Each year, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (the “Commission”) publishes detailed statistics on workplace injuries and injured workers’ claims for benefits. According to the Commission’s most-recent report published in 2017, “Each year in Illinois, approximately 200,000 work-related accidents occur . . . [However, fewer] than 45,000 claims are filed with the Commission.” This means that most workers’ compensation claims are resolved without the Commission’s involvement, although it also reflects the fact that many injured employees fail to claim the benefits they deserve.
The Commission’s report includes some other notable data as well. Here are some of the most noteworthy statistics for injured workers in Chicago:
1. Close to 90 Percent of All Workers’ Compensation Claims Settle
Of the approximately 45,000 workers’ compensation claims filed in Illinois each year, roughly 40,000 result in settlements, and just 5,000 result in denials at arbitration. In other words, even when an employer or its insurance company initially denies an employee’s claim, once the employee files a claim with the Commission, the employee still receives a settlement more than 88 percent of the time.
2. 50 Percent of Employees Who are Denied Benefits File an Appeal
Approximately half of all employees who are denied benefits in arbitration file an appeal. Of these appeals, roughly 1,000 result in decisions, 400 result in settlements, and just 100 result in denials.
3. More than One Third of All Workers’ Compensation Claims are Filed in Chicago
Of the approximately 45,000 workers’ compensation claims filed in Illinois each year, more than 17,000 are filed in Chicago.
4. More Injured Workers are Receiving Settlements
In 2016 (the most recent year for which data are available), more injured workers received settlements than in any of the previous four years. While 37,596 workers received settlements in 2015, 41,561 received settlements in 2016.
5. Overexertion is the Leading Cause of Non-Fatal On-the-Job Injuries
According to the Commission, “[o]ver exertion and bodily reaction” are by far the leading causes of on-the-job injuries in Illinois. The next five most-common causes of non-fatal job-related injuries are:
- Contact with an object or piece of equipment
- Slips, trips and falls
- Vehicle collisions
- Exposure to harmful substances or environmental conditions
- Workplace violence
6. The Incident Rate for Job-Related Injuries is 3.5 Percent
Overall, approximately 3.5 percent of Illinois workers suffer job-related injuries every year. The occupations in which the most injuries occur are:
- Government (5.5 percent)
- Natural resources and mining (4.6 percent)
- Manufacturing (4.3 percent)
- Construction (3.7 percent)
- Services (3.0 percent)
7. The Average Duration of Temporary Total Disability is 18.8 Weeks
On average, an employee who has suffered a temporary total disability (TTD) will miss 18.8 weeks of work. This is significantly higher than the average duration in the neighboring states. In 2016, the average maximum weekly rate for TTD benefits was $1,402.23.
Were You Injured on the Job in Chicago? Our Work Injury Lawyers Help.
If you live in the Chicago area and you have been injured on the job, the attorneys at Jackowiak Law Offices can help you collect just compensation for your injury-related losses. To get started with a free, no-obligation consultation, please call (312) 795-9595 or request an appointment online today.