Workers' compensation laws are approximately one century old and the first piece of socialized legislation enacted in this country. The protections it provides workers with are well-established and fundamental. It is not a fault-based system and is premised on the idea that "the burdens of caring for the casualties of an industry should be borne by industry and not by the individuals whose misfortunes arise out of the industry …" Supreme Court of Illinois (1954).

There are four basic benefits that an injured employee can receive under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act and the Occupational Diseases Act:

(A) Medical Expenses:
Necessary medical, surgical, hospital, and related bills and expenses for the treatment of the work-related injury are covered by workers' compensation.

(B) Temporary Total Disability Compensation (TTD):
Compensation for the time periods an employee is unable to work due to the employment-related injury.

(C) Permanency Compensation:
Compensation for any permanent injury or other disabilities (including death) from the employment-related injury or disease. There is a presumption that if the injury requires medical treatment there will be some permanent disability.

(D) Vocational Rehabilitation:
If after an on-the-job injury the worker cannot return to his current job, the employer should make reasonable efforts to assist the worker in finding a new line of work.