Employers and insurance companies don’t want you to get a lawyer for your workers compensation case, and the reason is simple, it saves them money. To understand why, you must understand the Workers Compensation Act and benefits that are potentially available to an injured worker in the State of Illinois.

Workers’ compensation is a system of benefits provided by law to employees who experience work-related injuries. The benefits vary depending on each case.

The following benefits are provided under the Act:

1. Medical care that is reasonably required to cure or relieve the employee of the effects of the injury;
2. Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits while the employee is off work, recovering from the injury;
3. For injuries that occur on or after February 1, 2006, temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits while the employee is recovering from the injury but working on light duty for less compensation;
4. Vocational rehabilitation/maintenance benefits are provided to an injured employee who is participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation program;
5. Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits for an employee who sustains some permanent disability or disfigurement, but can work;
6. Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits for an employee who is rendered permanently unable to work;
7. Death benefits for surviving family members.

Employers and insurance companies have historically managed claims so that they can save money by eventually cutting off benefits to the injured employee. This often results in significant financial hardship for the injured worker. Companies usually deny access to medical care or refuse to pay TTD benefits. Hiring a lawyer at Strellis & Field will provide access to contest the benefits your employer (and their insurance company) believes you are not entitled to receive.