The best workers' compensation lawyers in Chicago in 2026 include McHargue & Jones and Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, which both lead with work injury claims, Ankin Law and Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for injury practices with comp teams, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg and Romanucci & Blandin for cases that may also involve a third party, and Bellas & Wachowski for general litigation.
| Firm | Office | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. McHargue & Jones | The Loop | Workers' compensation before the IWCC | Injured workers throughout Illinois |
| 2. Seidman, Margulis & Fairman | The Loop | Workers' compensation and workplace injury | Workers across Illinois |
| 3. Ankin Law | The Loop | Comp claims and third-party injury | Workers hurt by another company's negligence |
| 4. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers | The Loop | Workers' comp, construction and railroad | Construction, rail and maritime workers |
| 5. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg | The Loop | Workers' comp and benefits disputes | Denied claims and medical benefit disputes |
| 6. Romanucci & Blandin | River North | Workplace injury and third-party claims | Serious workplace injury with a third party |
| 7. Bellas & Wachowski | The Loop | Workers' comp and construction accidents | Northwest-side and O'Hare-area workers |
Illinois workers' compensation claims are heard by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, not in an ordinary court. You generally can't sue your employer for a work injury, but you can often sue someone else who caused it, such as a contractor or the maker of a machine. A lawyer should look at both.
Workers' comp is at the front of this firm's practice.
McHargue & Jones represents injured workers before the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission and also handles accident cases. Its site says service is available in Spanish, which matters for many Chicago workers.
Good to know: Report the injury in writing and keep a copy.
105 W Madison St, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60602
A long-time comp and injury practice with several Illinois offices.
Seidman, Margulis & Fairman handles workers' compensation and personal injury, including workplace accidents and injuries from electrocution and explosions. It lists offices on South Clark Street, in Northbrook and in Belleville.
Good to know: If your claim was denied, you can request a hearing before an arbitrator. Bring the denial letter.
20 S Clark St, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60603
Injury firm with a dedicated comp page.
Ankin Law handles workers' compensation alongside personal injury, which helps when a coworker's employer or an equipment maker may be responsible as well. It has an office in Rolling Meadows.
Good to know: Tell the lawyer about any contractor or machine involved.
10 N Dearborn St, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60602
Covers unusual workplace categories such as FELA and Jones Act.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has dedicated pages for workers' compensation, construction accidents, forklift accidents, Jones Act injuries and railroad cases. Railroad and maritime workers fall under different federal laws, so a firm that names them is useful.
Good to know: If you work on a railroad or vessel, say so first.
225 W Wacker Dr, Suite 1660, Chicago, IL 60606
Appeals and medical benefits are covered on its comp pages.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has pages on appealing a denied claim and on medical benefits. It says it works on contingency, so you pay no attorney's fee unless it recovers benefits for you.
Good to know: Ask whether a medical bill dispute is something the firm will take on its own.
205 W Randolph St, Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606
Trial firm with a separate workplace injury group.
Romanucci & Blandin has a workplace injury section covering construction injuries, occupational disease, third-party causes of action and workers' compensation claims. That's a good match for serious injuries where a lawsuit could add to the comp claim.
Good to know: Note the names of all companies on the site where you were hurt.
321 N Clark St, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60654
General litigation firm with a Park Ridge office.
Bellas & Wachowski handles workers' compensation with construction accidents and personal injury. Its Park Ridge office is convenient for workers near O'Hare.
Good to know: Don't sign a settlement before asking if the Commission must approve it.
120 N LaSalle St, 32nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60602
In most cases, within 3 years of the injury or within 2 years of the last payment of temporary total disability or a medical bill, whichever is later, according to the Commission's handbook.
Within 45 days, orally or in writing. That deadline is separate from filing the claim. See Illinois Legal Aid Online's guide to filing a workers' compensation claim. Tell them right away and keep a record.
Illinois law prohibits firing or retaliating against an employee for exercising workers' compensation rights. That doesn't mean you can never be let go for another reason. If you think you were fired for your claim, talk to a lawyer quickly.
You can file without one, and the Commission publishes a guide for doing so. A lawyer is more useful if your claim is denied, your benefits stop, you have a permanent injury, or you're offered a settlement. A settlement needs Commission approval to close out your rights.