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How Does Workers’ Compensation in Illinois Work?
Experiencing an injury on the job or losing a loved one due to a fatal accident on the job can be traumatic. Workers’ compensation in Illinois aims to provide benefits for those who have been injured while working, though injured parties need to file a claim in order to receive benefits.
While you can navigate the Illinois workers’ compensation system alone, you do not have to. You are more likely to get positive results if you have the help of a knowledgeable Illinois workers’ compensation attorney who can advocate for your rights and interests during the claim process.
The Basics of Illinois Workers’ Compensation
Illinois workers’ compensation may seem difficult to understand, but the basic concepts behind this program are fairly simple. Workers compensation is a system of benefits established by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act that aims to pay for the medical costs of an injury or illness sustained on the job, in addition to providing benefits for individuals who have been permanently disabled or left unable to work after a workplace accident. Additionally, the Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits to the families of individuals who have experienced a fatality due to a workplace accident or illness on the job.
Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Considered Catastrophic?
Traumatic brain injuries are often severe, and the victims of these injuries often deal with expensive medical bills, long-term recoveries, and a changed way of life. For many people, a traumatic brain injury stops them from working in the future or enjoying life the way they did before the injury occurred.
If you or someone you love has experienced an accident that led to a traumatic brain injury, it is important to contact a skilled Illinois personal injury attorney. With the help of a lawyer experienced in this kind of injury, you can pursue a claim for the compensation you deserve.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that occurs when someone receives a strong or violent blow to the head. In mild cases of TBI, the impact of the injury is temporary and recovery may be possible, but with severe TBIs, there are often long-term complications and impacts.
What Happens if I Do Not Report a Work Accident?
Workplace accidents and injuries must be reported accurately and in a timely fashion to an employer if you want a chance at a successful workers’ compensation claim. Failure to report your accident or reporting your incident outside of the time limits set by the state of Illinois can cause issues with getting your claim approved.
If you are having trouble with workers’ compensation claim denials or understanding your workers’ compensation rights, it is vital to contact an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you.
Failure to Report Can Lead to Claim Denial
After a workplace accident occurs, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with all of the paperwork that needs to be completed. This is often made more difficult by the recovery process, especially if you suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of your workplace accident.
Are Distracted Driving Accident Claims Complex?
Distracted driving accidents have been increasing over recent years, partly due to the availability of distractions for drivers to engage in while operating their motor vehicles. Texting and driving is one of the biggest distractions, though any action or behavior that takes a driver’s eyes off the road and the safe operations of his or her vehicle may be considered distracted driving.
Pursuing a claim for a distracted driving accident can be complex, as you will need to prove that the distracted actions of the driver caused your accident and your injuries. A skilled distracted driving accident lawyer can help you with this.
Consequences of a Distracted Driving Accident
Distracted driving accidents are dangerous, and these accidents can result in serious injuries to the parties involved. Consequences of a distracted driving accident include:
Does an Amputation Qualify for Long-Term Workers’ Compensation?
Losing a limb after a work accident severely impacts a person’s life and any ability he or she has to work in the future. Workers’ compensation may apply in situations where a victim of a workplace accident suffers from such a catastrophic injury, though you will need to qualify for long-term workers’ compensation, which is known as permanent and total disability.
An experienced Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer can advocate for your rights and the workers’ compensation payments you deserve after an amputation or other qualifying injury.
Qualifications for Permanent and Total Disability
Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, long-term worker’s compensation payments may apply if an injury is considered a total and permanent disability. Injuries that may qualify as total and permanent disabilities are those that stop a person from working a job again in any capacity.
What Is Illinois Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice in Illinois occurs when a medical professional fails to perform their duty of care to a patient. This may include acting negligently or recklessly during the diagnosis, treatment, or recovery process. Medical malpractice often results in further injuries, illness, or catastrophic impact on the patient.
If you suspect medical malpractice has happened to you or a loved one, contacting a skilled Illinois medical malpractice lawyer is essential to advocate for your rights.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice and Their Consequences
Medical malpractice can occur across a variety of fields and during diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures, or the recovery process. Common examples of medical malpractice include:
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Using too much force during labor, causing birth injuries to mother or child
What Are the Most Common Types of Factory Accidents?
Though many steps and workplace safety regulations are in place to reduce the occurrence of factory accidents, the unfortunate reality is that factories are still dangerous places and accidents do occur. Receiving an injury in a factory accident can be catastrophic, and it is important to pursue a claim for the compensation you deserve while you recover from your injuries. An Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer can help guide you through this process.
Common Factory Accidents and Injuries
Factory accidents can occur in many different ways even despite proper safety regulations and precautions due to the somewhat hazardous conditions of factory work and heavy machinery use. However, when proper safety standards are not followed, there is an even greater risk of employee harm or injury.
Pursuing a Drunk Driving Accident Claim Under Illinois Dram Shop Law
If you are injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, that driver can be held liable for the losses your injuries cause you. What you might not realize is that you may also be able to pursue legal action against the entity where that driver obtained the alcohol consumed that resulted in his or her inebriated state. This can be done under Illinois dram shop law. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and determine if this is a legal option for you.
What Is the Dram Shop Law?
Dram shop is a term that is used to refer to an establishment where alcohol is sold and served, such as liquor stores, bars, pubs, and restaurants. A “dram” was a Scottish unit of measurement for alcohol. A “dram shop” was an establishment that sold alcoholic beverages by the dram.
Today, the term dram shop is usually used in a legal context, associated with laws and regulations that govern the liability of these establishments for damages caused by patrons who were served alcohol, even though they were visibly intoxicated. Under Illinois dram shop law, establishments have a duty to exercise reasonable care when serving alcohol. They can be held liable if they overserve a customer who subsequently causes harm to themselves and others because of their intoxication.
Common Reasons for a Denied Illinois Workers’ Compensation Claim
The 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.
What Is a “Miss-and-Run” Accident?
Most 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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