When you are injured at work in Illinois, you have rights — and those rights are more expansive than many workers realize. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a separate third-party liability lawsuit against the person or company responsible for your injuries. Our firm exclusively represents injured workers, and we are committed to making sure you recover every dollar you are owed.
Types of work-related injury cases we handle
When a workplace injury is caused by someone other than your employer or a co-worker — a contractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or another driver — Illinois law allows you to pursue both a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party civil lawsuit at the same time. This combination can result in significantly greater recovery than workers’ comp benefits alone.
Third-party liability suits arise when someone besides your employer is responsible for your on-the-job injury. Common examples include defective tools or machinery, unsafe conditions on a job site controlled by another party, and accidents involving other drivers while you are working. Our firm has handled a wide range of these cases on behalf of injured Illinois workers.
Loading dock accidents frequently cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Whether you were struck by equipment, fell from a dock, or were injured by an unsafe working environment, our attorneys can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Elevator shaft accidents are more common than most people realize, and the injuries they cause are often severe or fatal. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an elevator shaft accident at a work site or commercial property, our firm is ready to investigate and pursue your claim.
Truck drivers injured in accidents while on the job have up to three avenues of recovery: a workers’ compensation claim, an automobile liability claim against the at-fault party, and an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim through the trucking company’s policy. Understanding how these overlap — and how to maximize your total recovery — requires experienced legal guidance.
If you work more than one job and are injured on the job, your secondary income can have a significant impact on both your weekly benefit rate while you are off work and your final settlement amount. This is an area where many injured workers leave money on the table without experienced legal help.
Understanding your rights as an injured Illinois worker
Illinois workers’ compensation law is designed to provide injured workers with medical benefits and wage replacement, but the system has real limitations — and insurance companies representing employers work actively to minimize what they pay out. Many injured workers do not realize they may have options beyond a standard workers’ comp claim, including the right to sue a negligent third party for full damages, the right to choose their own treating physician, and the right to have workers’ comp benefits that account for all of their income, including wages from a second job.
The attorneys at Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. work exclusively on behalf of injury victims. We never represent employers or insurers. Our goal in every case is to identify every avenue of recovery available to you and pursue it fully.
Free resources for injured Illinois workers
Articles & guides
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Free basic information on the Illinois workers’ compensation system
What benefits are available and how to start a formal claim. -
Paying an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer
Workers’ comp lawyers are paid on contingency — no fee if there is no recovery, and no upfront costs. -
When to hire an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer
Not every work injury requires a lawyer, but some do. This guide helps you know the difference. -
7 reasons to hire a Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer
Why handling your own workers’ comp case is a mistake most injured workers cannot afford to make. -
Your right to choose your own doctor in Illinois workers’ comp cases
Many injured workers do not know they have this right. Find out what the law actually says. -
Off-the-clock injuries and workers’ compensation
Many workers injured at their workplace are wrongfully told they are not covered. Learn the truth. -
Workers’ compensation liens on third-party liability suits
How employer reimbursement rights work when you also file a third-party lawsuit. -
Types of third-party liability suits: the basics
An overview of the civil claims available to injured workers beyond the workers’ comp system. -
What a lawyer does in a third-party liability suit
The full scope of services experienced personal injury attorneys provide to injured workers. -
Steps to protect your third-party liability suit
What to do after a work accident to preserve your legal options and strengthen your case. -
Free guide: Rights of injured truck drivers after an accident
A full breakdown of the three recovery options available to truck drivers hurt on the job.
Free consultation — no fee unless we recover for you
If you have been injured at work, we will review your case at no cost and explain every option available to you. There are no upfront fees and no obligation.
