Get The Benefits You’re Entitled To After Suffering Truck Driver Injuries
Driving a commercial truck in Illinois is hard and often dangerous work. If you’ve suffered injuries as a truck driver and you work for someone else, it’s very likely you’re entitled to workers’ compensation.
The lawyers of Eames Law Group focus their practice on providing aggressive advocacy for injured people, including truck drivers, construction workers and first responders hurt on the job. We can guide you through the complexities of the workers’ compensation claims process and help you get all the benefits you’re owed.
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Common Injuries Chicago Truck Drivers Face
Truck drivers in Chicago can get hurt by sudden, traumatic motor vehicle accidents on surface streets or the I-90/I-55 corridors. Injuries of this sort can be life-changing, even life-threatening. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head injuries such as concussions or traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage
- Severe bone fractures
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
In addition to these, Illinois truck drivers can also suffer injuries due to overexertion and repetitive stress. They can include:
- Herniated or ruptured discs from lifting, tarping or sustained vibrations
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Rotator cuff tears
- Knee injuries from climbing in/out of your cab
These injuries are just as devastating as a sudden impact injury and are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits when they are a result of your work.
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Benefits For Truck Drivers
There are four key types of benefits you can claim through the state’s workers’ compensation program.
Medical Care For Your Work Injury
All medical care related to your injury – including hospitalization and surgery – is covered 100% through workers’ comp. No deductibles or copays apply. In Illinois, you may choose up to two primary doctors to guide your care and your coverage will pay for treatment from them, as well as any specialists to whom they refer you.
Temporary Total Disability For Lost Wages
Workers’ compensation will pay up to 66 2/3% of your average weekly wage while you recover from an injury.
Permanent Partial And Total Disability For Ongoing Issues
Some truck driver injuries are permanent. Workers’ compensation has two categories of benefits to help truckers who have lost a physical capability due to an on-the-job accident. Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits provide income for workers who have suffered a permanent injury, such as the loss of an eye or a limb, but could still work at some job. Permanent total disability (PTD) benefits are for workers whose injuries mean they can no longer work at all.
If you are able to work after your injury but are forced into a lower-paying job, a wage differential benefit can help you make up the difference in income.
Vocational Rehabilitation
Another vital benefit you’re entitled to if your injury means you can’t go back to your old truck driving job is vocational rehabilitation. You will receive instruction and coaching on how to write a resume, apply for retraining programs and other tasks.
How A Chicago Workers’ Comp Lawyer Can Help You
While workers’ compensation benefits can help you recover from an accident without suffering a financial catastrophe, you can only access them if you follow the many rules that govern the system. Our attorneys have extensive experience in navigating the workers’ comp system and dealing with the insurers who provide it. They can help you:
- Meet critical deadlines, like reporting your work injury within 45 days
- Choose doctors who can provide you with treatment and help document your injuries
- Properly follow all steps for filing your claim
- Determine next steps if your workers’ compensation claim is delayed or denied
Workers’ compensation is too important to go it alone. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call Eames Law Group Today For A Free Consultation
Every day you wait to call for legal help in obtaining workers’ compensation benefits for your truck driver injuries is a day farther away from healing. Call our attorneys for a 100% free consultation at 312-319-8350, or send us an email to set up your appointment.
