Chicago Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Injured on the job in Chicago? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to take on the insurance company by yourself. At Ankin Law, our workers’ compensation lawyers have spent decades standing up for the people who keep this city running: union laborers, healthcare professionals, warehouse crews, airline employees, office staff, and countless others.
If an incident at your job caused an injury, illness, or disability, you have rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, even if the accident was partly your fault. We’ll make sure you receive every benefit you’re entitled to, and we’ll fight back if your employer or their insurer tries to deny or delay your claim.
Free consultation. No upfront fees.
Call (312) 600-0000 today or reach out online. We’re available 24/7.
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Why Injured Workers in Chicago Trust Ankin Law
Since 1940, Ankin Law has been the law firm Chicago workers call when their livelihoods are on the line. We’ve built a reputation for protecting injured employees, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits and settlements for clients across Cook County and beyond.
When you work with Ankin Law, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get an entire legal team with more than 250 years of combined experience in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and disability law. Our attorneys handle every type of work injury claim, from construction site accidents to repetitive stress injuries, and we do it with a 99% success rate.
We proudly represent:
- Construction and industrial worker
- Healthcare and nursing staff
- Airline, transportation, and warehouse employees
- Union members and office professionals
Our team approach means that your case benefits from the combined insight of attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and support staff all working toward one goal: your recovery.
Pro Tip from Workers’ Comp Attorney Howard Ankin
“When you’re hurt at work, don’t wait for your employer to ‘file everything for you.’ Get documentation started immediately: your report, your medical visit, everything. The earlier we can build your record, the stronger your claim will be.”
Our Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Have Recovered Hundreds of Millions of Dollars on Behalf of Our Clients
Our Chicago trial lawyers have developed a reputation for taking on some of the most challenging workers’ compensation cases in Illinois — and winning. We have recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts for injured workers in Cook County.
recovered in combined benefits for tradesman who fell from scaffold.
recovered for negligence of a forklift driver causing partial loss of a foot.
recovered for a worker who contracted Legionnaire’s Disease in a workers’ compensation and personal injury case.
recovered in a highly-disputed case involving a fatal construction injury.
What You Should Know About Workers’ Compensation in Illinois
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides medical coverage and lost wages to employees injured while performing job duties. In Illinois, nearly every employer must carry this insurance, and nearly every worker is protected under it.
This system ensures that you receive prompt financial support without having to prove fault, and it shields your employer from getting sued for most workplace injuries. But there are exceptions, and that’s where an experienced attorney becomes essential.
Exceptions to the No-Fault Rule
- Intentional misconduct of the employer: If your employer’s intentional acts caused you to sustain injuries while on the job in Illinois, you have the right to bring a civil suit against the employer or accept workers’ compensation benefits. You cannot accept both forms of compensation, however. For an injured worker to avoid the dismissal of a personal injury lawsuit based on exclusive remedy, it must be alleged that the injury sustained was the result of an intentional tort, not an accident.
- Employer’s lack of required insurance: If your employer failed to maintain the workers’ compensation insurance required under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the employer to recover for your losses.
- Latent injuries: In May 2019, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and the Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act were amended, allowing workers who are diagnosed with work-related latent injuries to sue their employers directly in civil court if the injuries manifest after 25 years.
- Self-inflicted injury or death: If the employee commits an intentional act that causes his or her workplace injury, his or her losses are not compensable.
- Employee’s violation of the law: If an employee is injured while violating the law, those workplace injuries are not compensable.
- Employee Intoxication: No workers’ compensation benefits are payable if the employee was intoxicated (alcohol or drugs) when the injury occurred and the intoxication was the proximate cause of the worker’s injury or death.
Each situation requires a different legal strategy. Our work injury attorneys can help you determine whether to pursue workers’ compensation, a civil lawsuit, or both.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Injured Illinois Employees
If you were hurt at work, you may be eligible for several types of benefits. Each is designed to replace part of your income, cover your medical expenses, and help you move forward after the accident.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD)
If your injury keeps you off work for more than three days, you’re entitled to receive two-thirds of your average weekly wage until you’re medically cleared to return.
Temporary Partial Disability (TPD)
If you can return to work in a limited capacity or reduced role, you may receive two-thirds of the difference between your current and pre-injury pay.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)
If your injury leaves you with lasting impairment, such as loss of motion or function in a limb, you can receive additional compensation. Permanent partial disability benefits may include:
- Scheduled loss-of-use awards for listed body parts
- Unscheduled awards for non-listed injuries
- Wage differential benefits if you earn less after recovery
- Disfigurement benefits for visible scarring or deformities
Permanent Total Disability (PTD)
If your injury prevents you from performing any type of work, or you’ve lost the use of two major body parts (hands, feet, eyes, etc.), you qualify for lifetime benefits.
Medical Benefits
Your employer’s insurance must pay 100% of your reasonable medical care. This includes hospital visits, surgeries, therapy, medications, assistive devices, and follow-up treatment. You don’t pay a deductible or co-insurance.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you can’t return to your old job, you may qualify for training, education, and job-placement assistance. You can also receive maintenance benefits while you’re enrolled in an approved rehab program.
Death Benefits
If a worker dies from a job-related injury, the surviving spouse and dependents may receive two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage for up to 25 years (or $500,000, whichever is greater), plus $8,000 in burial expenses.
Pro Tip from Award-Winning Attorney Howard Ankin
“Even when a claim is approved, the insurance company often pays less than what’s owed. They might skip wage differentials or miscalculate your weekly rate. We audit every case to make sure clients get all their benefits, not just the easy ones.”
What to Do After a Workplace Injury in Chicago
The moments after a work injury can be confusing and overwhelming. Taking the right steps early can protect your health and your legal rights.
Step 1: Report the Injury Immediately
Illinois law gives you 45 days to report a workplace injury, but the sooner the better. Provide written notice to your employer, supervisor, or HR department, including the date, time, and nature of your injury.
Step 2: Get Medical Care Right Away
Seek treatment even if your injuries seem minor. Tell your doctor the injury occurred at work — this ensures proper billing and documentation under workers’ comp.
Step 3: Choose Your Own Doctor
In Illinois, you can select up to two doctors of your choice, plus any specialists they refer you to. You’re not limited to the company’s preferred provider list.
Step 4: Keep Detailed Records
Save all medical bills, prescriptions, time-off slips, and correspondence from your employer or insurance carrier. These documents are essential for proving your case.
Step 5: Confirm Employer Reporting
Your employer must file a First Report of Injury (Form 45) with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC). Ask for a copy for your records.
Step 6: Call a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Insurance adjusters work for the insurer — not you. Before you accept or sign anything, speak with a Chicago work injury attorney who can protect your claim from costly mistakes.
Step 7: Protect Your Privacy
Avoid posting photos, videos, or updates about your injury or recovery on social media. Insurers often monitor claimants to find reasons to deny or reduce benefits.
Need help protecting your rights? Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000
Pro Tip from Howard Ankin
“The insurance company’s first goal is to protect their bottom line. My goal is to protect you. Before you give a recorded statement or sign a release, talk to your lawyer. Even one wrong word can cost you your benefits.”
How Ankin Law Protects Injured Workers
Illinois’ workers’ compensation system was meant to make recovery simple. In practice, it’s often stacked in favor of employers and insurers. Our attorneys know how to fight back against denials, delays, and lowball settlements.
We take charge of your claim from day one, ensuring that:
- Your injuries are properly documented and classified
- Every missed paycheck is accounted for
- Medical treatment is covered in full
- Permanent disability ratings are fair
- Settlement offers reflect your true losses
We handle everything from paperwork to hearings before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission on Randolph Street downtown. If your claim is denied, we file appeals, bring in medical experts, and build the evidence needed to overturn the decision.
Pro Tip from Howard Ankin
“The most common mistake I see is workers giving up after a denial letter. Don’t. I’ve overturned hundreds of denied claims simply because the insurance company counted on people walking away.”
Third-Party Work Injury Lawsuits
While workers’ compensation covers most job injuries, it doesn’t always cover everything. If someone other than your employer contributed to your accident, you may have a third-party claim for additional compensation, including pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and full lost wages.
Common Third-Party Scenarios
- Motor vehicle crashes while driving for work
- Defective machinery or equipment failures
- Toxic chemical exposure from unsafe products
- Negligent subcontractors or property owners on shared job sites
Because workers’ comp and personal injury law overlap here, strategy matters. Our attorneys can manage both claims together to maximize your recovery without jeopardizing either case.
Workers in Chicago With Special Protections
Some Chicago workers are covered under different worker protection laws. If you are a railroad worker, a Chicago police officer or firefighter, or you perform your work duties on the waterways of Illinois, you may be covered under the following programs instead of the Illinois Workers Compensation System.
Railroad Workers — The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA)
Injured railroad employees are covered under FELA, which allows them to sue their employer directly for negligence. Unlike standard workers’ comp, FELA awards include pain and suffering, full wage replacement, and loss of quality of life damages.
Maritime and River Workers — The Jones Act
Employees who work on the waterways of Illinois, like tugboat operators, deckhands, and barge workers, are covered by the Jones Act. To win compensation, they must prove employer negligence, but successful claims allow for economic and noneconomic damages and a daily maintenance allowance during recovery.
City of Chicago Police Officers and Firefighters
Chicago police officers are not covered under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Instead, they may receive:
- Ordinary Disability Benefits: These benefits are available to those who are injured outside the line of duty. They are only available if the officer or firefighter is disabled for more than 30 days and not eligible to receive his or her regular salary. Officers are entitled to one year of disability benefits for every four years of service – not to exceed five years. Compensation is equal to 50% of the officer’s pre-injury salary.
- Duty Disability Benefits: Chicago police officers who sustain a disabling injury in the line of duty are eligible to receive Duty Disability Benefits if they are not eligible to receive their regular salary. Generally, these benefits are equal to 75% of the injured officer’s pre-injury salary, but exceptions may apply. The benefits can be reduced to 50% of the injured officer’s pre-accident salary in some cases.
- Occupational Disease Benefits: City of Chicago police officers who have at least 10 years of service and suffer a heart attack or other disabling heart condition may be eligible for Occupational Disease Benefits if they are not eligible for Duty Disability Benefits. These officers can receive 65% of their salary.
If you wear a badge, drive a train, or work on the water, talk to a lawyer who knows your system. These cases follow totally different playbooks. Call (312) 600-0000 for Ankin Law.
Work Injury Statistics in Illinois
A U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report from 2025 provides insight about the dangers of working in Illinois.
- 145 workers lost their lives in 2023.
- The transportation industry remains the deadliest, followed by warehousing, construction, and manufacturing.
- More than 101,400 non-fatal injuries were reported in private industry that year.
- Transportation incidents are the most common causes of injuries, followed by Fall, trips, and slips, and violent acts.
Chicago’s industrial and service economy contributes to higher injury rates, especially among union trades, warehouse operations, and healthcare facilities.
Chicago’s Most Dangerous Industries
Though injuries can happen anywhere, some jobs carry far greater risk:
- Construction and demolition work
- Manufacturing and assembly lines
- Transportation, trucking, and delivery services
- Healthcare and nursing facilities
- Agriculture, forestry, and warehousing
- Government transit and infrastructure work
Each of these industries also faces unique hazards, from heavy machinery and repetitive strain to violence, infection, and toxic exposure.
Pro Tip from Workers’ Comp Lawyer Howard Ankin
“Don’t downplay pain just because you think it’s ‘part of the job.’ Repetitive strain, chemical exposure, or hearing loss can qualify for comp — even if they build up over time instead of a single accident.”
Common Workplace Injuries We See
Our attorneys handle all types of workplace injuries, from minor sprains to catastrophic trauma. Every injury deserves attention, because even small ones can evolve into serious complications if ignored.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Caused by repetitive motions such as lifting, typing, or operating machinery. Common examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and chronic back pain.
Occupational Illnesses
Long-term exposure to hazardous substances or loud noise can cause respiratory diseases, hearing loss, skin disorders, and other occupational illnesses. Workers’ comp covers these injuries, even when they develop gradually.
Physical and Traumatic Injuries
Falls, crush injuries, electrocution, burns, and machinery accidents often result in permanent disability. Construction and manufacturing workers face these risks daily.
Have You Been Injured in a Work-Related Accident?
Our workers’ compensation lawyers handle a wide variety of work-related injury cases that arise in and around Chicago, including but not limited to:
Workers’ Compensation Videos
Do not sign a release or settlement form from your employer’s insurance company without speaking to a lawyer. Once you sign, you could be waiving your right to future benefits or medical coverage.
Insurance companies may disguise releases as “routine paperwork.” Let an attorney review any document before you agree.
Can I Choose My Own Doctor for My Treatment?
Yes. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation system allows injured employees to choose their own doctor and one additional specialist referral chain. You are not required to see the company doctor or use only their network.
Choosing your own medical provider helps ensure your injuries are properly documented and that your care focuses on recovery, not cost savings.
Can a Positive Drug Test Affect My Claim?
If intoxication was the main cause of your injury, your benefits may be denied. However, a positive test alone doesn’t automatically disqualify you. Many substances remain in your system long after their effects wear off.
Our lawyers can challenge an unfair denial by proving that intoxication did not cause the accident or that testing procedures were flawed.
Pro Tip from Work Injury Lawyer Howard Ankin
“I’ve seen injured workers lose benefits over a single line in a medical report. If a test result or doctor’s note is wrong, we’ll fight to correct it before it costs you your case.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation in Chicago
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
You must notify your employer within 45 days of the injury and file your claim within three years of the accident or within two years of your last benefit payment, whichever is later.
What If My Employer Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If your employer failed to maintain workers’ compensation insurance, you may file a lawsuit directly against them for damages, including lost wages and medical expenses.
What If My Claim Was Denied?
You have the right to appeal any denial before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Our firm handles every stage of the appeal process.
Can I Be Fired for Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim?
No. Retaliation for asserting your rights under the Workers’ Compensation Act is illegal. If your employer demotes, harasses, or terminates you, we’ll take immediate legal action.
What Is a Lump-Sum Settlement?
In some cases, you may settle your claim for a one-time payment that closes your case. It can be beneficial if structured properly, but once you settle, you can’t reopen your claim — always review it with a lawyer first.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Ankin Law?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
The Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Ankin Law Can Help You Recover
At Ankin Law, we measure success not just by dollars recovered, but by the lives rebuilt after serious work injuries. We’ve represented Chicago workers for over 80 years, from ironworkers and truck drivers to nurses, cooks, and office staff.
Our results-driven team has achieved a 99% success rate across personal injury, workers’ compensation, and disability cases. When you’re ready to file, appeal, or maximize your claim, we’re ready to help.
Call (312) 600-0000 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re available 24/7 and can meet you at home, in the hospital, or virtually.
Center:
Injured by a medical provider? Check out our medical malpractice knowledge center to learn more about medical malpractice cases.
Injured at work? Check out our Workers’ Compensation Knowledge Center for more information about work injury cases and what to expect from your worker’s comp claim.
Learn MoreAdditional Questions About Workers’ Compensation in Illinois
If you were hurt on the job in Chicago, you probably still have a lot of questions about your rights and next steps. Below, our attorneys answer additional questions about Illinois workers’ compensation claims, including how to file, what benefits you can expect, and what to do if your claim is delayed or denied.
How does a work injury claim get started?
A work injury claim in Illinois begins when you notify your employer that you were hurt. Your employer should arrange medical treatment and file a First Report of Injury with its insurance carrier. If they fail to do so, you can start the process yourself by filing an Application for Adjustment of Claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Will I lose my job if I file for workers’ compensation benefits?
No. It’s illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. You cannot be fired, demoted, or harassed for seeking benefits. If your employer threatens you or takes action against you for exercising your rights, our attorneys can take immediate legal steps to protect you.
Does workers’ compensation cover long-term injuries or illnesses?
Yes. Illinois workers’ compensation covers repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or back pain, as well as occupational illnesses caused by long-term exposure to hazards like chemicals, noise, or dust. Even if your condition developed gradually, you may still qualify for benefits.
Can I sue my employer for a work-related injury?
In most cases, workers’ compensation replaces your right to sue your employer. However, you may file a lawsuit if your employer’s actions were intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent, or if they did not carry required insurance. You may also pursue a third-party lawsuit against a negligent subcontractor, manufacturer, or driver who contributed to your injury.
Do I need a lawyer to file a workers’ compensation claim?
You’re not required to hire a lawyer, but having one often results in a faster and larger recovery. An attorney ensures your claim is properly filed, calculates all available benefits, challenges unfair denials, and negotiates a fair settlement. At Ankin Law, you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Do undocumented workers qualify for workers’ compensation benefits?
Yes. Immigration status does not affect eligibility for workers’ compensation in Illinois. Any employee injured on the job has the right to medical care and lost-wage benefits, regardless of documentation. Employers cannot deny benefits based on citizenship or immigration status.
Do I have to be injured at my workplace to be covered?
No. Workers’ compensation applies to any injury that occurs while performing your job duties, even if it happens away from your regular work site. You’re covered for injuries sustained while traveling for work, making deliveries, attending mandatory events, or performing job-related errands.
Who pays for workers’ compensation benefits?
Workers’ compensation is funded entirely by employers. Illinois businesses must carry workers’ compensation insurance or be self-insured. When a worker is injured, the employer’s insurer pays for medical treatment, wage replacement, and disability benefits — not the employee.
Are all on-the-job injuries covered by workers’ compensation?
Most are, but Illinois law excludes certain situations, including:
- Intoxication or drug use that caused the accident
- Intentional self-harm or fighting
- Criminal activity during work hours
- Injuries occurring off duty or outside job responsibilities
If you’re unsure whether your injury qualifies, an attorney at Ankin Law can review your case at no cost.
How long does a workers’ compensation claim take in Illinois?
The length of a claim depends on the severity of your injuries and whether the employer disputes your case. Straightforward claims may resolve in a few months, while complex or appealed cases can take longer. Our lawyers track deadlines, push for timely medical payments, and negotiate settlements that reflect your full recovery.
What happens if my settlement offer isn’t enough?
If the insurance company offers less than you deserve, you can appeal or request a hearing before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Our attorneys will calculate your total lost wages, medical costs, and disability benefits to fight for a fair, full-value settlement.
Still have questions about your work injury claim? Give us a call at (312) 600-0000. We’re here to help.