Understanding Permanent Disability in Illinois

 Posted on April 03, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

Most employers in Illinois are required by law to have insurance with workers’ compensation coverage to be used if their employees get hurt at work. Some injuries can be so severe that the employee can never work again. If your loved one got hurt while on the job and will not be able to reenter the workforce, he might be eligible for total disability benefits. However, the insurance companies that employers use often fight such claims and do whatever they can to avoid paying. Speak with a qualified Joliet, IL workers’ compensation lawyer to understand your options.

What Causes Permanent Disability?

Anyone can be injured at any time regardless of what they do for a living. People who work regular 9-5 jobs sitting at a desk can be seriously harmed and eligible for workers’ compensation if, for example, improperly installed office equipment falls on them. However, when discussing permanent disability, there are some higher-risk professions like police officers, truck drivers, and construction workers, for whom there is a higher chance of severe injury.

The types of injuries that are commonly known to result in permanent disability include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Amputations
• Knee injuries
• Severe burns

Some injuries can automatically qualify the employee for permanent disability. If an entire bodily function stops working, for example, if both the employee’s legs, feet, hands, ears, or eyes have stopped functioning as a result of the injury, they can be automatically approved for permanent disability. However, many types of injuries would make it impossible for the employee to return to work but are less visible or harder to prove. The insurance companies also tend to try to make it seem as if an employee has earned less on average than they have in reality, thus offering lower disability coverage. An experienced attorney knows what to look for in these cases. Reliable legal representation can be critical in proving the extent of your suffering and the income you have lost so that your claim is approved.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Illinois Workplace Injury Attorney

When employees get hurt at work, the employers’ insurance companies generally try to avoid paying the maximum amount that the employee deserves, but they cannot intimidate us. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, nothing can stop our Will County, IL total disability lawyers from fighting aggressively to get our clients the disability benefits they deserve. Call 815-727-0100 to schedule a free consultation.