Legal Help With Disability Claims In Illinois And Missouri
Depending on the nature of your injuries and ability to return to work, you could receive temporary total, temporary partial, permanent total, or partial disability benefits. In general, the differences between them involve the following:
- Temporary total disability benefits: An injured worker receives weekly benefits until a doctor releases him or her back to work.
- Temporary partial disability benefits: If the employee goes back to work on light duty earning less than he or she was at the time of the accident, the employee may be entitled to a portion of the difference in earnings until they are fully recovered.
- Permanent partial disability benefits: An employee is entitled to permanent partial disability as a settlement when their on-the-job injury results in permanent disability to certain body parts or to the person as a whole.
- Permanent total disability benefits: If a worker is unable to return to any gainful employment after being injured on the job, he or she may be entitled to a weekly payment amounting to two-thirds of the average weekly wage. In certain situations, the worker may continue to receive these benefits for life. In some cases, the workers’ compensation insurance carrier may offer a lump-sum settlement instead of weekly benefits for permanent total disability.
If your injuries are disabling, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Since the amount of workers’ compensation your receive can impact the amount of SSDI or SSI you are eligible for, it’s important to understand how workers’ comp affects SSDI and SSI.
Our attorneys can evaluate your case and explain how your Social Security disability benefits will be impacted by your workers’ comp and what steps you can take to avoid unnecessary complications.
In many cases, medical records and medical examinations are required. However, employers don’t always provide accurate information to injured workers regarding their rights under the law. At Bonifield & Rosenstengel, our workers’ compensation attorneys work closely with injured workers in preparing and submitting workers’ compensation claims.
If you’ve been injured on the job or are encountering difficulties with your employer regarding your claim, contact workers’ compensation lawyers at Bonifield & Rosenstengel today to schedule a free consultation.
Applying for Temporary, Total, or Partial Workers’ Comp Benefits
Under Illinois state law, you have the right to choose the doctor you want to examine you. As such, an employer cannot force you to see a particular doctor or a doctor they must first approve.
Additionally, state law protects injured workers from retaliation should an employer harass or fire an employee for receiving total, temporary, permanent, or partial workers’ compensation benefits. As your legal representatives, our attorneys are prepared to help protect our client’s job and hold employers accountable for harassment and retaliatory practices.
Union Employees and Workers’ Compensation
Our office has represented numerous union members in workers’ compensation claims. In certain cases, complications can arise when health and welfare funds are available. We will work with the union’s health and welfare fund to make sure your bills are paid if workers’ compensation is denying your claim.
Our attorneys understand the issues involved and can take steps to ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact Our Workers’ Compensation Disability Attorneys
Protect your rights and interests – contact a workers’ compensation and disability attorney at Bonifield & Rosenstengel today. We have the experience and knowledge needed to help you through every stage of the benefits or disability process.