Employees working in cold conditions experience a higher risk of weather-related injury. While these risks may be part of the job, employers are not relieved of their responsibility to provide a safe environment and appropriate cold-weather safety training. When weather conditions are a contributing factor in a work injury, a workers compensation attorney may be able to determine if the employee is entitled to additional compensation for damages that resulted from employer negligence. Risks Rise as the Temperature Drops Cold Illinois winters bring an increased risk of work injury for those whose jobs require them to face the plummeting temperatures and associated weather […]
A new Chicago City Ordinance requires hotels to provide panic buttons to employees who work alone in guests’ rooms. If a hotel has not provided the required electronic panic buttons, anti-sexual harassment policy, or has retaliated against an employee for reporting a case of sexual harassment, an attorney may find cause to seek damages on behalf of the employee. These may include compensation for physical injury and mental and emotional trauma. Hotel Workers are Vulnerable Working alone and unprotected, many hotel employees are required by their jobs to enter guest rooms without the assistance of a supervisor or the presence of another […]
The construction industry has the highest risk of work-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Construction sites present many dangerous situations, often made worse by hazardous weather conditions, that raise the risk for TBIs. Falls are a leading cause of injury and death on construction sites. Some result in TBIs that cause long-term consequences. Since many go undiagnosed initially, construction workers can suffer a TBI and continue working, not realizing that the injury is severe. Long-term consequences of TBI Research conducted by the University of South Florida and the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital found that TBIs cause progressive brain deterioration, elevated […]
Uber drivers and drivers for other rideshare apps may be able to receive compensation for work-related injuries through a process similar to workers compensation. Drivers should familiarize themselves with the insurance policy that their rideshare service uses so they know how to obtain benefits. Uber Offers Workers Injury Protection Insurance Uber has initiated a driver injury protection insurance program across eight states in the country, including Illinois. This program provides coverage for work-related injuries similar to workers’ compensation policies that employers purchase. Injured drivers may decide to contact a workers compensation attorney who is familiar with this program to ensure […]
According to OSHA, Healthcare workers, face a higher rate of injury from aggressive behavior than other professions. These physical assaults can result in serious injury, disability, and death. Hospital workers and their families are entitled to all of the benefits provided under workers compensation laws. Encountering Aggression is Part of the Job Nurses, EMTs, and other healthcare professionals routinely come face to face with the aggressive behavior of others. Their work often places them in tension-filled, traumatic settings. Many workers accept the violence as part of the job. In fact, healthcare workers at in-patient facilities like hospitals face five times more workplace violence […]
Although in many cases the claims process for work-related injuries proceeds fairly smoothly, sometimes, issues arise that can make it difficult for work injury victims to receive workers compensation benefits. By familiarizing themselves with some of the more common problems injured workers face and how to prevent them, victims can improve their chances of obtaining successful claims. Workers Compensation Claims Denials There is no guarantee that a workers’ compensation claim will be granted. Many workers with legitimate work-related injuries or illnesses may be wrongfully denied benefits. Claims denials can occur for a variety of reasons. No Direct Link to the […]
There may be several causes of Illinois scaffolding accidents at work leading to the potential liability of several parties. In addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits from the injured worker’s employer, injured workers may also separately sue third parties who might also be liable, including negligent manufacturers, negligent installers and third-party property owners in some cases. A workers’ compensation attorney may identify all of the potentially liable parties in a client’s case and help with both the workers’ compensation claim as well as any separately filed personal injury lawsuits against the other parties. Scaffolding Accident Causes The Occupational Safety and […]
If an employee is fired after suffering a work-related injury, his or her benefits should remain intact. Furthermore, he or she may have an additional claim against the employer for retaliation. Workers’ Compensation Benefits In Illinois, an employee who sustains a work-related injury is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The workers’ compensation system is a tradeoff for an employee not suing his or her employee. In exchange, the employee receives certain medical and monetary benefits if he or she sustains an accident at work. Additionally, he or she does not have to prove that the employer was negligent or that this negligence […]
Without workplace safe zone protection, Illinois roadway workers are at high risk of injury and death from car accidents. Every year, hundreds of roadway workers suffer serious workplace injuries and file injury claims with a workers’ compensation attorney. Roadway Workplace Accidents Each year over 20,000 workers are injured nationwide in roadway workplace zones. The leading cause of roadside-related injuries and fatalities is objects and vehicles striking workers. Crushing accidents, specifically being pinned by a vehicle, are the third leading cause of roadway accidents and injuries, followed by runover and backover accidents and collisions between vehicles. In 2011, there were 590 […]
Proposed changes to the Illinois Workers Compensation Act include restrictions to medical services, prescriptions drug, and other benefits. If approved, these changes will result in more workers’ compensation denials, an overall reduction in benefits, longer wait times, and unfortunately increasing denials. All sound reasons to keep a workers’ compensation attorney on-side. The Grand Compromise Governor Rauner has been putting pressure on lawmakers by not agreeing to any budget unless certain state laws are changed. In response, a 13-bill package called the “grand compromise,” was put together to resolve the budget impasse between the Illinois Republicans and Democrats. Senate Republican Leader […]
