Paying for Workers’ Compensation Travel Expenses in Illinois: What You Need to Know
Does your employer need to reimburse you for travel expenses you incur as part of a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois?
This question often arises when clients need to travel to see a physician to treat an injury incurred on the job. Generally, the answer is no: your employer is not required to reimburse you.
But there are exceptions. For instance:
- If the employer is directing your medical care. If your employer requires you to, say, seek an independent medical examination, the employer needs to reimburse you, and do so ahead of your appointment. The federal reimbursement guideline for those who drive is based on the IRS.
- If you can prove that traveling a great distance to see a physician is reasonable and necessary. Let’s say you live in Chicago and choose to visit a specialist in Peoria. You probably won’t be able to get compensation for the trip expenses because you likely have an abundance of options for treatment in Chicago. But what if you live in rural Illinois, and the only available physician is in Chicago? Then you may very well have a strong argument that traveling to see the physician requires a reasonable and necessary expense, especially to see a specialist.
If you have questions about workers’ compensation, it’s important that you seek the counsel of an experienced attorney such as the team at Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen. We have been representing workers’ compensation clients in Illinois and Iowa for 30 years. Learn more about our work through our case studies and testimonials. We’re always in your corner.
Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen
Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen now at (800) 535-4542 if you need help with a workers’ compensation case in Illinois or Iowa. As your Illinois and Iowa Injury Network, we are ready to assist you over the phone or in person. We perform our cases on a contingent fee basis, which means we are not paid unless you recover compensation for your claim. Call Capron Avgerinos & Heinlen at (800) 535-4542. Let us show how we can deliver results for you.
