Rockford Workplace Accident Lawyer

Representing Injured Workers in Rockford

A Rockford workplace accident attorney from our firm offers unparalleled legal support to injured workers, ensuring that their workers’ compensation case or personal injury lawsuit provides fair compensation for their medical expenses and lost wages.

Our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers in Rockford fight hard for injured workers, ensuring that they get the benefits they deserve. We have years of experience with the Winnebago County legal system and have won substantial settlements for our clients, including both workers’ compensation and personal injury suits.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Verdicts and Settlements Recovered by Our Rockford Lawyers

• $14,200,000 for injuries from a collapsed roof
• $11,000,000 for wrongful death after being backed over by a forklift
• $7,000,000 for amputation injury

Common Types of Workplace Accidents in Rockford

Rockford, IL, work accidents can occur due to a number of reasons. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists the top four occupational hazards as the following:

• Fall Accidents: These can be especially deadly in construction, where workers may be at very tall heights when they fall.
• Struck-By: This can include truck or car accidents, as well as being hit by forklifts and other heavy equipment.
• Electrocution: This is a common construction injury that occurs when electrical systems aren’t correctly grounded or when electricians are busy setting up circuits.
• Caught-In/Between: Manufacturing and construction involve large automatic machinery that may easily catch a limb. Workers may also fall into shafts or trenches.

Your Rights After a Workplace Injury in Winnebago County

If you are injured in the course of your job duties, you have the right to immediately seek medical attention and file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp is available to any employee of a company, whether they are full-time or part-time, and provides disability benefits based on your level of injury.

You can also file a third-party claim against someone other than your employer. For an accident caused by faulty equipment, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. You may also have a premises liability claim against the property owner.

Common Types of Workplace Accidents in Rockford

Certain industries are more dangerous than others, including logging, oil and gas, farming, and construction. However, injuries can occur in any workplace that doesn’t have adequate safety protocols. These are some of the most common workplace incidents.

Falls from Heights: A fall from just six feet can be fatal depending on how the person lands. Common fall hazards include ladders, scaffolding, and roofs.

Slip and Fall: Slip, trip, and fall accidents can occur due to wet floors, icy conditions, or wearing the wrong type of shoes for the surface.

Machinery Accidents: These accidents can lead to tragic outcomes, such as entanglement, crushing, and amputation.

Forklift Accidents: Forklifts can weigh thousands of pounds, and are very prone to tipping over on uneven surfaces or when loaded improperly.

Hazardous Substances: In the past, millions of workers were exposed to asbestos, which causes mesothelioma. However, workers may also be exposed to caustic chemicals or toxins during their work.

Construction Site Accidents: Construction is one of the most dangerous industries due to the large equipment and hectic work schedules. Everything from strains to fatal falls can occur on a construction site.

Warehouse Accidents: Falling pallets, forklift crashes, and machinery accidents are all too common in a busy warehouse.

Repetitive Stress Injuries: These can occur in any job that requires repetitive movements or heavy lifting. Daycare workers, factory workers, construction workers, welders, and many other employees are at risk of these issues.

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation System

Workers’ compensation is designed to compensate employees for medical care, lost wages, and vocational rehabilitation services when they are injured in order to help them return to work faster. The claim is filed through the company’s workers’ compensation insurance and approved by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.

This insurance offers medical benefits, which should cover all of your medical bills related to the injury, and disability benefits, which cover a portion of your wages while you’re off work. The amount you can receive depends on whether your injury is temporary or permanent and whether you can work at all or not.

There are four types of wage benefits, which include:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD) if you cannot work at all for some time
• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) if you can return to light duty, such as working at a desk instead of on the factory floor
• Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) if you cannot return to the job you performed before and have to be retrained for a different job
• Permanent Total Disability (PTD) if you cannot return to any work due to your injuries

To start the claims process, injured workers must inform their employer that they were injured within 45 days of the accident. You’ll then start gathering evidence of the accident, such as photos and videos, doctor visits and medical records, and eyewitness accounts. After that, use the website CompFile to submit your claim.

The insurance company may request additional information, request a full list of your medical treatment, or ask more questions. To protect yourself, you should contact a workers’ compensation attorney who can help you speak to insurance adjusters. If your claim is denied, you can appeal with the help of a workers’ compensation attorney.

Third-Party Liability Claims: Seeking Additional Compensation

Third-party liability is when you choose to sue someone other than your employer for your injuries, such as an independent contractor or manufacturer. This is separate from your workers’ compensation claim, as you are usually not allowed to sue your company.

What to Do After a Workplace Accident in Rockford

Follow these steps as soon as possible to ensure that your legal rights are protected:

• Seek medical attention
• Report the injury to your employer
• Document the accident and your treatment
• Preserve evidence from the accident
• Contact an attorney for legal guidance
• Do not give statements to insurance companies

Why You Need a Rockford Workplace Injury Lawyer

A workers’ compensation attorney can assist you in negotiating with the insurance company, appealing denied claims, and help you manage the financial toll of the accident. With our extensive experience and proven track record of success, we ensure you have the best possible chance of getting maximum compensation.

FAQs About Workplace Accidents in Rockford

Can I Sue My Employer for a Workplace Accident in Illinois?

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (§820 ILCS 305/1) generally prohibits workers from suing their employers. The workers’ compensation process is meant to ease the financial strain without requiring litigation.

However, there are some circumstances where you can sue your employer or former employer, typically if the

Receiving workers’ comp does not prevent you from suing someone other than your employer if third parties were to blame for the accident.

What if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

A workers’ comp claim can be filed even if you were responsible for the accident. The only requirement is that the injury occurs during your duties to your employer.

However, Illinois personal injury law depends on modified comparative negligence (§735 ILCS 5/2-1116). Victims who are less than 50% responsible can file for damages, but their compensation will be reduced by how much they are to blame.

How Long Do I Have to File a Workers’ Compensation Claim or a Lawsuit?

Deadlines vary depending on whether you are pursuing a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury suit.

For workers’ compensation, you must report the workplace injury to your employer within 45 days to get workers’ comp. You have three years after the date of the last medical payment to file a claim. However, deadlines can differ, so you should contact a Rockford workers’ compensation lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss a deadline.

For personal injury, you have two years after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit (§735 ILCS 5/13-213). In some cases, such as a medical malpractice case where you didn’t discover the issue until later, you may have a longer timeframe.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Workplace Accident Lawyer?

Our Rockford workers’ compensation attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our legal fees are deducted from your settlement. You can receive expert legal representation from our personal injury lawyers with no out-of-pocket legal fees.

Will I Have to Go to Court?

In many cases, you can receive workers’ compensation benefits without going to court. Insurance companies will also settle out of court with personal injury victims.

What if I’m an Undocumented Worker?

Undocumented workers have the right to make workplace injury claims just like citizens, and the Workers’ Compensation Commission will not inquire about your legal status. Likewise, anyone can file a personal injury lawsuit regarding a work injury, even if they are not a US citizen.

If you sue your employer, you may face challenges when attempting to recover compensation based on loss of earning potential. In the court case Wielgus v. Ryobi Technologies, the District Court ruled that potential earnings would be limited to what the plaintiff could have received in their home country.

Illinois law is still evolving regarding lawsuits with undocumented plaintiffs. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through this complex legal landscape and ensure that your rights are protected at all times.

Consult a Rockford Workplace Accident Attorney Near You!

The workers’ compensation claim process can be challenging, but our attorneys will guide you through the legal process and protect your rights. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

To book a free consultation with a Rockford personal injury attorney, call (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Great job with a work accident case. They took care of everything and were able to get a good settlement for me. Thank you

– Enrique Salas

Read More Google Reviews

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.