Work Injury Attorney in Chicago

Legal Help After A Work Injury In Chicago

Getting hurt at work can change your life in an instant. One day, you are doing your job. Next, you may be facing medical appointments, time away from work, and pressure from supervisors or an insurance company. It is normal to feel unsure about what to do next or who is really on your side.

At Workplace Law Partners, we help injured employees in Chicago and across Illinois understand their rights after a workplace injury. Our attorneys handle workers’ compensation benefit disputes and related employment issues that often arise, such as retaliation, denial of leave, or termination after an injury. We focus on employment law, and we apply that knowledge to the unique problems that follow an on-the-job injury.

Our team has spent nearly a decade serving workers from our downtown office, and we offer free case reviews so you can discuss your situation without financial pressure. When you call (312) 818-2407, you reach a firm that listens carefully, explains your options, and works with you to decide on next steps that fit your goals.

Why Injured Workers Choose Our Firm

When you are looking for a work injury lawyer in Chicago, you want more than a name on a website. You want a team that knows how Illinois workplaces operate and how employers respond when someone gets hurt. We built our practice around employment law. This includes wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower cases, severance agreements, non-compete disputes, and wage and overtime matters. That background helps us recognize when a work injury is only part of a larger employment problem.

Our attorneys bring over 100 years of combined experience in employment law. We have handled complex individual cases and class actions, including a 2020 overtime settlement for more than 500 Dyson Direct employees. That matter showed our ability to take on a major company, manage detailed evidence, and pursue meaningful financial recovery for a large group of workers.

Principal attorney David Fish has been named a Super Lawyer every year from 2018 through 2025 and holds a “preeminent” rating from Martindale Hubbell. He teaches employment law as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law and serves as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association. Crain’s Chicago Business recognized him among its Notable Leaders in Employment and Labor Law. For you, these credentials mean that your job injury attorney in Chicago is deeply familiar with the laws and procedures that affect your case.

We are also proud of how we serve our community. The Illinois State Bar Association honored our firm with the John McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award for our volunteer work through Prairie State Legal Services. That recognition reflects our commitment to making legal help accessible to people who might otherwise have nowhere to turn. Clients consistently describe our team as responsive, calm, and thorough. Many mention that we took on cases they had almost given up on and helped them reach fair results.

When you come to us after a workplace injury, we take time to understand not only your medical situation but also your job history, workplace relationships, and long-term concerns. We know that standing up to an employer can feel intimidating. Our goal is to help you feel heard and supported while we work to protect your income, your health, and your dignity at work.

To schedule your free case review with our Chicago work injury attorneys, reach out online or call (312) 818-2407.

What To Do After A Workplace Injury

The hours and days after an injury can shape how your claim unfolds. You may be unsure about reporting the incident, worried about missing work, or receiving mixed messages from supervisors and coworkers. While every situation is different, some steps often help protect your health and your legal rights.

Illinois workers’ compensation law generally requires that you report a work injury to your employer within a specific time period. Delays can create arguments about whether the injury is job-related. Try to report the injury in writing when possible, describe what happened, and note any witnesses. Keep a copy of any report or email you submit.

Medical treatment is just as important. Even if you think you can push through the pain, it is usually best to see a doctor promptly and describe all your symptoms, not only the most serious ones. Follow the treatment plan you receive, attend follow-up appointments, and keep records of test results and work restrictions. These records often become important evidence if your benefits are challenged.

Be careful about what you sign and what you say. Insurance adjusters and company representatives may ask for statements or documents that affect your rights. You can usually provide basic factual information, such as your name and contact details, but you do not have to guess about causes or accept responsibility on the spot. It is often better to speak with a workplace injury attorney before giving detailed recorded statements or signing releases.

If you have questions about any of these steps, consider the following checklist:

• Report the injury to your employer as soon as practical and keep a copy of what you submit.
• Seek medical care promptly and follow the treatment plan your provider recommends.
• Write down dates, times, and names of anyone involved in the incident or in conversations about your injury.
• Avoid signing settlement documents or broad medical releases without understanding your rights.
• Contact our firm so we can review your situation and help you decide how to move forward.

Our Chicago work injury attorneys can review what has already happened, identify any deadlines that may apply, and help you understand how workers’ compensation, leave laws, and employment protections may work together in your case.

Illinois Work Injury Rights & Options

After an on-the-job injury, many people focus only on the workers’ compensation claim. In Illinois, that system can provide medical coverage, wage replacement for time off, and other benefits. However, the way your employer responds to your injury can also raise broader employment law issues that affect your income and your career.

Under the Illinois workers’ compensation law, most employees who are hurt while performing their job duties may be eligible for certain benefits. These often include payment of reasonable and necessary medical care and a portion of lost wages if you are unable to work or can only work in a limited capacity. The exact benefits depend on factors such as the severity of the injury, your job duties, and your ability to return to work. Disputes can arise over whether the injury is work-related, the type of treatment you receive, or the amount of wage loss you should be paid.

At the same time, employment laws limit how an employer may treat you after you report an injury or request time away from work. We frequently talk with workers who worry that their employer will cut their hours, move them to a less favorable position, or terminate them because they filed a claim. In some situations, those actions may amount to retaliation or wrongful termination. Our work injury attorneys examine the timing, stated reasons, and patterns in workplace behavior to evaluate whether legal claims exist beyond the workers’ compensation case itself.

Serious injuries often require extended recovery. If you are eligible for leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, you may have the right to take job-protected time off for a qualifying health condition. When a work injury leads to surgery or ongoing treatment, FMLA rights can become an important part of your overall legal picture. We regularly handle disputes in which leave is denied, cut short, or treated as grounds for discipline.

In addition, some workers face discrimination connected to their injuries. For example, a worker with lifting restrictions may be refused reasonable accommodation or treated differently because of their physical limitations. Our firm handles discrimination cases under federal and Illinois law, so we look carefully at whether a workplace response to your injury crosses the line from inconvenience to unlawful conduct.

When you meet with us, we do not look at your situation as only a workers’ compensation claim or only an employment claim. Instead, we consider all of the legal tools that may apply to your case. A Chicago job injury lawyer from our team can explain what benefits you might pursue, what protections may apply to your job, and what steps could help preserve your rights in both arenas.

How Our Chicago Team Helps You

Reaching out for legal help can feel like a big step, especially if this is your first legal matter. Our goal is to make that first conversation straightforward and respectful. When you contact us, we start with a free case review. We listen to what happened at work, how you were injured, how your employer responded, and what you hope to achieve. We then discuss potential paths forward and answer your questions in plain language.

If you decide to work with our firm, we begin gathering information that may support your claims. This can include reviewing incident reports, email communications, performance reviews, policy manuals, and medical records that relate to your injury and your job. We look for patterns in how your employer treats injuries, whether others have faced similar problems, and what legal theories fit the facts of your case. Our work injury attorneys then develop a legal strategy that reflects your goals, whether that means focusing on income replacement, job protection, or a resolution that allows you to move on.

Communication is a central part of how we practice. Clients have described our attorneys as quick to respond, patient, and calming during stressful proceedings. We work to keep you updated on major developments and to explain each step, such as filing a claim, responding to employer arguments, or preparing for mediation or a hearing. When you are scheduled to appear before a decision maker, we aim to help you feel as prepared and supported as possible.

Because we are based in downtown Chicago, we are familiar with the courts and administrative bodies that handle employment and workplace disputes affecting Cook County workers. Our litigation often involves Chicago area forums, and we understand how local employers and their attorneys frequently approach these matters. That familiarity helps us anticipate the issues that may arise when you assert your rights after a workplace injury.

Throughout the process, we remain focused on results that have real meaning for you. That may involve financial compensation, changes to workplace practices, or agreements related to future employment. We also know that asserting your rights can help restore a sense of dignity after an injury. Our Chicago work injury attorneys work to support you as you make decisions about your case and your career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer for a work injury?

You are not required to hire a work injury lawyer, but many workers find it helpful. A work injury attorney can identify benefits you may be entitled to, spot retaliation or leave problems, and deal with insurance and employer representatives. We offer free case reviews so you can learn your options.

Can I be fired after reporting an injury?

Employers sometimes terminate injured workers, but firing someone because they reported an injury or filed a claim can be unlawful. Each situation depends on the facts and timing. Our work injury attorneys regularly evaluate possible retaliation and wrongful termination claims related to workplace injuries.

When should I call your firm after a job injury?

It usually helps to contact us as soon as you can after getting medical attention and reporting the injury. Early advice can affect how you complete forms, communicate with your employer, and respond to requests from the insurance company. We strive to respond quickly when workers reach out.

How do you charge for work injury cases?

We start with a free case review so you can discuss your situation and potential options without cost. Fee structures can depend on the type of claim and the work involved. During your consultation, we explain how fees would apply before you decide whether to move forward.

Can you help if my leave request was denied?

Yes, we handle disputes involving family and medical leave and other leave policies. If an injury keeps you from working and your request for time off was denied, we can review whether laws such as the FMLA or other protections may apply and discuss possible next steps.

Talk With Our Work Injury Team

If you suffered a workplace injury, you do not have to sort out workers’ compensation, leave rights, and job protection on your own. Our work injury attorney team uses extensive employment law experience to help injured workers in the Chicago area understand their options and plan a path forward.

When you contact Workplace Law Partners, you speak with attorneys who have been recognized for their work in employment law and who have a record of achieving meaningful outcomes in complex workplace disputes. We offer free case reviews, take time to listen, and focus on practical solutions tailored to your goals.

Whether you are just beginning a claim or already facing pushback from your employer or an insurance company, we are ready to talk with you about your rights.

Ready to schedule your free case review with our Chicago work injury attorneys? Reach out online or call (312) 818-2407.