Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious psychological injury that can develop after a traumatic workplace event. Illinois workers may experience PTSD following assaults, workplace violence, serious accidents, near-death incidents, or witnessing catastrophic injuries or fatalities on the job. In certain situations, PTSD is covered under Illinois workers’ compensation law, allowing injured employees to receive…
A concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) at work can cause more than physical symptoms—it can also lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many Illinois workers develop PTSD after head injuries that occur during violent, frightening, or life-threatening workplace incidents, including falls, vehicle crashes, or assaults. When PTSD is causally connected to a physical injury…
Workplace attacks are one of the most common causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Illinois workers. Employees who are assaulted, threatened, or violently confronted at work may develop PTSD even if their physical injuries heal—or even if no physical injury occurred at all. In certain situations, PTSD caused by a workplace attack may be…
Workplace attacks are a common and often overlooked cause of concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in Illinois. Being punched, kicked, thrown to the ground, or struck during an assault—whether by a patient, customer, inmate, or coworker—can cause serious head trauma even when there is no visible injury. Workers who suffer concussions or brain injuries…
After a work-related head injury, many employees ask the same question: how much is a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) worth in Illinois workers’ compensation? The answer depends on where the injury falls on a wide spectrum—from concussions that resolve with little lasting impact, to brain injuries that permanently change a career, to severe…
A concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) at work is a serious workplace injury, even when it is initially described as “mild.” Illinois workers who suffer head injuries on the job may experience headaches, memory problems, sleep disruption, emotional changes, and difficulty returning to work safely. Whether the injury results from a fall, a struck-by…
If you’re looking for an Illinois workers’ comp settlement chart, you’re really asking one question:How much is my Illinois workers’ compensation case worth? Illinois does not use a fixed dollar settlement chart. Instead, workers’ compensation settlements are calculated using a statutory formula based on your average weekly wage (AWW), the injured body part, and your…
An Independent Medical Examination (IME)—also called a Section 12 exam—is a mandatory medical evaluation in Illinois workers’ compensation cases requested by the employer or insurance company, not your treating doctor. The IME is used to assess whether your injury is work-related, what treatment is necessary, whether you can return to work, and whether workers’ compensation…
Light-duty work in Illinois workers’ compensation cases allows an injured employee to return to work with medical restrictions while continuing to recover from a job-related injury. While light duty is often presented as a routine step in the workers’ comp process, it frequently becomes a source of confusion, pressure, and disputes over wage benefits. Many…
A recent fatal construction accident near Joliet and Plainfield, Illinois has drawn renewed attention to workplace safety and the legal protections available to workers and their families throughout the Chicagoland area. According to local reporting, an experienced union ironworker was killed on December 15, 2025, while working at a large mixed-use development near Interstate 55…
If workers’ comp denied your surgery in Illinois, don’t assume the denial is final. The insurer often denies expensive procedures to delay payment or push you to use private insurance. The fastest way to fight back is to (1) get the denial in writing, (2) strengthen your surgeon’s medical support, and (3) move the dispute…
If you’re on workers’ compensation in Illinois, small mistakes can quietly cost you thousands of dollars in lost benefits — or even get your claim cut off entirely. Illinois workers’ comp law has strict rules about medical treatment, work restrictions, social media, surveillance, and settlement decisions, and insurance companies actively look for reasons to reduce…
If you’re searching “what workers’ comp lawyers won’t tell you,” you’re likely dealing with a workplace injury and trying to understand how workers’ compensation claims really work before making a decision you can’t undo. While workers’ compensation is meant to provide medical treatment and wage benefits, the process is often procedural, deadline-driven, and heavily dependent…
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…
