What is your hand worth? According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, the maximum value of a hand lost at the job (for a worker who makes the common Illinois annual salary of $42,754.40) is $168,551, whereas that same hand will be worth $156,218 in Iowa and $143,885 in Nebraska.
In Illinois workers’ compensation law, the worthiness of human body parts is set by an actuarial analysis of probabilities and future values of injuries. workers compensation attorney The values are continually adjusted to maintain with inflation and changes in the economy. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission uses the fixed values of body parts to be able to strike a fair balance between compensating workers without driving insurance companies into financial ruin.
Workers’ Compensation Overview
Workers’ compensation is one of the first samples of tort reform enacted in the United States. Before workers’ compensation law, people hurt at the job were faced with two unpleasant alternatives: (1) they could either file lawsuits against their employers or (2) they could suck it down and purchase their own injuries.
Now, employers in every state but Texas are needed to carry workers’ compensation insurance. When individuals are injured at the job, it is almost as simple to file claims inside their states’ workers’ compensation systems, because it is always to file insurance claims after car accidents.
In order to make sure that injured workers, employers and insurance companies are treated fairly, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission continually makes changes to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.
Below is an breakdown of the newest set of changes to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, which took devote July of 2005.
Fraud Statute Established
Any party involved with committing fraud relating to a workers’ compensation dispute is guilty of a Class 4 felony and must pay complete restitution along with a fine. Additionally, those that knowingly receive benefits by making false workers’ compensation claims can be liable for either 3 times the worthiness of benefits wrongfully obtained or twice the worthiness of coverage attempted, plus attorney fees required to bring the claim.
Penalties Increased for Uninsured Employers
Employers who fail to get workers’ compensation insurance are guilty of creating an instantaneous and serious danger to public health. As a consequence, a work stop order can be imposed, requiring the cessation of most business operations before employer obtains proof workers’ compensation insurance.
Furthermore, a knowing failure of an employer to supply workers’ compensation insurance coverage is known as a Class 4 felony, and each day’s violation takes its separate offense.
Medical Fee Schedule Established
The Commission has established a medical fee schedule, setting maximum medical fees that employers are liable for. The most fees are 90% of the 80th percentile of charges in a certain geographic area. If your worker’s medical bills are significantly less than what’s established by the fee schedule, then a employee will receive full workers’ compensation coverage for anyone bills.
Benefits Increased and Changed
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission sets maximum compensation for specific work injuries. At the time of February of 2006, the maximum compensation that the worker can receive as the consequence of a death injury is the greater of $500,000 or 25 years worth of salary. This is higher compared to previous maximum (the greater of $250,000 or 20 years).
Expedited Hearings
When a hurt worker isn’t receiving any compensation for a personal injury from their employer, that worker can request an expedited hearing. An employer also can request an expedited hearing if your worker continues receiving compensation until a judgment is rendered and the employee has been released back once again to work.
Utilization Review Established
If an employer has reason to believe that an inured workers’ medical treatment was unnecessary or unreasonable, the employer may have the case evaluated at a utilization review. In order to qualify for a utilization review, employers must register with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation once every two years.
Happy Employees, Employers and Insurance Companies
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission strives to attain fair results for several parties involved with work injuries. Illinois workers compensation laws benefit employees by giving fast compensation for injuries with no stress of filing lawsuits. Employers take advantage of workers’ compensation insurance coverage, because it eliminates the chance of lawsuits brought by injured employees. Even insurance companies take advantage of workers’ compensation law, because it sets maximum rates, which reduces the odds of unreasonable payouts. Furthermore, when insurance premiums paid by employers are invested at favorable rates, insurance companies can stand to achieve the absolute most from the Illinois Workers’ Compensation system.
By continually adjusting the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission is reaching fair results for all those involved with work injuries.