What to Expect After a Permanent Disability
For an able-bodied person full-time in the workforce, becoming disabled may be an uncomfortable thought. Although many disabled people live happy and healthy lives, becoming disabled is an adjustment. In some cases, a newly disabled person may need modifications to their home, lifestyle, and working conditions. Luckily if an accident or incident that caused a permanent disability occurred at work, employees have certain protections under workers’ compensation.
What Is Workers’ Compensation?
When an employer in Illinois starts a business, they are most likely required to have a workers' compensation insurance for their employees. No matter how small a business is, or how many employees they have, it is required by law. This insurance protects workers in the event of an injury that prevents them from working long or short term. When a claim is accepted, workers’ compensation covers lost wages from time away from work and medical expenses.
When a person is injured and cannot return to work, it is determined if they have a permanent or temporary disability. This is after the said employee has a medical evaluation and a doctor determines the prognosis of an injury. A temporary disability is something that a worker can either fully recover from, or recover enough to return to work in eventual time. A good example of temporary disability is a broken leg. When a person is deemed permanently disabled, they will not be able to recover from the injury, and may not be able to return to the workforce.
If a person loses or loses the use of both arms, both legs, both hands, both feet, both eyes, or combination, this automatically constitutes a total permanent disability. When a person is declared totally and permanently disabled, they can receive workers’ compensation payments for the remainder of their life to make up for the inability to work. An injured employee can typically expect two-thirds of their weekly paycheck on a regular basis. If a person can work in some capacity, later on, the amount being paid out may be adjusted, but will not completely end.
Contact a Kane County Workers’ Compensation Attorney
When it comes to becoming disabled after an injury at work, it is rarely an easy process. Do not go through your workers’ compensation case alone. An experienced Aurora workers’ compensation attorney can guide you through the claim process and assist if problems arise. A claim can be denied, or your employer could be uncooperative during and after the process. Be prepared by calling our office at 630-907-0909 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=082003050K8
