⚡ Quick Answer: What is Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that provides benefits to employees injured on the job. In Illinois and Wisconsin, benefits include medical care, temporary and permanent disability payments, vocational rehabilitation, and death benefits for families of workers killed on the job. You do not need to prove your employer was at fault — only that your injury arose out of and in the course of your employment.
Your Rights After a Workplace Injury in Illinois
Every year, hundreds of thousands of workers are injured on the job in Illinois. Under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, if you are injured while performing your job duties, you are entitled to:
- Medical treatment — all reasonable and necessary medical care related to your work injury
- Temporary total disability (TTD) — wage replacement while you cannot work
- Temporary partial disability (TPD) — partial wage replacement if you return to lighter duty
- Permanent partial disability (PPD) — compensation for permanent impairment
- Permanent total disability (PTD) — lifetime benefits if you cannot return to work
- Vocational rehabilitation — job retraining if you cannot return to your previous occupation
- Death benefits — for surviving family members if a worker is killed
Workers' Compensation in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's workers' compensation system operates similarly to Illinois, with some key differences. WIN Injury Network serves workers throughout Wisconsin who have been injured on the job. Wisconsin workers are entitled to:
- Medical benefits with no cap on reasonable and necessary treatment
- Temporary total disability at 2/3 of the worker's average weekly wage
- Permanent partial disability based on a schedule of injuries
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Death and funeral benefits for surviving dependents
⏰ Important Deadlines
Illinois: Report your injury within 45 days. File your claim within 3 years of injury or 2 years from last compensation payment.
Wisconsin: Report your injury within 30 days. File your claim within 2 years of injury (6 years if employer had no notice).
What to Do After a Work Injury
- Report immediately: Notify your supervisor or employer in writing as soon as possible. Delaying can hurt your claim.
- Seek medical attention: See a doctor of your choosing — not the one your employer recommends. The employer's doctor works for the insurance company, not for you.
- Document everything: Photograph the scene, get witness information, and keep records of all medical treatment and communications.
- Do not give recorded statements: Insurance adjusters may try to get you to minimize your injuries on record. Speak with an attorney first.
- Contact WIN: Call (773) 831-5000 for a free consultation. We'll connect you with the right medical, legal, and financial professionals for your case.
Common Workplace Injuries We Handle
Why Choose WIN for Your Workers' Comp Case?
Insurance companies and employers have experienced teams working to minimize what they pay you. WIN levels the playing field with a network of workers' compensation attorneys, medical specialists, and financial advisors all working together on your case.
We handle workers' compensation cases throughout Illinois and Wisconsin, and we serve clients in English and Español. We offer free transportation to your first appointment and work on a contingency basis — meaning you never pay us unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Injured at Work? Don't Wait.
Every day you delay could affect your claim. Get a free consultation from WIN's workers' compensation professionals today.
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