Were you or a loved one injured on the job in Chicago, IL? If so, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits or damages for losses. Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers have represented injured workers in Chicago for over a decade. We have experience handling personal injury, workers’ compensation, wrongful death claims, and more.
Contact us today at (312) 635-5400 to schedule a free case evaluation with a Chicago workplace accident lawyer.
How Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Chicago Workplace Accident
Workplace accidents can be life-changing, and most people don’t know what to do after an accident. If you were injured on the job, you’re likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your medical bills and lost wages. In some cases, you could also have a third-party claim to recover additional damages.
Our Chicago law firm will evaluate your case and discuss your rights. For over a decade, we’ve represented injured parties in Illinois. We have over 35 years of combined experience and have recovered over $250 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
When you hire Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, our team will:
- Investigate your injury to identify all parties responsible
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Analyze your legal options and discuss the best strategy to maximize your recovery
- When necessary, work with expert witnesses to strengthen your case
- Handle all administrative tasks and comply with all deadlines
- Keep you updated on the status of your case
Our team takes a client-centered approach. We have a track record of success and work hard to get the best result possible for every client. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Chicago personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Workplace Accidents in Chicago?
Workplace accidents are more common than most people think. Data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in Illinois in 2023, there were 101,000 nonfatal workplace injuries in the private industry alone.
The data shows an incidence rate of 2.4, meaning there were approximately 2.4 injuries for every 100 full-time employees. This incidence rate is right at the national average and shows how prevalent workplace accidents are.
Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers handle all types of workplace accidents, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and falls
- Construction accidents
- Electrocution
- Manufacturing accidents
- Accidents involving heavy machinery
- Fires and explosions
Workplace accidents happen in all industries and can impact workers with many different types of jobs and skill sets. If you or a loved one were injured in a workplace accident, contact our firm to discuss your rights.
How Much Is My Chicago Workplace Accident Case Worth?
After a workplace accident, injured parties have medical expenses, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Each case is unique, and the value of each case can vary significantly. Some of the factors that have the biggest impact on how much your case is worth are:
- The amount of your medical expenses
- How long your recovery takes
- Whether or not you’ll make a full recovery
- Your income before your injury
- Whether or not you have a third-party claim
If you’re unable to work at all, you’re entitled to bi-weekly workers’ compensation, covering about ⅔ of your weekly pay. In Illinois, these benefits are capped at $1,907.92 per week. An experienced workplace accident lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case, discuss your rights, and estimate the value of your case.
What Damages Can I Recover After an Illinois Workplace Accident?
After a workplace accident, injured parties can recover workers’ compensation and, in some cases, file a third-party claim against an at-fault party.
Illinois employers are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage for employees. There are very few employers or employees who are exempt from this requirement. Workers compensation insurance protects employees who are injured or get sick on the job. It can cover:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability benefits
- Cost of ongoing treatment and care
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
Workers’ compensation should compensate victims for most of their economic damages after an accident. However, non-economic damages–like pain and suffering or decreased quality of life–are not available in workers’ compensation claims.
If someone besides your employer was at fault for an accident, you can bring a third-party claim against them to recover damages. In these cases, injured parties can recover non-economic damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Anxiety and depression
- Mental anguish
- Decreased quality of life
If you’ve been injured on the job, consulting with an experienced attorney can help ensure you explore all your legal options and secure the compensation you deserve.
Do I have a Third-Party Claim for Damages After an Illinois Workplace Accident?
All workers hurt on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation. However, some employees are also entitled to file a third-party claim against an at-fault party. You cannot bring this claim against your employer. Instead, this is a claim against another party who was at fault for your accident.
To bring this type of claim and recover additional damages, you’ll have to prove that another party was responsible for your injury. Common parties to third-party claims are:
- Drivers of motor vehicles
- Third-party vendors
- Property owners
- Contractors
- Equipment manufacturers
Third-party claims are brought as negligence cases. You must prove that the party’s negligence caused your accident. Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers to discuss whether or not you have a third-party claim.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for an Illinois Workplace Accident?
Workers’ compensation is available regardless of who was at fault for your accident. You are entitled to workers’ compensation even if you were at fault for your accident.
However, fault is relevant if you have a third-party claim. Under Illinois comparative negligence laws, accident victims can only recover damages if they’re less than 51% at fault for an accident. If they’re more than 50% at fault, they cannot recover damages. If they’re less than 51% at fault, damages are reduced by the proportion of the injured party’s fault.
For example, if you’re 20% at fault for a Chicago workplace accident, you can only recover 80% of your damages. If you’re 51% at fault for an accident, you’re not entitled to recover anything.
Blaming injured parties is a common strategy by insurance companies to reduce the value of claims. Don’t be surprised if you’re being blamed for your accident. Our team is used to this strategy and can defend you against these claims.
If you’re being blamed for your accident, contact a Chicago workplace accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers Can Help Recover Compensation for All of Your Workplace Accident Injuries
Workplace accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. Some of the most common workplace injuries in Illinois are:
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Burns
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Amputations
- Crushing injuries
Unfortunately, some workplace accidents are fatal. If you lost a loved one, we can bring a wrongful death claim on their behalf to recover medical expenses, funeral expenses, and additional losses.
Insurance companies work hard to minimize a victim’s injuries. We’ll fight hard to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for all of your injuries.
What Causes Most Workplace Accidents in Illinois?
Many different factors can cause workplace accidents, and the sad reality is that most workplace accidents can be avoided. Some of the most common causes of Illinois accidents are:
- Slip and falls
- Inadequate fall protection
- Lack of necessary safety equipment
- Driver negligence
- Physical strain
- Repetitive tasks
- Exposure to power lines
- Exposure to toxic materials
- Inadequate employee training
- Inadequate employee supervision
- Failure to comply with state and federal safety laws
- Workplace violence
When you hire our team, we’ll start by investigating your accident to determine all causes. Next, we’ll gather evidence and build a strong case to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Damages After an Illinois Workplace Accident?
If you were injured on the job, you don’t have to prove anything to recover workers’ compensation. It’s a no-fault system, which means that you don’t have to prove that your employer was negligent.
However, there are some common ways that employers and insurance companies challenge workers’ compensation claims. Some of the most common challenges are these parties:
- Claiming that an injury was pre-existing
- Claiming that the accident was not work-related
- Rejecting a claim because you saw a non-approved physician
- Rejecting a claim because you didn’t provide adequate notice
- Claiming that medical expenses were unrelated to the accident
- Rejecting a claim because your paperwork was incomplete
If you file a third-party claim, you’ll have to prove that the third-party was negligent. An experienced workplace accident lawyer will help you build a strong case and defend you against any challenges to your workers’ compensation claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Chicago Workplace Accident?
After an accident, you should report your injury to your supervisor within 45 days of the accident. You then have three years to file a workers’ compensation claim.
If you plan to file a third-party claim, this is a type of personal injury claim. The statute of limitations for Illinois personal injury cases is two years. This means you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit against at-fault parties. After two years, you’ll lose this right.
It’s vital to comply with all deadlines and procedural requirements after a workplace accident. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the claims process and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Chicago Workplace Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were injured in a workplace accident in Illinois, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers to discuss your rights. Call, contact us online, or visit our Chicago personal injury office to schedule a free case evaluation with a Chicago workplace accident lawyer.