Rockford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Approximately 63,300 people work in Rockford, IL, with the largest employment cluster being production occupations like fabrication and vehicle assembly [1]. While some fields are more dangerous than others, a workplace injury can happen in any field.

Our Rockford workers’ compensation attorneys work tirelessly to ensure workers receive the benefits they are entitled to. Read on to learn how we can assist you with your workers’ compensation claim. 

Workers’ Compensation Benefits You Can Pursue in Rockford, IL

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act entitles an injured worker to compensation for medical treatment and part of their lost wages when they are injured on the job, regardless of whether the employer or worker was at fault.

Workers compensation benefits are determined by the level and permanence of disability, as well as whether the worker will need to be retrained for a different position or occupation.

Medical Expenses

Medical benefits are the first form of compensation, available immediately after a workers compensation claim has been filed. This will pay any medical bills related to the work injury. This type constitutes the majority of work injury claims, though it represents a small percentage of total payments. 

There are no caps on how much compensation injured workers may receive for medical care; there are only limits for wage benefits.  

TPD (Temporary Partial Disability) Benefits

Temporary disability compensation will begin 3 to 7 days after the workplace accident. Partial disability refers to instances when a worker returns to their employer, but their injury prevents them from completing their previous duties. For example, if knee injuries force a worker onto light duty, they may make less than before.

With TPD, you will receive up to 66.67% of the difference between your current and your previous average weekly wages (AWW), which is called lost wages. This is identified by the gross wages of the previous 52 weeks divided by 52, and it assumes the worker is a full-time employee. 

Illinois workers’ compensation law allows you to include the sum of all your wages if you work more than one job. Your wage replacement benefits will end when you are able to resume your normal duties at your original position. 

TTD (Temporary Total Disability) Benefits

Temporary total disability is when individuals are unable to return to any employment while they recuperate. According to Illinois law, the employer must provide TTD benefits within 14 days of being informed of the injury.

You will be compensated for 66.67% of your lost wages in addition to 100% of all medical bills incurred while you recover. As with TPD, your benefits end when you have completely recovered. 

The maximum benefits allowable per week are recalculated biannually; from January 2024 to July 2024, they are $1,897.92 per week [2].

PPD (Permanent Partial Disability) Benefits

Permanent disability is identified as a lifelong reduction in working capacity due to a work injury, though they can still achieve some employment.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission uses four factors to identify a claim’s worth: wage differential, scheduled injury, percentage of loss, and degree of disfigurement. The maximum for this sum is $1,024.87 per week [3]. 

PTD (Permanent Total Disability) Benefits

Permanent total disability is when a worker cannot return to employment in any capacity, such as suffering neck injuries that have left them paralyzed. 

They are eligible for 133.33% of the State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) with biyearly adjustments. From January to July 2024, the minimum weekly benefit is $711.72, and the maximum benefit is $1,897.92 [4].

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits

Vocational rehabilitation is assistance to retrain employees for a new position if they are not able to resume their previous employment due to being injured on the job. There is no specific completion timetable, but it is assumed the rehabilitation will be completed as soon as possible.

During the retraining period, employers must pay for medical care, the vocational rehabilitation course, and maintenance benefits, which have an identical calculation as TTD.

Death Benefits

When an employee passes away due to a workplace injury, their surviving family members can be eligible for death benefits through a workers’ compensation claim. Death benefits allow the family to receive the equivalent of permanent total disability payments up to $500,000 or for 25 years, whichever is the larger sum. 

As these workers’ compensation cases are expensive for the employer, companies will fight hard to diminish their responsibility. This makes it all the more crucial for families to reach out to a Rockford wrongful death attorney, ensuring their legal rights are protected. 

Cases Handled by Our Rockford Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Our Rockford workers’ compensation attorneys assist injured workers from numerous fields, regardless of what type of work injury they have suffered. 

While some industries are more injury-prone than others, an accident can happen to a worker from any field, and our law office will ensure the insurance company pays what they are supposed to for your specific circumstance.

We Can Help Injured Workers From a Variety of Industries

• Construction – Rockford has a large construction industry employing approximately 5,500 people [5].  Unfortunately, construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States [6]. 
• Manufacturing – Winnebago County is home to numerous major manufacturers, including Haldex Hydraulics and Greenlee [7].  More than 24,000 people work in this industry in Rockford alone [8]. Heavy machinery and hectic workplace environments can easily lead to injury.
• Trade and Transportation – Trade and freight are a key element of Rockford’s economy, employing 30,300 people [9]. However, those working in transportation are in danger of back injuries from handling heavy loads.
• Healthcare – Rockford’s five hospitals collectively employ thousands of professionals who may be at risk of slip and fall accidents, communicable diseases, and repetitive strain injury.
• Education – Those who serve Rockford’s 27,766 students often suffer from repetitive strain injuries, slips and falls, and stress-related illnesses [10].

We Can File Workers’ Compensation Claims for a Variety of Injuries

• Back Injury – These may be the result of falls or from handling heavy loads.
• Amputations – Sadly, some employees seek workers’ compensation because they have lost a finger, hand, or arm due to entrapment in heavy machinery.
• Burns or Disfigurement – Working with open flames or caustic chemicals may lead to life-altering burns.
• Neck Injury – Whether the result of a car accident or a fall, a neck injury can change a person’s life forever.
• Spinal Cord Injury – These are common in construction due to falls from a great height.
• Broken Bones – Falls or getting struck by a vehicle may lead to one or more broken bones.
• Repetitive Strain – Carpal tunnel or slipped discs may be the result of repetitive manual labor.
• Occupational Diseases – This might include mesothelioma, asthma, or silicosis. It’s crucial to get a workers’ compensation attorney if you develop these illnesses, as they may emerge years after you left the industry.
• Emotional Distress – Workplace violence or witnessing traumatic events may sometimes lead to workers’ compensation.

What to Do Following a Workplace Injury in Rockford IL

You must take immediate action following a workplace injury to ensure you are safe and able to make a workers’ compensation claim. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

Seek Medical Attention

Workers compensation claims require you to prove your injuries were the result of a workplace incident. As soon as you are injured, go to the emergency room or a doctor’s office and seek medical attention. You will need these medical records for your claim.

Gather Evidence

Take photos and videos of the scene, as well as of your injury. Get the details of anyone present at the time of the incident so that our Rockford personal injury attorneys can gather their testimony for your claim. 

Notify Your Employer

You need to notify your company within 45 days of the incident. They will then submit an incident report to the appropriate state agency.

Secure Legal Representation

Get in touch with our workers’ compensation lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. We will take immediate action, leveraging our extensive experience in the claims process to protect your rights. 

Why Hire a Rockford Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Failing to hire Rockford workers’ compensation attorneys can severely limit your chances of receiving fair compensation, as the insurance company will do everything possible to prevent you from getting what you deserve. Here are some of the critical ways we can assist.

Ensuring Fair Compensation

Insurance adjusters are notorious for underpaying, as the insurance company does not want to provide what the employee is entitled to. We will hold them accountable on your behalf so you can recuperate.

Expediting the Claim Process

Your medical bills cannot go to collections while your workers’ compensation claim is in progress, so we will work hard to expedite the claim process so you will not suffer any financial repercussions due to the insurance company negotiations.

Appealing Denied Claims

If you have had your workers’ compensation claim denied, we can help. Our law office can show it was wrongfully denied and help you recoup the losses that resulted from this dismissal.

Filing a Workers’ Compensation Claim With Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers seeks to make workers’ compensation claims as stress-free as possible for our clients. We provide a free consultation so you can learn whether you are eligible for a claim, and we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your case. Our team has recovered over $450 million for our clients, and we’re ready to help you too. 

Work-Related Injury Settlements We Have Successfully Recovered

• $3,500,000 – A worker suffered permanent leg injuries after being struck by a forklift.
• $500,000 – An electrician injured his back and shoulder after falling eight feet while pulling a cable.

Contact Our Rockford Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today!

We work on behalf of clients throughout Northern Illinois who have suffered a work injury, guiding them through the workers’ compensation process and ensuring their legal rights are protected. Call us at (888) 424-5757 or contact us online for your free consultation. 

References: [1] Data USA, [2] Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, [3] Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, [4] Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, [5] Bureau of Labor Statistics, [6] National Safety Council, [7] Zippia, [8] Bureau of Labor Statistics, [9] Bureau of Labor Statistics, [10]  US News and World Report