News & Blog

What Types of Injuries are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in Illinois?

In order to file for workers’ compensation in Illinois, you need to meet a few eligibility requirements. You must qualify as an “employee” (as opposed to an independent contractor), you must meet the reporting and filing deadlines, and you must have been injured within the scope of your employment. However, the type of injury you have sustained is not a factor in determining your right to collect workers’ compensation benefits. In other words, as long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you are entitled to collect benefits regardless of the nature of your injury.

10 of the Most Common Work-Related Injuries

Whether you work in an office or on a construction site, you face a variety of injury risks on a daily basis. If you have suffered any type of job-related injury in Chicago, you should speak with an attorney about your rights. In addition to filing for workers’ compensation, you may be able to file a personal injury claim as well, and you will need legal representation for both types of claims in order to maximize your financial recovery.

As we mentioned above, all job-related injuries are potentially eligible for financial compensation. Some of the most common types of job-related injuries include:

  • Bone fractures resulting from falls, vehicle collisions, blunt force trauma, and other accidents
  • Burns from fires, explosions, and toxic chemical exposure
  • Ear injuries (such as tinnitus) resulting from long-term exposure to noise or sudden loud sounds
  • Facial injuries, including injuries to the eyes, nose, teeth and jaw
  • Loss of limbs or digits in accidents involving power tools, machinery or heavy equipment
  • Neck injuries such as whiplash and pinched nerves
  • Repetitive stress injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, resulting from use of a keyboard, regular lifting, or other repetitive motions
  • Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, tears and contusions
  • Spinal cord injuries, including herniated discs, fractures, nerve damage, and injuries resulting in chronic pain or paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions, resulting from severe impact to the head or body

Medical Expenses Covered by Workers’ Compensation

If you are eligible for workers’ compensation, you are entitled to coverage for all of the medical expenses you incur as a result of your job-related injury. You have the right to choose up to two doctors to provide primary care, and your benefits also cover treatment from referred specialists. Under Illinois’ workers’ compensation law, medical benefits include coverage for:

  • Doctor’s visits
  • Hospital care
  • Surgery (inpatient and outpatient)
  • Prescriptions
  • Physical therapy
  • Medical supplies and devices
  • Other necessary health care services

Unfortunately, workers’ compensation insurance companies will often try to minimize injured workers’ benefits, and in many cases they will try to terminate benefits before employees are fully healed. At Jackowiak Law Offices, we have decades of experience helping injured workers collect the full medical and disability benefits they deserve.

Speak with a Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorney in Confidence

If you would like to speak with an attorney about your workers’ compensation claim, we encourage you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation. You can reach us by phone or online 24/7, and if we cannot respond immediately we will be in touch to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.