Wage Differential Benefits
When you sustain a serious injury on the job that makes it impossible for you to return to your previous employment, the result can be a significant reduction in wages. Even if you are able to return to work, you may not be able to find or do a job that pays you the same hourly wage or salary as your old job. Wage differential benefits are available under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act to partially make up the wage differential between your old job and your new job. At Noonan Perillo & Thut Ltd., we are experienced in handling all types of workers’ compensation claims. We can explain how Illinois workers’ compensation laws apply to your situation and help make sure you get everything you are entitled to following your work-related injury.
Calculating Wage Differential Benefits
It is not uncommon for a workplace injury to result in a permanent disability that prevents you from being able to return to your job. This is particularly common in vocations that involve a lot of physical labor. Wage differential benefits allow you to get compensation for 2/3 of the difference between your previous and current wages. Here is an example of how wage differential benefits work:
– A construction worker averages $35/hour before being injured on the job. He sustained an injury to his arm that left him with a permanent disability and he can no longer work as a construction worker. The only job he can get is as a night watchman making $20/hour. That is a difference of $15/hour. Over the course of a 40-hour week, that amounts to a $600 wage differential. The construction worker is entitled to receive 2/3 of the weekly wage differential or in this case $400 per week.
The amount you receive for this benefit is subject to state maximums. It can be challenging to arrive at a fair calculation for how much you will receive, and having a knowledgeable attorney working on your behalf is the only way to ensure you are treated fairly and are fully compensated under the law.
If you have had to accept a lesser paying job due to a workplace injury, contact us to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation. We will evaluate your case and answer your questions. From our Lake County office, we serve clients throughout Illinois.