PTSD and Illinois Workers’ Compensation

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…

PTSD After a Head Injury at Work in Illinois

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…

Attacks at Work Causing PTSD in Illinois Workers’ Compensation

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…

How Much Is a Concussion or TBI Worth in Illinois Workers’ Compensation?

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…

Concussion and Brain Injuries at Work in Illinois

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…

Workers’ Comp Denied My Surgery in Illinois: What to Do Next (Fast)

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…

What Not to Do While on Workers’ Comp in Illinois: 12 Mistakes That Can Cost You Benefits

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…

What Workers’ Comp Lawyers Won’t Always Tell You

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…

Can You Change or Fire Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Illinois?

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…

When Will My Workers’ Comp Case Settle in Illinois? How Long It Takes, Whether You’ll Get a Settlement Offer, and If You Need a Lawyer

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…

Teachers Attacked at School | Workers’ Compensation After Assaults and Student Altercations

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…

Chicago Nurses Attacked by Patients: Hospital Violence, Illinois Laws, and Workers’ Compensation

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…

10 Things to Know About Illinois Workers’ Compensation

Illinois workers’ compensation law establishes specific requirements for reporting work injuries, obtaining medical treatment, and receiving wage replacement benefits. This page summarizes ten core rules injured workers should understand, including filing deadlines, available benefits, medical treatment rights, settlement considerations, and common issues that can affect workers’ compensation claims under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. 10…

Illinois Workers’ Compensation: Benefits, Deadlines, and How the System Works

Workers’ compensation in Illinois is a no-fault system that provides medical treatment and wage replacement benefits to employees injured in the course of their employment. This guide explains how the Illinois workers’ compensation system works, including who is covered, what benefits are available, how and when claims must be filed, and how cases are administered…

Do I Have to Use PTO or Vacation Time for a Workers’ Comp Injury in Illinois?

(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…