The No-Fault System and Illinois Workers’ Compensation

You may be wondering what no-fault means in relation to Workers’ Compensation. In the state of Illinois, employees are covered by Workers’ Compensation, but it is also a no-fault system.This means that no matter who is to blame for your work-related injuries, you are still eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. If an injury results from an accident occurring on the job, you cannot be denied benefits whether or not you, your employer or co-workers are to blame.However, if another party were involved and found to be responsible for your injuries, then you could file a third-party liability lawsuit. For more information on this type of scenario, read our article on Workers’ Compensation Claims and Personal Injury Claim. The upside to this is that if you are responsible for your injuries, it won’t be held against you. The downside, however, is that if your employer was at fault, they cannot be held responsible. Even if your employer was grossly negligent or failed to abide by safety regulations, they cannot be held responsible other than through Workers’ Compensation benefits. If you receive these benefits, you cannot sue your employer.Because of this, you are entitled to a limited set of benefits. This is known by attorneys as “exclusive remedy rule.” In other words, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act is your sole remedy against your employer for any injuries sustained at work. In addition, this exclusive remedy rule applies to your co-workers as well.If you have been injured at work, contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you learn what your rights are.Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury AttorneyDuring this time, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago personal injury attorney can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080.