Cook County Workers' Compensation Attorney
More than 25 Years of Dedicated Service Fighting for Injured Workers
Workers' compensation law requires employers and their insurance companies to pay medical expenses for employees who are injured on the job. But the process of navigating the workers' compensation system has pitfalls. Injured workers who don't consult an attorney could make mistakes that will ultimately reduce the amount of compensation they receive.
Chicago, Illinois, workers' compensation lawyer Robert Smoler can help you obtain the full benefits you deserve after your injury. If you have been injured in an on-the-job accident or because of the type of work you do, contact Smoler Law Office for experienced and dedicated legal help.
What to Do If You Are Injured
Injured workers must fulfill the following in order to qualify for workers' compensation:
- Give proper notice to their employer that they have been injured.
- Give a full and accurate account of their injury to the treating doctor so there are no disparities in medical history that could be used against them in their workers' compensation claim.
- Choose the right doctor to treat their construction accident injuries.
- Under workers' compensation law, injured workers are limited to two choices of doctors or their treatment won't be covered by workers' compensation.
- Follow their doctor's orders.
Attorney Robert Smoler understands that injured workers need guidance to ensure they receive the proper medical care. The company clinic is often motivated simply to get employees back to work as soon as possible. They might miss injuries, ignore workplace accident injuries, or send someone back to work too soon. Robert Smoler helps clients receive the appropriate treatment from doctors who specialize in their type of injury.
Injured workers are eligible for wage loss benefits called Temporary Total Disability (TTD), which the law sets at two-thirds of a worker's average weekly wage. Medical expenses should be covered 100 percent.
Additionally, injured workers are eligible to receive compensation for their permanent disability. People who suffer sprains, fractures, or who need surgery often have some degree of permanent disability for which they are entitled to receive compensation. Robert Smoler helps clients negotiate compensation for permanent disability claims.
Third Party Claims
If someone other than your employer (a negligent third party) is responsible for your on-the-job injury, Robert Smoler can also seek a personal injury award for you from the third party. For example, if you are injured in a car accident on the job you may be entitled to damages from the at-fault driver.
Or you may be entitled to sue the manufacturer and sellers of defective equipment which injured you. Personal injury claims provide compensation for losses not otherwise covered by workers' compensation, such as pain and suffering. For further information, please see our Workers' Compensation Information Center.
Social Security Disability
Smoler Law Office and Chicago disability lawyer Robert Smoler have extensive experience helping people who have been denied Social Security disability benefits.
Few people are aware that more than 90 percent of Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) claims are initially denied, whether the person is disabled or not. While you can request a reconsideration of your claim, most reconsiderations are also denied. Finally, you may appeal to have a hearing before an administrative law judge.
We represent clients at these administrative hearings and have a track record of helping a high percentage of our clients receive the SSDI benefits to which they are entitled.
If you were injured at work and are unable to return to work because of your injury, Robert Smoler may be able to see to it that your Social Security Disability benefits are not reduced by the settlement you receive as a result of your workers' compensation claim.
More than 25 Years of Dedicated Focus — Millions of Results
For a free initial consultation about your workers' compensation case, call Robert Smoler at 312-288-8952 or contact Smoler Law Office online today.
