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Illinois Workers' Compensation Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I have doctors note to not work more then 8 hrs. My job (nurse) is telling me I have to go PRN because it is light duty.

It's not light duty. I work my 8 hours and do my job without restrictions. I was hired for 8 hours. Can they do this? I was already made to work 16 once because of a call in.

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 24, 2018

Assuming you are asking about an Illinois workers' compensation case, you cannot be "made to work" 16 hours. The employer's nurse has no power to override your doctor's restrictions. On the other hand, you do not want to be fired for insubordination for refusing to work.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I work in construction and travel. I live in IL injured in Virginia. In which state should I Persue this wc claim?

I'm unsure which WC law would benefit me best. I suffered a herniated lumbersacal disc with ridiculapathy and I will need surgery.

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 23, 2018

Find a workers' compensation lawyer in Illinois and ask him or her to compare the benefits in the two states for your particular injury,

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: What do you do when your attorney wont return your call. An its a work comp case.
Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jan 22, 2018

Workers' Compensation attorneys typically carry a very heavy caseload and often find that they must prioritize return calls. The LAST call to be returned will be the message that reads "Please call Mary Smith." Leave a more meaningful question like "Where do I send this... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: My TTD benefits were stopped by the insurance attorney as an attempt to force me to accept their low settlement offer,

which was turned down. Can I receive the missed benefits in my settlement? I do have an attorney who is not communicating with me, I can only speak with the clerk who answers the phone.

Drew R. Ball
Drew R. Ball
answered on Jan 22, 2018

You stated you have an attorney, thus your question should be directed to your attorney. You should call and demand that you speak with them personally. If you are dissatisfied with the attorney, you are always free to terminate their services and hire a new one. I wish you the best.

2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Is workers comp obligated to reimburse mileage driven to and from doctors and physical therapy?

Have been injured since June 2017 and this has not been brought up once from their side. How can I go ahead and make sure this is taken care of and can they deny it.

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 20, 2018

As a general rule, the workers' compensation insurer is not obligated to pay for mileage to and from treating doctors, physical therapy, and so on if the trips are relatively short. If your doctor refers you to someone far away such as the Mayo Clinic, on the other hand, the insurer can be... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Workers' Compensation and Employment Law for Illinois on
Q: As an independent contractor, can I be required to purchase a workers comp insurance policy by the business owner?

I'm a licensed psychologist in a group. I was told by the practice owner to either form my own LLC or to purchase a workers comp policy. I am clearly an independent contractor rather than an employee. Is this legal? Thanks.

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 17, 2018

As an independent contractor, do you have any employees? If not, the only person the policy will protect is you, and then only if you insist on a rider covering yourself. The situation sounds strange, but their insistence that you have a policy isn't illegal.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I have a work comp employee who recently threatened to "stab" another employee. Can we terminate without having TTD?

The employee is on light duty and we have been accommodating his restrictions. He made a credible threat to another employee with customers and other employees as witnesses. If we terminate, will we be responsible for lost time since he is on light duty?

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jan 15, 2018

There are two questions: 1.) Am I justified in firing an employee who makes threats to harm co-workers; and 2.) Does termination "for cause" justify terminating WC benefits. The first question requires more explication but probably. The second question is ABSOLUTELY NOT. Even if you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: What does petition withdrawn mean?
Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jan 12, 2018

It means what it says. One of the litigants moved(asked) the Commission to do something and then later changed their mind and withdrew the request.

2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Hi, I fractured my ankle at work back in August I have returned to work since then,but the work comp attorney wants me

To go go back and have a disability percentage evaualtion done so we can do a settlement. Should I go and get my own attorney before doing this or not?

Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Jan 11, 2018

Yes, you should absolutely get your own attorney prior to accepting any form of settlement, and that is for a multitude of reasons. First, a knowledgeable attorney will review all of the information surrounding your injuries, and will provide you with a fair valuation of your case. Second, an... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Can attorney place a Lien against Worker's Compensation case and claim attorney fees?
Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jan 11, 2018

Yes and no. Technically, there are no liens on Workers' Compensation claims. That said, at attorney CAN file a FEE PETITION with the IWCC if you fired him. An attorney is generally entitled to quantum meruit (compensation for time spent on the file) and any costs incurred such as medical... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Surgeon put in plate and screws wrong in wrist on 10 4 17 (per 2nd opinion and xrays), wrist will not turn 2 months ot

I have asked for xray at last three appts with primary surgeon. Should I return so denial is documented by case worker?

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 10, 2018

It sounds like x-rays were taken in connection with the second opinion. Has your treating surgeon seen the second opinion? Can you get a copy of the x-rays from the second opinion and show them to your treating surgeon at your next appointment?

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: The ime and my doctor disagree My doc says I need surgery. I beleive insurer is going for MMI. Should I go forward

With surgery through my insurance wait for my lawyer to go through court etc?

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 10, 2018

It sounds like you already have a lawyer working on this case. If you trust your lawyer, follow his or her advice; if you don't trust your lawyer, get a new one. Either way you're better off asking your lawyer this question rather than relying on a bunch of strangers on the Internet. He... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Can I stop paying health insurance for an employee who has been off 15 months.workmans comp

He said he injured himself on the job. I believe he fabricated the injury.

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 6, 2018

The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act does not re

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Husband was released back to work on full duty after injuries. Since then he has not been put back in his work truck as

he was before his injury, which is standard for his job. Now costing us $ out of our pocket to use his personal car for work purposes. They continue to blow him off on this. What rights does he have in regards to this situation?

Also-we keep hearing about a settlement from friends. Will we... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 5, 2018

The odds your husband will be offered a settlement without having him actively pursue it through a lawyer are roughly one in a thousand. In other words, he should contact a lawyer who regularly practices in the field of workers' compensation as quickly as possible.

As far as the work...
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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Workers Comp requesting me to go into ICEP after my job has nothing for me due to restrictions?

Its a community voluntary service and I feel that they are doing this so they don't continue to pay me my weekly benefits. Especially if they know I have restrictions and my employer has no work for me with my restrictions.. please help

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Jan 3, 2018

So long as the Community Service is within your restrictions, they CAN make you go or terminate your benefits.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I received work comp for 5 months after being hurt in a car accident while working. I was cleared to return to work.

I returned to work, but I am wondering if I am entitled to a settlement with Work comp?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jan 3, 2018

Contact a member of the Ill Trial Lawyers Assn who handles comp & crashes--they give free consults.

Generally you get a lump sum when you have a longstanding serioius problem that you are resolving.

If the crash was the other persons fault you have a claim there. You may also...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Are appointments required to be after hours of work or are they to be during hours of work if injury was at work?

In regards to a workplace injury, is there anything cited that doctor visits, MRI appointments, physical therapy, etc with a workers' compensation case that places a work on "light duty". What Illinois or Federal mandate states this information?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jan 3, 2018

You would want to get a free consult from a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Assn but generally they don't have to limit exams to work hours.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: In IL, what is the timeframe for signing the settlement by the injured worker once the settlement contract is drawn up?

My lawyer contacted me late in November of 2017 and TOLD me that I needed to sign the settlement contract and return it to him ASAP as the WC insurance will withdraw their settlement offer if I don't sign it by end of December 2017. This was told it to me verbally once, however, never... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Dec 26, 2017

Insurance companies can and do make offers which expire if not accepted by a certain date. While you might feel better if your attorney told you about the deadline in writing, it is still effective and important if communicated orally. Obviously you understood it or you wouldn't be asking your... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: 3 & 1/2 months removed from ACL/meniscus surgery and I feel that workers comp is rushing me back to work?

Doctor is recommending to continue physical therapy and to check back with him after 6 to 8 weeks. Workers Comp is on their own agenda and pretty much rushing the situation when I am physically not ready to go back to my job.

Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Dec 13, 2017

If you are not physically ready to go back to your job, you should not be rushed back to work. I would take this matter up with your attorney immediately, as you have a few different options. If you do not have an attorney, I recommend you hire one immediately. You will not be taken seriously... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I twisted my ankle at work retrieving a box of lesson materials from the classroom supply closet.

The company nurse referred me to the occupational health department at the hospital. I was given x-rays, diagnosed with an ankle sprain, and given an air cast. The claim management company has denied the claim and will not cover the cost of the doctor visit or the cost of the air cast because I... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Dec 10, 2017

If there was nothing about the circumstance of your injury causing risk of injury to have been increased by the employment, they may be right. However, increased risk of injury is a tricky thing -- water or a loose floor tile such as you mention are only a couple of them. Were you stretching to get... View More

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