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Workers' Compensation
Benefits
The Illinois Workers'
Compensation Act provides that every worker who sustains
an on-the-job injury or develops Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or any other
type of Repetitive Stress injury as a result of performing their job, is
entitled to receive specified benefits.
The
following are some of the most important benefits provided by the Act:
100%
MEDICAL EXPENSES-You are entitled to 100% of all
reasonable and necessary medical expenses which include but are not
limited to first aid, emergency room services, hospital care, doctor's
fees and prescriptions. The injured worker is not required to pay any
deductible or co-insurance payment and, unlike group health insurance,
there are no preset dollar amounts.
CHOICE OF TREATING
DOCTORS - You are entitled to
receive treatment by two (2) doctors of your own choosing. Furthermore,
you are entitled to receive treatment from doctors to whom you were
referred by either of your first two (2) choices. This is known as the
"chain of referral."
WEEKLY LOST
WAGE BENEFIT- If your doctor feels it is necessary for
you to be off work to recuperate from your injuries, you are entitled to
Temporary Total Disability benefits or T.T.D.
T.T.D. is a weekly lost wage benefit which is based on two-thirds of
your average, gross, weekly wage, excluding overtime and bonuses. These
benefits are paid to you for the entire time that you are off work and
under doctor's care. These benefits are not subject to income tax.
LUMP SUM
SETTLEMENT OR AWARD OF AN ARBITRATOR- After you have
finished treatment for your injuries and your doctor has released you
back to work, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your
injuries. This compensation is called Partial Permanent Disability or
P.P.D., but is commonly known as a Lump Sum settlement or an award of an
arbitrator. (Before agreeing to accept any settlement from the insurance
company, we recommend that you consult with a qualified attorney from
our office who can determine if you have received a fair offer to settle
your claim. In addition, if you were injured within the last three (3)
years and have not signed pink Lump Sum Settlement contracts, you may
still have a viable claim and may be eligible to receive partial
permanent disability for your injuries.)
LOST WAGE
DIFFERENTIAL-If, after exhausting all forms of
treatment, you are no longer able to perform your job, and as a result,
must accept a lower paying job, you may be entitled to what is known as
a wage differential. This amount would equal two-thirds of the
difference between the average gross weekly wage you could be earning
but for your accident and the wage you are now able to earn.
VOCATIONAL
RETRAINING- If your doctor has determined that you are
unable to return to the type of work you were doing before your injury,
your employer could be responsible to pay for any retraining or
re-schooling necessary for your return to a position consistent with
your physical limitations. You may also be entitled to receive weekly
lost wage benefits during the entire retraining period.
What is the Workers' Compensation Act?
Guide to determining your weekly disability benefits
Steps to protect your right to receive Workers'
Comp benefits
Methods for resolving your Workers' Compensation
claim
Role of attorneys in the Workers'
Compensation claim process
Workers' Compensation FAQ's
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