Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation benefits are generally available to injured employees regardless of who is at fault in the accident. Workers’ compensation benefits are paid by the employer’s insurance company, but it is the obligation of the injured employee to file a claim for workers’ compensation.

The Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca can help if you are injured at work by answering any questions you might have and by filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits with your employer’s insurance company or the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission, if necessary. If you have been injured on the job, do not hesitate to contact one of our knowledgeable Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys at 312-724-5846 to schedule a free consultation.

The Purpose of Workers’ Compensation

The workers’ compensation system was created to prevent employees from having to sue their employers for benefits following a work-related injury. When you file a workers’ compensation claim, you submit an Application for Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission with your employer’s insurer. Consequently, your relationship with your employer can remain intact despite your injury. In fact, it is against the law for any employer to threaten, harass or fire a worker who filed a workers’ compensation claim.

Unlike personal injury claims, the law restricts the benefits for workers’ compensation claims. Typically, workers’ compensation benefits are limited to payment of medical expenses, lost wages (temporary total disability) and payment of permanent partial or total disability. In some cases, however, you may have a personal injury claim against a third party as well as a workers’ compensation claim. For example, if while making a delivery for your employer you are injured in an car accident, you could have both a workers’ compensation claim against your employer and a personal injury claim against the other driver.

How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?

Workers’ compensation laws require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance in order to compensation employees for injuries that are sustained on the job. Workers’ compensation laws also outline the types of injuries that are covered by workers’ compensation and the types of damages workers can claim. Because insurance companies do not always settle these claims fairly, it is wise to hire a workers’ compensation attorney in Chicago to represent your case to maximize your recovery.

COVID-19 and Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and Illinois Occupational Disease Act

Richard K. Johnson, Managing Partner of Katz Friedman started with the firm in 1983 representing many injured men and women in Chicago and what may seem like every town or county throughout the State of Illinois. He is frequently sought out for his superior knowledge of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and Illinois Occupational Disease Act by workers, unions and legal organizations. If you or a loved one have been exposed to COVID-19 while on the job, call us for a free consultation at 312-724-5846.

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How can we Help?

The Chicago injured employee law firm of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca has decades of experience prosecuting all types of work-related injuries in all fields, including airlines’ employees workers’ compensation claims, such as those filed by employees of United Airlines and American Airlines. We also represent several major labor unions in a variety of industries, and we are highly practiced in working with union workers in workers’ compensation claims. Our workers’ compensation attorneys are skilled at integrating union contract benefits and workers’ compensation rights to achieve the maximum recovery for our clients. We have a great deal of experience helping injured flight attendants with their special concerns.

At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca we represent injured workers throughout the state of Illinois and the nation. If you believe you have a workers’ compensation claim, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case with a workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago.