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 were hurt on the job in Illinois, you are probably asking the same question almost every injured worker asks: “What is my workers’ comp case worth in Illinois?” That is a fair question. But there is one important distinction many websites miss: Illinois does have an official permanent partial disability (PPD) schedule of…
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…
Updated 2026 Illinois Workers’ Compensation Guide Quick Answer In Illinois workers’ compensation, light duty means temporary work that fits within the medical restrictions written by your doctor while you recover from a job injury. You may have to accept light duty if your doctor released you to restrictions and the job truly stays within those…
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…
Updated by Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Matthew C. Jones, June 7, 2026 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,…
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…
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…
