If I get hurt at work, what benefits am I entitled to under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act?

If you’re injured on the job and notify your employer within 45 days, you may be entitled to the following benefits such as medical treatment, TTD, vocational training, and more under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Keep reading to learn more about these benefits.

4 Types of Workers’ Comp Benefits You May Be Eligible For

#1: Medical Treatment

If you suffer an injury that arises out of your employment, your employer is responsible for paying your medical bills relating to the accident.  You are entitled to have all necessary first aid, medical, and surgical services required to cure or relieve the effects of the injury paid by your employer.

Under the “2-doctor” rule, your employer is required to cover any two doctors you choose to see, as well as any specialist that those two doctors might refer you to.  Emergent first aid is not considered one of your two choices of physician.

#2: Temporary Total Disability – TTD

If you are forced to miss time from work to recover from the injuries you suffered on the job, you are entitled to weekly payments as a substitute for your lost income.  These payments continue until you are able to return to work.  You should obtain paperwork from your doctor documenting their recommendation regarding your ability to work to provide to your employer. 

The TTD payment consists of 2/3 of the employee’s “average weekly wage,” (generally an employee’s gross regular wages).  For example, if pre-tax average weekly wage is $900 per week, then your TTD payments will be $600 per week. 

#3: Vocational Training

Sometimes, a worker is injured so significantly that they cannot return to their prior line of work.  In that situation, the employer is required to pay for treatment, instruction, and necessary training for the physical, mental, and vocational rehabilitation of the employee.  The employer must foot the bill to help you find a way to re-enter the workforce. 

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), Permanent Total Disability (PTD), Disfigurement, and Death Benefits

If you suffer a work injury that causes permanent disability, death, scarring, or another disfigurement, you will be entitled to permanent disability benefits.  The circumstances under which these permanency benefits depend on a number of circumstances. It is generally best to seek legal advice as to the specific facts of your particular situation. 

Some injuries, like fractured ribs or hernias, can fully heal with the worker suffering no-long term effects.  In that case, no permanency award may be available.  However, as a general rule, when an invasive treatment like surgery is involved, the employee will be entitled to compensation for the permanent impact of the injury.  It is best not to make a final determination as to compensation for permanency until your medical treatment has been completed and you have returned to work.

Also, members of an employee’s family may be entitled to certain benefits when an on-the-job injury causes an employee’s death. 

Not getting the workers’ comp benefits you deserve?

The best way to make sure that you are receiving all of your benefits is to retain an attorney with experience representing injured workers in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Our Chicago lawyers do this every day at Shannon Law Group. 

If you have been injured on the job il Illinois or have questions about workers’ compensation, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (312) 578-9501.