Chicagoland Workers’ Compensation Attorney
In years past, workers in dangerous occupations were poorly treated by employers and by the law. A worker who was injured on the job was often terminated. Now, workers' compensation laws, in exchange for losing the right to sue the employer, employees are guaranteed compensation for their injuries.
If you have suffered a workplace injury, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits. The experienced attorneys at RIFFNER • BARBER, LLC can help you understand your rights and pursue the benefits you need. Contact us to discuss your work injury claim with a skilled workers' compensation lawyer.
Understand Your Rights under Workers' Compensation Laws
Most employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. If you have suffered a work related injury, you have the following rights under workers' compensation laws:
- Medical treatment and payments: Medical bills are covered under workers' compensation benefits. Injured workers have a right to select any doctor for medical treatment, including physicians or specialists which this doctor recommends/refers the patient to. In addition, a second opinion may be sought out, enabling the injured worker to seek treatment from any referred physicians or specialists that result from the second opinion.
- Lost wages: Injured workers are entitled to 66 2/3 percent (66.67%) of their average weekly wages in lost wages benefits.
- Disability benefits: Workers who suffer the loss of a limb or loss of function of a limb are entitled to specific disability benefits for the permanent damage. This is known as man as a whole/person as a whole.
- Other benefits: If a worker is incapable of returning to the former position due to the extent of the work injury impairment, the employer must find a new job for the employee — even if it means finding a job somewhere else. In addition, the employer must pay two thirds of the wage difference if the new job has a lower income.
In order to recover benefits, your injury must be reported to your employer within 45 days of the accident. Workers' compensation claims must be filed within three years of the accident. Our law firm handles claims involving all types of work-related accidents, including:
- Construction accidents
- Office accidents/injuries
- On-the-job traffic accidents
- Other workplace accidents
Is anyone else liable for my work-related injuries?
Because workers' comp benefits often provide marginal financial support, it is often necessary to pursue compensation from other liable parties, such as a defective product manufacturer. This is known as a third party liability claim. We understand how a severe injury can cause financial difficulties. We help clients recover the workers' compensation benefits and injury claim compensation they need.
Skilled Guidance in Workman's Comp Claims
Our attorneys help clients with initial applications for benefits as well as appealing denied workers compensation claims. We also handle cases involving the termination of workers' comp benefits. Contact our workers' compensation attorneys at RIFFNER • BARBER, LLC for help in Schaumburg or throughout the suburban Chicago area.
