Passionate Service From Our Illinois Firefighter Injury Lawyers

Last updated on March 19, 2025

Brent Eames has represented hundreds of firefighters throughout Illinois and is prepared to represent you. He’s an established firefighter injury lawyer with a proven track record. Getting the benefits you’re entitled to isn’t as easy as they make you think. Hiring us means someone has your back.

Firefighter Injuries: What To Know

The Public Employee Disability Act (PEDA) is an Illinois law that provides financial protection for firefighters who suffer the misfortune of being injured in the line of duty. For firefighters, a disability that results from an act on duty provides significant benefits. For firefighters employed outside of Chicago, a line of duty disability pension qualifies them to receive benefits. Benefits for firefighters outside of Chicago will amount to 65% of their salary. Those employed in Chicago are entitled to 75% of their salaries while injured in the line of duty.

Qualifying for a line of duty pension requires the injured firefighter to submit a formal application to the pension board. The pension board will conduct a hearing and make a determination as to whether the employee qualifies for the line of duty pension. They will also decide whether the employee is qualified as disabled and whether it was the result of an act of duty.

These are some other important terms related to firefighter injuries:

• Payment of medical expenses: Medical expenses that are reasonable and related to the employee’s work injury.
• Payment of appropriate sum: Permanent impairment resulting from the work injury will result in appropriate payment.
• Temporary total disability benefits: Payment of temporary total disability benefits (TTD) for the entire time the injured employee is unable to work for his or her employer due to the work injury. (These payments are 2/3 of the employee’s average weekly wage tax-free.)
• Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act: The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA) is a law that provides benefits to just about all workers in Illinois who suffer injuries. The injuries must arise out of and occur in the course of their employment.
• Pensions and disability pensions: The Illinois Pension Code contains special provisions providing benefits to firefighters who have become disabled and can no longer perform their professional duties. The code contains provisions providing benefits for both disabilities that result from the line of duty incidents as well as not on duty incidents.
• On duty and off duty: Both on-duty and off-duty police officers qualify to receive benefits from the Illinois Pension Code. Officers injured in the line of duty are entitled to 65%-75% of their salaries, while firefighters injured not on duty are entitled to 50% of their salaries.
• Public Safety Employee Benefits Act: The Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA) is an Illinois law that provides a lifetime of employer funded insurance benefits for police officers who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
• Public Employee Disability Act: The Public Employee Disability Act (PEDA) is an Illinois law that provides financial protection for police officers who suffer the misfortune of being injured in the line of duty. These benefits last for one full year.

What To Know About Line Of Duty Deaths and Catastrophic Injuries

The Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA) is an Illinois law that provides a lifetime of employer funded insurance benefits for firefighters who are injured or killed in the line of duty. This benefit is also provided for the injured or deceased employee’s spouse and any dependent children. In order to qualify, the catastrophic injury must have occurred under one of the following circumstances:

• The officer’s response to fresh pursuit
• The officer’s response to what is reasonably believed to be an emergency
• An unlawful act perpetrated by another
• During the investigation of a criminal act

Training exercises may qualify as an emergency situation.

Taking On Your Firefighter Workers’ Compensation Claim

Firefighters who qualify for workers’ compensation are entitled to payment of medical expenses and payment of temporary disability benefits. Most firefighters in Illinois who suffer a work-related injury are entitled to apply for and receive benefits pursuant to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. This act includes payment of medical expenses and payment of temporary disability benefits while recovering from their injury. There is also an appropriate award for permanent impairment as a result of the injury.

Take Action: Contact An Illinois Firefighter Injury Attorney

At Eames Law Group, we feel honored to serve the firefighters who serve us. Please schedule a free initial consultation today to learn more about how we can help you get your benefits. To reach us, call 312-319-8350 or send us an email.