Illinois Police Officers’ Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
Are You an Illinois Police Officer Injured on Duty? Here’s What You Need to Know
Illinois police officers put their lives on the line every day, facing dangerous, high-stress situations that most civilians will never encounter. If you’re a police officer injured in the line of duty, you may be entitled to significant benefits—but navigating those benefits is not always straightforward. At Duda Law, we specialize in representing first responders across Illinois, helping law enforcement professionals secure the compensation and protections they deserve under Illinois law.
Whether you’re covered under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA) or are entitled to additional benefits under PEDA, PSEBA, or disability pensions, our experienced legal team is here to help you maximize your recovery and protect your rights.
Are All Illinois Police Officers Covered Under the Workers’ Compensation Act?
Most police officers in Illinois are covered under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305), which provides benefits for work-related injuries, including medical expenses and lost wages. However, there’s an important exception: police officers in Chicago, due to the city’s population exceeding 500,000, are excluded from IWCA coverage and must pursue benefits through other means, such as municipal codes, pension boards, or collective bargaining agreements.
If you’re not sure whether you’re covered under IWCA or another system, it’s critical to consult with an attorney who understands the specific legal frameworks that apply to police officers throughout Illinois.
What Workers’ Compensation Benefits Are Available to Police Officers?
Under the IWCA, covered police officers may be eligible for:
- Medical Treatment – Coverage for hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and more.
- Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – Compensation for lost wages during your recovery period.
- Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) – Benefits for permanent injuries that affect your ability to work.
- Vocational Rehabilitation – Retraining or job placement support if you cannot return to police work.
To remain eligible, it’s crucial to report your injury within 45 days of the incident and to follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely. For a deeper overview of benefits, visit the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission (IWCC).
What Additional Legal Protections Do Illinois Police Officers Have?
Public Employee Disability Act (PEDA)
Under the Public Employee Disability Act (PEDA) (820 ILCS 320), qualified police officers are entitled to 100% of their salary for up to one year, tax-free, if they are injured in the line of duty and unable to perform their duties. This is in addition to, and often coordinated with, workers’ compensation benefits.
Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA)
The Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (PSEBA) (820 ILCS 320) provides lifetime health insurance coverage to police officers who suffer a catastrophic injury in the line of duty, and in some cases, extends those benefits to their families. Injuries must meet strict criteria, so proper legal support is critical in applying and securing these benefits.
Can Injured Police Officers Receive Disability Pensions?
Yes, police officers who are permanently unable to return to duty may qualify for a disability pension through their local pension fund. Types of disability pensions include:
- Line-of-Duty Disability Pension: Up to 65%–75% of salary, depending on severity.
- Non-Duty Disability Pension: Generally 50% of salary for injuries not directly caused by job duties.
Disability pensions are usually tax-free, and unlike IWCA benefits, they often allow officers to pursue other employment without affecting benefit eligibility. Learn more from the Illinois Police Pension Fund or your municipality’s pension board.
Why Is It Crucial to Hire a Law Firm That Specializes in Representing First Responders?
Police officers face risks and job-related injuries that are vastly different from those in most other professions. From line-of-duty trauma to psychological stress and repetitive strain injuries, these challenges require a law firm that not only understands workers’ compensation law, but also deeply understands the unique legal protections, benefits, and case law that apply specifically to law enforcement. A firm like Duda Law, which focuses exclusively on representing first responders across Illinois, can anticipate the roadblocks, ensure proper documentation, and build a strategy based on the complexities surrounding public safety employment statutes like PEDA, PSEBA, and the Illinois Pension Code. This level of specialized knowledge is critical to maximizing your benefits and protecting your rights.
General law firms, while competent in standard workers’ compensation claims, may lack familiarity with the nuanced frameworks that apply to Illinois police officers. They might overlook benefits you are entitled to, fail to coordinate your claim with a potential duty disability pension, or misunderstand how collective bargaining agreements interact with workers’ comp. A missed filing deadline or misclassified injury could cost you thousands in lost benefits. Hiring a law firm that is dedicated to representing first responders means you have advocates who have handled these exact scenarios countless times, ensuring that your case is handled with the precision and urgency it demands. When your career, income, and health are on the line, you need more than a generalist—you need a law firm that lives and breathes first responder advocacy.
Why Choose Duda Law?
At Duda Law, we’ve spent decades fighting for Illinois’s police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other first responders. We know the laws, the timelines, the pension boards, and the municipal systems. We understand how to coordinate workers’ comp, PEDA, PSEBA, and disability pensions into a unified legal strategy that protects you and your family.
When your health, career, and retirement are at stake, experience matters. Trust the law firm that police officers trust. We are your advocates—and we are ready to fight for you.
Contact Duda Law for a Free Consultation
Injured on the job? Unsure what benefits you qualify for?
Let us help you get clarity and peace of mind. Call Duda Law at (847) 577-2470 today or contact us online to schedule your FREE consultation with an attorney who specializes in representing Illinois police officers.
