City of Chicago Workers with Broken Bones

Chicago Lawyers Handling Workers’ Compensation Claims

Like many big businesses, the City of Chicago may self-insure its workers’ compensation claims. The City manages its own payments to workers for their job-related broken bones. City workers perform many different risky jobs that can result in broken bones. These types of injuries commonly occur in falls from heights, collisions, slip and falls, direct blows, and repetitive stress, such as that sustained in heavy lifting. City of Chicago workers with broken bones from work-related accidents may be able to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. The City has substantial resources. It’s important to seek knowledgeable legal counsel to assist in your claim. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, our Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys may be able to help you.

City of Chicago Workers with Broken Bones

The Illinois workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system. You do not have to establish that your employer, the City of Chicago, failed to provide you with adequate protection against injury or otherwise caused your injuries. Rather, injured employees only need to show that they were injured at their workplace or while performing job-related tasks. For example, City sanitation workers are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they suffered a fracture while collecting residential garbage if a private vehicle crashed into them or their garbage truck.

If you broke your bones on the job in front of witnesses, whether coworkers or a supervisor, you may assume that the City knows of your injury. However, even when witnesses from work observed your accident, you should provide notice to the City within 45 days from sustaining broken bones. If you fail to provide notice within the requisite period, you may be barred from obtaining worker’s compensation benefits.

Reasonable and Necessary Care

One of the benefits to which you may be entitled through the workers’ compensation system is reasonable and necessary medical care. Treatment for broken bones may be expensive and time-consuming, depending on the severity of the injury. Generally, however, broken bones do result in work restrictions or light duty, or complete disability. When the broken bones are severe or multiple, surgery may be needed as well as a longer hospital stay. Many workers are not able to afford to pay for care and treatment and therapy privately. All work-related injuries are eligible for workers’ compensation regardless of fault.

Medical Benefits for City of Chicago Workers with Broken Bones

You should seek medical care as soon as you can after suffering broken bones while working for the City of Chicago. You should let your doctor know you were injured at work as well as the circumstances of the injury, such as if you were struck by a falling object. It’s important to be honest and accurate, not only with the doctor, but in any accident report you fill out for the city. If the City believes that the worker is exaggerating an injury, it may be inclined to distrust the claim and suspect malingering. You should meet with a lawyer to protect your legal rights if your valid claim is denied.

Third-Party Lawsuits

Workers’ compensation benefits do not fully cover the scope of injuries. If you were injured by a third party, other than an employer or coworker, you may have a basis for third-party lawsuit. Many third-party lawsuits are brought under a theory of negligence. When you sue under a theory of negligence you must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care and failed to meet it, thereby causing your injuries. If you can establish liability, you can recover compensatory damages, which include both economic and noneconomic losses. Unlike a workers’ compensation claim, a third party may seek to convince the jury that you were partially at fault so that the damages to which you are entitled will be reduced.

Retain a Seasoned Attorney in Chicago

If you’ve suffered broken bones on the job as a City of Chicago worker, you should meet with the experienced lawyers of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca. We also represent injured workers in Champaign, Rockford, Quincy, and Aurora, as well as Sangamon, Winnebago, Kane, Cook, and Adams Counties. Complete our online form or call us at 312-724-5846.