The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 2.7 million workplace injuries and illnesses in the year 2020. The agriculture, mining, utilities, construction, and manufacturing industries accounted for a significant portion of work-related injuries. However, a workplace accident or illness can happen to anyone in any profession.

If you or a loved one were hurt on the job, you may be exploring your options. Workers' compensation and personal injury laws can be complicated and hard to understand. Many people are especially confused by the role of liability in a work injury case.

Workers' Compensation is No-Fault in Illinois

Employees who are hurt on the job are typically entitled to workers' compensation as long as their injury is related to work duties, occurred at work, and happened while the employee was "on the clock." In Illinois, workers' compensation is no-fault. This means that the worker does not need to prove that an employer acted negligently or wrongfully to recover compensation.

A work accident that happens in a split second can change someone’s life forever. Whether in an office, construction site, delivery truck, or another work environment, work injuries can be severe. If you or a loved one were the victim of a serious work injury, you may be interested in exploring your legal options. Most people know that workers’ compensation insurance exists, but they are unaware of exactly what workers’ comp covers or how they should go about pursuing compensation. Many injured workers are also unaware of their rights – a fact which is often exploited by employers and insurance companies.

Workers’ Compensation and Permanent Partial Disabilities

Equipment-related mishaps, slip and fall accidents, struck-by accidents, on-the-job car crashes, and other work accidents can lead to life-changing injuries. Spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputation injuries, and severe burns are just some of the work injuries that can leave a worker permanently disabled. If you or a loved one are in this situation, it is important to understand your rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Injured workers who can no longer work or must work a different job may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits (PPD).

PPD benefits vary from case to case. Sometimes, the amount of money a person receives is based on the difference between their pre-injury pay and their post-injury pay. Illinois law also provides a schedule of injuries that lists compensation based on injuries to certain body parts.

Despite the many laws and safety measures in place to reduce the risks, driving a motor vehicle is an inherently risky activity. Anyone on the road could be harmed by a negligent driver and suffer serious injuries as a result. When driving is a regular part of an employee’s job duties, that employee is frequently exposed to the risk of harm. In fact, according to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation incidents are the leading cause of fatal work injuries and the fourth leading cause of nonfatal work injuries.

Workers who are injured in motor vehicle accidents are often left with many questions. Are they entitled to workers’ compensation benefits? Can they file a personal injury claim against the negligent party? Often, both are possible, but it is important to work with an experienced attorney who understands the best course of action depending on the situation.

Workers’ Compensation Claims for Injured Drivers

In Illinois, workers’ compensation benefits are available to employees who are injured in the course of their work. Many occupations involve driving on an almost daily basis, including:

Workers’ compensation insurance is often associated with sudden injuries. However, not every work-related injury or medical condition occurs during a one-time accident. Many office workers are at risk of developing medical problems from sitting and using a computer for long periods of time. One of these medical concerns is carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel can cause painful symptoms that reduce a person’s ability to do their job and carry out everyday tasks. If you have developed carpal tunnel syndrome, it is important to learn about your options under Illinois’ workers’ compensation laws.

What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel?

If your job requires you to perform the same task over and over, you may be at risk of repetitive stress injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive stress or repetitive motion injury that is most often associated with typing or using your hands and wrists for long periods of time. The most common symptoms associated with carpal tunnel include:

• Tingling or “electric” sensations in the fingers, hand, wrist, and arm

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Did you know that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) jobs are listed in the top 25 most dangerous professions? Burns, electrocutions, falls, and other HVAC accidents can lead to severe injuries and even death. In 2018, just under 7,000 HVAC workers suffered injuries and 40 workers were killed in a work-related accident. If you or a loved one were harmed in an HVAC work accident, it is important to know your rights. You may be entitled to compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance and/or a third-party claim.

Types of Work Injuries for Which You May Be Owed Compensation

Per Illinois law, workers’ compensation coverage is “no-fault.” This means that you do not have to show that your employer or another party’s actions caused your work injury to be covered by workers’ compensation. As long as the injured person is an employee and not an independent contractor and the injury occurred during the course of work, the injured person is typically covered.