WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS ATTORNEY IN AURORA, IL

Dealing with a personal injury is never easy. Dealing with a personal injury that occurs at work can make things infinitely more complicated. Whether you work in an office setting or on a factory floor, getting injured in a workplace accident can be fraught with complications as both employee and employer try to work out the details of what happened and who is responsible. In the state of Illinois, lawmakers have created something known as the State's Workers' Compensation law which requires employers to purchase insurance that can cover work-related injuries and other things like occupational diseases. This law is important because it can also prohibit employees from filing a lawsuit against their employer if they've been injured at work. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a workplace accident, it's important for you to understand your rights and the laws that protect those rights. That's why it can be crucial to have an experienced personal injury attorney working for you to help you make sense of what you've been through, and explain all of the options that you have available. The attorneys at the Law Offices of David Guy Stevens have extensive experience working with clients across the Aurora area to help them seek justice for their injuries so that they can have the assistance they need to fully recover and get their life back. Whether you decided to discuss your situation with an attorney or not, it can still help to be mindful of some of the laws surrounding workplace accidents and injuries so that you can have a better understanding of your rights.

WHAT INJURIES ARE COVERED UNDER THE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACT?

The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act was designed to be a state-mandated insurance program that could provide compensation to employees who are injured while on the job. This means that any employee that suffers from a work-related injury or illness is automatically entitled to workers' compensation benefits, regardless of whoever is deemed to be at fault for the injury or illness. The workers' compensation act generally will cover all injuries that have been suffered by an employee at work, and this includes pre-existing conditions that may have been exacerbated by the employee's duties or the environment at work. However, there are certain injuries that are not covered by the workers' compensation act, and those injuries include:

• Self-inflicted injuries, which includes those caused by someone who instigates a fight.

• Injuries suffered while an employee was not on the job.

• Injuries suffered while an employee was committing a crime

• Injuries suffered as a result of conduct that violates company policy.

WHAT KIND OF BENEFITS DOES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PROVIDE?

In the state of Illinois, employers are required to provide workers' compensation insurance for all employees. This insurance will provide a variety of different benefits that, depending on the severity of the injury, can help the employee recover. These benefits include:

• If the worker is unable to work, disability benefits will be provided that is equal to two-thirds of the employee's average gross weekly wage if the employee is unable to work while recovering from their injuries.

• If the worker is able to work on a limited basis, disability benefits will be provided that is equal to two-thirds of the difference between the average amount the worker would be able to earn in their pre-injury job, and the net amount earned in a light-duty job while recovering.

• Permanent total disability benefits if the employee loses the use of a part of the body.

• Complete job retraining if necessary.

Given that many of these benefits can hinge on the details of your injury, and the accident that caused the injury, it's important that you have an experienced injury attorney working for you to help you unravel the details of your case and ensure your rights are protected. If you or someone you know is facing a difficult workplace injury, contact our office today and put our knowledge and expertise on your side.