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Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

We Work to Get You Paid

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Did you get hurt at work? Our workers’ compensation attorneys at DePaolo & Zadeikis have over 70 years of combined experience helping injured employees like you get paid. We don’t back down to insurance companies and large corporations, and we have a 95% win rate that proves it. We offer FREE initial consultations, and we won’t charge you any attorney fees until we recover compensation on your behalf. Our law firm is conveniently located right here in Chicago, but we understand that coming in to our office isn’t an option for everyone. To make things easier during this difficult time, if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you

Schedule your free consultation by calling 312-263-7560.

Are You Searching for the Best Workers’ Compensation Lawyers in Chicago?

While no firm can claim to have the “best” workers’ comp lawyer on their team, the workers’ compensation attorneys at DePaolo & Zadeikis have decades of experience in getting some of the best results for injured workers in Illinois. We have the knowledge, skill, and resources to get the job done. Why do you need an experienced attorney?

Work injury cases often include the testimony of medical experts, accident reconstructionists, building engineers, equipment designers, and other specialists, as well as impeccable records management, in-depth investigations, and more. Unfortunately, many injured workers leave money unclaimed because of mistakes in their paperwork, the lack of knowledge about who to sue for damages, or their inability to fight the faceless insurance company.

 

How Much Is Your Workers’ Compensation Claim Worth?

It can be difficult for us to determine in advance how much your work injury claim is worth, become so many factors come into play. When we complete your free case evaluation, our attorneys will consider the severity of your injuries, recommended future medical treatments, and whether the accident caused a permanent disability. Your current wages will also help us estimate the value of your claim. We will also take into account whether another party played a role in causing your accident, and any other avenues of recovery that might apply to your injury case.

You May Have More Than A Workers’ Comp Claim

If you were injured on the job or in the scope of carrying out your work duties, you are almost certainly entitled to at least some form of compensation. While workers’ compensation insurance typically only pays for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, additional benefits are often available through other types of claims as well. 

At DePaolo & Zadeikis, our workers’ compensation attorneys believe that injured workers should never be sidelined by the consequences of a work-related accident. We work to ensure that you are aware of all of your legal options, and we’ll help you pursue full compensation from all parties who are liable for your suffering. 

Call 312-263-7560 to discuss your case.

 

Anyone, Anywhere, Can Suffer Injuries on the Job

Like with any injury, workplace accidents can happen anywhere to anyone. The risks of some jobs, however, may be more obvious than the hidden dangers of others. Some of the occupations that are commonly categorized as the “most dangerous” include:

  • Public service jobs
  • Truckers, loggers and other workers in the transportation industry
  • Construction workers
  • Jobs in manufacturing or production
  • Maintenance, repair and installation workers

Ironically, workers in the healthcare industry hold some of the most dangerous jobs in the nation. Exposure to infections, illnesses, medications and chemicals, heavy lifting and other physical demands, workplace stress, and the violent acts of other workers, patients and visitors put healthcare workers in danger every single day.

 

Our Work Injury Attorneys Can Help You Get Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Illinois

In Illinois, when you become injured or ill while performing your job duties, you are entitled to compensation to help cover the costs that unsafe work conditions and other work-related incidents cause. The laws of the state govern your rights when you are injured at work. According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, you are entitled to:

Wage Loss Differential: When your injury is so severe that you are unable to perform the duties of your job, you may be forced to take a lower-paying position. In Illinois, if your injury causes you to take a cut in pay, workers’ compensation insurance may make up some of the difference in lost wages. 

Vocational Retraining: If your injuries prevent you from returning to you previous line of work, you may be entitled to vocational retraining so you can work in another occupation. 

Medical Expenses: The medical treatments, traveling for medical care, and equipment costs can quickly add up when you’re injured on the job. Workers’ compensation insurance will cover 100% of these costs to ensure that financial issues are never a barrier for workers who need costly medical care. 

Disability: Three types of disability payments may be awarded in a workers’ compensation case. 

  • Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) is typically paid in a lump sum settlement when you permanently lose the use of a body part. The amount of this benefit is determined by the body part that is impaired. 
  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD) is available when you lose the use of two like body parts or are permanently unable to return to any kind of work because of your work injury. These benefits, which are based on two-thirds of your gross weekly wage, are payable for the rest of your life. 
  • Temporary Total Disability (TTD) is paid if you are temporarily unable to work while you heal from your injuries. TTD is usually equal to two-thirds of your gross weekly wage. 

 

Common Types of Workplace Injuries in Illinois

Every day in the United States, about 13 people who go to work never return. Every seven seconds, a worker is hurt on the job in the United States. While minor sprains, cuts and bruises typically heal without the need for medical attention, more serious incidents–such as overexertion, slips and falls, exposure to hazardous temperatures or chemicals, or contact with poorly maintained equipment can cause traumatic brain injuries, severed limbs, spinal cord injuries, and more. 

Workplace safety is a shared responsibility between the employee and the company, though all too often companies are not held liable, and injured workers are the ones left to pay the price. Although there are laws in place to keep Illinois workers safe, about 3.3 million people suffer injuries at work each day.  Some of those injuries are so severe that they impact victims’ lives forever. The most common types of workplace injuries seen by workers’ compensation attorneys include:

Overexertion: Consistently the No. 1 reason for workplace injuries is overexertion due to activities such as pulling, pushing, lifting and carrying. Especially common in the construction and manufacturing industries, injuries caused by overexertion are often some of the most expensive.

Slips and Falls: Uneven flooring, clutter, defective safety equipment and inadequate workplace maintenance cause millions of falls to workers every year. Severe falls can lead to traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spine injuries, and death. 

Getting Struck by Objects: When object fall from heights, they can cause serious head, neck and back injuries, puncture wounds and more. Falling objects aren’t the only ones that cause injuries, however. Defective or improperly loaded machines can kick out parts, forklift drivers can lose control and strike workers, and machinery can cause crushing or striking injuries. 

Workplace Violence: Violent acts in the workplace cause serious physical injuries as well as emotional trauma. Healthcare workers and those who work with the public are especially susceptible. 

Exposure to chemicals, infections and other toxins, electricity, extreme temperatures, and unsafe machines also cause a large number of work-related accidents.

 

What to Do if You Suffered Injuries on the Job

  1. Get Medical Treatment
  2. Report Your Injuries to Your Employer
  3. Document the Injury Through Evidence
  4. Contact a Workers’ Compensation Attorney
  5. Follow-Up with Your Medical Team

 

Let’s Get to Work on Your Work Injury Case

If you were injured on the job, there is no better time than now to contact our workers’ compensation attorneys. And since time may be running out to file your workers’ comp claim or personal injury lawsuit against third parties, it’s best to get started working on your case right away. At DePaolo & Zadeikis, we work on a contingency fee basis, never charge upfront fees, and offer free, no obligation consultations to discuss your legal options. Give us a call at 312-263-7560 or contact us online, and together we can begin working toward your goals. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Comp Claims in Chicago

What is an Independent Medical Examination (IME)?

An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is a medical assessment requested by an insurer or employer to evaluate an individual’s injuries or medical condition. Conducted by a neutral doctor, it aims to assess your health status, treatment progress, and prognosis.

When will I start receiving workers’ compensation benefits?

In Illinois, workers’ compensation benefits typically commence within two to three weeks after the employer and their insurer receive notice of the work-related injury or illness. Delays might occur due to investigation or dispute resolution.

How long do I have to report my work injury in Chicago?

In Illinois, you typically have just 45 days to report a workplace injury to your employer. Exceptions to the rule may apply, however. If you were injured at work, report the accident right away and then contact a workers’ compensation attorney for further guidance.

Will I get fired if I file a workers’ compensation claim?

The law prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against injured employees who file workers’ compensation claims. This includes, but is not limited to, firing the employee, withholding bonuses or commissions, and preventing opportunities like promotions. 

Am I eligible for workers’ compensation if I work from home?

You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you suffered an injury during the course of your work, and you were working at home when it happened. Claims involving work-from-home accidents are usually more complicated than those that arise from accidents in a formal workplace setting, however. Your work injury lawyer can evaluate your unique situation and guide you through the claims process, if applicable.