How long can you be on workers’ comp?
Workers Compensation - January 3, 2024
You are struggling to recover from your work-related injury, and you are just unsure if the money you are receiving now will run out. How long can you be on workers’ comp? While several factors play a role in this, it is important to consider meeting with our legal team to discuss your case now. We encourage you not to wait but to seek out legal assistance now to ensure you continue to receive compensation as long as possible.
Our Chicago workers’ compensation attorney can help you explore the factors impacting your case. We will provide you with a wide range of legal strategies we can take to maximize the compensation owed to you. Request a free consultation by calling Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates at (800) 985-1819.
How long can you be on workers’ comp in Illinois?
You may be eligible to receive workers’ comp between a few weeks to several years. There are some severe situations where you may be able to continue to receive it for the rest of your life. However, that is not common, and you should not assume that you will be available to you constantly.
Most of the time, a workers’ compensation case will include a one-time lump sum payment that is designed to meet your needs. However, there are some situations where this can go on for a much longer period.
Level of disability
How long can an employee be on workers’ comp depends, in part, on the level of disability they have.
Temporary partial disability
Temporary partial disability means that a person is likely to be able to go back to work with light-duty tasks while they are recovering. In this situation, you will continue to receive 2/3 of the difference between your prior income (before the injury) and your current income. This can go on until you recover.
Temporary total disability
In this situation, you are unable to work for some time – but will be able to return at some point when your doctor clears you to do so. In this situation, you will be able to continue to receive this compensation until you reach the maximum medical improvement, which is the point at which you are not likely to see any additional improvement in your ability to work.
Permanent partial disability
In this situation, it depends on how your benefits are being calculated. For example, in a wage differential situation where you receive 2/3 of your lost wages, this can go on for up to five years or until you reach the age of 67. If it is based on disfigurement, it can last 162 weeks.
Permanent total disability
In this situation, you are unable to return to work based on your doctor’s statement, or if you have lost two arms, hands, feet, legs, or eyes (or a combination of them), you will receive a lump sum settlement.
Let our legal team fight for your compensation
How long can you be on workers comp depends on many factors. Let us work to make sure you receive the compensation owed to you in your situation. To do that, call Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates for a free consultation to discuss your case at (800) 985-1819.
