Workers’ Compensation

En Español

The Chicago Workers’ Compensation attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. represent clients who need assistance in making a workers’ compensation claim, as well as those who have been unjustly denied such compensation, or improperly compensated. Workers’ Compensation, often called workman comp or workers’ comp for short, refers to the compensation for injuries sustained or death occurring during the course of employment within the State of Illinois, or for such employment out of the State of Illinois, where the contract of employment is made within the State. Our workers’ comp lawyers have the experience and knowledge necessary to pursue actions falling under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.

You have the right to work in a safe and healthful workplace. If, in the course of performing your job, you've suffered a work-related injury, please review your employee benefits information associated with your employer. It is important for you to know what type and level of coverage of workers' compensation benefits are available to you, and that you may be eligible for. If a compensation claim form was provided in your employee benefits handbook, you may fill this form out and submit it to the human resources personnel. If you do not have a copy of a claim form, you can also contact your human resources department and ask for a copy of the form. If you are still unable to retrieve a copy of a claim form, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney to discuss your legal rights.

If you work in Illinois, in the greater Chicago area, or in DuPage County, Will County, Lake County, Kane County, Cook County, McHenry County, or any other county in Illinois, the workers’ compensation attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. would like to talk to you if you think you are being denied workers compensation benefits. Likewise, if injury occurred outside of the State of Illinois, but your employment is pursuant to an employment contract created within the State, and workers’ compensation lawyer in Illinois can evaluate your claim.

In some cases, workers' compensation claims that are legitimate may be denied by compensation providers who may be aggressively adamant about accepting such claims. An insurer can deny your claim based upon their determination that your injury isn't sufficiently serious enough to warrant a claim, or that you are not truly injured at all. If you think that your benefits claim has been wrongfully denied, it is imperative that a workers’ compensation attorney discuss the potential consequences of failing to appeal such denial. For example, in the event of an untimely appeal, you may be prevented from pursuing such critical benefits as financial help to offset lost wages due to the inability to work, health care coverage, long term physical therapy expenses, as well as job retraining. For more information, visit the: Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Website.

In other scenarios, the employer altogether fails to carry the necessary workers’ compensation coverage, or has an insufficient amount, when compared to the number of employees and/or type of employer operation. Pursuant to Illinois statute, if an employer has at least one employee, even if such employment is only part-time, workers’ compensation insurance is generally required. In certain circumstances, even if these employees are family members, the employer is still typically required to carry workmans’ comp insurance. Employers who fail to carry such insurance can be penalized up to $500 per day for each day on noncompliance, with a minimum fine of $10,000. Such failure can also result in criminal liability. Our Chicago Workers’ Compensation lawyers are well-versed in the Illinois laws which regulate Workers’ Compensation.

Workers’ Compensation also provides benefits to a deceased’s widow, widower, child or children in the unfortunate event that death occurs during the course of employment. In circumstances where the employer fails to carry such coverage, it may be necessary to seek relief through a wrongful death action. However, it is crucial to seek assistance from a licensed worker’s compensation attorney as soon as is practicable, as there may be restrictions in the amount of time available to file your claim.

If you feel your legitimate benefits have been denied and you live in Illinois, the law firm of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. would like to talk to you to see if we can assist you through the process. Call us at 773-516-4100 or contact us online for a FREE personal injury consultation.