Chicago Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

If you were hurt on the job in Chicago, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act gives you the right to medical care and wage benefits, whether you work in a warehouse on the South Side, a hospital downtown or a construction site on the North Side. The Law Offices of Millon & Peskin, Ltd. represents injured workers throughout Chicago and Cook County. We handle every stage of the claim, from the first report of injury through trial or settlement, so you can focus on getting better.

Consultations are free. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing up front and no attorney fee unless we recover benefits for you. Hablamos español.

Work Injuries We Handle for Chicago Workers

Chicago’s economy runs on physical work, and many of our clients are hurt doing the jobs that keep the city moving. We regularly represent:

• Warehouse and distribution center workers injured lifting, by forklifts or by conveyor equipment
• Factory and manufacturing workers hurt by machinery, crush hazards or repetitive tasks
• Construction workers injured in falls, scaffold accidents and struck-by incidents
• Delivery and truck drivers hurt in crashes or while loading and unloading
• Hospital, nursing home and home health workers injured moving patients
• Hotel, restaurant, janitorial and building service workers
• Workers with back and neck injuries, shoulder injuries, carpal tunnel and other repetitive trauma
• Workers who develop occupational diseases from exposure on the job

Benefits You May Be Entitled To

Illinois workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. You generally do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong, only that your injury arose out of and in the course of your work. Benefits can include:

• Medical care. Reasonable and necessary treatment for your injury, and in most cases the right to choose your own doctors, within limits set by the Act.
• Temporary total disability (TTD). Two-thirds of your average weekly wage while your doctor keeps you off work, subject to state minimums and maximums.
• Permanent partial disability (PPD). Compensation for lasting effects of the injury, even if you return to work. Learn how PPD is calculated.
• Wage loss and vocational help. If you cannot return to your old job, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation, maintenance and wage differential benefits.
• Death benefits for the families of workers killed on the job.

How a Chicago Workers’ Compensation Case Works

1. Report the injury. Tell your employer as soon as possible. Illinois law requires notice within 45 days of the accident.
2. Get medical treatment. Follow your doctor’s instructions and keep copies of any work restrictions.
3. File a claim with the Commission. We file an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. In most cases the deadline is three years from the accident, or two years from the last payment of benefits, whichever is later.
4. Status calls and hearings. Cases arising in Chicago are generally assigned to the Commission’s downtown Chicago hearing site, where an arbitrator manages the case. We handle the appearances, and you only need to attend when your testimony is required.
5. Independent medical exam. The insurance company may send you to its own doctor for a Section 12 examination. We prepare you for it and challenge reports that do not match your treating records.
6. Settlement or trial. Most cases settle once your treatment ends. If the insurer’s offer is too low, we take the case to trial before an arbitrator.

When Someone Else Caused Your Injury

Many Chicago work injuries involve a third party, such as another driver who hit your delivery truck or a subcontractor whose equipment failed on a job site. You may have a separate personal injury claim against that party in addition to your workers’ compensation case. We handle both together, including the employer’s lien on the third-party recovery. Read more about third-party claims and Section 5(b) liens

Meeting With Our Chicago Clients

Our main office is in Wheaton, at 310 S. County Farm Rd., Suite J. For clients who live or work in Chicago, we arrange meetings in the city by appointment. We also handle much of the work by phone, email and video, so you do not have to miss work or treatment to stay informed about your case.

What It Costs

There is no charge to talk with us about your case. We work on a contingency fee, which means our fee comes only from the benefits we recover for you, and Illinois law caps attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases. We also advance the costs of the case. If there is no recovery, you owe no fee. Learn more about how workers’ compensation attorney fees work in Illinois.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Chicago lawyer for a Chicago workers’ compensation case?

No. Illinois workers’ compensation is a statewide system, and any Illinois attorney who handles these cases can represent you. We regularly appear at the Commission’s Chicago hearing site and meet Chicago clients in the city by appointment.

Can my employer fire me for filing a workers’ compensation claim?

It is illegal for an Illinois employer to fire, threaten or retaliate against you for exercising your rights under the Workers’ Compensation Act. If you are worried about your job, talk with us before you make any decisions. Read more about whether you can be fired while on workers’ comp.

How long do I have to file a claim?

You must notify your employer within 45 days of the accident. The deadline to file a claim with the Commission is generally three years from the accident, or two years from the last payment of benefits, whichever is later. Some situations, such as occupational diseases, follow different rules, so it is best to talk with an attorney early.

Am I covered if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act covers employees regardless of immigration status. You can receive medical care and benefits for a work injury, and we keep your information confidential.

What if my claim is denied?

A denial from the insurance company is not the final word. We can file your claim with the Commission and ask an arbitrator to order the benefits you are owed, including medical bills and back TTD.

Talk With a Chicago Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

If you were hurt at work in Chicago, call The Law Offices of Millon & Peskin, Ltd. at 630-260-1130 for a free consultation. We will explain your rights, answer your questions and tell you what to expect, with no obligation. Hablamos español.