Workers’ compensation insurance companies in Chicago and across Illinois often deny legitimate claims by blaming injuries on “pre-existing conditions,” refusing to approve surgery, or cutting off wage-loss benefits like TTD. When that happens, injured workers are forced into a fight—not just for money, but for medical treatment they urgently need. At McHargue & Jones, LLC,…
Repetitive trauma cases — especially involving lifting, squatting, kneeling, bending, twisting, or climbing — are some of the most highly disputed claims at the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. They often turn into battles of medical causation, pitting your treating orthopedic surgeon or physical medicine doctor against the insurance company’s IME doctor. This article, written by…
Illinois workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means you can still receive benefits even if the accident was your fault. The law focuses on where and how the injury occurred — not on blame. As long as you were hurt while performing job duties, you’re generally covered for medical care and lost wages. Only…
Fighting for Injured Workers Across Illinois Our firm is proud to share two recent victories at trial before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) — each involving serious injuries where insurance companies denied necessary medical care.In both cases, the arbitrators found in favor of our clients, ordering authorization for surgery, payment of medical bills, and…
Suffering a workplace injury can disrupt every part of your life. Medical bills, missed paychecks, insurance paperwork, and pressure from your employer can all add stress when you should be focused on healing. While Illinois workers’ compensation benefits are meant to help injured workers, the process is often far more difficult than people expect. That’s…
You did the right thing by reporting your work injury and filing for workers’ compensation — but now your claim has been denied, disputed, or your employer refuses to file it at all. You’re hurt, bills are piling up, and you’re wondering: “Can they really do this? What do I do now?” In Illinois, insurance…
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?…
Repetitive stress injuries happen quietly. You don’t fall, slip, or get crushed by machinery — instead, your body breaks down from lifting, bending, typing, kneeling, scanning, pulling, twisting, or standing for years. Many Illinois workers aren’t sure whether these injuries qualify as workers’ comp claims. The answer is: often, yes — but the insurance company…
Did your employer refuse to report your work injury, change the story, or pressure you to say it happened at home? In Illinois, you may still have a valid workers’ compensation case. This guide explains what to do next — and how the workers’ comp lawyers at McHargue & Jones can protect your benefits with…
