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Common Reasons for a Denied Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claim 

 Posted on March 06, 2024 in Uncategorized

Kendall County Personal Injury LawyerThe Illinois workers’ compensation statute was enacted to protect workers if they suffer work-related injuries or develop an occupational disease. Workers’ comp benefits ensure that the injured employee’s medical expenses will all be paid, and they will receive a percentage of their wages while recovering from their injuries.

Unfortunately, far too many employers and their insurance companies deny an injured worker’s claim, leaving that worker in a difficult situation. The following are some of the most common reasons cited for denial. If your claim has been denied, it is important to contact an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer right away.

Failure to Report Right Away

One of the primary reasons for the denial of a workers’ compensation claim is the failure of the injured worker to report the incident promptly. Illinois has strict deadlines for reporting workplace injuries, in most cases, within 45 days of the incident. The claim may be denied if an employee fails to notify their employer within this timeframe.

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What Is a “Miss-and-Run” Accident?

 Posted on February 15, 2024 in Uncategorized

DuPage County Injury AttorneyMost people know what a hit-and-run accident is but may not have heard of miss-and-run crashes. A miss-and-run accident – also referred to as a “near-miss-and-run” or “close-call hit-and-run” – is when a driver narrowly avoids hitting another vehicle, pedestrian, or some object, and that action causes another party some type of harm. What makes a miss-and-run different from a hit-and-run is that the driver makes no physical contact with the injured party.

Even without the physical contact, that driver could still be liable for any injuries sustained in the crash. This is why anyone who experiences a miss-and-run crash should contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer for legal help.

Factors in Miss and Run Accidents

Many miss-and-run incidents occur at intersections, areas of heavy traffic, and areas with a lot of pedestrian activity. A driver may brake suddenly, swerve, or take some other type of evasive action to avoid hitting something or someone and then drive off despite the damage and injuries their actions caused.

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BLS Releases Workplace Fatality Report

 Posted on February 06, 2024 in Uncategorized

Will County Personal Injury LawyerA report released in December by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that the number of workplace fatalities increased by almost 6 percent in 2022 compared to the number of deaths in 2021. According to the report, a worker died every 96 minutes in 2022.

The following is a brief overview of the report’s findings. If you have lost a loved one in a workplace accident, it is important to speak with an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer to find out what legal recourse you may have.

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, 2022 Findings

The report shows that 2022 was the sixth time in the past seven years that more than 5000 workers were killed while on the job. Transportation incidents (motor vehicle accidents) were the number one cause of death, resulting in the deaths of 2,066 workers and representing just under 38 percent of all workplace fatalities, a 4 percent increase over the year before. The construction industry came in second, with 1,056 fatalities. This was a more than 10 percent increase in deaths over 2021 incidents.

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Types of Winter Accidents That Can Result in a Legal Claim

 Posted on January 18, 2024 in Uncategorized

Joliet Personal Injury AttorneyWinter is in full force here in Illinois. All one has to do is listen to the weather report – or look out the window – to see the ice and snow covering the state over the past few weeks. Although this season brings up beautiful snowscapes, it can also lead to accidents that can result in serious – or even fatal – injuries. There are a number of different types of accidents that can occur. If you have been injured, an Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you determine who the liable party is and what type of legal recourse you may have.

Traffic Accidents

Winter weather can create treacherous road conditions, increasing car, truck, pedestrian, and other traffic accidents. One of the primary culprits for winter car accidents is icy roads. When temperatures drop below freezing, wet roads can freeze, creating a hazardous surface for drivers. Even a thin layer of ice can significantly reduce traction and make vehicles difficult to control. Black ice is an especially serious hazard on the road.

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How Do I Know If I Need a Workers’ Compensation Attorney?

 Posted on January 11, 2024 in Uncategorized

Naperville Workers' Compensation AttorneyEvery year, more than 3.2 million workers suffer serious work-related injuries and illnesses. States such as Illinois have passed workers' compensation laws to ensure these injured workers are protected. These laws are in place to ensure that injured workers receive the benefits they are entitled to, including medical benefits and a percentage of their wages.

Although these cases should be straightforward, far too many employers and their insurance companies look for ways to prevent injured workers from receiving those benefits. While not every workplace injury claim necessitates legal representation, four key signs indicate you should seriously consider hiring an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer.

Denied or Delayed Claims

One of the most compelling reasons to hire a workers' compensation lawyer is when your claim is denied or subject to unwarranted delays. Insurance companies often deny claims or drag out the approval process, leaving injured workers without the benefits they need. If your claim has been denied or the insurance company is delaying paying you the benefits, your attorney can assess your case, determine the reasons for the denial, gather additional evidence if needed, and appeal the decision or expedite the claims process.

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Life After a Spinal Cord Injury

 Posted on December 19, 2023 in Uncategorized

Joliet Catastrophic Injury LawyerA spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering event that can have profound and long-term consequences for individuals and their loved ones. When the spinal cord is damaged, it can result in a range of physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that require significant adjustment and adaptation. When that injury results from another party’s negligence, Illinois law allows those injured to pursue legal action against the party or parties who are liable to obtain financial compensation for the losses their injury has caused. If you or a loved one has been injured, an Illinois personal injury lawyer can help your family get the financial justice you deserve.

Physical Impact

Navigating life after a spinal cord injury is a journey filled with both triumphs and tribulations as individuals strive to regain their independence and find a new sense of purpose. One of the most immediate and noticeable consequences of a SCI is the loss of mobility and sensation below the level of the injury. This often requires individuals to rely on wheelchairs or other assistive devices for mobility. The physical limitations can be frustrating and lead to a loss of independence once simple tasks become challenging. Everyday activities like dressing, bathing, and cooking may require assistance, and individuals may need to modify their homes to make them more accessible.

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What Are Caught-In/Between Accidents in the Construction Industry?

 Posted on December 06, 2023 in Uncategorized

Naperville Work Injury Lawyer

The construction industry has some of the highest rates of injuries and fatalities in the country. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has classified four different types of construction accidents as the Fatal Four – falls, struck by, electrocutions, and caught-in/between accidents. While the first three types of accidents are fairly self-explanatory, many people are unsure what caught-in/between accidents are. According to OSHA, these are accidents that cause injuries when a worker is caught, compressed, crushed, pinched, or squeezed between two or more objects or becomes caught between parts of equipment, machine, or material. The following explains some of the causes of these accidents. For more detailed legal assistance if you have been injured, contact an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer for help.

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The Importance of Medical Attention After a Car Accident

 Posted on November 21, 2023 in Uncategorized

Will County Personal Injury LawyerEach year, approximately 40,000 people are killed in car accidents. Here in Illinois, fatal crashes are responsible for killing more than 1,300 people annually, making the state the eighth highest in vehicle deaths. Fortunately, not all crashes are fatal ones, however, with an estimated 7 million car accidents occurring each year, hundreds of thousands of motorists are left injured. These injuries can range from catastrophic to mild. What many people involved in accidents do not realize is that even an apparent minor crash can result in serious injuries. This is why it is important for anyone involved in a car accident to seek medical attention right away. As an Illinois personal injury attorney can explain, failure to do so can jeopardize any car accident claim you may want to pursue.

Fight or Flight

As anyone who has been in a car accident can likely attest, even a minor crash can be an emotionally jarring experience. The sounds of squealing tires, crunching metal, and smashed glass as the vehicles make impact – as well as the force of that impact – can be frightening, putting the body into a fight or flight response. This response is an automatic physiological reaction that is part of the human evolutional process. If the body perceives a threat, the nervous system is activated, triggering a stress response and alerting the body to get ready to fight or flee the situation.  

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What Are the Most Common Workplace Safety Violations?

 Posted on November 07, 2023 in Uncategorized

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In 1970, the United States federal government established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This agency oversees ensuring that all workers are protected by enforcing workplace safety standards and regulations that employers are required to follow. Unfortunately, despite these rules, many companies are guilty of safety violations that result in accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. The following are five of the most common safety violations per OSHA statistics. If you have been injured on the job, make sure you have an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer advocating for you.

Fall Protection Violations

Fall protection violations are one of the most common safety breaches in the workplace, especially in the construction and manufacturing industries. These violations occur when there is a lack of appropriate safety measures when working at heights. Failure to use guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. Employers must provide proper training and equipment to prevent these violations and ensure worker safety.

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What Impact Do School Schedules Have on Car Accident Risks?

 Posted on October 24, 2023 in Uncategorized

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School has been back in session for Illinois schoolchildren for the past month or so, which means that students, parents, and teachers are beginning to settle into their academic schedules. That settling can take some effort, especially getting up early in the morning after enjoying those often more relaxed mornings of the summer months. Throw in homework, extracurricular activities, and sports, and it should come as no surprise that many families feel their energy levels drained, especially when it comes to being alert when they are behind the wheel. These hectic schedules can leave parents, high school students, and college students at a higher risk of being involved in a fatigued driving accident.

The following is a brief overview of some of the factors that back-to-school schedules have that families need to be aware of. If you have been injured in a crash, make sure to contact an Illinois car accident lawyer for legal help.

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