Chicago Work Injury Lawyer

Why We Are the Best Work Injury Attorneys for Your Case

We are a top-rated personal injury law firm working tirelessly to realize workers’ compensation benefits for our clients. As part of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, we have been recognized as the best trial lawyers Chicago has to offer.

Our work injury attorneys remain active in the legal community, regularly contributing to The National Law Review. With our law firm, you can expect fierce legal advocacy and a firm commitment to maximum compensation for all our clients.

Types of Work Injury Cases We Handle

Workers’ compensation claims can arise from a variety of accidents. We will thoroughly investigate the incident and determine what type of claim you have based on the circumstances.

• Construction Accidents: Construction is one of the most dangerous vocations. In 2023, construction workers comprised 21% of all workplace fatalities. These accidents can happen while working on one of Chicago’s many highways, like the Dan Ryan Expressway, or at a new construction in the Loop.
• Farming Accidents: Although Chicago is an urban environment, numerous farms are located both downtown and in neighboring areas, such as Wagner Farm in Glenview. Farming accidents can result from transportation accidents, such as those involving tractors, or equipment malfunctions.
• Forklift Accidents: The National Safety Council reports that there were 24,960 nonfatal injuries nationwide related to forklifts in 2021-2022. Forklifts are ubiquitous in workplaces, such as in Amazon logistics facilities or factories.
• Transportation Accidents: 39% of occupational fatalities are related to transportation. This could involve being hit by a car, pinned by a forklift, or being struck by a truck.

We can assist you with a workers’ compensation claim or a third-party civil lawsuit. Our team is also available to help with Jones Act lawsuits for injured longshoremen on Lake Michigan or FELA claims for railroad workers.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Work Injury in Chicago?

• Slips and Falls: In addition to Chicago’s icy weather, slips and falls can occur due to slick surfaces or poorly maintained railings. Construction workers may also fall from heights while working at height.
• Repetitive Stress: These injuries result from performing the same motions repeatedly. For example, construction workers nailing shingles on a Wrigleyville brownstone or kindergarten workers lifting children all day may suffer strains and sprains.
• Motor Vehicle Accidents: With over 1,115,000 motor vehicles registered in Chicago, the risk of being involved in a car accident is high. This may occur as a transportation accident on a worksite or while transporting goods on one of the city’s terrestrial roads.
• Equipment Malfunctions: Power tools and large machinery can be extremely dangerous, especially if they are not correctly maintained.
• Chemical Exposure: Companies like Dow Chemical or Daubert Chemical Company may come to mind when thinking of hazardous chemical exposure, but these accidents can occur anywhere that uses caustic chemicals. Chemical burns, respiratory injuries, or even explosions can result in workers’ compensation claims.
• Psychological Stress: Chicago is unfortunately notorious for shootings, with 24 people shot during Memorial Day alone. Fires, car accidents, and interpersonal violence can all result in psychological trauma.
• Workplace Violence: While Chicago has strong workplace violence guidelines, this does not prevent shootings, stalking, and other forms of aggression in the workplace.

What Are the Most Common Workplace Injuries?

Our team will help you secure disability benefits for work-related injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Lacerations and contusions
• Psychological trauma
• Hearing loss
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Chemical burns
• Respiratory illnesses
• Occupational diseases

What Damages Can Work Injury Victims Recover in Chicago?

Workers’ Compensation Claim Benefits

Your employer provides workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages while you recover.

Medical Treatment Expenses

All of your medical bills should be covered by your workers’ compensation claim. In Illinois, companies can have a Preferred Providers Program (PPP), and you can choose two doctors from that list. However, you can opt out of this network and choose your own physician.

Disability Benefits

Workers’ compensation will provide up to two-thirds of the statewide average weekly wage (SAWW). In 2025, the maximum weekly compensation is $1,936.86. There are four different types of disability benefits: temporary partial disability, temporary total disability, partial permanent disability, and total permanent disability.

You can also receive vocational rehabilitation as part of your disability benefits, which helps you return to work or become trained in a different job if you are no longer able to perform the duties of your previous job.

Death Benefits

In Illinois, the maximum compensation for a workplace-related death is the average weekly wage for 25 years or $500,000, whichever is greater. The surviving next of kin can also receive $8,000 for burial and funeral expenses (820 ILCS 305/7).

Third-Party Claim

Generally, you cannot pursue a third-party and a workers’ compensation claim against an employer, as workers’ comp is considered the primary form of restitution for work-related accidents.

However, our nationally recognized work injury attorneys can pursue claims against parties other than the employer. This can include general contractors, independent contractors, worksite visitors, property owners, manufacturers, and government agencies.

Why You Need a Work Injury Attorney

Insurers will do everything they can to prevent you from receiving maximum compensation for your injuries, as these take away from their bottom line. You need a strong advocate to pursue the highest possible disability benefits for your needs.

We will thoroughly investigate your claim and guide you through the claims process, ensuring that your claim has all the necessary information and following up with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission to expedite the claims process. For example, we can help you get a second opinion from a doctor to prove that your injuries are work-related.

How Common Are Workplace Injuries in Chicago?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 101,400 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in Illinois in 2023, resulting in an incident rate of 2.4 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. This is in line with national averages. Of these, 91.9% were for injuries, while the rest were for illnesses.

Seventy-four percent of all injuries originated from three supersectors: trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; and manufacturing. Natural resources and mining had the highest incident rate, of 5.5 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. Financial services had the lowest incident rate at just 0.4.

Workplaces with more employees tended to have a higher incidence rate. The injury rate was 0.8 for places with fewer than 11 workers and 3.0 for establishments with 50 to 249 workers.

What Laws Govern Work Injury Claims in Chicago?

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Laws

The Workers’ Compensation Act governs these claims (820 ILCS 305/1). This law requires companies to hold valid insurance to cover the medical bills and lost income of workers who are injured in the course of their duties. Only employees can make claims, meaning that gig workers and independent contractors are not covered.

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, meaning that it does not matter whether you or the employer was responsible for the accident. Rather, you only must prove that you were injured and that the injury occurred while you were performing work for the employer.

For example, you could make a claim if you were hit by a car while at a construction site, but you could not make a claim if you were hit while driving to work.

To file a claim, you must inform the employer within 45 days of the injury. If the accident was due to radiological exposure, you have 90 days.

Illinois Personal Injury Laws

Workers’ compensation case law continues to evolve, providing attorneys with more sophisticated arguments. One recent example is McAllister v. Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, which better clarified the condition that the injury must arise from employment activities.

In this case, the plaintiff injured his knee while helping his coworker pick up carrots from the floor. The court assessed whether this could be considered an employment risk, a personal risk, or a neutral risk. An employment risk would be one that is specific to the job description or that is more likely to result in injury because of the workplace environment.

The Illinois Supreme Court determined that because kneeling and rising are closely related to the plaintiff’s work as a sous chef, this injury could be considered an employment risk rather than a personal or neutral risk. In this way, the court limited the ability of employers to argue that a workplace accident is not related to employment.

How Long Do I Have to File a Work Injury Lawsuit in Chicago?

Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, which has a statute of limitations of two years, a workers’ comp claim must be filed within three years of the accident or two years after the last payment from the employer, whichever is later (820 ILCS 305/6).

However, you have to report the accident to your employer within 45 days or you forfeit your right to pursue compensation.

Who Is Legally Liable for Workplace Injuries in Chicago?

Workers’ compensation is paid by the employer to the injured worker. This is a no-fault system, meaning that it does not matter whether you were primarily responsible for the accident. All that matters is that you can prove you were injured during the course of your duties for the employer.

However, it’s possible to hold other parties accountable through third-party lawsuits. This can include the following parties.

• Coworkers: In some cases, a fellow employee caused the accident. For example, if another worker caused you to fall and sustain a traumatic brain injury, they can be personally liable.
• Contractors: Independent contractors or general contractors could be party to a lawsuit if their reckless or negligent behavior caused your accident.
• Property Owners: These cases fall under premises liability, meaning that property owners are responsible for any injuries on their premises. If you were injured on a construction site because the property owner failed to secure loose materials or warn of hazards, that individual or organization could be liable.
• Manufacturers: Equipment manufacturers are required to produce safe products or recall defective equipment. They can be liable if their product causes injury or does not work as intended under product liability law.
• Other Third Parties: If you get into a car accident while working for your employer, you could sue the driver for compensation.

How to Strengthen Your Work Injury Case in Chicago

You must act quickly after a workplace accident to ensure that you have a chance to pursue compensation. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

• Go to the Hospital: Visit the closest emergency room, such as Rush University Medical Center or North Shore Hospital, to get immediate treatment. Not only does this ensure that you won’t face further compensation, but it also provides a record of your injury.
• Inform Your Employer: You must tell your employer that you were hurt at work within 45 days of the incident. While you can verbally inform your supervisor, getting it in writing creates a record.
• Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the accident scene, especially any hazards that you feel may have contributed to the accident. You should also document your injuries and keep a record of your treatments.
• Get Witness Statements: Gather contact details and statements from anyone who was present when you were injured. Our attorneys can then take depositions from the witnesses, which can be used to prove your claim.
• Keep Records: Keep track of all your expenses, including medical bills, time off work, and out-of-pocket treatments, so that this can be compensated.
• Complete All Necessary Treatments: You should always follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor, as this can demonstrate the extent of your injuries.
• Do Not Speak to Insurance Companies: Insurance agents want to prevent you from receiving a fair settlement, and they will use anything you say against you. Always have your lawyer present when communicating with third parties.
• Consult an Experienced Workers’ Comp Lawyer: Call us as soon as possible for a free legal consultation so that we can ensure we meet all deadlines.

How a Chicago Work Injury Attorney Can Help

Our award-winning team of nationally recognized attorneys is here to fight for you. We will guide you through the entire legal process and protect your rights by helping with the following needs.

• Case Evaluation: During your initial consultation, we will determine whether we believe you have a strong case based on the evidence.
• Filing Claims: We’ll help you prepare your workers’ comp claim and follow up with the commission to ensure that it was properly filed.
• Gathering Evidence: Your legal team will review medical reports, maintenance records, witness statements, expert testimony, photos and videos, and other evidence that can support your claim.
• Negotiation: Through our evidence, we can prove that you deserve the highest possible compensation. We can also expedite the claims process so that you can get paid faster.
• Refuting Denials: Sometimes, your claim may be denied. We’ll review the denial letter and contest the claim using the evidence we have gathered.
• Trial Representation: While most claims are settled out of court, it may be necessary to sue the workers’ comp commission. We’ll represent you in court and give you the highest chance of success.

Chicago Work Injury FAQs

Consult a Chicago Work Injury Lawyer Near You!

Having secured over $490 million in settlements and verdicts over the past 25 years, our team is passionate about helping injured employees recover in comfort. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we successfully earn compensation for you. Schedule your free consultation today.