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Illinois Workers' Compensation Questions & Answers
Q: What type of legal document do I need to file to request that a court ORDER Unemployment Agency to take paper Applicatio

I am from Illinois and I recently tried to file for unemployment due to COVID-19 by mailing a paper copy of the official IDES unemployment form(which I downloaded and printed from a PDF file on their website).

I received a call days later that they would not accept paper applications and... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Apr 12, 2020

In general, an agency has the ability to promulgate administrative rules. If their refusal to accept a paper application effectively denied your benefits, it might be possible. Under the current circumstances where the majority of the population is under a stay-at-home order, nearly all government... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: My father has been diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer and he was exposed to asbestos can he sue ?

When my dad was younger he worked in an installation company and he believes he was exposed to asbestos. Although his cancer is non small cell can he still sue even though it’s non mesothelioma

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Mar 29, 2020

Worker's Compensation is an area of law that deals with injuries sustained work. It is a statute that is administered by the Illinois Worker's Compensation Commission. if someone sustains a work injury, Worker's Compensation is the exclusive remedy. In other words, they CANNOT sue... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation and Health Care Law for Illinois on
Q: I had a belly button hernia at work..Workman's Comp wants 10 years of medical/work history released to company&insurance

I have only worked at this company 1 year, and really don't work to share my medical history with company.

Richard K. Johnson
Richard K. Johnson
answered on Mar 5, 2020

Your employer or its insurance carrier may investigate any past medical records for the condition you claim is work related, but does not have an unfettered right to any and all medical records. Any medical authorization form you sign should be limited to the condition you claim is work related.

3 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Workers' Compensation, Public Benefits and Small Claims for Illinois on
Q: Can I file for TTD benefits while I work w/ a laywer to file workmans comp if my employer wouldn't report my injuries?

After an incident at work over the holidays I saw my DR & found out I have bilateral carpal tunnel w/severe damage in my right wrist. She advised me not to return to work until after seeing an orthopedic specialist for possible surgery. I told her that I couldn't afford to & she agreed... View More

Steven Sigmond
Steven Sigmond
answered on Mar 4, 2020

Yes, you can.

As long as you've reported the work-injury to your boss right away (and you have), you have up to three years to file a workers compensation case. Your employer can't file the case for you. All they can do is turn the matter over to their insurance company or not....
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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: If I decide to take ptd wkly pymnts instead of taking a lump sum in my wc case is that still considered a settlement
Richard K. Johnson
Richard K. Johnson
answered on Feb 19, 2020

A hearing before the Commission wherein a worker is awarded permanent total disability benefits will be paid weekly for life. The added benefit of a hearing award is the right to future medical benefits for life for the injury and entitlement to the payments from the rate adjustment fund that are... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Trying to figure out an estimate on a workers comp ptd settlement. My wkly ptd rate is $484, my life expectancy is 37.5
Richard K. Johnson
Richard K. Johnson
answered on Feb 18, 2020

When was your accident? There is a minimum rate for permanent total disability. You should be able to download a present value calculator to do the computation. A lawyer who is not actually representing you should not be second guessing the lawyer who is representing you.

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: How is a ptd settlement calculated in IL workers comp?
Richard K. Johnson
Richard K. Johnson
answered on Feb 18, 2020

A permanent total disability settlement is calculated by determining the life expectancy of the injured worker. The life expectancy gives us the interest rate equivalent to use, but remember, the insurance company is using its own internal rate of return and not what you or I earn on the amount.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Why haven't opposing counsel returned the contract I signed to settle my w c case since August 2019. I have an attorney.

My attorney says they are not responding to him and don't know what is the hold up. I'm sure there is something he could be doing instead of just waiting for them to respond, it's been nearly 6 months.

Richard K. Johnson
Richard K. Johnson
answered on Feb 7, 2020

This is a very unusual problem. Perhaps the best thing to do is to have the attorney motion up the case for a hearing before the Commission. There is no way to force a settlement if the other side refuses to sign. I hope this helps you out. If you know your IWCC #, you can look up the status of... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Can I still collect unemployment if I start unpaid TOP job training in Illinois?

It is two nights a week, 6:30-9:30pm, and Saturdays. That still leaves me available for regular job hours.

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Feb 4, 2020

Not legally. To collect unemployment, you must be actively seeking employment AND Both Willing and Able to accept a job. If you are in formal training, you are NEITHER willing nor Able to accept a job, if offered, nor are you actively seeking employment.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I requested FMLA. My employer filed a Workers' Comp claim? I didn't ask for Workers' Comp. Is that how it works?

I have 11 weeks of sick leave and some personal and vacation days that I could use on Family Medical Leave. I intend to go back to work once I'm better. I've been off for 2 weeks and expect to go back in 2-3 weeks; long before I run out of sick days. I'm concerned that my employer... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 31, 2020

That's a great question, but I doubt anyone can give you solid advice without sitting down and talking to you to get more information. Schedule an appointment with a competent workers' compensation lawyer. There's typically no charge for an initial appointment on workers'... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Can I retire and not effect my workers com case while my case is being appealed
James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Dec 6, 2019

This is a question to ask the lawyer handling your workers' compensation appeal. He or she may be aware of circumstances that determine the answer. As strangers to your case we don't have access to those facts.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I injured my lower back at work and went through the Conservative treatment route without recovering.

After about 9 months and a visit to an IME, surgery was scheduled. Unfortunately, surgery was not successful and I still suffer from a “Pinched” nerve. For some reason, doctor won’t say, surgery was not completed completed and the spine (L4, 5 and S1 was fused together, “as is”). I... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Aug 5, 2019

It seems you're asking a medical question. Get a second opinion from another doctor. If you don't have a lawyer, get one ASAP to protect your rights and answer your questions with authority.

If you're asking a legal question as to your rights under the Workers'...
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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Is there a time limit in Illinois to seek medical aid with a on the job injury?

Fell on shoulder at work. Filed paperwork about injury but did not feel need for medical aid at the time. Have pain off and on for seven months. Want to see doctor and am told I waited too long and workmans comp will not pay the bill. Is this right?

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jun 14, 2019

The insurance company's perspective is that since you went without treatment for seven months you must not have suffered an injury needing treatment. In their eyes, the fact you need treatment for the first time seven months later indicates you suffered a re-injury that they are not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Tax Law, Workers' Compensation and Civil Litigation for Illinois on
Q: My husbands employer accidentally paid him after he was fired for six months and we didn't notice bc I work there.

We got a letter from the employer saying we needed to pay back $27k in two weeks. When we got his w-2's and mine , this pay was not reflected at all. We don't know what our right's are in this case. We don't pay much attention to our bank statements and just paid bills as usual... View More

Bruce Alexander Minnick
Bruce Alexander Minnick
answered on Apr 28, 2019

Whether you look at your bank statements or not is irrelevant. If your employer actually paid your husband $27,000 more than he was entitled, he will either have to give it back or will probably be sued by the employer.

3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: When does the 33 percent fee change to 40 percent in a contingency agreement?

I am looking to get clarification regarding the following paragraph:

---"Contingency Agreement. This is a contingency agreement. The attorney's fee shall be: a. 33 and 1/3 percent before Trial; b. 40 percent if the case proceed to a Trial."---

Based on this, when... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 26, 2019

Your attorney would be in the best position to clarify this issue based upon the exact terms of your retainer agreement. The specific time or trigger you ask about is a valid concern and you should pose it to your attorney, so that both of you are clear as to the threshold at which the attorney fee... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I receive a workers comp settlement 15 yrs ago while I was paying child support to x wife never told her and court

now she knows how do I handle it go to the court and tell them

Ray Choudhry
Ray Choudhry
answered on Jan 8, 2019

Were you required to report it?

Double check your court orders.

If you were and you short changed her, you could have to repay with interest and possibly face contempt of court charges.

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: Husbands been on Workmen's Comp since 1978, needs additional surgery recommended by Doctor.

Can workmen's comp deny surgery?

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Dec 21, 2018

Absolutely! The doctor MUST explain how the need for surgery is related to the original injury.

For Illinois Workers' Compensation claims, you will ALWAYS cheat yourself if your do not hire experienced counsel. You will have someone to guide you through the process AND when it is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: If I qualify for workers' comp benefits for a work injury, how do they get paid out?
James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Dec 4, 2018

It depends. Temporary total disability (TTD) will be paid directly to you by the insurance company unless your employer is self-insured, in which case the employer may pay you directly. Medical benefits are typically paid directly to the medical provider. Permanent partial disability (PPD) and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Illinois on
Q: I do piece work - can I still file a claim?
Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Nov 12, 2018

Absolutely. Sooner rather than later.

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