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Thousands of horrendous injuries and deaths occur at work and job sites across this country each year. Workers are unfortunately often subjected to unsafe work practices, defective equipment, and other unsafe job site conditions. An Arlington Heights workers’ compensation attorneys seek damages for all types of construction, industrial, factory, and heavy equipment work injuries. We will investigate all avenues of negligence in these accidents. Sometimes, work injuries occur when you don’t even realize were caused by their work. A connection may exist between the pain you may be suffering and your job. En Español.

Steps to Take Following An Injury at Work

If you are injured on the job, you should immediately notify your employer of the accident and seek medical treatment.  To obtain workers compensation benefits, you must provide documented medical information regarding your injuries.  After medical treatment, although it is not necessary, you should promptly file a workers compensation claim form with the Illinois workers Compensation Commission (IWCC).

However, there is a time limit for which you can claim workers compensation in Illinois. A workers compensation claim must be filed within 3 years of the date the injury was sustained or within 2 years of the date the employee received their last workers’ compensation benefits.

Filing a Worker’s Compensation Claim in Arlington Heights

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act is a no fault, wage replacement system designed to pay the injured worker both medical benefits and lost wages during his or her period of incapacity from work. The existing system is complicated and can be hard to understand. Our skilled Arlington Heights workers’ compensation attorneys can assist you if you have been hurt at the job and ensure that you receive all the benefits you are entitled to under the law.

Remember that a workers’ compensation claim is NOT a personal injury lawsuit. You are filing a claim against your employer and its insurance company for your injury. The Workers’ Compensation Act provides that accidents that arise out of and in the course of employment are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits. This generally means that the Act covers work injuries that result in whole or in part from the employee’s work.

You can best avoid delays and insufficient compensation and coverage by retaining the services of a law firm that knows how to successfully file a workers’ compensation claim. Ronald F. Wittmeyer, Jr. has over thirty years of experience and will bring his reputation for service and results to ensure that your weekly benefits are paid – you get the care that you need and your settlement covers your injuries.

Carpal Tunnel Injuries

Carpal tunnel is the most common type of repetitive motion work injury that is a result from when your wrists are exposed to constant, repetitive strain, specifically while working on a computer. More than 8,000,000 American workers’  are affected by carpal tunnel injuries. This accounts for roughly half of all work-related injuries.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps because the carpal tunnel itself may be smaller in women than in men. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain. Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body’s nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk.

These injuries should not be taken lightly by your employers and we can represent you in your workers’ compensation carpal tunnel claim.

Benefits Available in Arlington Heights

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides the following benefit categories for work injuries:

  • Medical care that is reasonably required to cure or relieve the employee of the effects of the work injury;
  • Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits while the employee is off work, recovering from the work injury;
  • Temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits while the employee is recovering from the injury but working on light duty for less compensation;
  • Vocational rehabilitation/maintenance benefits are provided to an injured employee who is participating in an approved vocational rehabilitation program;
  • Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits for an employee who sustains some permanent disability or disfigurement, but can work;
  • Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits for an employee who is rendered permanently unable to work;
  • Death benefits for surviving family members

It may not be easy to obtain these benefits. It may be very important for you to contact an attorney for assistance. In Illinois workers’ compensation, the attorney’s fee is a contingent fee. Under a contingent fee agreement, there is no attorney’s fee charged, if the injured person does not secure a recovery. In Illinois, the amount that can be charged by your lawyer for your claim is set by the State of Illinois at 20% of the injured employee’s recovery. But remember, your employer is strictly prohibited from harassing you or firing you for filing a workers’ compensation claim.

What Are My Options If My Employer Refuses to Pay Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

The employee or the employee’s attorney should contact the employer directly to determine why benefits are not being paid. Poor communication often causes delays and misunderstanding. If the employer still does not pay any benefits, the employee’s other option is to file a claim at the Illinois workers Compensation Commission. Please note that an accident report does not trigger any action by the Commission. The Commission becomes involved only if the employee files a claim and follows the procedures to request a hearing.

Can I Be Fired for Reporting an Accident or Filing a Claim?

It is illegal for an employer to harass, discharge, refuse to rehire, or discriminate in any way against an employee for exercising his or her rights under the law. Such conduct by the employer may give rise to a right to file a separate suit for damages in the circuit court. An employee with a pending workers’ compensation claim may still be disciplined or fired for other valid reasons.

Contact Our Arlington Heights Workers’ Compensation Lawyers

As the injured employee, you are responsible to report the injury and to assist you with this process, contact the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. Your employer and the insurance companies have attorneys representing them, so it is important that you have an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer assisting you. Attorney Ronald F. Wittmeyer, an Arlington Heights workers’ compensation lawyer, provides personal service for his clients and you can trust him every step of the way.

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    Client Review

    Title: Great Service
    N/A Law Offices of RF Wittmeyer, LTD 122 W. Downer Pl Suite F Aurora IL 60506 Phone:
    Description: I retained R.F. Wittmeyer after being involved in an automobile accident while I was working. On my first appointment with Ron, he sat patiently and listened to the facts involved with my case. He assured me that his firm could help and explained the entire process. From that point on, the staff could not have been more helpful. They kept me abreast of any new developments by way of phone calls or emails. They also returned my phone calls the same day. The case was ultimately settled and I was very pleased with the outcome. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone in need of a personal injury attorney. Rest assured you will be in good hands.

    Rating: ★★★★★

    5 / 5 stars