Kankakee, IL Workers' Compensation Lawyers

Dedicated Attorneys Defending the Rights of Injured Workers in Kankakee

Nobody plans to get injured at work, but if you sustain an injury on the job, it could have a real impact on your financial situation. With the help of a Kankakee, Illinois workers' compensation lawyer, you can seek payment for the economic losses caused by your injury, including medical expenses and lost wages.

At Grauer & Kriegel, LLC, we have decades of experience handling workers' compensation claims. When you work with our legal professionals, we will walk you through the procedures required to petition for workers' compensation benefits, taking timely action while exercising the utmost caution to avoid any potential roadblocks. In prior cases, we have secured millions of dollars on behalf of injured employees through careful negotiation and strong advocacy.

Do I Qualify for Workers' Comp?

To qualify for workers' compensation benefits in Kankakee, an injury must arise out of and in the course of your employment. This means the accident or illness must have a direct connection to work duties, your workplace, or a required work-related activity. Most injuries that occur on the employer's premises or during assigned tasks qualify, even if you were performing a minor errand or attending a mandatory meeting.

You might not be covered under workers' compensation if:

• You sustained the injury while commuting to or from work, unless your employer provided the transportation or required travel between job sites
• The injury resulted from willful self-harm, intoxication, or the influence of illegal drugs at the time of the accident
• You were engaged in a personal activity that was unauthorized by your employer, even if it occurred on company property
• You are an independent contractor, volunteer, or unpaid intern without statutory coverage under Illinois law

Medical Expenses in Kankakee Workers' Comp Claims

Seeking medical attention promptly after an injury is crucial to protect your health and preserve your right to benefits. Under Illinois law, employers must provide all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your workplace injury. Covered expenses include emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, imaging studies like X-rays and MRIs, prescription medications, durable medical equipment, and rehabilitation therapies such as physical or occupational therapy.

If you fail to obtain timely treatment, an insurance carrier may dispute the link between your injury and your work, which can jeopardize your claim. Documenting each visit, diagnosis, and prescribed treatment builds a medical record that supports the necessity and reasonableness of your care.

What Wage Benefits Can I Get in a Workers' Compensation Claim?

When an injury forces you to miss work or limits your ability to earn your full pre-injury wages, you may be eligible for wage differentials, often referred to as temporary total disability (TTD) or temporary partial disability (TPD). Temporary total disability benefits typically pay two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to a state-established maximum, if you cannot perform any work during recovery. If you return to restricted duty at reduced pay, temporary partial disability benefits bridge the gap between your new earnings and two-thirds percent of your average weekly wage.

Should your injury result in a permanent impairment, you could receive permanent partial disability benefits based on the percentage of functional loss assigned to the affected body part. In rare cases of catastrophic injury, permanent total disability benefits may provide ongoing payments if you cannot return to any gainful employment.

An experienced attorney can calculate your expected wage differentials and disability payments. By advocating for every available benefit, our firm can work toward securing the financial support you need to focus on recovery.

Meet With a Kankakee, Illinois Workers' Compensation Attorney

Have you been injured on the job? If so, reach out to Grauer & Kriegel, LLC. We will fight for your right to the benefits entitled to you at your workplace. To arrange your free initial consultation, call 847-240-9010 or contact our Kankakee, IL workers' compensation lawyers.