A Dangerous Shift in Duties
On April 27, 2021, “the client”, a 47-year-old employee at a major furniture retailer in Naperville (Crate and Barrel), arrived for his shift expecting to perform his usual duties as a forklift operator.
However, the company changed his assignment that day. He was moved to the floor and instructed to manually lift and move heavy boxes—work his body was not conditioned for compared to operating machinery. Within just five minutes of this heavy exertion, the client felt a sharp, debilitating pain in his abdomen and back.
The Paperwork Trap
The company sent him to Edward Hospital in Naperville for immediate care, but they also presented him with internal documents to sign. The client signed a paper authorizing the release of his medical records and agreeing to a company plan that promised 70% of his check.
While this sounded helpful, it created confusion regarding his actual legal status under Illinois Workers’ Compensation laws. Initially, his Temporary Total Disability (TTD) claim was denied, leaving him in a precarious financial position despite the company’s internal promises.
Fighting for Statutory Rights
When Jack Epstein’s team took the case, we had to cut through the confusion of the employer’s internal forms and the insurance denial.
Our first step was ensuring the client was paid for his time off according to the law, not just company policy. We successfully secured 22 weeks of TTD benefits (from April 28, 2021, to October 1, 2021). We ensured he received his weekly checks of $444.45, covering the entire time he was medically incapacitated and unable to return to work.
A Settlement for the Injury
Once his weekly benefits were secured and his medical condition stabilized, we negotiated the final resolution of the case.
We secured a lump sum settlement of $75,000.00. This amount was a “total and final” agreement to compensate the client for the injuries to his abdomen and back, ensuring he was paid for the permanent impact of that day’s heavy lifting. We turned a situation involving a denied claim and confusing paperwork into a clear legal victory.
Proven Experience in Every Illinois Case
“Jack Epstein, with 30 years of experience in the Illinois legal market, personally oversaw the case.”
“The client paid nothing until we won the case.”
