Get clear answers to the most common questions about workplace injuries, personal injury claims, your legal rights, and how WIN Injury Network can help.
WIN Injury Network is a comprehensive network that connects injured workers and accident victims with three critical types of professionals — all under one roof:
We coordinate all three so nothing falls through the cracks. One call to (773) 831-5000 connects you with every resource you need.
Nothing upfront — ever. WIN Injury Network works on a contingency fee basis, which means:
If we don't win your case, you owe us nothing for legal fees.
A contingency fee means your attorney's payment is contingent on winning your case. There are no upfront costs, hourly charges, or retainer fees. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of your final settlement or court award — typically 20% for workers' compensation cases in Illinois. If you don't receive compensation, you don't pay legal fees.
This arrangement ensures your attorney is fully motivated to maximize your settlement, because their payment depends on your success.
WIN Injury Network serves injured workers and accident victims throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, including:
Our headquarters are at 712 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60654.
Sí. WIN Injury Network provides fully bilingual services in both English and Spanish. Our team includes Spanish-speaking medical coordinators, attorneys, and support staff. We ensure you receive the same quality of care and representation regardless of your preferred language — nothing is lost in translation.
Yes. WIN Injury Network provides free transportation to and from your first medical appointment and legal consultation. We understand that injuries can make it difficult or impossible to drive, and we never want transportation to be a barrier to getting the care and representation you deserve.
Getting started is simple — and always free:
The entire process can begin with a single phone call, and consultations are always free and confidential.
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. Benefits typically include:
Workers' comp is a no-fault system, meaning you can receive benefits regardless of who caused the injury — you don't have to prove your employer was negligent.
Workers' compensation covers virtually any injury or illness that arises out of and in the course of employment, including:
Even injuries sustained during work-related travel, lunch breaks on company premises, or company events may be covered.
In Illinois, the key deadlines are:
Important: Filing sooner is always better. Delayed reporting can make it harder to prove your injury was work-related and may give insurers grounds to dispute your claim.
In Wisconsin, the deadlines are:
For occupational diseases, the deadline is 2 years from the date you knew (or should have known) the condition was work-related.
No. Both Illinois and Wisconsin law prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who file workers' compensation claims. Retaliation includes firing, demotion, pay cuts, reduced hours, or hostile treatment.
If your employer retaliates against you for filing a claim, you may have grounds for a separate retaliation lawsuit with additional damages. Document everything and contact a workers' compensation attorney immediately if you believe you're being retaliated against.
A denial is not the end of your case. Many legitimate claims are initially denied. Common reasons include late reporting, disputes about whether the injury is work-related, or insufficient medical evidence. You have the right to:
Having an experienced workers' comp attorney significantly improves your chances of overturning a denial. Contact WIN at (773) 831-5000 for help with denied claims.
Settlement timelines vary based on several factors:
Key factors that affect timing include injury severity, whether you've reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), the degree of dispute from the insurance company, and whether the case goes to hearing or trial. Your attorney will work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible without sacrificing the compensation you deserve.
There is no single "average" because settlements depend on many factors specific to your case:
Settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to $100,000–$500,000+ for serious injuries requiring surgery and resulting in permanent restrictions. An experienced attorney can evaluate your specific situation and provide a realistic estimate.
In Illinois: Yes. You have the right to choose your own treating physician, and you're allowed up to two doctor choices under the Workers' Compensation Act. Your employer cannot force you to see only their company doctor (though they can request an Independent Medical Examination).
In Wisconsin: Your employer may initially direct treatment to a specific provider, but you can request a change of physician. After the initial treatment period, you generally have more freedom to choose.
WIN Injury Network can connect you with doctors who specialize in treating workplace injuries and understand the workers' compensation process.
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) is the point at which your doctor determines that your condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve significantly with further treatment. Reaching MMI does not mean you're fully recovered — it means your condition is as good as it's going to get.
MMI is an important milestone because:
Never accept a settlement before reaching MMI unless advised by your attorney — settling too early can leave significant money on the table.
Yes. Workers' compensation is a no-fault system. You can receive benefits even if your own carelessness contributed to the injury. There are only a few narrow exceptions:
In the vast majority of cases, fault does not matter for workers' comp. Even if you made a mistake on the job, you are still entitled to benefits.
Yes — absolutely. A claim denial does not mean you must go without medical care. WIN Injury Network can connect you with doctors who treat patients on a lien basis, meaning the medical provider waits for payment until your case is resolved. You should never delay necessary medical treatment because of a claim denial.
Getting documented medical treatment also strengthens your appeal if you choose to fight the denial.
Take these steps as soon as possible after a workplace injury:
An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is an evaluation requested by the insurance company and performed by a doctor of their choosing. Despite the name, IMEs are not truly independent — the examining doctor is typically paid by the insurer and may be inclined to minimize your injuries.
Important things to know about IMEs:
Workers' compensation covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to your work injury, including:
You should not have to pay out-of-pocket for any treatment related to a work injury.
You have the right to seek a second opinion from a doctor of your choosing. The employer's doctor or insurance company doctor may have an incentive to release you to work prematurely. If your own physician disagrees with the return-to-work assessment:
Never return to work in a way that could worsen your injury or put your safety at risk.
While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, having an experienced workers' compensation attorney significantly increases your chances of receiving full benefits. Here's why:
Since workers' comp attorneys work on contingency (no fee unless you win), there's no financial risk in hiring one.
Yes. You have the right to change your workers' compensation attorney at any time if you're unsatisfied with your representation. You don't need your current attorney's permission. When you switch:
If your attorney isn't returning calls, isn't fighting aggressively enough, or you simply don't feel confident, contact WIN Injury Network for a free second opinion.
Be very careful. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Common tactics include:
Our recommendation: Report the basic facts of your injury but do not give a detailed recorded statement, accept any offers, or sign anything until you've spoken with a workers' compensation attorney.
These are two different legal paths for getting compensation after an injury:
| Feature | Workers' Comp | Personal Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fault required? | No (no-fault system) | Yes (must prove negligence) |
| Pain & suffering? | Not included | Yes, included |
| Who pays? | Employer's insurer | At-fault party |
| Timeline | Generally faster | Can take longer |
| Potential payout | Capped benefits | Uncapped damages |
In some cases, you may be able to file both — for example, if a third party (not your employer) caused your work injury. A WIN attorney can evaluate whether you have a third-party liability claim in addition to workers' comp.
In most cases, no. Workers' compensation is generally the exclusive remedy against your employer for work-related injuries. However, there are exceptions:
Third-party claims can result in significantly larger settlements because they can include pain and suffering, which workers' comp does not cover.
In Illinois, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the injury. If you miss this deadline, you permanently lose your right to file a lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also 2 years from the date of death.
There are some exceptions that may extend or shorten this timeline (such as claims against government entities, which have a 1-year deadline). Contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for personal injury is 3 years from the date of injury. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is 3 years from the date of death. Claims against government entities may have shorter notice requirements.
WIN Injury Network handles a wide range of personal injury cases, including:
If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, call (773) 831-5000 for a free case evaluation.
Pain and suffering compensation accounts for the non-economic impact of your injury. There are two common methods:
Factors that influence the amount include:
Illinois has no cap on pain and suffering damages in personal injury cases.
In most cases, the deductions from your settlement include:
Your attorney can often negotiate medical liens down, which puts more money in your pocket. After all deductions, most clients take home 60-80% of their settlement. Your attorney should provide a clear breakdown of all deductions before you agree to any settlement.
While your workers' compensation case is pending, you may be entitled to:
TTD benefits in Illinois are subject to minimum and maximum weekly rates set by the state each year.
Yes, you can receive both — but there may be an offset. Federal law limits the combined total of workers' comp and SSDI to 80% of your pre-injury average earnings. If the combined benefits exceed that threshold, your SSDI payments may be reduced.
An experienced attorney can help you structure your workers' comp settlement to minimize the SSDI offset, potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your disability benefits.
Quitting your job does not automatically end your workers' compensation benefits. If you have an existing claim:
However, quitting can complicate your case. The insurance company may argue you're able to work. Always consult your attorney before quitting while a workers' comp case is pending.
Yes, pre-settlement funding is available for personal injury cases. These are not traditional loans — they're non-recourse advances, meaning you only repay if you win your case. However, be aware:
Pre-settlement funding should be a last resort for essential living expenses. Talk to your attorney about alternatives first.
Yes. In both Illinois and Wisconsin, immigration status does not affect your right to workers' compensation benefits. If you were injured on the job, you are entitled to medical treatment and wage benefits regardless of your documentation status. Employers and insurance companies cannot use your immigration status to deny or reduce your claim.
WIN Injury Network provides confidential, bilingual services and will never report your immigration status to any authority.
Yes, this is legal and it happens more often than you'd think. Insurance companies may hire private investigators to conduct surveillance, monitor your social media profiles, or record your activities in public. Important precautions:
If you suspect surveillance, inform your attorney immediately.
In Illinois, all employers are required to carry workers' comp insurance (with very few exceptions). If your employer illegally fails to carry insurance:
Contact WIN Injury Network immediately if you've been injured at a job that doesn't carry workers' comp. You still have rights and options.
Every case is unique. Talk to our team for personalized guidance — it's free, confidential, and takes less than 5 minutes.