The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers to provide benefits to workers injured on the job, regardless of fault. At McCready Law, a Chicago workplace leg injury lawyer could help you determine if your leg or foot injury meets the standard for a workers’ compensation claim. A wide range of leg injuries could qualify, such as:
Leg injuries can occur in almost any job setting, from construction sites to warehouses, offices, and hospitals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 62,000 nonfatal lower extremity injuries occurred in private industry workplaces in a recent year. If you were hurt while performing job-related duties, a workers’ compensation attorney could help you determine if you qualify for coverage, including medical treatment, wage replacement, and disability benefits.
The timeline for receiving workers’ compensation benefits varies, but the law provides clear guidelines. After a leg injury, a worker must notify their employer within 45 days. The employer then has 14 days to accept or deny the workers’ compensation claim, and if accepted, temporary total disability benefits should begin shortly thereafter.
In cases where the employer disputes the injury or its severity, the worker will need to attend a hearing before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Unfortunately, this process could take several months. An attorney from McCready Law in Chicago could fight for workers after lower extremity injuries by gathering available evidence, filing paperwork promptly, and addressing potential delays promptly.
Medical providers must also receive authorization from the workers’ compensation insurance carrier before beginning certain treatments. Delays in communication or documentation slow the process. Having experienced legal counsel dedicated to handling workplace leg injury cases could ensure that benefits are not delayed or underpaid.
A Chicago attorney could support an employee when their job-site leg injury results in permanent physical limitations that prevent them from returning to their previous occupation. In these situations, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act allows for vocational rehabilitation and permanent disability benefits.
Permanent partial disability may be available if someone loses part of their leg’s function but can still perform other work, while permanent total disability is available when someone is unable to return to any kind of gainful employment. In either case, the injured worker is typically eligible for a wage differential benefit, which compensates for the difference between pre-injury and post-injury earnings.
People working as independent contractors generally do not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. The key legal question is whether the person is truly an independent contractor or is misclassified, which is common. State law considers multiple factors to determine a worker’s status, including the degree of control the employer has over their work.
If a person can demonstrate that they were treated like an employee, such as being given a schedule, provided with tools, and supervised regularly, they are likely eligible for workers’ compensation despite their title. We could evaluate the specific terms of each client’s working relationship and employment agreement to determine eligibility after their lower extremity injury. In some cases, an independent contractor who suffers a leg injury at work may need to file a lawsuit against the responsible party for unsafe conditions.
Work-related leg injuries could cause long-term financial, physical, and professional setbacks. Let a Chicago workplace leg injury lawyer and the team at McCready Law use our 90 years of combined experience to demand justice on your behalf. Contact McCready Law now to schedule a free legal consultation.
