Filing a Workers' Comp Claim Against the Employer
If the employer denies an injured worker benefits, then the worker can file a claim against the employer with the Commission. In most cases, workers have three years from the date of injury to file a claim with the Commission.
When the Commission receives a new claim, it will assign an arbitrator to handle the case. Once an arbitrator has been assigned, then the worker or the employer can request a hearing (referred to as a trial) to determine if benefits should be paid. At the trial, the burden is on the worker to explain why he or she is entitled to workers' comp benefits. This often involves the use of expert witnesses, including physicians, to testify about the extent of the worker's injury. While it is not necessary for a worker to have an attorney represent him or her at this hearing, most injured workers have a lawyer handle their claim for them.
Once the trial is over, the arbitrator will issue his or her opinion within 60 days.
Appealing the Arbitrator's Decision
Either the employer or the worker may appeal an unfavorable decision by the arbitrator. Appeals are heard by a panel of three commissioners. The party appealing the decision has the burden to prove why the arbitrator's decision was incorrect during a hearing referred to as "oral arguments." Once the oral arguments are completed, the panel has 60 days to issue its opinion.
Workers who are employed by private employers may appeal the panel's decision in the Illinois court system. Public workers — those who work for a state or local government office or agency — cannot. For these workers, the panel's decision is final and binding.
Contact an Experienced Workers' Compensation Attorney
There are many reasons why workers may need to seek intervention of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. In some cases, it may because their employer denied their initial benefits request. In other cases, it may be because the worker and the employer cannot agree on the extent of the worker's disability, which treatments are "medically necessary" or when the worker has reached maximum medical improvement.
If your employer has denied your request for workers' comp or has stopped paying your benefits, contact an attorney knowledgeable in workers' compensation law to learn more about your legal options.
Disclaimer: All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Franks, Gerkin & McKenna, P.C. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis and is not intended as legal advice. Even though Franks, Gerkin & McKenna is a law firm and the information on the blog relates to legal topics reading this blog does not create an attorney client relationship. By using the blog, you agree and understand that the information does not constitute legal or other professional advice and no privileged relationship is created. Do not consider the blog a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
What is Worker's Compensation? Part I
Workers' compensation is a type of insurance program that provides benefits to workers who are injured on-the-job or develop a work-related occupational illness or disease. In some cases, workers also may be entitled to workers' comp benefits if they have a pre-existing medical condition or illness that has been worsened by their work activities. The majority of Illinois workers are entitled to this important benefits program.
With limited exceptions, workers are entitled to workers' comp benefits regardless of who is at fault for their injuries. Some of the types of benefits that are available under the workers' comp system include:
All reasonably related medical expenses
Temporary and total disability benefits
Vocational rehabilitation
Death benefits
Under Illinois law, employers are required to provide workers' compensation for all of their employees from the first day they begin working for the employer. Most employers will buy a workers' comp insurance policy from a private insurance company, although some may receive permission from the state to self-insure.
In exchange for providing workers' comp, employers are protected against employee lawsuits to recover compensation for on-the-job injuries. In other words, workers who are harmed in a work-related accident generally cannot bring a lawsuit against their employers to recover for the injury; the workers' compensation system is their sole recourse.
Notifying the Employer
When a worker is injured at work, the first step the worker should take after seeking medical attention for the injury is notifying the employer of the injury. Under Illinois law, injured workers have 45 days from the date of injury to provide notice to their employers.
While this notice does not have to be made in writing, it is in the worker's best interest to do so. The notice should include such basic information as the date, time and place of the injury, a description of what happened and the worker's contact information. The worker also should keep a copy of the notice for his or her own records.
The Employer's Duties
Once the employer receives notice that one of its workers has been injured, the employer then must notify its workers' comp insurance provider of the injury. If the worker is out of work for more than three days due to the injury, then the employer also must notify the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission ("Commission"). The employer also must begin paying the worker temporary total disability benefits or provide the worker with a written explanation of why the benefits have been denied.
Disclaimer: All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Franks, Gerkin & McKenna, P.C. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis and is not intended as legal advice. Even though Franks, Gerkin & McKenna is a law firm and the information on the blog relates to legal topics reading this blog does not create an attorney client relationship. By using the blog, you agree and understand that the information does not constitute legal or other professional advice and no privileged relationship is created. Do not consider the blog a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney.
With limited exceptions, workers are entitled to workers' comp benefits regardless of who is at fault for their injuries. Some of the types of benefits that are available under the workers' comp system include:
All reasonably related medical expenses
Temporary and total disability benefits
Vocational rehabilitation
Death benefits
Under Illinois law, employers are required to provide workers' compensation for all of their employees from the first day they begin working for the employer. Most employers will buy a workers' comp insurance policy from a private insurance company, although some may receive permission from the state to self-insure.
In exchange for providing workers' comp, employers are protected against employee lawsuits to recover compensation for on-the-job injuries. In other words, workers who are harmed in a work-related accident generally cannot bring a lawsuit against their employers to recover for the injury; the workers' compensation system is their sole recourse.
Notifying the Employer
When a worker is injured at work, the first step the worker should take after seeking medical attention for the injury is notifying the employer of the injury. Under Illinois law, injured workers have 45 days from the date of injury to provide notice to their employers.
While this notice does not have to be made in writing, it is in the worker's best interest to do so. The notice should include such basic information as the date, time and place of the injury, a description of what happened and the worker's contact information. The worker also should keep a copy of the notice for his or her own records.
The Employer's Duties
Once the employer receives notice that one of its workers has been injured, the employer then must notify its workers' comp insurance provider of the injury. If the worker is out of work for more than three days due to the injury, then the employer also must notify the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission ("Commission"). The employer also must begin paying the worker temporary total disability benefits or provide the worker with a written explanation of why the benefits have been denied.
Disclaimer: All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Franks, Gerkin & McKenna, P.C. makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis and is not intended as legal advice. Even though Franks, Gerkin & McKenna is a law firm and the information on the blog relates to legal topics reading this blog does not create an attorney client relationship. By using the blog, you agree and understand that the information does not constitute legal or other professional advice and no privileged relationship is created. Do not consider the blog a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Business Law
As our unemployment rate grows, many people are considering forming their own business. When you begin your own business, the first decision you will be faced with is what type of business to form. Some of the different types of organizations include: sole proprietorships, general or limited partnerships, corporations, limited liability corporations and professional corporations. Each of these different entity types vary greatly from one another in connection with the level of protection offered the owner from personal liability. Quite often tax consequences will dictate what type of business is correct for you. Other things to consider when setting up your business include who will be the owners, directors, members and officers of the corporation.
In addition, it is important to contemplate the financial and operational limitations of the business as well as where and with whom you will they be doing business. Not only are the short term goals of the business important to consider, but the long term goals are important to consider as well. These include whether the principal will be liable for the obligations of the business, what assets the principal will transfer to the business, and also whether the business will continue to operate after the principal is no longer participating in the organization. To ensure the business goals are able to be accomplished, some of the documents that need to be drafted include by-laws, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, employment agreements, employee manuals, severance agreements, and federal employer identification numbers.
At Franks, Gerkin & McKenna we are a full service law firm practicing in the areas of Personal Injury; Worker’s Compensation; Bankruptcy; Real Estate; Zoning; Wills’ Estate Planning; Probate; Divorce/Family Law; Criminal; Traffic and of course, Business Law.
In addition, it is important to contemplate the financial and operational limitations of the business as well as where and with whom you will they be doing business. Not only are the short term goals of the business important to consider, but the long term goals are important to consider as well. These include whether the principal will be liable for the obligations of the business, what assets the principal will transfer to the business, and also whether the business will continue to operate after the principal is no longer participating in the organization. To ensure the business goals are able to be accomplished, some of the documents that need to be drafted include by-laws, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, employment agreements, employee manuals, severance agreements, and federal employer identification numbers.
At Franks, Gerkin & McKenna we are a full service law firm practicing in the areas of Personal Injury; Worker’s Compensation; Bankruptcy; Real Estate; Zoning; Wills’ Estate Planning; Probate; Divorce/Family Law; Criminal; Traffic and of course, Business Law.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Real Estate
Whether purchasing residential or commercial property as a first time buyer or as a seasoned veteran, an attorney is important to make sure you are part of an equitable transaction. In a residential real estate situation an attorney is vital for any home ownership issues; for drafting and reviewing real estate contracts; in preparing and reviewing loan documents for title examination, title searches and title insurance; and to ensure your interests are represented at closings. In addition, condominium and town home communities benefit from attorneys to represent home owner associations.
Attorney representation is of equal importance in commercial real estate situations. An attorney is necessary for more than just negotiating agreements to purchase and sell property. An attorney is also necessary for land use, zoning, subdivisions, and to assess property to ensure it is environmentally sound. Similar to residential real estate matters, an attorney is needed for title claim matters and for real estate litigation.
Unfortunately, with the difficult economic times we presently face it is frequently necessary to consult an attorney for foreclosures. At Franks, Gerkin & McKenna we are a full service law firm practicing in the areas of Personal Injury; Worker's Compensation; Business Law; Bankrtupcy; Zoning; Wills’ Estate Planning; Probate; Divorce/Family Law; Criminal, Traffic and of course, Real Estate.
Attorney representation is of equal importance in commercial real estate situations. An attorney is necessary for more than just negotiating agreements to purchase and sell property. An attorney is also necessary for land use, zoning, subdivisions, and to assess property to ensure it is environmentally sound. Similar to residential real estate matters, an attorney is needed for title claim matters and for real estate litigation.
Unfortunately, with the difficult economic times we presently face it is frequently necessary to consult an attorney for foreclosures. At Franks, Gerkin & McKenna we are a full service law firm practicing in the areas of Personal Injury; Worker's Compensation; Business Law; Bankrtupcy; Zoning; Wills’ Estate Planning; Probate; Divorce/Family Law; Criminal, Traffic and of course, Real Estate.
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