Workers' Compensation
Injured at Work in Illinois? You Have Rights — and I'll Fight to Enforce Them.
You pay nothing unless I recover for you. Call (708) 934-2627 and speak with me directly.
Why Most Injured Workers Hire an Attorney Before Filing — Not After
Insurance companies have lawyers working for them from the moment you report your injury. You should too. The Illinois workers' compensation system is a no-fault system, which means your employer cannot legally deny a legitimate work injury claim simply because they want to — but that doesn't stop them from trying. Claims get delayed, disputed, and underpaid every day.
I've spent 16 years handling workers' compensation cases in Illinois, including 12 years at prominent Chicago firms before starting Salgado Injury Law. I know exactly how insurers build their cases against injured workers — and I know how to counter them. When you call me, you get me. Not a call center, not a paralegal, not an intake form. Me.
My fee is contingency-based: if I don't recover for you, you owe me nothing.
What Illinois Workers' Compensation Law Requires Your Employer to Provide
Illinois operates under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, which gives injured workers specific, enforceable rights regardless of fault. Here is what the law requires at a high level:
No-fault coverage
You do not need to prove your employer was negligent. If you were injured on the job, you are entitled to benefits.
45-day notification window
You must notify your employer of your injury within 45 days. The sooner you report, the stronger your claim.
Medical treatment
Your employer's insurer controls your initial treating physician, but you have the right to choose your own doctor for a second opinion — the two-doctor rule.
Wage replacement
If your injury prevents you from working, you are entitled to temporary total disability (TTD) benefits — typically two-thirds of your average weekly wage.
Permanent disability
If your injury results in lasting limitations, you may be entitled to permanent partial or total disability benefits.
IWCC arbitration
Disputes go before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. I handle all filings, hearings, and arbitration proceedings on your behalf.
Most cases settle before arbitration. When they don't, I'm ready to take it the distance.
Work Injuries I Handle Across Chicago and the Fox Valley
Every work injury is different, and the way a claim is built depends on the type of injury, the employer, and the insurance carrier involved. I handle the full range of Illinois workers' compensation cases:
Truck Crashes
18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes on I-10 and Beltway 8 require fast action and a focused strategy.
From machinery accidents to repetitive stress injuries, I handle the full spectrum of on-the-job injuries that Illinois workers face every day.
Spinal injuries are among the most contested claims in workers' comp. I build the medical documentation and legal record needed to recover full benefits.
Slip and fall incidents on job sites carry specific legal requirements. I handle the documentation, liability analysis, and claim filings from the start.
Occupational exposure to hazardous substances can take years to surface. I handle both acute and long-latency chemical exposure claims.
A denial is not the end of your case. I've recovered benefits for many workers whose claims were initially rejected by their employer's insurer.
Construction sites carry some of the highest injury rates in Illinois. I represent workers injured on job sites throughout Chicago and the Fox Valley.
Your Immigration Status Does Not Affect Your Right to Workers' Comp Benefits
This is one of the most important things I tell workers in the Fox Valley and across Chicago: the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act covers all workers, regardless of immigration status. Undocumented workers have the same legal right to file a claim and receive benefits as any other employee. Full stop.
Employers and insurance companies sometimes imply otherwise. That implication is wrong — and in some cases, it is illegal. If you were told your status disqualifies you from filing, call me. I will tell you exactly where you stand.
I conduct consultations in English and Spanish. Every update, document, and conversation throughout your case is available in the language you're most comfortable in.
What Happens When Your Employer or Their Insurer Denies Your Claim?
A denied claim is not a closed case. It is the beginning of a legal dispute — and that is exactly where I do my best work.
When an insurer denies a legitimate workers' compensation claim in Illinois, the worker has the right to request a hearing before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. I file the petition, gather the medical evidence, prepare the arbitration record, and represent you at every stage of that process. Insurers count on workers giving up after a denial. Most don't, when they have the right attorney.
Illinois law also prohibits your employer from retaliating against you for filing a workers' comp claim. If you've been fired, demoted, or threatened after reporting your injury, that is a separate legal violation — and I address it.
Access to trusted doctor networks for injured clients near River Oaks, Spring Branch, and Pearland.
How the Workers' Comp Process Works When I Take Your Case
Step 1
Report and Document
You report your injury to your employer as soon as possible — ideally the same day. I help you understand what to say, what to preserve, and what to avoid in those early communications.
Step 2
Medical Treatment and Evaluation
Your employer's insurer will direct your initial treatment. I advise you on your right to an independent medical evaluation and ensure the medical record reflects the full extent of your injury.
Step 3
Claim Filing and Negotiation
I prepare and file all required documentation with the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf. Most cases resolve at this stage.
Step 4
Arbitration, If Necessary
If the insurer won't settle fairly, I take the case to IWCC arbitration. I've handled hundreds of contested claims and know how to build a record that holds up.
The system is complicated. Your job is to recover. Mine is everything else.
Answers to Questions Injured Workers Ask Me Most
Do I have to prove my employer was at fault to get workers' comp benefits in Illinois?
No. Illinois is a no-fault workers' compensation state. You do not need to show that your employer was negligent — only that your injury occurred in the course of your employment. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the system, and it works in your favor.
Can my employer fire me for filing a workers' comp claim?
Illinois law prohibits retaliation against workers who file workers' compensation claims. If your employer fires you, cuts your hours, or threatens your job after you report an injury, that is a separate legal violation. I handle retaliation cases alongside the underlying workers' comp claim.
What if I'm undocumented? Can I still file a workers' comp claim in Illinois?
Yes. The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act covers all workers regardless of immigration status. Your employer cannot use your status to deny your claim or discourage you from filing. If they try, call me.
How long do I have to file a workers' comp claim in Illinois?
Generally, you have three years from the date of injury or two years from the last payment of compensation, whichever is later. However, you must notify your employer within 45 days of the injury or the date you knew it was work-related. Don't wait — contact me as soon as possible after your injury.
What does it cost to hire a workers' comp attorney?
Nothing upfront. I work on a contingency fee basis — I only get paid if I recover benefits for you. In Illinois workers' comp cases, attorney fees are set by statute and approved by the IWCC.
What if my workers' comp claim was already denied?
A denial is not the end. I've recovered benefits for workers whose claims were rejected by their employer's insurer. Call me and I'll review your denial and tell you exactly what your options are.
Ready When You Are
Ready to Talk? I Answer My Own Phone.
If you were injured at work in Chicago, the Fox Valley, or anywhere in Illinois, call me today. I'll tell you where you stand, what you're entitled to, and what happens next — at no cost to you. No fee unless I recover.