job
Illinois also has minimum and maximum rates that change every year. These wages are often miscalculated in a way that puts less money in your pocket than you are entitled to. The good news is that this is a problem that can be fixed. Same if your checks are late.
3. A Settlement
Almost every Illinois workers’ compensation case is worth something if it’s more than a contusion. The cases that are not worth anything are usually when you hurt your eye, but have no vision loss or claim to be hurt, but get little to no medical care.
So what are cases worth? It depends on what your injury is. An injury to your back is likely going to be worth more than one to your little finger. But there are many factors involved in determining case value, including:
- How much medical care did you have?
- How old are you?
- What job did you return to?
- What defenses does the insurance company have if any?
- Do you need future medical care?
- Do you have any permanent restrictions?
- What is your average weekly wage?
- Did you have a second job?
The reality is that every case is different. Some cases are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The worst injuries and recoveries could be worth in the seven figures. In cases where the worker makes a good recovery, they still could be entitled to something in the five figures. In other words, if you tear your ACL, have surgery and get back to work and feel great, that case is probably still worth more than $40,000 if you have a high wage.
And in some cases, if you were injured on the job due to the negligence of someone else, your case may be worth a lot more because you can sue that party. Work comp cases that might alone be worth $250,000 can suddenly be worth millions.
Common Problems In Illinois Work Comp Cases
Even though Illinois is a no-fault state, workers often run into issues like:
- The adjuster miscalculating your wage
- Being forced back to work too early
- Employer ignoring doctor restrictions
- Delays in checks
- Wrongful termination
- Denial of medical treatment
These are red flags that you may need an attorney for workers’ compensation right away. The good news is that these problems are usually solvable.
How to Get the Best Possible Workers’ Comp Payout
Here’s what you can do right now:
- Report your injury immediately
- See a doctor and follow their treatment plan
- Save every document—medical records, check stubs, emails
- Don’t let a nurse case manager push you around – In fact, in many cases they should not be allowed to take part at all.
If you have a workers’ comp case, call us anytime at 312-346-5320 or fill out our online form. We’ll make sure you get pointed in the right direction and matched with the best workers’ compensation attorney for FREE.
