If you were injured at work - in an accident or from the wear and tear on your body - you are entitled to specific benefits under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act. Employers and their insurers are sometimes hostile to these claims or calculate benefits incorrectly.
The Giacoletto Law Firm will explain and assert your rights and fight for you if there are any problems with your claim. Our Collinsville law firm represents injured workers in the St. Louis area and surrounding counties of Southern Illinois. Contact us today for a free phone consultation.
Your Work Injury Rights and Obligations
While you cannot sue your employer for a job-related injury, you are entitled to the employer-paid benefits as explained below, without regard to fault.
You must report the accident or injury to your employer within a specified time.
You cannot be fired for filing a workers' compensation claim or for receiving benefits.
Benefits Under Illinois Workers' Compensation
Medical treatment - Your employer pays for all reasonable and necessary treatment, including surgery, even if you are still able to work. You can choose your own doctor or a specialist; you do not have to seek treatment from the employer's preferred doctors.
Temporary total disability - If you cannot return to work, you are entitled to weekly benefits of up to two-thirds of your average wages until you are cleared by a doctor to return to your job. If you are a police officer or firefighter, you may even be entitled to your full wages.
Permanent partial disability - If you suffered a permanent injury, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond your medical care and lost wages. The amount is based on which body part is injured, the nature and extent of disability, and a percentage of your average weekly wages.
Vocational rehabilitation - If your disability prevents you from returning to your pre-injury occupation, your employer may be obligated to pay for a retraining program to teach you new job skills.
Permanent total disability - If your work injury is so extensive that it prevents you from performing any type of work, you may be entitled to weekly benefits and medical treatment for life.
Death benefits - The spouse and dependent children of a person who died in a workplace accident are entitled to funeral expenses and weekly benefits based on the deceased worker's wages.
Attorney Steve Giacoletto has handled workers' compensation claims for over 20 years. His role is to ensure access to medical care and fair compensation for your injuries. For a permanent disability, he can help you make an informed decision about ongoing payments versus a lump sum settlement.
Problems With Your Work Injury Claim or Benefits
We can address the wide range of potential issues that may arise, such as:
- Denied claims - The employer says your injury is not work-related or not serious enough to miss work.
- Denied treatment - The insurer refuses to pay for certain procedures, medical equipment or referrals to a specialist.
- Pre-existing condition - Your job duties aggravated an old injury or made a medical condition worse, but your claim is rejected.
- Independent Medical Exam (IME) - The company's "independent" doctor clears you to return to work, but you and your doctor disagree.
- Light duty or restricted duty - The employer won't accommodate your doctor's restrictions, or has no acceptable work to offer.
Free Consultation • Contingency Fee Representation
There are no up-front costs to you for Giacoletto Law Firm to handle your work accident case. We do not get paid unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorney fees are capped by state law at 20 percent of your recovery.
We offer a free phone consultation, including evening, weekend and off-site appointments. Call 866-647-5286 or e-mail us to talk with an experienced Collinsville workers' compensation lawyer.
