The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA) underwent changes this year, collectively called HB-1208. The revisions simplify the language and streamline the Commission’s hiring process.
Some of the revisions to the IWCA include the following:
As of April, only Illinois legal practitioners can be appointed to the Commission by the Illinois Supreme Court. They cannot discard that authorization or qualification throughout their employment term. Previous eligibility factors (such as arbitration for three years at the Commission or four years of professional labor) are not eligible anymore. These changes ensure appointees have experience as attorneys or in judicial roles.
Rotations for arbitrators will now be four years maximum from the previous two years. The Commission also doesn’t have the authority to appoint them, and the Chairman has to provide performance reviews at their discretion. While this change means that those reviews will lessen in number, that can also lead to multiple reviews per year. The amendments increase efficiency so experienced arbitrators can work to their full potential in familiar jurisdictions. Rotating arbitrators will also benefit from this arrangement from an ethical standpoint. Besides these changes, the Self-Insured Administration Board was changed to the Self-Insurers Security Fund to account for administrative changes.
The abovementioned changes to the Commission may streamline your claim by enhancing system productivity and efficiency. But you can also ensure you get the compensation you deserve with help from personal injury lawyers. They know when insurance companies are short-changing their clients with lowball offers. Here are some signs that they will flag:
Your first workers’ compensation offer should take a few weeks to arrive post-accident. If the insurance company sends one immediately, they probably hope you will ignore future costs. Your attorney can use these offers as a starting point to a better one you deserve. So always ensure that an experienced attorney reviews your offer first.
A fair settlement should include your past and future medical bills, the wages you lose while recuperating from injuries, and other costs. In other words, the insurance company has to cover ALL losses you suffered, not just the ones they are willing to pay. It’s not up to them. If seasoned legal professionals handle the claim process, you may get a more significant settlement amount than you think you deserve. It’s why insurers ignore specific compensation categories hoping you won’t notice. So if you think they are trying to short-change you, talk to a seasoned attorney specializing in workers’ compensation claims.
Was your workers’ comp claim denied by your employer or the insurance company even though you deserve compensation? Contact the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens to discuss your legal options by dialing 847-395-2200. We will take a deep look at your case and then create a strategy that can work in your favor. We aim to ensure you get the maximum compensation you deserve and are not afraid of going up against powerful insurance companies.
The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Office, have offices in Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Woodstock and Barrington. We represent clients throughout the communities of Antioch, Waukegan, Grayslake, Barrington, Woodstock, Buffalo Grove, Deer Park, Gurnee, Lake Zurich, Round Lake, McHenry, Cary, Crystal Lake, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, North Chicago, Zion, Inverness, Palatine, Wauconda, Island Lake, Fox Lake, Barrington Hills, Spring Grove, Lake Bluff, Lakemoor, Long Grove, Lake Villa, Kildeer, Wadsworth, Indian Creek, Fox River Grove, Lindenhurst and other cities within Lake and McHenry Counties Illinois.
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