Illinois Factory Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

Helping Factory Workers Across Illinois Recover Benefits for Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Factory workers in Illinois know all about the dangers of the work environment. These industries are often considered the most dangerous due to the high rate of serious injuries. If you get injured in a workplace accident, you can pursue an Illinois factory workers’ compensation claim. If successful, you can recover compensation to make up for lost wages, medical bills, disability, and other losses. 

IL Work Injury Lawyer is a Chicago-based firm specializing in supporting injured employees. Our team has experience with injured factory workers throughout the state, and we can help you secure the benefits you deserve from workers’ compensation insurance. 

What Are the Most Common Factory Accidents and Injuries in Illinois?

Factory accidents can cause a wide range of workplace injuries, from mild bruises to fatal amputations. 

Here are some common factory accidents and injuries that can be covered in workers’ compensation cases:

• Crush injuries from heavy machinery
• Amputations from cutting or stamping equipment
• Back injuries from lifting heavy objects
• Slip and fall accidents on wet or oily floors
• Repetitive strain injuries from assembly line work
• Burns from chemicals, heat, electrocution, or explosions
• Hearing loss from loud machinery or explosive noises
• Repeated exposure to hazardous substances, such as lead, sulfuric acid, and asbestos

What Benefits Are Available to Injured Factory Workers in Illinois?

Under the Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/), injured workers are eligible for multiple benefits if their injuries arose out of and in the course of their employment. 

Here are the typical no-fault benefits you may apply for if you are injured or become sick at work:

• Medical expense coverage – All reasonable costs associated with medical attention, including surgery, emergency care, physical therapy, and medication
• Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits – Wage replacement while you are out of work during your recovery
• Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits – Coverage for the difference in wages due to a diminished work capacity
• Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits – Ongoing payments for the difference in wages due to reduced work capabilities
• Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits – Ongoing wage replacement due to your inability to work
• Vocational rehabilitation and maintenance benefits – Covered expenses related to training for a new job
• Death benefits for surviving dependents – Surviving family members are eligible for payments if the factory worker dies

How to File an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claim

Filing a successful workers’ compensation case requires a specific process. 

Here are the most important steps you must follow after a factory accident:

• Notify your employer of the work-related injury within 45 days
• Complete a written accident report per your employer’s procedures
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Document the incident with accident reports, photos of the scene, and witness statements
• Retain all medical records, lost income documentation, and out-of-pocket expense receipts
• File your claim within three years of the injury date or two years of the last benefit payment
• File an application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) to protect your rights
• Work with one of our top attorneys to ensure proper calculation of benefits and identification of liable parties

How Are Workers’ Compensation Benefits Calculated for Illinois Factory Workers?

Workers’ compensation claim benefits are calculated based on the employee’s average weekly wage (AWW). Your total earnings for the previous 52 weeks will be divided by 52 to determine the AWW. Benefits are usually calculated as a percentage of this number. 

AWW accounts for hourly pay, overtime, shift differentials, bonuses, and on-call pay. 

What If a Factory Worker Is Denied Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

Insurance companies may deny claims of workers’ compensation for various reasons, including:

• A dispute over whether the injury is work-related
• The injury was a pre-existing condition
• The employee reported the accident too late

IL Work Injury Lawyer can guide you through the appeal process with the IWCC if your claim is denied, securing additional information to prove your injury. 

Are There Other Options for Compensation for Factory Injuries?

If a party other than your employer was responsible, such as defective machinery manufacturers, negligent contractors, or unsafe property owners, you could file a third-party lawsuit.

State law 740 ILCS 100/ allows for the allocation of fault among multiple parties, which is very useful in personal injury actions. Understand that you will have two years from the date of the accident or discovery of the injury to file your claim under 735 ILCS 5/13-202.

How IL Work Injury Lawyer Can Help 

Our legal team provides essential legal services for employees pursuing workers’ compensation benefits:

• Investigating workplace safety compliance
• Gathering OSHA reports and medical evidence
• Handling negotiations with insurance companies and litigation before the IWCC

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Law Firm

• $300,000+ – James was a longtime factory worker in Elk Grove Village when he slipped on a wet loading ramp and suffered fractures to his pelvis and femur. At 63, he was less than two years from retirement and never returned to work. He underwent surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation, with lingering mobility issues. The workers’ compensation settlement with the insurance company covered his medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact on his planned retirement.
• $5.1 million – Carlos was working at a manufacturing facility in Cicero when a press machine suddenly malfunctioned, crushing and amputating three fingers on his dominant hand. As a skilled factory worker, his job duties required precise manual work, which he could no longer perform. Investigators found the machine lacked proper safety guards. The settlement reflected the permanent loss of function, his inability to return to factory work, and the long-term impact on his livelihood.
• $11 million – David, a factory worker with over a decade of experience on Chicago’s South Side, lost his dominant hand while operating a punch press that had a known history of mechanical issues. Our legal team discovered that the manufacturer had received repeated safety complaints but failed to issue any warnings or improvements. David’s injury was life-altering and ended his career in manufacturing. The combination of permanent disability and clear evidence of manufacturer negligence led to a substantial settlement.

Book a Free Consultation

At IL Work Injury Lawyer, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win. You can also take advantage of a free consultation to ask about your factory workers’ comp claim. We represent clients who have suffered workplace injuries across the state from our Chicago office. 

Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with a Chicago work injury lawyer.