Illinois Lawyer Referrals and Legal Guidance
Rockford Area Workers’ Compensation Cases
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Work injury cases in Illinois are overseen by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. The Commission has offices across the state, including one in Rockford at 200 S. Wyman. If you are hurt on the job in Winnebago County, Stephenson County, Jo Davies County or Ogle County, or if you are injured out of state but work in Rockford, your case will probably be heard there. For example, if you work for an employer in Rockford or Freeport, but are hurt on a business trip in Wisconsin, your case would get filed at the Rockford Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Most work related injuries are covered under Illinois workers’ compensation law – from one-time accidents like a slip and fall, to repetitive-motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Basically, if you can prove that your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment you are entitled to benefits. Even occupational illnesses, which are illnesses caused by or worsened by your job, such as asbestosis, are generally covered.
It doesn’t matter who was at fault in your injury. If you work at a factory in Rockford and get hurt because your employer failed to follow safety standards, you are covered. If you get hurt because you weren’t paying attention, you’re still covered. The flipside of this rule is that you cannot sue your employer; everything is handled by the Commission.
Here is a brief summary of benefits in Illinois:
- Medical: Your medical bills should be covered 100%. No co-pays or deductibles. Your treatment must be reasonable and related to your injury. In Illinois, you are allowed to see any doctor you choose.
- Temporary Total Disability: You can receive 2/3 of your average weekly wage (tax free) if you are unable to work while you recover, or if your employer does not have "light-duty" or other suitable work available.
- Permanent Partial Disability. If you are permanently disabled and your doctor has determined that you are at maximum medical improvement (meaning you are as recovered as you will get), you can be compensated for your disability or for the difference in wages if you can only return to a lesser-paying job.
You’re not required to have a lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois, but we highly recommend that you consult with one. The Commission can provide you with the proper forms, but it cannot give you legal advice nor can it protect you if a problem develops.
The most important advice we can give you is to find an Illinois lawyer who focuses his or her practice on work injury cases. Workers’ compensation lawyers charge on a contingency basis, where you only pay if your case is successful. If they don’t get any benefits for you, you pay nothing. Because there is no hourly fee, it makes sense to go with the best lawyer you can find, whether they’re located in Rockford or elsewhere.
Fees for work injury cases in Illinois are limited to 20% of what you recover. In other words, if your lawyer is able to get you $40,000, they would get $8,000. There is no limit to the amount you can recover. If they recover nothing for you then you owe them nothing.
Illinois has set time limits in these types of cases. You must notify your employer of your injury within 45 days. If you fail to do this, your case could be dismissed. We recommend giving notice in writing. There also is a time limit on filing a claim with the Commission (such as when there is a dispute about your benefits). You must file within three years from the date of injury or two years from the date of your last benefits. If you miss this deadline, your case could be forever barred.
In Illinois, your case is not a lawsuit against your employer. It’s more like a claim for health insurance benefits in that your lawyer will deal directly with the insurance company. However, unlike health insurance claims, quick action can turn the case in your favor. And insurance companies face significant penalties if they act unreasonably.
We know attorneys in Rockford, and across the state, who have a track record of success in work injury cases. Hiring an attorney to oversee your claim can give you peace of mind, especially if something goes wrong and your benefits are denied. If you need an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney – or if you’d just like to consult with one – please contact us.
Accidents in the following cities are assigned to Arbitrators at the Rockford Workers’ Compensation Commission:
| Adelin | Galena | New Milford | South Beloit |
| Apple River | German Valley | Nora | Stephenson County |
| Baileyville | Haldane | North Park | Stillman Valley |
| Belvidere | Hanover | Ogle County | Stockton |
| Boone County | Harlem | Orangeville | Waddams Grove |
| Byron | Harper | Oregon | Warren |
| Carroll county | Holcomb | Pearl City | Winnebago |
| Cedarville | Jo Davies County | Pecatonia | Winnebago County |
| Cherry Valley | Kent | Poplar Grove | Winslow |
| Dakota | Leaf River | Red Oak | |
| Davis | Lena | Ridott | |
| Davis Junction | Loves Park | Rock City | |
| Dundas | Machesney Park | Rockford | |
| Durand | McConnell | Rockton | |
| East Dubuque | Menominee | Roscoe | |
| Eleroy | Monroe Center | Scales Mound | |
| Elizabeth | Morristown | Scioto Mills | |
| Forreston | Mt. Carroll | Seward | |
| Freeport | Mt. Morris | Shirland | |