North Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

North Chicago residents have a wide range of jobs, from working in a store to working in a hospital, from working at a service station to working at a trucking company. The work can encompass professional pursuits, such as nursing to working in the construction industry. Any Illinois worker who is injured on the job is entitled to file a claim for workers’ compensation.

While the jobs may be diverse, all workers have something in common – they face the possibility of being hurt or killed at work. If you are injured on the job, the North Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg can answer all your questions on how Illinois’ workers’ compensation laws protect you. At Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg we also help you file your worker’s compensation claim and make sure you get the benefits you need. 

Do not wait to speak with a knowledgeable North Chicago workers’ compensation attorney. Take action quickly to preserve your legal rights. The highly experienced team at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg has the answers to all of your questions and is here to help you move forward with your workers’ compensation claim. 

Work Injuries By The Numbers in Chicago, Illinois

In Illinois, in 2021, there were 176 fatal work injuries. Work deaths in the state have ranged from 262 in 1996 to 135 in 2020. Nationwide, 5,190 fatal work injuries were registered in 2021, a 9 percent jump from 4,764 in 2020.

Transportation incidents witnessed 59 fatal work injuries, representing 34 percent of all deaths in the workplace in the state. Deaths from transportation incidents were up from 55 in 2020. Violence, human and animal, was the second most cited reason for fatal work injuries, with 37 deaths, up from 22 in 2020. 

Thirty-three work deaths were attributed to falls, slips, or trips in the workplace, an increase from 24 the prior year. Contact with equipment or objects caused 23 deaths compared to 17 in 2020. Nationally, transportation accidents most frequently resulted in fatalities in 2021 – almost 38 percent.

Common Causes of On-the-Job Injuries & Death in Illinois

The second most common cause of death in the workplace was slips, trips, and falls, coming in at 16 percent. The next most common category of fatal events in the workplace was working in a harmful environment, being exposed to dangerous substances and violence, followed by injuries caused by animals or other people. Both those categories were rated at 15 percent. Coming into contact with equipment or objects also ranked fairly high at 14 percent. For further information and to view detailed charts, visit HERE.

In 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 102,000 workers injured in nonfatal work injuries and illnesses in Illinois, representing roughly 42 percent of private industry workers but representing 60 of injuries and illnesses in trade, transportation, utilities, education, and health services. For further information and to view detailed charts, visit HERE.

Of the 102,000 workers injured in Illinois, 67,200 were severe enough to be off work, often referred to as days away/restricted or transfer rate (DART). Sixty-nine percent of those cases were accidents resulting in at least one day off work. The remaining 34,800 injuries in Illinois did not involve days off the job, a job transfer, or restriction. Industries with a significant increase in workers injured on the job included the trade, transportation, and utilities sectors, as well as the manufacturing sector.

In the local and state government sectors in Illinois in 2021, there were 22,700 injury and illness cases which equated to 4.5 cases per 100 full-time workers. Those injuries and illnesses reported in public sector local government workers were tabulated at 88 percent.

Top Causes of Workplace Injuries in Illinois and North Chicago

Common construction accidents that may happen in North Chicago prompting the filing of a workers’ compensation claim include:

• Explosions and/or fires involving flammable material.
• Improper use of equipment, equipment malfunction, and lack of training on existing equipment can result in cranes, power tools, forklifts, and other accidents involving onsite machinery.
• Getting trapped in confined spaces, trenches, or machinery results in crush injuries and/or death. This is an Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) Big Four hazard. In 2021 across the nation, there were 143 deaths due to a worker caught between objects on the job. 
• Slips, trips, and falls are the second most common accident on a construction site.
• Electrocution, shocks, or burns are also OSHA Big Four hazards. Workers on job sites can contact live overhead power lines, work with faulty wiring, improperly use extension cords, or damage equipment or power tools.
• Workers hit or struck by falling objects, vehicles, or heavy machinery are one of the biggest causes of construction workplace deaths.
• Sixty-two percent of construction workers are exposed to heights and thus may experience falls from elevated surfaces, ladders, roofs, or scaffolding. In 2021, OSHA identified falls as the most frequent job site violation, followed by not providing workers with adequate fall protection.

Other serious injuries can also happen in the workplace. How a worker is injured depends on the work they do and the hazards they face. Each case is different. Each injured worker sustains different injuries. Each injured worker has a different outcome, and the North Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg are with each injured worker every step of the way, from filing a workers’ compensation claim to obtaining benefits. 

Injuries Often Sustained in Workers’ Compensation Claims

Common North Chicago construction accident injuries that a worker may file a compensation claim for may include, but not be limited to:

• Amputations
• Back injuries
• Burns
• Crush injuries
• Cuts
• Eye injuries
• Fractures
• Head injuries
• Hearing loss
• Knee, ankle injuries
• Lacerations
• Respiratory issues
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

If you have been injured in a workplace accident, seek medical attention immediately. Do not wait. Reach out and consult with highly experienced North Chicago worker’s compensation attorneys at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg. We protect your legal rights and ensure you recover the compensation you need and deserve.

What to Expect During an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Case

A North Chicago worker may file a workers’ compensation claim if they have been injured in the workplace. These compensation claims are in keeping with the established rules laid out by the state workers’ compensation commission. The rules explain the benefits available in Illinois and North Chicago under the workers’ compensation laws.

There are some instances in which injured workers may have a claim against another party other than their employer or workers’ compensation. This is known as a third-party claim, and such cases can be a valuable source of compensation.

What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Look Like in Illinois

There are various types of benefits payable to injured workers in Illinois and North Chicago. These include: 

• Medical Benefits –Include medical equipment, hospital visits, medications, doctor’s appointments, and other medical costs.
• TTD – Assists an injured worker if they are faced with taking time off work to recover from an injury. These benefits are usually for a short period of time.
• TPD – Awarded to injured workers who can do some work but are restricted to light duty. 
• PPD – For injured workers who suffer permanent partial disabilities.
• PTD – For injured workers who suffer permanent total disabilities.
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Maintenance Benefits – For workers needing to retrain or find a new position. Includes, job search assistance, counseling, and vocational retraining at technical schools or colleges as needed.
• Death Benefits – The surviving family members of a fatally injured worker receive death benefits from workers’ compensation to meet expenses related to the death of the worker and to meet funeral and burial costs.
• Third-Party Claims – If someone outside of the workplace causes a worker to be injured due to their negligence, benefits are still paid by workers’ compensation. However, in some instances, the worker and/or the employer were not at fault – another party was. 

In a third-party case, an injured worker may be able to bring a lawsuit against the third party for their negligence and also collect workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced North Chicago workers’ compensation attorney at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg can assist you in determining if you have a third-party claim and seek the compensation you deserve.

Talk to a Skilled North Chicago Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today

You are not alone in your recovery. The experienced North Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg are here to help. We’re dedicated to helping our clients navigate the workers’ compensation system so that they receive the compensation they deserve after a workplace injury. 

To learn more, contact us today at 1.877.595.4878 for a free, confidential consultation with one of our attorneys.

Contact a North Chicago Workers Compensation Attorney

Our legal team is available to represent you in your North Chicago workers’ compensation claim. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is a reputable law firm with decades of experience helping injured workers obtain fair compensation. Time is of the essence in pursuing full and fair compensation after a workplace accident. You must file a claim within 3 years after your accident or within two years from the last compensation payment received, whichever is later. 

When you entrust Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg with your case, you receive a high level of personal attention and the determination to get you the compensation you deserve. The amount you recover should cover all your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs associated with injuries.