Chicago Mileage Reimbursement Lawyers

If you were hurt on the job in Chicago and you’re driving back and forth to doctor appointments, physical therapy, or specialist visits, you are likely entitled to mileage reimbursement under Illinois law. Many injured workers don’t know this benefit exists, and some employers and insurers don’t volunteer the information. A Chicago personal injury lawyer at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you identify every benefit you’re owed, including reimbursement for every mile you travel for work-related medical care.

Table of Contents

• Illinois Law Requires Employers to Pay for Work-Related Mileage
• What the 2026 Mileage Reimbursement Rate Means for Chicago Workers
• Which Trips Qualify for Mileage Reimbursement Under Illinois Workers’ Compensation
• What to Do When an Employer or Insurer Refuses to Pay Mileage
• How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Helps Chicago Workers Recover Every Benefit They’re Owed
• FAQs About Chicago Mileage Reimbursement Lawyers

Illinois Law Requires Employers to Pay for Work-Related Mileage

Illinois is one of only three states in the country that legally requires employers to reimburse workers for mileage when they use their personal vehicles for work purposes. Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (820 ILCS 115/9.5), mileage reimbursement is not just a courtesy — it’s the law. This applies both to employees who drive as part of their regular job duties and to injured workers who must travel for medical treatment connected to a workplace injury.

The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (820 ILCS 115/9.5) requires employers to compensate workers for all necessary expenditures directly connected to their employment responsibilities, and this statute explicitly categorizes such reimbursements as elements of employee compensation. That’s a broader obligation than what federal law requires.

For workers who are injured on the job, the right to mileage reimbursement for medical travel is grounded in the work injury protections built into the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305). The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act requires employers to provide “reasonable and necessary” medical services, and Illinois appellate courts have interpreted this to include travel costs for medical treatment, as established in General Tire & Rubber Co. v. Industrial Commission, where the court upheld a travel-expense award for a claimant whose treating physician was 90 to 100 miles from home.

Think about what that means for someone traveling from Pilsen or Humboldt Park across the city to see a specialist at Rush University Medical Center or Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Those miles add up fast, and you should not be paying for them out of your own pocket.

What the 2026 Mileage Reimbursement Rate Means for Chicago Workers

Beginning January 1, 2026, the standard mileage rate for business use of a car, van, pickup, or panel truck is 72.5 cents per mile, up 2.5 cents from 2025. This is the rate that most Illinois employers and workers’ compensation carriers apply when calculating reimbursements for injured workers who drive to medical appointments.

Illinois has no fixed statutory mileage rate, and carriers typically apply the federal IRS business-use rate for the year. That means the 72.5-cent rate is the practical standard for 2026 workers’ compensation mileage claims in Illinois.

The math matters here. Say you’re making three round trips per week from your home in Logan Square to a physical therapy clinic near O’Hare. At 72.5 cents per mile, those trips can generate hundreds of dollars in reimbursements over a treatment period of several months. Over the full course of a recovery, the total can be significant.

Parking and tolls are reimbursable in addition to the per-mile rate. The per-mile rate covers fuel, so you should keep parking and toll receipts on your monthly mileage log. If you’re using the Illinois Tollway to get to your appointments, those receipts belong in your claim.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305) also contains a separate mileage provision for workers who must travel to attend hearings before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. Under Section 19 of the Act, an employee is entitled to 5 cents per mile necessarily traveled within Illinois to attend a Commission hearing, up to 300 miles, taxed as costs against the employer who filed the petition for review. While this rate is modest, the right itself is meaningful, and a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer can make sure you receive every dollar the law entitles you to.

Which Trips Qualify for Mileage Reimbursement Under Illinois Workers’ Compensation

Not every drive qualifies, but the list of covered trips is broader than most injured workers expect. Mileage reimbursement applies to travel for authorized medical treatment connected to a work injury. That includes visits to your primary treating physician, referrals to specialists, physical therapy sessions, diagnostic imaging such as MRIs and X-rays, and follow-up appointments related to your injury.

If your physician has not restricted you from driving, Illinois workers’ compensation reimburses you for the miles you drive to authorized treatment. You must request mileage yourself, in writing, and you should keep a phone log with dates and round-trip mileage and submit it monthly for every trip to the treating physician, ordered physical therapy, specialist, and imaging.

What happens if your injury or medication makes it unsafe for you to drive? Illinois workers’ compensation pays for transportation to doctor appointments when a treating physician documents that the injured worker cannot reasonably drive themselves, under 820 ILCS 305/8(a) and the Illinois case law construing it. If your doctor writes that your injury or medication makes driving unsafe, the carrier is expected to arrange and pay for the ride.

Workers traveling from neighborhoods like South Shore, Bridgeport, or Englewood to medical facilities downtown or on the North Side should document every trip carefully. Keep a simple log in your phone or a notebook. Record the date, the destination, and the round-trip mileage. Submit that log monthly. If your employer or insurer disputes a trip, your documentation is what protects your claim. A workers’ compensation lawyer can review your logs and help you submit them correctly.

What to Do When an Employer or Insurer Refuses to Pay Mileage

Mileage reimbursement denials happen, and they are one of the more common disputes in Illinois workers’ compensation claims. An employer or insurer may simply ignore your mileage logs, claim the trips weren’t authorized, or dispute the distance you traveled. None of these responses means you have to accept the denial.

Employers who fail to meet their mileage reimbursement obligations face serious consequences. When companies don’t comply with Illinois law, they must pay not only the original amounts owed but also additional damages of 5% of the underpaid sum for each month reimbursements remain outstanding.

The Illinois Department of Labor enforces compliance through fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, creating a significant incentive for employers to fulfill their legal obligations promptly. Beyond Department of Labor enforcement, an injured worker can also petition the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission directly for unpaid mileage reimbursement as part of a broader claim for benefits.

Documentation is your best tool. Save every mileage log, every parking receipt, and every toll record. If your insurer disputes which trips were authorized, your medical records and appointment confirmations can corroborate your logs. Confirm in writing that your doctor’s note is on file, because most denials are missing-documentation problems. If a refusal holds, escalate to the claim supervisor, then to an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney who can file a petition for penalties with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

If your employer is denying mileage along with other benefits, that pattern of denial may be part of a larger dispute over your claim. Issues like temporary total disability benefits, medical treatment approvals, and mileage reimbursement are often connected. A workers’ compensation lawyer who understands the full picture of your claim can address all of these issues together, not just the mileage piece in isolation.

How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Helps Chicago Workers Recover Every Benefit They’re Owed

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has fought for injured workers across Chicago and the surrounding communities for decades. Our firm handles workers’ compensation claims from start to finish, and that includes making sure clients are reimbursed for every mile they drive for medical treatment. We know that for many workers, those costs are real financial burdens, especially when they’re already dealing with lost wages and medical bills.

We work with clients across Chicago’s neighborhoods, from the Northwest Side near Belmont Cragin to the South Side near Bronzeville, and in surrounding suburbs throughout Cook County. Whether you’re traveling surface streets or the Dan Ryan Expressway to get to your medical appointments, we track those miles as part of your full benefit picture.

Under Section 16a of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/16a), attorney fees in workers’ compensation cases are capped at 20% of the compensation recovered and paid. That means our fees come from what we recover for you, not from money you pay out of pocket. You should understand that while attorney fees are capped by statute, you may still be responsible for certain costs or expenses related to your case. We will explain all of this clearly before you make any decisions.

Our attorneys understand the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission process, the rules around authorized medical treatment, and how to push back when insurers deny or delay legitimate claims. If you’ve been hurt at a job site near the Chicago River, in a factory on the city’s industrial corridors, or anywhere else in the Chicago metro area, we want to hear from you. Call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 for a free consultation. You can also reach a workers’ compensation lawyer at our Oak Lawn office if that’s more convenient for you.

FAQs About Chicago Mileage Reimbursement Lawyers

Does Illinois workers’ compensation cover mileage to all medical appointments, or just some?

Illinois workers’ compensation covers mileage to all authorized medical appointments connected to your work injury. This includes visits to your treating physician, physical therapy, specialist referrals, and diagnostic imaging like MRIs or X-rays. The key word is “authorized.” Trips to providers who have not been approved as part of your treatment plan may not be covered. Keep a written log of every trip, including the date, destination, and round-trip mileage, and submit it monthly to your employer’s insurer.

What is the mileage reimbursement rate for Illinois workers’ compensation claims in 2026?

The standard mileage reimbursement rate used in Illinois workers’ compensation claims for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile, which aligns with the IRS standard mileage rate that took effect on January 1, 2026. Illinois does not have a separate fixed statutory rate for medical travel mileage under the Workers’ Compensation Act, so carriers generally apply the current IRS rate. Parking and tolls are reimbursable on top of the per-mile amount. Ask your adjuster in writing which rate they are applying before you submit your first mileage log.

What happens if my employer refuses to reimburse my mileage?

A refusal to pay mileage is a violation of Illinois law. Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (820 ILCS 115/9.5), employers who fail to reimburse required expenses can face additional damages of 5% of the unpaid amount for each month the reimbursement remains outstanding, plus fines from the Illinois Department of Labor. For workers’ compensation mileage disputes specifically, you can file a petition with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. An attorney can help you pursue these remedies and document your claim properly.

Can I get reimbursed for mileage if I can’t drive myself due to my injury?

Yes. If your treating physician documents that your injury or medication makes it unsafe for you to drive, your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier is expected to arrange and pay for transportation to your medical appointments. This can include ambulatory sedan service or wheelchair-accessible vehicles, depending on your medical needs. The right to this transportation comes from Section 8(a) of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/8(a)) and the Illinois case law interpreting the “reasonable and necessary” medical benefits standard. Make sure your doctor’s documentation is in writing and on file with the insurer.

How do I prove my mileage for a workers’ compensation reimbursement claim?

The most effective way to prove mileage is to keep a detailed log for every trip. Record the date, the starting point, the destination, the purpose of the trip, and the round-trip mileage. You can use a phone app, a spreadsheet, or a written notebook. Save parking receipts and toll records separately, since those are reimbursable in addition to the per-mile rate. Submit your log monthly, in writing, to your employer’s insurer. If your insurer disputes any trips, your medical records and appointment confirmations can serve as corroborating evidence. An attorney can help you organize and present this documentation if your claim is disputed.

This page is published by Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, a personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm located at 134 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1515, Chicago, IL 60602. Phone: (312) 222-0010. This content is intended for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases.

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