If you work for the Chicago Transit Authority and you’ve been injured on the job, you need more than just any workers’ compensation attorney—you need a legal team that knows CTA cases inside and out. At Disparti Law Group, we’ve represented more CTA employees than any other law firm in Chicago and successfully settle 99% of our CTA workers compensation cases—securing maximum benefits for transit workers without the stress and delay of prolonged litigation.
This isn’t luck. It’s the result of decades of focused expertise, aggressive advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to the hardworking men and women who keep Chicago moving. With over $2 billion recovered for our clients, our track record speaks for itself—and when you’re a CTA worker fighting for the benefits you deserve, results matter.
Why Does CTA Experience Matter in Workers’ Compensation Cases?
All workers’ compensation cases in Illinois follow the same legal framework—but winning your case requires more than just knowing the law. You need attorneys who understand YOUR specific workplace, the hazards YOU face every day, and the tactics the CTA’s legal team uses to minimize claims.
As a government agency, the Chicago Transit Authority operates with specific protocols, union contracts, and a well-funded legal team dedicated to protecting their interests. Their attorneys handle CTA claims day in and day out, learning exactly how to challenge transit worker injuries. Shouldn’t you have a legal team with equal—or greater—experience on your side?
Our firm has built unmatched expertise in CTA operations, safety protocols, equipment specifications, and the unique medical conditions affecting transit workers. This knowledge extends to understanding which doctors truly comprehend transit injuries, which evidence the CTA’s insurance carriers actually respect, and which arguments prove most effective before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
While any workers’ comp attorney can file a claim, winning maximum benefits for CTA workers demands the kind of focused expertise we’ve developed over decades. We’ve represented transit employees across all 9,000+ CTA positions—from bus operators to rail mechanics to office staff—and this specialized knowledge translates directly into bigger settlements and better outcomes.
What Types of Workers’ Comp Injuries Do CTA Employees Experience?
Working for the Chicago Transit Authority means facing hazards specific to public transit operations. With over 1,700 buses and approximately 1,200 rail cars operating across Chicago and 35 suburbs, employees encounter unique risks every single day. Here’s what we’ve seen across thousands of CTA workers compensation claims:
Bus and vehicle collisions pose one of the most serious threats to CTA operators. Bus drivers face constant risk from negligent drivers, mechanical failures, and hazardous road conditions, resulting in whiplash, fractures, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and internal organ damage. Train operators encounter similar dangers from derailments, platform accidents, and collisions at grade crossings.
Chronic back problems from constant vibration and shock represent a uniquely common injury among CTA bus operators. These aren’t typical motor vehicle accident injuries—bus drivers develop chronic back problems from the repetitive shock of bouncing up and down while driving all day, hitting Chicago’s notorious potholes, and enduring the constant vibration of operating heavy vehicles for hours at a time. The CTA often fights these cumulative trauma injuries, but they’re legitimate workers’ compensation claims that require attorneys who know how to prove them.
Slip, trip, and fall accidents happen regularly throughout CTA operations. Wet floors, icy platforms, debris in stations or on transit vehicles, and Chicago’s brutal winter weather create hazardous conditions for everyone from bus operators to train operators to station attendants, janitorial staff, and maintenance workers. The resulting injuries—fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, torn ligaments, and soft tissue damage—can be career-ending.
Assault and workplace violence have grown increasingly common, especially for bus drivers and station attendants. Physical attacks from passengers—particularly during morning and evening rush hours—cause bruises, lacerations, broken bones, head trauma, and eye injuries. Beyond the physical harm, these incidents lead to post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders, both of which Illinois law recognizes as compensable workplace injuries.
Repetitive stress injuries affect CTA workers across multiple job categories in distinct ways. Bus and train operators develop carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and shoulder injuries from repetitive motions and awkward positioning. Office workers suffer wrist injuries from typing and performing administrative tasks. Maintenance workers experience shoulder injuries from overhead work. Proving these cumulative trauma cases requires careful documentation of how your specific job duties caused your condition.
Maintenance worker injuries commonly affect CTA mechanics, linemen, heavy equipment operators, and construction workers. The risks from heavy machinery, tools, and equipment result in crush injuries, lacerations, burns from welding or electrical work, electrical shocks, and injuries from falling objects. Linemen working on rail systems face unique electrocution hazards requiring specialized medical documentation.
PTSD and psychological trauma affect many CTA workers who witness or experience shocking incidents on the job. Bus and train operators who witness shootings, stabbings, or fatal track incidents can develop severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Those who are assaulted develop anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma-related conditions. These psychological injuries fall under Illinois workers’ compensation law, though they require attorneys who understand how to document and prove mental health claims.
Respiratory issues and occupational illnesses develop gradually from workplace exposures. Maintenance workers, mechanics, and heavy equipment operators experience chronic respiratory problems from prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust, cleaning chemicals, and industrial fumes. Medical experts must establish the connection between your CTA employment and your illness to secure compensation.
Weather-related accidents spike during Chicago winters. Snow, rain, and ice contribute to both vehicle accidents and slip-and-fall injuries, increasing the likelihood of accidents for CTA employees working outdoors, on platforms, or in transit vehicles.
The CTA employs over 9,000 workers across diverse positions—and we’ve represented them all. Whether you’re a bus driver with chronic back pain from years of driving, a mechanic injured by equipment, a train operator with PTSD from a track incident, or an office worker with carpal tunnel syndrome, we understand your specific job duties and how to prove your CTA workers compensation claim.
What Benefits Am I Entitled to Under Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law?
Too many CTA workers settle for far less than they deserve simply because they don’t understand their full rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Consider what Illinois law actually guarantees you:
Medical coverage should cover all reasonable and necessary treatment related to your work injury—not just initial care, but doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, surgery, medical equipment, and ongoing care for the rest of your life if needed. The CTA must pay your doctors directly, which means you shouldn’t face deductibles or copayments for work-related treatment.
Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits replace two-thirds of your average weekly wage for every week you’re unable to work while recovering. This isn’t charity—it’s compensation you’ve earned and are legally entitled to receive.
Permanent Partial Disability (PPD) benefits become available if your injury results in permanent limitations. The calculation depends on the affected body part and degree of impairment, with awards often amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) benefits apply in severe cases where you’re unable to return to any gainful employment. These benefits provide two-thirds of your wage for life—crucial protection when injuries end your career.
Vocational rehabilitation helps if your injuries prevent you from returning to your CTA position and you need retraining for different work. This benefit recognizes that some injuries change your career path entirely.
Disfigurement awards compensate for serious permanent scarring, particularly to visible areas like the face, hands, or other exposed body parts.
Notice that key word: “entitled.” These aren’t discretionary benefits or favors from the CTA—they’re legal rights guaranteed by Illinois law. Unfortunately, the CTA’s workers’ compensation administrators and insurance carriers have built a reputation for making things difficult for injured employees. They wrongly classify cases, force workers to see company doctors, delay or deny benefits without good cause, and document you as “sick” instead of “injured on duty” to avoid paying workers’ compensation benefits.
Our job? Making sure you actually receive what Illinois law guarantees you.
How Do Insurance Companies Try to Deny Your Claim?
Over our years representing CTA employees, we’ve watched the CTA and their insurance carriers deploy the same tactics repeatedly to minimize payouts:
The company doctor scheme is perhaps the CTA’s most notorious tactic. They’ll pressure you to see their chosen doctors who conduct brief exams, ignore symptoms, and write reports designed to minimize your injuries and justify denying your claim. They delay authorizing treatment with your chosen physician while pushing you to accept their doctor’s opinions—opinions that serve the CTA’s financial interests, not your medical needs.
Misclassification as “sick” instead of “injured on duty” represents a bureaucratic trick the CTA uses frequently. By documenting injured workers in the “sick book” instead of classifying them as “injured on duty” (IOD), they avoid paying workers’ compensation benefits and make it appear that your absence is unrelated to a work injury.
The pre-existing condition defense ranks among the CTA’s favorite tactics. Even when evidence clearly shows you were fine before the job made your problem worse, they’ll claim your condition is pre-existing. They comb through your medical history looking for any prior condition to blame instead of your workplace injury—even when the law isn’t on their side.
Surveillance and investigation come standard in most CTA workers’ comp cases. Insurance carriers routinely hire private investigators to follow injured workers, hoping to capture video that appears to contradict your claimed limitations. They’re searching for any reason to argue you’re not as injured as you claim.
Delayed or denied benefits without justification frustrate injured workers regularly. The CTA and its insurers frequently delay approving medical treatment and simply refuse to pay benefits even when they lack good reason. They also make early settlement offers—long before you understand the full extent of your condition—that almost always fall grossly inadequate.
Utilization reviews to deny treatment allow the CTA to challenge your medical care after the fact. They perform reviews of your treatment to find reasons to claim it wasn’t “reasonably necessary” and refuse to pay for it, even when your doctors recommend specific procedures or ongoing care.
These tactics succeed against unrepresented workers or those with inexperienced attorneys. Against Disparti Law Group? They fail. We anticipate these games and shut them down before they damage your case. Our aggressive approach to filing trial motions and pushing back on their tactics works—and Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission Arbitrators recognize common CTA injuries and legitimate claims when they see them.
What Makes Disparti Law Group’s Approach Different?
Hiring Disparti Law Group means getting a comprehensive legal strategy backed by unmatched CTA experience. Our workers’ compensation attorneys have developed specific expertise in transit worker injuries:
Every CTA position and its unique hazards falls within our expertise. Bus drivers with back injuries from constant bouncing and pothole shock. Train operators with PTSD from track incidents. Mechanics and heavy equipment operators with crush injuries. Linemen with electrical injuries. Office workers with carpal tunnel syndrome. Janitorial staff with slip-and-fall injuries. We understand what a lineman does every day, why bus drivers develop specific types of back problems, and how to prove repetitive trauma cases for operators and office workers alike.
The CTA’s specific defense tactics hold no surprises for us. Hundreds of CTA cases have taught us exactly how the CTA and their insurance company operate. They’ll try to force you to see their company doctor? We’re ready. They’ll misclassify you as sick instead of injured? We’ll counter it. They’ll argue pre-existing conditions when it’s not true? We’ve prepared for that from day one.
Medical experts who understand transit injuries make all the difference in these cases. Not every doctor comprehends the cumulative trauma of operating a bus for years, the psychological impact of witnessing violence on trains, or the specific injuries maintenance workers suffer. We’ve built relationships with physicians who specialize in treating transit workers and know how to properly document the connection between your CTA job duties and your injuries.
Aggressive advocacy that doesn’t back down sets us apart from firms that settle cheap. The CTA counts on injured workers accepting less than they deserve or giving up when faced with delays and denials. We take the opposite approach—aggressive in filing trial motions, relentless in pushing back on their tactics, and determined to secure every dollar you’re entitled to receive. Taking cases to arbitration doesn’t intimidate us; it’s something we’re always prepared to do.
Trial-ready preparation from day one gives us leverage in every negotiation. Before submitting your claim, we’ve gathered every piece of evidence, consulted with medical experts, interviewed witnesses, and built an airtight case. Our reputation for courtroom success matters because insurance companies know we’re prepared to take cases before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission—and that knowledge often produces better settlement offers.
The resources to fight as long as necessary come from our firm’s success. With over $2 billion recovered for injured clients, we have the financial capacity to conduct thorough investigations, hire expert witnesses, and match the CTA’s well-funded legal team dollar for dollar. We can fight as long as your case requires.
The results speak for themselves: six-figure permanent disability awards for career-ending injuries, lifetime medical coverage for chronic conditions, full wage replacement, substantial disfigurement awards, and vocational rehabilitation benefits. The difference between hiring Disparti Law Group versus a general practice attorney can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.
What Should You Do Right After a CTA Work Injury?
Your decisions in the first days and weeks after an injury can determine whether you receive full compensation or end up with nothing:
Report immediately—within 45 days is the law, but sooner is better. Illinois law gives you 45 days to notify your employer of a work injury, but three days is ideal. Delayed reporting hands the insurance company ammunition to deny your claim. Report injuries immediately, even when they seem minor at first.
Seek medical attention right away and specify it’s work-related. See a doctor immediately and ensure they know your injury is work-related so they bill the CTA and its insurer, not you. Skipping treatment gives the insurance company grounds to argue your injury wasn’t serious. You can choose your own doctor, though you should understand the “two doctor rule” and stay within your doctor’s chain of referrals.
Document everything thoroughly. Take photos of hazards or injury scenes. Get names of witnesses. Keep copies of all medical records and incident reports. Maintain a journal tracking your symptoms and how they affect your daily activities. This documentation becomes critical evidence in your case.
Don’t let the CTA force you to see only their doctor. You have the right to choose your own physician. The CTA will apply pressure to see their company doctor who will minimize your injuries. Stand firm on your right to see a doctor you trust.
Never talk to insurance adjusters without an attorney present. Every word you say can and will be used against you. Don’t give recorded statements. Don’t sign anything. Don’t discuss your case without legal representation protecting your interests.
Reject early settlement offers. The first offer is almost never the best offer. Once you sign a release, you typically cannot reopen your claim, even if your condition worsens or complications develop.
Contact Disparti Law Group immediately after your injury. The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights. We’ll handle all communication with the insurance company, ensure you get proper medical treatment, and start building the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.
Why CTA Workers Trust Disparti Law Group
When your career and financial future hang in the balance, you need proven expertise. Here’s why injured CTA workers consistently choose our firm:
Unmatched CTA experience across all 9,000+ positions distinguishes us from general practice firms. Bus drivers, train operators, conductors, mechanics, linemen, heavy equipment operators, office workers, station attendants, janitorial staff—we’ve represented them all. This isn’t just a number; it represents decades of accumulated knowledge about specific CTA operations and the most effective strategies for winning these cases.
We know the CTA’s playbook inside and out. Hundreds of encounters with their legal team and insurance carriers have taught us every trick they’ll try. Force you to their company doctor? We’ve seen it. Misclassify you as sick? We’re ready. Argue pre-existing conditions? We know exactly how to counter it.
Our 99% settlement success rate demonstrates our effectiveness. We successfully resolve 99% of our CTA workers compensation cases, securing maximum benefits for our clients. Our experience and reputation mean most cases resolve favorably without prolonged litigation—though when trial becomes necessary, we’re always prepared.
No upfront costs ever. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. No retainers. No hourly fees. No hidden costs. This structure aligns our interests with yours completely.
Direct attorney access throughout your case. You’ll work directly with an experienced attorney who knows CTA cases, not just a paralegal or case manager. You’ll have your attorney’s direct contact information and receive regular updates throughout your case.
Aggressive advocacy backed by substantial resources. We don’t back down from fights, and we don’t settle cheap. With over $2 billion recovered, we have the resources and courtroom experience to take on the CTA’s well-funded legal team for as long as your case requires.
Most importantly, we understand the difficult, dangerous work you do every day. Whether you’re navigating congested Chicago streets in a bus, operating trains through inclement weather, maintaining heavy rail equipment, or dealing with difficult and sometimes violent passengers—you keep Chicago moving. We fight to protect your rights when you’re injured doing it.
Your Case Can’t Wait—Contact Us Today
Every day you wait after a CTA injury is another day the insurance company uses to build a case against you. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget details. Your legal options narrow.
Don’t let the CTA’s insurance carriers take advantage of you. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. And don’t trust your future to an attorney who doesn’t specialize in CTA workers’ compensation cases.
As Chicago’s largest personal injury law firm, Disparti Law Group has recovered over $2 billion for injured clients throughout Illinois. Beyond workers’ compensation, we also handle personal injury cases—so if your CTA injury involves a third-party accident (like a negligent driver hitting your bus), we can pursue both your workers’ comp benefits and a personal injury lawsuit to maximize your total recovery.
Call us today at 312.600.6000 for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and tell you exactly what your claim is worth. No upfront costs, no obligation—just honest answers from Chicago’s most experienced CTA workers’ compensation attorneys.
You deserve the best. You deserve Disparti Law Group. Contact us now at 312.600.6000—because Larry wins, and so will you.
The attorneys at Disparti Law Group have been fighting for injured workers’ rights for over 30 years. If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t wait—call 312.600.6000 today.
