workers compensation

When someone reaches out to us looking for an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer, our goal is simple: connect them with the best attorney for their specific situation. While many attorneys handle work injury claims, only a select number consistently deliver strong results for their clients while providing excellent service (responsiveness, clear communication, etc.).

Workers compensation law can be tricky. These cases often involve complicated medical issues, long-term disabilities, and insurance companies doing everything they can to pay as little as possible. Fortunately, workers compensation lawyers in Illinois don’t charge anything upfront. They advance the case costs and only get paid if they succeed in getting a settlement for you.

When you contact us via phone, email, or chat, we will want to know how your injury happened, what your medical situation is, what your job is, and any other important details. We also listen to what matters to you. Some people want a lawyer close to home, but that’s rarely necessary. Great lawyers handle cases across the state, and you likely won’t need to travel much, if at all.

Another important factor is language. If you need a Spanish-speaking lawyer, you should not have to sacrifice quality just to be understood. The top workers’ compensation firms in the Chicago area that we work with have Spanish-speaking attorneys and staff who can assist you from start to finish without you relying on a family member to interpret.

If you’ve been hurt on the job and want to make sure you’re working with an elite lawyer who speaks Spanish, call us any time at 312-346-5320. Consultations are always free and confidential

Cuando alguien nos contacta buscando un abogado especializado en compensación laboral en Illinois, nuestro objetivo es simple: conectarlo con el mejor abogado para su situación específica. Si bien muchos abogados se encargan de reclamos por lesiones laborales, solo unos pocos ofrecen constantemente buenos resultados para sus clientes, además de brindar un servicio excelente (capacidad de respuesta, comunicación clara, etc.).

La ley de compensación laboral puede ser compleja. Estos casos suelen involucrar problemas médicos complejos, discapacidades a largo plazo y compañías de seguros que hacen todo lo posible por pagar lo menos posible. Afortunadamente, los abogados de compensación laboral en Illinois no cobran nada por adelantado. Adelantan los costos del caso y solo cobran si logran un acuerdo para usted.

Cuando nos contacte por teléfono, correo electrónico o chat, nos gustaría saber cómo ocurrió su lesión, cuál es su situación médica, cuál es su trabajo y cualquier otro detalle importante. También escuchamos sus intereses. Algunas personas prefieren un abogado cerca de casa, pero rara vez es necesario. Excelentes abogados manejan casos en todo el estado, y probablemente no tendrá que viajar mucho, o incluso no tendrá que viajar.

Otro factor importante es el idioma. Si necesita un abogado que hable español, no debería tener que sacrificar la calidad solo para que le entiendan. Las mejores firmas de compensación laboral en el área de Chicago con las que trabajamos cuentan con abogados y personal hispanohablante que pueden ayudarle de principio a fin sin que tenga que depender de un familiar como intérprete.

Si se lesionó en el trabajo y quiere asegurarse de trabajar con un abogado de élite que habla español, llámenos en cualquier momento al 312-346-5320. Las consultas son siempre gratuitas y confidenciales.

On average we talk to 8-10 people a day who have been hurt on the job and have Illinois workers’ compensation legal questions.  We hear a lot of the same things over and over.  Here is a list of ten things that we think everyone should know about Illinois work comp law.

1. It’s a no fault law.  Unless you are drunk or reckless (e.g. you jump off a roof for fun instead of using a ladder), your fault doesn’t matter if you get hurt at work.  You don’t have to prove the company was negligent and they aren’t off the hook if you are careless.
2. Lawyer fees are 20% and don’t exceed that amount without special circumstances.  If an attorney asks you for any money up front you should not hire them.
3. 100% of your medical bills should be paid for any treatment that is reasonable and related to your job injury.  No co-pays, no out of pocket expenses.
4. The insurance company and your employer can not talk directly to your doctor and they should not be in your medical appointments. This includes any nurse case managers.  Don’t let them schedule your appointments either.  They have a right to get a copy of your medical records and bills.  That’s it.
5. Any lawyer who tells you what your case is worth right after you’ve been hurt is probably full of it and telling you that just to try and get you to sign up with them.  No way to tell you for certain what the case is worth until you are finished with medical care and at maximum medical improvement.
6. The value of your case is determined in part based on the severity of your injury, how it will affect you in the future, the medical care you have, how much money you were earning when hurt, your age, the job you can return to, whether or not you have any work restrictions and the need for future medical care.
7. If you don’t want to sue your employer you are in luck.  Workers’ compensation cases in Illinois are  not lawsuits, but instead are claims for benefits like any other insurance claim.  There is no Judge or lawsuit although if you aren’t receiving payment we would go to arbitration on your behalf.
8. Your employer can drug test you after an accident.  If you test positive it creates a “rebuttable presumption” that the drugs caused the accident.  You can overcome this based on the facts of how you got injured and witness testimony.
9. You need to provide notice to your employer within 45 days of when you knew or should have known your injury was work related.  The sooner you report it, the better and do so in writing. You don’t want to lose a case on a technicality.
10. You can switch attorneys if yours isn’t doing the job and it won’t cost you anything.  Lawyer fees can’t exceed 20%.  The new firm and old firm will have to work it out to split the 20% but it won’t affect your bottom line at all.

And of course if you have any questions about Illinois law, call us any time at (312) 346-5320 or fill out our contact form. It’s free, confidential and we cover all of Illinois.

See also: Do I Have An Illinois Workers’ Compensation Case?