In Illinois, both state and federal laws address workplace safety, mandating that employers provide a safe work environment. To that end, workplace accident prevention programs, safety manuals, and training programs are utilized in an effort to prevent and ensure employee safety.
However, on-the-job accidents happen. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported four million non-fatal injuries 2004 in the private industry workplace and thousands of work-related deaths. Workplace injuries range from the most common, slip, trip and fall accidents, to serious injuries and death arising from carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, toxic chemical exposure, with fires and explosions adding to the most severe list of accidents.
In Illinois, when you are injured on the job or if you are a dependent of someone who has died from a workplace accident, you may be entitled workers compensation benefits.
Illinois has workers’ compensation laws designed to protect employees who are injured or disabled on the job. With few exceptions, Illinois state law requires employers carry a workers’ comp policy. There is no cost to the employee for this coverage.
Illinois worker compensation programs cover a wide range of injuries and job related illnesses, including traumatic accidents, occupational illness, diseases or injuries occurring over a period of time as a result of repetitive body motion, exposure to hazardous substances or environmental conditions. Injured employees do not have to prove an injury was someone else’s fault to receive benefits because Illinois workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance program.
Illinois statutes govern the benefits available to you, set time limits for filing worker’s compensation claims, and set limits on the amount of awards. Therefore it is important that you contact a workers’ compensation attorney promptly.
Benefits available to you under your employer workers’ compensation insurance plan may include:
1. Medical costs
2. Temporary Disability
3. Permanent Disability
4. Replacement of lost wages
5. Physical rehabilitation
6. Death benefits for surviving dependents
When you are injured on the job or if your workers’ compensation claim has been denied, a workers’ compensation attorney can explain the law, the rules applicable to your accident or injury, protect your rights and work to maximize the benefits you receive.
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When wrongful conduct of another causes you serious injury or results in the death of a loved one, we invite you to contact the Chicago workers comp attorneys at Howard & Nemoy using our e-mail form
