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.
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, other benefits are often available through other types of claims as well. 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.
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 liable for your suffering.
When Chicagoans suffer serious injuries at work, they often search for the best workers’ compensation lawyers in Illinois to take action when pursuing compensation. 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. Therefore, it’s important to rely upon a workplace injury lawyer that has the knowledge, resources and experience to get the job done. 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.