If you were injured at work in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs and are questioning whether your workers’ compensation case is being handled properly, you’re not alone. Many injured workers seek a stress-free second opinion before deciding whether to change or fire their workers’ compensation lawyer. Under Illinois law, your case belongs to you—not the…
Do I need a lawyer to get a workers’ comp settlement in Illinois? No—Illinois law does not require you to have a lawyer to settle a workers’ compensation case. However, injured workers who handle a claim on their own may receive a lower settlement than those with legal representation. Insurance companies often take claims more…
If you were injured at work and filed a workers’ compensation claim, you’re probably asking the same questions almost every injured worker asks: when will my workers’ comp case settle, how long does it take, will workers’ comp offer a settlement, and do I need a lawyer to settle my case? Under Illinois law, there…
A recent Amazon Prime semi crash on the Kennedy Expressway (I-94) near Lawrence Avenue shut down lanes on Chicago’s Northwest Side, drawing attention to the risks faced by delivery drivers and commercial workers across Chicago and Cook County. The crash occurred around 10:17 p.m. in the northbound lanes, according to Illinois State Police. While no…
Teachers attacked at school are often injured during assaults or physical altercations with students, parents, or co-workers—and many of these injuries are covered by workers’ compensation under Illinois law. Being struck, kicked, bitten, pushed, or hurt while restraining a student or breaking up a fight is not “just part of the job.” When violence occurs…
When a nurse is attacked by a patient at work, Illinois workers’ compensation treats the incident as a work injury—not a personal matter. The nurse may be entitled to medical treatment, wage replacement benefits, disability compensation, and in severe cases lifetime benefits, even if the hospital minimizes the assault or no criminal charges are filed….
Chicago nurses who are attacked by patients at work are covered by Illinois workers’ compensation law. Despite new hospital safety laws, patient violence continues to injure nurses across Chicago emergency departments and inpatient units. When a nurse is assaulted on the job, workers’ compensation may provide medical treatment, wage replacement, permanent disability benefits, and—in severe…
A serious early-morning crash involving a dump truck on the inbound Kennedy Expressway (I-94) near downtown Chicago caused major traffic delays and sent the dump truck driver to the hospital with injuries, according to Illinois State Police and ABC7 Chicago. The crash occurred near Madison Street and Monroe, in the Near West Side / Greektown…
By Matthew C. Jones, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyer McHargue & Jones, LLC Updated April 2026 Quick answer: If you were hurt at work in Illinois, you may be entitled to medical treatment, wage-loss benefits, and a settlement. You should report the injury quickly, get medical care, follow your restrictions, understand your deadlines, and be careful…
By Workers’ Compensation Attorney, Matthew C. Jones Updated March 12, 2026 Illinois workers’ compensation is designed to provide medical treatment and wage replacement benefits when employees are injured at work. In reality, many claims become disputes about medical treatment, work restrictions, and settlement value. Insurance companies frequently challenge injuries, schedule independent medical exams (IMEs), delay…
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most frequently disputed workers’ compensation claims in Illinois — especially in Chicago’s manufacturing, trades, and warehouse industries. Even when your symptoms seem obviously work-related, insurers often argue that carpal tunnel is “degenerative,” “age-related,” or “not caused by your job.” But under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, carpal tunnel…
Hand injuries are some of the most common — and most misunderstood — workers’ compensation claims in Illinois. Whether you suffered a TFCC tear, a radius fracture, a metacarpal break, carpal tunnel, De Quervain’s, or even a severe degloving injury, the truth is this: there is no “average” hand injury settlement in Illinois workers’ comp….
(Short answer: No—your boss cannot legally make you.) When you get hurt on the job in Illinois, you should be focused on getting medical care and healing—not burning through your hard-earned vacation days or worrying whether your employer will punish you for reporting the injury. Yet, one of the top questions injured workers ask us…
If your Illinois workers’ comp TTD check is late — even by a week — it can throw your whole budget off and make you worry that your benefits are in danger. This article walks you through how often workers’ comp checks should come in Illinois, the most common reasons payments are delayed, and the…
If your Illinois workers’ comp TTD checks suddenly stopped, you’re probably wondering, “Can they really do that?” and “How am I supposed to pay my bills now?” This guide explains the most common reasons workers’ comp stops paying, how to tell what’s really going on with your claim, and the exact steps you can take…
