The Law Offices of Michael J. Helfand L.L.C.

I have been an Illinois attorney since 1997, with a focus on workers' compensation matters. In 2001, I started my own law firm because I recognized that the way injured workers were hiring attorneys did not make sense. I saw Chicago lawyers handling cases in southern Illinois. I saw attorneys with no experience handling severe back injuries telling clients they were experts. This, in my opinion, is not in the best interests of the client.

Who Determines What Medical Care Should Be Approved?

By Mike Helfand

July 25, 2021

Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, if you are injured on the job you are entitled to reasonable and necessary medical care that is related to your work injury. In other words, getting physical therapy for a work related back injury would be reasonable and necessary. They’d have to pay for 100% of it at any medical provider you wanted to see (with very few exceptions). But if your appendix needed to come out, they…

Illinois Workers Compensation Law Blog

Flight Attendants And Work Injuries

By Mike Helfand

July 22, 2021

With Covid finally under control, the airline industry is booming. The last year has had people on edge and also emboldened some people to behave like assholes. As a result, passenger problems on airlines are increasing. How much? From April 8 to May 15, Southwest reported 477 passenger incidents. That’s a crazy high number. I fly Southwest about six times a year, and I honestly can recall only one time where a passenger was unruly. …

Illinois Attorney Referrals and Legal Guidance

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawsuits In Illinois

By Michael Helfand

July 21, 2021

We are Chicago lawyers who help people find the right attorney for their situation. Since 2001 we have helped over 500,000 people and would be happy to talk with you for free about your legal situation. As part of our service, we educate the public on various injuries that can lead to lawsuits. One common one is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy. What is Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy? Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy, or HIE, is very serious type of infant brain damage…

Illinois Workers Compensation Law Blog

Illinois Work Injuries And Self Treatment

By Mike Helfand

July 19, 2021

If you are hurt while working on the job, the first and best piece of advice I give is to go to a doctor. It doesn’t require a law degree to tell people that. It’s mostly common sense. If you are hurting, you get help. From a legal standpoint, you can’t prove you are really hurt if you don’t go to a doctor. And the longer you wait to go, the harder it is to…

Illinois Workers Compensation Law Blog

When Your Employer Wants You To Go Back To Work – IL Work Comp

By Mike Helfand

July 16, 2021

I don’t usually get questions I haven’t heard before, but it happens. A reader of my blog contacted me with a question I haven’t been asked in my 24 years of being a workers’ compensation lawyer. He wanted to know: If my employer wants me to go back to work after a work related injury, who is the first person informed? Me, the doctor, someone else??? Do I need a lawyer if I’m not able…

Illinois Attorney Referrals and Legal Guidance

Illinois Gender Violence Act Lawsuits

By Michael Helfand

July 14, 2021

We are lawyers in Illinois who will talk to you for free. If you would like to speak to an attorney please call us at 800-517-1614 or fill out our contact form and we will call you. With the rise of the #metoo movement, victims of sexual harassment and assault have found the courage within and the support from others to speak up, and to discuss the injustices they suffered. Sexual harassment and assault are…

Illinois Workers Compensation Law Blog

Do I Get A Settlement? Illinois Workers Compensation Payments

By Mike Helfand

July 13, 2021

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act provides for a bunch of benefits that have to be provided and one benefit that can be provided but doesn’t have to. In simpler terms, if you are hurt at work in Illinois, your employer has to be for your time off of work and 100% of your medical care. No co-pays, nothing out of pocket. The only way around that is if they have a defense to your case…

Illinois Workers Compensation Law Blog

Live In Illinois, Work In Another State: How To Bring An IL Case

By Mike Helfand

July 10, 2021

Illinois workers’ compensation laws are some of the most worker friendly ones in the country and still fair to employers and insurance companies who make billions off of these cases every year. When it comes to border states like Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and especially Indiana, you’d be way better off having your case in Illinois if you can. When the case is in Illinois that means it falls under Illinois law. That will entitle you…

Illinois Workers Compensation Law Blog

How Long Until Your Work Comp Benefits Should Start?

By Mike Helfand

July 7, 2021

When you are hurt on the job in Illinois, you are entitled to have all of your medical care to be paid and 2/3 of your pay, tax-free, for your time off of work. These are really important benefits because if you are injured, immediate medical care can be the difference between a short-term and long-term problem. And of course, if you can’t work and get a paycheck, you need money to live off of.…

Illinois Attorney Referrals and Legal Guidance

Illinois Lawsuits Make You Safer

By Michael Helfand

July 7, 2021

One of the best additions to Chicago in the last 20 years has been Maggie Daley Park. It’s made Grant Park and The Loop even better. It’s not just The Bean, the ice skating, or the mini-golf. The playground at Maggie Daley Park is one of the nicest around. I have great memories of taking my kids there when they were younger and it’s been a good choice for meeting up with friends when we…

The Law Offices of Michael J. Helfand L.L.C.

The Law Offices of Michael J. Helfand L.L.C. Blogs

Blog Authors

Who Determines What Medical Care Should Be Approved?

Flight Attendants And Work Injuries

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Lawsuits In Illinois

Illinois Work Injuries And Self Treatment

When Your Employer Wants You To Go Back To Work – IL Work Comp

Illinois Gender Violence Act Lawsuits

Do I Get A Settlement? Illinois Workers Compensation Payments

Live In Illinois, Work In Another State: How To Bring An IL Case

How Long Until Your Work Comp Benefits Should Start?

Illinois Lawsuits Make You Safer

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