Illinois Permanent Total Disability Benefits

Suffering a workplace injury that leaves you permanently unable to work can create financial uncertainty and stress. Your Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer with Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is prepared to help you seek the full benefits available under Illinois law so you can continue supporting yourself and your family. Contact us today to learn how to secure permanent total disability (PTD) benefits after a serious work injury.

Illinois Laws Regarding Permanent Total Disability Benefits

If you suffered a permanent and total disability due to a workplace accident, Illinois law entitles you to compensation. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act guarantees lifetime benefits for workers who are permanently unable to work, ensuring financial support for lost wages and medical care. Employers and their insurance providers are required to pay PTD benefits when an injured worker meets the legal criteria.

Additionally, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, under 820 ILCS 305/12, also sets the rules for evaluating permanent disability claims and ensuring fair compensation. Insurance companies must follow these regulations when determining benefit eligibility, but they may still try to challenge medical evaluations or offer lower settlements. If your claim is denied or undervalued, you have the right to appeal and fight for the full benefits you deserve.

What Impacts Your Eligibility for Permanent Disability Benefits?

Several factors can influence your ability to receive permanent total disability benefits in Illinois. If you are seeking compensation for a life-altering work injury, the following elements may impact your eligibility and the amount of benefits you receive:

• The severity and permanence of your injury.
• Medical evaluations and long-term work restrictions.
• Whether you can perform any type of light-duty work.
• Your age, education, and transferable job skills.
• Compliance with medical treatment and rehabilitation plans.
• Employer and insurance company disputes regarding disability status.
• Prior workers’ compensation claims and pre-existing conditions.

Who Qualifies for Permanent Total Disability Benefits in Illinois?

If your work injury prevents you from returning to any type of employment, you may qualify for permanent total disability (PTD) benefits in Illinois. These benefits provide ongoing financial support to workers who have suffered severe injuries that leave them unable to work for life. To qualify, you must meet Illinois’ legal definition of permanent total disability and provide medical evidence that supports your claim.

Illinois workers’ compensation provides benefits for both temporary and permanent disabilities. If your injury prevents you from working temporarily but you are expected to recover, you may qualify for total temporary disability (TTD) benefits. However, if your injury is permanent and prevents you from working altogether, you may be eligible for permanent total disability (PTD) benefits.

Definition of Permanent Total Disability Under Illinois Law

A worker is considered permanently and totally disabled if their injury completely prevents them from performing any type of gainful employment. Under 820 ILCS 305/8 of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, workers with catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, limb loss, or severe neurological damage may automatically qualify for PTD benefits. If a worker’s condition does not meet these criteria, they must prove that they are unable to perform even light-duty work.

Illinois law also recognizes “odd-lot” permanent total disability, meaning that even if you can perform minimal work, your chances of finding stable employment are extremely low. If you can show that your injury, combined with factors like age, education, or limited skills, makes it nearly impossible to find work, you may still be eligible for PTD benefits.

Medical Evaluations and Proof of Disability

To receive permanent total disability benefits, you must provide medical evidence that supports your inability to work. Doctors will evaluate your physical limitations, functional impairments, and long-term prognosis to determine whether your injury qualifies as permanently disabling. Under Illinois Administrative Code Title 50, Section 7110.50, workers must undergo independent medical evaluations (IMEs) requested by the employer’s insurance company.

Consult a Workers’ Compensation Attorney About Your Permanent Disability Benefits

Permanent total disability benefits provide ongoing financial support for injured workers who cannot return to employment. Your workers’ compensation lawyer from Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC will ensure that your claim is properly valued and aggressively pursued. Learn how to protect your financial future today when you contact us to request your free, no-obligation consultation.