After being injured on the job, you’re likely to become quickly disillusioned with your employer’s workers compensation insurer. You’re correct in believing that Illinois workers compensation laws were enacted for your best interests, but that insurer is only going to look out for its own best interests. As the full extent of your injuries is revealed, that insurance company becomes reluctant to pay either you or your medical bills. It’s a common tactic, but you want to get the maximum compensation that you deserve.
Basic Workers Compensation Benefits
According to the workers compensation lawyers in New Lenox, there are three main types of benefits that are available under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act. They are the following:
- Reasonable and necessary medical bills: All doctor, hospital, therapy and prescription bills are required to be paid. You can select your own treating physician.
- Temporary total disability: These benefits are paid at a rate of two-thirds of your weekly wage for the year prior to your accident. They’re paid during the period that you’re incapacitated from your injuries and recovering from them until such time as you’re able to return to work.
- Permanent partial disability: This is a lump sum payment for your injury. The amount is based on your earnings, the nature of the injury and the part of the body injured.
Insurance companies make money by charging premiums and banking premium payments. Then, they invest that money, and they make even more money. When claims are made, they pay as little as possible or even nothing on them. That’s what keeps the bottom line healthy, investors happy and injured workers unhappy. Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell, P.C. has workers compensation lawyers in New Lenox who work to compel payment of benefits owed to injured workers.Contact them to get legal representation today.
