Workers' Compensation Attorney in Elgin, Illinois

If you or your loved one has been injured in a workplace construction site accident, you may think that you have to move on alone, wondering how to support your family while facing medical bills, lost wages, and more. However, this is not the case. As an employee, the injured person has a right to compensation for costs arising out of their accident, as well as any long-term damage.

I founded my firm, James P. Leahy, Attorney At Law, with the intent of providing high-quality legal services to my community. I have seen how difficult it can be for families after construction site accidents, and I pledge to work with you to get the best outcome possible.

• Employer's noncompliance with safety regulations
• Engineering issues
• Liability determinations
  

I believe that excellent representation should be accessible to everyone. That is why I offer free consultations. Please call my Elgin office to arrange yours, and I will help you move on with your life. You can also send me an email.

When your work injury keeps you at home, you may worry about how to keep your household running. Your workers' compensation benefits include wage reimbursement when you cannot work. Though they often cover only two-thirds of your typical weekly wages, they will help you pay most household bills while you recover.

Your employer may not be forthcoming regarding your benefits. A skilled workers' compensation attorney can take the stress off of you by fighting for the payments you deserve so you can focus on recovering from your injury or illness. I fight for every client's rights at James P. Leahy Attorney At Law, and I have over 35 years of experience, so you can trust my knowledge of Illinois workers' compensation law.

• Temporary partial disability: These short-term benefits are meant to help you while you recover from your injury.
• Temporary total disability: If you cannot work at all but are expected to return to work at a later date, you may qualify for this short-term benefit.
• Permanent partial disability: When your injury is permanent but only partially affects your ability to work, you may receive an award of benefits based on the type of injury.
• Permanent total disability: For the most severe injuries, you may never be able to return to the type of work you previously performed. In those cases, you qualify for lifelong disability benefits.
  

You should never return to work until you are medically ready to do so. Your employer may try to force you to come back or threaten to fire you if you do not return. If that happens to you, contact a lawyer immediately. Your doctor will recommend work limitations, whether staying home completely or limiting your duties at work. Make sure your doctor documents your ability to work and any restrictions that you have, and you should not work beyond those restrictions. Not only could you further injure yourself, but you may also give your employer reason to deny benefits because they will say you can work.

If you aren't sure whether you are receiving all the benefits you deserve, contact me today. Call my Elgin office or email me to schedule your free consultation today.

Illinois law requires every employer to carry workers' compensation insurance, even small employers and nonprofits. When you are injured at work, your employer must cover the costs of that injury, including medical costs, lost time at work, temporary or permanent disability benefits, and job retraining, if needed. Insurance companies will often attempt to avoid paying all the benefits you deserve in order to save money. If your employer denies your claim or tries to cut your benefits short, you need an experienced workers' compensation lawyer to fight for the benefits you deserve.

At James P. Leahy, Attorney At Law, I have been fighting for clients' workers' compensation benefits for over 35 years. Contact me for a free initial consultation in my Elgin office. You pay no attorney fees unless I recover benefits on your behalf.

Many people wonder how medical coverage works under workers' compensation. Coverage includes first-aid and emergency care, ongoing medical care, and surgeries. In Illinois, you may have to see a doctor selected within a set network if your employer has a Preferred Provider Program (PPP). If your employer does not have a PPP, you can choose up to two doctors before you go to an employer-selected doctor. In general, your medical benefits will not require copays or deductibles.

In addition to medical benefits, you may need wage reimbursement through either temporary or permanent disability benefits. These benefits are generally available if you are out of work for at least three days but may include permanent disability if you can never return to your current job. They usually only cover about two-thirds of your current weekly wage. You may need job retraining if you must switch careers because of your injury. In cases where the employee died from an injury or illness, the employer may have to pay death benefits to the family member.

Employers and their insurance companies often work hard to find ways to limit the cost of your claim and the benefits they must pay. They will have attorneys fighting against your claim. You need an attorney on your side, fighting for the benefits you deserve.