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​Experienced ILLINOIS Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
& CHICAGO Injury Lawyers

Cost of Living Adjustments

Workplace Accident Lawyers Helping Employees Throughout the Chicago Area

At the Chicago law firm of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, our lawyers represent workers seeking compensation for work-related injuries or harm. After suffering an injury on the job, employees in a variety of industries may file a claim for medical expenses, lost wages from work, and other benefits, according to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Additionally, workers are entitled to cost of living adjustments for claims that have been determined in their favor. Our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers are prepared to secure maximum benefits for our clients through the initial claim or via an appeal by utilizing our skill and experience with Illinois workers’ compensation laws.

Receive Cost of Living Adjustments After Securing a Workers’ Compensation Award

According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, certain medical benefits and wages are covered by the employer for employees who have suffered work-related injuries. Any medical costs that are deemed reasonably necessary to cure or help the employee are included under the Act, and these can range from emergency care to prosthetic devices. When an injured worker is disabled and requires modifications to their home, the employer may be responsible for paying those costs as well.

Additionally, injured workers, as well as their surviving spouses, may be entitled to payment of their average weekly wage. For example, an employee who is entitled to permanent total disability benefits will receive both medical cost coverage and wage benefits. Permanent total disability benefits are paid to workers who have suffered the permanent and complete loss of use of both hands, both feet, both eyes, or any two body parts that are completely disabled. The injured worker would receive a weekly benefit that equals two-thirds of their average weekly wage.

Cost of living adjustments would be paid to an injured worker who has received a final decision on their workers’ compensation claim. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commision has instituted procedures to adjust for benefits paid to injured workers and surviving spouses in order to reflect the increasing cost of living. Beginning in the second year after the initial award, cost of living adjustments help by reflecting changes in the average weekly wage.

After filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, recipients may receive an amount set forth by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission’s Rate Adjustment Fund. This amount would reflect the change in the amount of the weekly wage from the year preceding to the current wage. This difference in the amount of earnings would consist of a payment made to the claimant on a monthly basis.

In addition to injured workers who are receiving permanent total disability benefits, surviving spouses may be entitled to cost of living adjustments. After a surviving spouse has received a final decision regarding their eligibility and entitlement to survivor’s benefits, they will receive an amount equal to two-thirds of the employee’s gross average weekly wage for the year preceding their injury. This amount is linked to a cost of living adjustment, which would be paid to the spouse in monthly installments.

Protect Your Rights by Retaining a Skilled Work Injury Lawyer in Chicago

The dedicated Chicago attorneys at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca make it a priority to provide personal service and efficient representation in our legal practice. As we advocate for injured workers and their families, we appreciate how the process of securing benefits greatly affects the daily lives of our clients. We are proud to assist employees and their families in need of a job injury lawyer in Champaign, Aurora, Springfield, Quincy, Rockford, and other areas of Champaign, Kane, Adams, Winnebago, and Cook Counties. To schedule a free initial consultation, you can reach us by calling 312-724-5846 or contacting us online. We are also available to people who need guidance in pursuing Social Security Disability benefits due to a condition that prevents them from working.