Recent changes in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act have created potential new challenges for injured workers. The stated intention of the changes is to make the program more efficient and flexible. However, the changes are significant enough that the average worker will not be aware of their new options and specific requirements for compliance. These new elements of the law make it more important than ever to contact an experienced Illinois workers’ compensation attorney. For example, the amendments that are included in the new compensation establish Preferred Provider Programs. This change affects the manner in which employees select their own […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed specific regulations and policies for equipment, machinery, and mechanical power transmission devices that are often used in maintenance operations, repair shops, and machine shops. There are several requirements for guarding, physical safety, and electrical safety for many types of machines to maximize employee safety. Failure to meet any of these requirements violates OSHA regulations and can result in serious injury to employees or even death in some cases, making it necessary for businesses to adhere to OSHA’s standards. Pre-Operational Procedures for Workplace Machinery OSHA has several pre-operational procedures that employees and supervisors […]
When a worker is injured during a break, at lunch or while traveling for business, it can sometimes be unclear whether the injury is covered by workers’ compensation laws. A workers’ compensation attorney can help analyze the specifics of a case to determine whether benefits may be available for such “off-the-clock” injuries. Accidents on the Job Many break time and lunch injuries are eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits, even if the employee is engaging in an activity for his or her own personal use, such as using the restroom. For example, if a worker is injured while in the […]
Blackberry thumb, iPod finger, gamer’s thumb. Do any of these phrases sound familiar? Maybe not, but if you operate an electronic device in 2014, chances are, you can probably imagine how repetitive stress injuries can occur from even the most mundane tasks. Workers compensation laws in Illinois not only address issues related to repetitive stress injury, but also offer effective solutions for workers who experience such injuries. However, the Illinois workers compensation act’s notice requirement may pose a roadblock in obtaining effective treatment for repetitive stress injuries. It is important to recognize what types of work can cause repetitive trauma, […]
The Illinois Appellate Court for the Fourth District recently held that the “parking lot” exception may apply in cases where a temporary employee is injured in an assigned parking spot on her way to work. (Suter v. Ill. Workers Compensation Comm’n, 2013 IL App (4th) 130049WC). In this case, the petitioner, Mary Suter, sustained an arm fracture when she slipped and fell on ice as she exited her parked car on her way to work. Ms. Suter was a temporary employee, working for the Manpower agency, and assigned to the Illinois Department of Insurance. She was instructed to park in […]
