Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Healthcare expenses are a major source of financial stress for many Americans, even those with a steady income and employer-provided health insurance. An injury can be financially devastating, not only because of the medical bills, but also because of the income that you miss out on while you are unable to work because of your injuries.  This is why Illinois law requires employers to pay for the medical bills associated with injuries that workers suffer in the course and scope of their work.  The Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers at Saks, Robinson, and Rittenberg can help you if you get injured at work.

Cook County Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Workers’ compensation laws apply every time a worker gets injured at his or her workplace during work hours. Work injuries are possible in any industry, and sometimes they are so severe that the employee is never again able to perform the same job that he or she performed before the accident. These are some common types of issues involved in workers’ compensation disputes:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents involving professional drivers
• Construction site accidents
• Electric shock injuries
• Bone fractures
• Concussion and traumatic brain injury
• Repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Spinal cord injuries
• Chronic pain resulting from work injuries

Furthermore, the law recognizes certain occupational diseases associated with certain professions.  For example, certain types of cancer count as occupational diseases for firefighters because the firefighting and fire-resistant substances which the firefighters must encounter for prolonged periods while doing their jobs carry an elevated risk of cancer.

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Laws

Pursuant to Illinois workers’ compensation laws, all employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance must pay for medical treatment associated with injuries the employee sustains at work or occupational diseases for which the employee receives a diagnosis. Unlike in a personal injury lawsuit, you do not need to prove that your employer’s negligence caused your injuries; by employing workers, your employer assumes responsibility for injuries that those workers suffer while working. You must only show that the injury occurred at work.

This sounds straightforward, but if your injury requires expensive treatment, your employer may deny your claim, arguing that your symptoms are due to a pre-existing condition instead of due to the work accident. Your employer might also refuse to pay for the treatment you need the most, opting instead for a less expensive but less effective treatment.

Another dispute that can arise is which employer is responsible for your workers’ comp claim. This type of dispute often happens with construction accidents because multiple companies often work together on the same construction project. A Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer can help you resolve these and other disputes related to work injuries and workers’ compensation claims.

Contact a Chicago Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

A Cook County workers’ compensation attorney can help you if you have suffered a serious injury on the job and your employer is refusing to pay. Contact Saks, Robinson & Rittenberg, Ltd. in Chicago, Illinois, to set up a consultation.