Plainfield Workers' Compensation Lawyer

Attorneys Advocating for Maximum Workers' Compensation Benefits in Plainfield, IL

There were 2.8 million workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022—a number that increased 7.5 percent from the previous year. Fatal work injuries in 2022, at 5,486, were up 5.7 percent from 2021. Many workers' compensation claims are denied—even those that are entirely valid. The most common reasons workers' compensation claims are denied include:

• Insufficient medical evidence of the workplace injury.
• The accident was not reported promptly.
• A pre-existing condition was responsible for the injury.
• The employee was impaired in some way when the accident occurred.
• The worker may not meet the definition of an employee.
• Misrepresentation on the part of the employee.

Although many claims are initially denied, about 67 percent of denied claims are ultimately covered, with benefits paid within 12 months. When filing a workers' compensation claim after a workplace injury, you need a highly skilled Plainfield workers' compensation lawyer who will fight for the benefits you deserve.

This is especially true when your claim is being denied or delayed. Some employers will go out of their way to avoid paying a workers' comp claim. Employees may be reluctant to file a claim because they fear retaliation or the loss of their jobs. Virtually all Illinois employers must carry workers' compensation insurance, and you are entitled to collect benefits when you are injured at work.

Why Workers' Compensation Is Necessary

Workers' compensation was the first social insurance widely used in the United States. It is meant to provide medical benefits and wage replacement for workers injured or killed in the workplace. The goal is to prevent workers from suing their employers when a workplace accident occurs, and workers' comp pays benefits regardless of fault.

Today, every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have their own workers' compensation programs. Workers' compensation insurance for private employers is compulsory in every state in the U.S. except Texas.

You do have options when your employer is delaying or denying your workers' compensation benefits. One option is to request a hearing with an arbitrator appointed by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. If the decision of the arbitrator is unfavorable, you can then appeal to an IWWCC commissioner panel. If this panel denies your workers' compensation benefits, you can then appeal to the state's Circuit Court and Appellate Court, and finally to the Illinois Supreme Court. An experienced attorney can assist you with these claims and appeals.

Workers' compensation pays 100 percent of the medical expenses associated with a workplace accident, injury, or illness. It also provides cash payments for temporary total disability, temporary partial disability, permanent partial disability, and death. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC we represent Illinois workers in almost every industry. If you are seeking compensation for an on-the-job injury in Plainfield, or if you need to understand whether you qualify to receive Social Security disability, we can help.

Knowledgeable Assistance for Injured Workers

Having your benefits denied following a workplace injury can be a devastating blow. You may be unable to return to work and make a living, and you may potentially be unable to pay for your medical expenses. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we understand that you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to protect your future.

You need a knowledgeable Illinois workers' compensation attorney who will work diligently to ensure you get the benefits you need and deserve. You are entitled to these benefits, and you should not be penalized because your employer does not want the company's workers' compensation insurance rates to increase.

Contact Our Plainfield Workers' Compensation Lawyers

At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we are here to protect your rights under the Illinois workers' compensation laws. We have a long history of positive results for clients who have suffered work-related injuries. We will address your workplace injury and the losses you have sustained, working hard to secure the benefits you deserve. Contact us at 815-727-0100 to set up a free consultation where we will listen to your story and answer your questions.