No — it’s not too late to hire a workers’ compensation attorney in Illinois, even if you’ve already started the claims process on your own. In fact, getting legal help could be the smartest move if your case is dragging, your benefits aren’t coming through, or you’re unsure what to do next.
At The Illinois Hammer Injury Law Firm, we regularly step in to help injured workers at all stages of the process — from the first report of injury to cases that have stalled for months or even years.
When Should You Consider Hiring a Lawyer?
You don’t have to wait for your claim to be denied before seeking legal help. You should consider speaking to an attorney if:
- Your claim has been pending for a long time with no updates
- You’re not receiving wage replacement benefits (temporary total disability)
- Medical bills are being denied or delayed
- You’re overwhelmed by paperwork, deadlines, or confusing legal terms
- The insurance company is disputing your injury or downplaying its severity
Even if you’ve been trying to handle everything yourself, you still have the right to bring in a lawyer at any point, as long as key deadlines haven’t passed.
Know the Deadlines — But Don’t Panic
Under Illinois law, you must report your injury to your employer within 45 days of the incident in most cases. To preserve your full rights, you also need to file a claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC) within:
- 3 years from the date of injury, or
- 2 years from your last workers’ comp benefit payment — whichever is later.
If you’ve met these deadlines, an attorney can typically take over and help you move forward — no matter how much time has passed.
How We Help When You’re Stuck
We understand how frustrating it is to feel like you’re doing everything right but still not getting the care or support you need. Our legal team can:
- Review your case file, including medical records and communications
- Push the insurance company to pay benefits or approve treatment
- Prepare your case for hearing or negotiate a fair settlement
- Take the stress off your plate so you can focus on healing
We’ve helped several injured workers across Illinois salvage delayed, denied, or mishandled claims — and we’re ready to help you too.
Don’t Give Up. Call Today.
Even if your case has been open for months — or years — it’s not too late to get the legal support you deserve. At The Illinois Hammer Injury Law Firm, we offer free consultations and work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there’s no risk in reaching out.
Call us today to get your case back on track. You don’t have to face this alone.
