If you work in Palatine, Illinois and you've been injured on the job, the decisions you make in the first few days and weeks after your injury will shape the outcome of your entire workers' compensation case. I've been handling workers' comp cases for close to 30 years, and the same mistakes keep coming up. Let me help you avoid them.
The first thing you need to understand is that the workers' comp insurance company is not your friend. Their adjuster might sound helpful on the phone, but their job is to close your claim as cheaply and as quickly as possible. Every question they ask, every form they send you, every doctor they want you to see — it's all designed to build a case for paying you less. That's not cynicism. That's reality after three decades of watching how these companies operate.
Palatine sits in the northwest suburbs along the Route 53 corridor, and the area is packed with employers — from the warehouses and industrial facilities near Hicks Road to the retail and restaurant jobs along Rand Road and Northwest Highway. The types of injuries we see from Palatine workers are as varied as the jobs themselves. Warehouse workers hurt their backs lifting and bending all day. Office workers develop carpal tunnel and cervical spine problems from years at a desk. Restaurant workers slip on greasy kitchen floors. Construction workers fall from ladders or get struck by equipment. Every single one of these injuries entitles you to workers' comp benefits under Illinois law, and it does not matter one bit whether the injury was your fault.
One issue that comes up constantly with Palatine workers is the employer trying to control their medical treatment. Your boss tells you to go to their company clinic. The clinic doctor does a quick exam, says you're fine, and sends you back to work. Meanwhile you can barely move. Here's what you need to know: you do not have to treat with the company doctor. Illinois law gives you the right to choose your own physician. Exercise that right. Find an orthopedic doctor or a specialist who will actually evaluate your condition properly and recommend the treatment you need — not the treatment that's cheapest for the insurance company.
Another thing I see all the time in the Palatine area is employers who conveniently "forget" to file the workers' comp claim. You report your injury to your supervisor, they say they'll take care of it, and weeks go by with nothing happening. Your medical bills aren't getting paid. You're not getting your TTD checks. Meanwhile the employer is hoping you'll just give up and go away. If this is happening to you, call a lawyer immediately. We can file the claim directly with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and force the insurance company to start paying your benefits.
If you've been hurt on the job in Palatine, don't wait to see how things play out. The insurance company is already building their case against you. You need someone building yours. Call us at 312-500-4500 for a free consultation. Our office is in Oak Brook, just a short drive down I-290, and we handle cases throughout the northwest suburbs.
Employers are required to have Workers Compensation insurance to cover their injured employees. If a worker is injured while working, then they are entitled to receive benefits under the Workers Compensation Act.
If you can not return to your old job in direct relation to your injuries, Illinois Workers' Comp may also need them to pay to re-train you to do a different job. Once you have a new job and are getting paid, then benefits are cut off.
If your doctor decides that you can no longer work carrying out any kind of paid employment due to your Palatine, IL work injury, then you would get permanent disability benefits.
You ought to understand that if you got hurt on the job in Palatine, IL, you are most likely covered under Workers Comp. To understand your workers' compensation rights, you ought to understand that state laws manage your claim.
Injured workers in Palatine, IL are often covered in Illinois. However, it is necessary to note that there are some situations where an employee is not qualified for workers' comp benefits, including:
It is quite unusual for an employee to not be eligible for Workers Comp benefits. These include the "45 Day Rule" which require injured workers to report their injuries within 45 days after the injury.
You should inform your employer by means of a manager or member of the management group about the mishap and/or injury. Often an employee does not want to make a huge deal about it, or they feel embarrassed. If you do not speak up, you might lose your case.
When you work with a Palatine, IL Workers Comp attorney, he or she will discuss what you need to do. Your lawyer will safeguard all the deadlines and requirements so you can focus on getting better and recovering.
You have 3 years to actually submit your case with the Commission. Your lawyer will fill out all of the documents. Your lawyer will file it properly, and make sure the employer and their insurance company are alerted.
The insurance company will typically work with a lawyer to represent them and fight your case. It is important for us to wait to find out what your injuries are and to see if you are improving. We would not want to settle your case without knowing all of your injuries. Likewise, need to understand how much medical care you require. That means we need to be a little patient.
Life is simple if your claim is totally authorized. In numerous cases, the Workers Comp insurance sends you to their doctor. The Company Doctor normally provides the Workers Comp insurance with a reason to fight your case. The most common reasons are:
This is the top reason why I tell people to work with a Workers Comp Law Firm in Palatine, IL early on. An excellent lawyer will be able to notice when they are navigating you into a corner. A good lawyer will be able to see if they are nearing cutting off your benefits and denying your claim. Your lawyer can fight all of this, and the earlier, the better.
Palatine has a mix of warehousing and distribution, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and construction. We see a lot of back injuries from warehouse workers lifting heavy loads, repetitive stress injuries from factory and office workers, slip-and-fall injuries in retail settings, and patient-handling injuries from healthcare workers at nearby medical facilities. All of these are covered by Illinois workers' compensation regardless of who was at fault.
Nothing out of pocket. Workers' comp attorneys in Illinois work on a contingency fee of 20% of your settlement, and that fee must be approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. You don't pay anything upfront, and if we don't win your case, you owe us nothing. The fee is the same no matter which lawyer you hire, so choose based on experience and track record — not cost.
Do not go back to work against your doctor's orders. If your treating physician says you're not ready, you're entitled to continue receiving TTD benefits regardless of what your employer wants. If your employer threatens you, retaliates, or tries to force you back before your doctor clears you, call a workers' comp attorney immediately. We can file a petition to protect your benefits and address the employer's conduct.
Yes. Under Illinois law, you have the right to choose your own treating physician — you get two choices of provider. Don't let your employer limit you to their company doctor or occupational health clinic. Your own doctor is more likely to give you an honest evaluation and recommend the treatment you actually need without pressure from the employer.
Repetitive trauma injuries — like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, and degenerative disc disease caused by years of physical labor — are absolutely covered by Illinois workers' comp. You don't have to be able to point to one specific accident. If your job duties caused or contributed to your condition over time, you have a valid claim. The insurance company will fight these cases harder, which is exactly why you need a lawyer. Call 312-500-4500.
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Realistic expectations are very important. Small injuries result in smaller sized settlements, normally. Bigger injuries indicate more cash. If you wait for a long time prior to hiring a Workers Comp attorney in Palatine, IL, that may mean that the insurance company is already damaging your case behind the scenes. It can take a while to repair the problems within a case. Good interaction and trust with your lawyer is essential. Your lawyer needs to interact with you. Your lawyer ought to offer to answer your concerns. He or she needs to be able to inform you on how long the case will take. A Workers Comp Law Firm in Palatine, IL can inform you on the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
Your case will most likely be simpler and smoother with a good lawyer. However, in some cases, a case can just take a great deal of time and have issues which limit the worth. This might dissatisfy you, but it is the reality.
Call us at The Law Office of Scott D. DeSalvo, LLC if you're looking for the best Palatine, IL Workers Comp Lawyer. Workers Comp lawyer Scott DeSalvo is here to assist you. He has the understanding and experience required to win your case. This suggests a quicker settlement and the very best outcome possible for you. We can assist you in getting the benefits you should have in your case. We can ensure you make money, your medical expenses get paid, and the whole process is smooth. Or as smooth as possible.
And we only get paid AFTER we get you paid. Give us a call any time night or day at 312-500-4500.
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If you or a loved one is dealing with a situation like this, give us a call any time, day or night. We are here to help. 312-500-4500
Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.
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