If you were hurt at work in Illinois, filing a workers’ compensation claim can feel overwhelming. Medical bills pile up quickly, paychecks stop, and insurance adjusters may already be asking questions. Illinois law does provide strong protections for injured workers — but only if you follow the right steps, meet strict deadlines, and document everything…
Injured at work? You have rights your employer may not explain. While workers’ compensation is meant to protect employees after a workplace injury, many employers and insurance companies quietly work to delay, minimize, or deny valid claims. Understanding how the system really works can help you protect your health, income, and future. If you were…
Updated September 19, 2026 · By Matthew C. Jones, Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Short answer: hire a workers’ compensation lawyer when the claim stops being simple—or before a problem becomes harder to fix. A denial, delayed medical care, company-clinic release while you still hurt, missed body part, stopped wage checks, IME notice, surgery recommendation, permanent…
If you were injured in an accident, one of the first steps you’ll take to pursue compensation is filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This stage of the process involves presenting your case to the insurance carrier and negotiating to seek a fair settlement. Although you might have a compelling case, the…
Truck accidents are often far more serious than standard car crashes because of the size, weight, and force involved. When a commercial truck is involved in a collision, the injuries are often severe, and determining what caused the crash is critical to understanding your legal options. If you were injured in a crash involving a…
Many car accidents occur because of driver negligence, such as distracted or drowsy driving, or traffic violations, like running a red light or speeding. These driving behaviors can lead to various types of crashes. The most common include: Rear-end collisions T-bones Head-on collisions Sideswipes This blog will review each type of wreck and what you…
If you are injured at work in Illinois, your case may involve more than just workers’ compensation. In some situations, you may also have a third-party personal injury claim, which is a separate case against someone other than your employer who caused your injury. Can you have both workers’ compensation and a third-party claim in…
If you suffer an injury in a car accident in Illinois while performing work-related duties, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. But what if you are injured during your commute to and from the workplace? According to the “going-and-coming rule” in Illinois, an employee who sustains an injury while commuting to or from work is…
In Illinois, you can sometimes work while receiving workers’ compensation benefits — but only if the work complies with your doctor’s restrictions and is reported properly. Returning to work can reduce or stop temporary total disability (TTD) benefits, while lower-pay or restricted work may qualify for temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits instead. Most workers who…
How to Properly Lift Heavy Objects at Work Whether you work as a package delivery driver, on an assembly line, or even in an office environment, lifting is a common duty in many workplaces. Unfortunately, any kind of heavy lifting at work can put you at risk for suffering a serious back injury if not…
My short answer: you should almost always try to use workers’ compensation insurance, not your own health insurance, for a work injury. Here’s why. 1. No co-pays, no deductibles, no out-of-pocket bills Under workers’ comp, there are no co-pays or deductibles for approved treatment. When your claim is accepted and the bills are handled correctly,…
What does the insurance adjuster mean “it’s under investigation”? You hurt yourself at work and you opened a claim with the insurance company. They should be paying your benefits, right? But the adjuster is telling you that they are investigating and don’t want to pay. What does that mean, and what can you do next?…
If you were injured on the job and received workers’ compensation benefits, you may be wondering whether those payments count as taxable income. This is a common — and important — question for injured Illinois workers, especially if you’re planning a settlement or already receiving benefits. Below, our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers explain how workers’…
Each month, the National Safety Council (NSC) observes different safety campaigns to promote safety, responsibility, and well-being across the country. In March, it is officially National Ladder Safety Month, as presented by the American Ladder Institute. At McHargue & Jones, LLC, we are often called upon to help clients who have fallen off unsafe ladders,…
Understanding Occupational Illnesses Is your job making you sick? We are not talking about workplace frustrations like not enough pay for too much work. We’re talking about actual illnesses. Occupational illnesses are a serious concern for people in numerous jobs and industries. Each day at work, someone in such an industry might be exposed to…
