Who Pays for Benefits After an Injury

Employees Must Cover Your Work-Related Injury

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.

Benefits Available to You Under the Illinois System

Many people wonder how the 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 must 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.

Discuss Your Benefits

If you have questions about the benefits you qualify for, contact me for a free consultation. Call my office or fill out my online form.