Chicago Worker's Compensation Lawyer - Article

The Illinois Worker's Compensation System

By 1949, laws mandating worker’s compensation had been instituted in all American states. Their purpose was to allow employees injured on the job to receive compensation for medical bills and lost wages without having to sue for it first. This had the positive effects of reducing the amount of litigation needed for compensation and removing the employee’s burden to prove that his injury was caused by his employer.

In Illinois, worker’s compensation is distributed by the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Committee (IWCC). The committee’s chairman’s job is to review every claim filed for worker’s compensation. His decision may then be reviewed by one of three panels, which contain three committee members (or commissioners) each. As you can see, the processing of worker’s compensation claims can get very complicated. If you have been injured on the job and wish to file for compensation, it would be a good idea to contact a Chicago worker’s compensation attorney.

There is another complication to worker’s compensation: if you accept it, you waive the right to file a lawsuit against your employer. Ordinarily this is no problem, but what if your employer’s negligence or incompetence directly caused your injury? Unfortunately, the only way to file a punitive claim in addition to worker’s compensation is to demonstrate that your employer deliberately intended to hurt you. This is both rare and very difficult to prove even when true.

However, there are ways to file additional claims along with worker’s compensation. If you are injured by a faulty device while at work, you can sue the makers of that device. You can also file claims against third parties present at your workplace who caused your injury, or third parties whose property you were visiting when injured.

If you need to meet with a Chicago worker’s compensation lawyer, contact Friedman & Bonebrake at (312) 466-8200.