Joliet Wage Benefits Attorney

Skilled Attorneys Addressing Wage Benefits in Will County

No one plans on getting injured at work, but it happens to thousands of people every day. Whether you work in a desk job or have a higher-risk factory job, there is always a chance of an on-the-job injury occurring.

This is why Workers' Compensation exists. Workers' Compensation is meant to cover the costs associated with a workplace injury. This program is meant to prevent employees from suffering financial hardship or bearing the cost of their injury and time away from work. It should cover your lost wages, medical bills, and more. Wage benefits are generally a very important part of the compensation awards issued through Workers' Compensation. You should not lose income because performing your job duties left you injured.

Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC is highly experienced in working with people who have been injured at work. We are well-versed in Workers' Compensation law and can represent you with skill and integrity. Our goal is to see you recover the full amount you are entitled to, including any and all lost wages. It is best to work with an attorney when you must file a Workers' Compensation claim, as having a legal professional handle your case can reduce the odds of a wrongfully denied claim.

Understanding Wage Benefits in a Workers' Compensation Claim

Many families cannot afford to go without their breadwinner's income even for a few weeks in this difficult economy. Workers' Compensation is meant to prevent families from facing severe economic hardship as a result of a workplace injury. However, Workers' Compensation does not replace the full amount of an injured workers' wages. In Illinois, Workers' Compensation pays only two-thirds of an injured workers' average weekly wage.

There is also a limit on the dollar amount Workers' Compensation will pay out in wage benefits. This limit changes yearly to reflect inflation and primarily affects high-wage earners.

Wage Benefits and Permanent Disability

In some cases, a work injury is so severe that it will never fully heal. After a severe or catastrophic injury, you may never be able to return to the job you had before your injury. In these cases, you may be eligible for long-term wage benefits that are designed to make up the difference in your earning capacity before and after the injury.

If you are able to return to work part-time or on light duty with accommodations, you may still be able to recover the difference in your earnings. The same is generally true if you must accept a lower-paying position due to your injury.

If you are permanently and totally disabled, the Workers' Compensation wage benefit is likely to be extremely important to you. Workers' Compensation should generally pay two-thirds of your old income permanently. This is in addition to any payments for your long-term medical care, which may include significant costs like a home health aid or residency in a skilled nursing facility.

However, there is always a risk that, hoping to avoid liability for a debilitating injury incurred by an employee, your employer will deny your claim. If this happens, you may need to file an appeal. There are a number of reasons why claims may be wrongfully denied. Our attorneys are experienced in fighting back against wrongfully denied claims and can represent you aggressively in arbitration.

Your rights are important when you are facing a serious and long-term disability as a result of an on-the-job injury. We will strive to ensure that you are awarded every benefit to which you are entitled under Workers' Compensation.

Contact a Will County Workers' Compensation Wage Benefits Lawyer

If you have been injured on the job, Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC can help. We will do all we can to see you fully and fairly compensated. To begin with a free consultation, please contact us at 815-730-1977.