Posted on October 12, 2017 in Workers' Compensation

Workplace accidents and illnesses result from a variety of incidents and sources. In the past, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly the reason for occupational disease and illness, but medical and scientific advances have helped blue collar workers gain reimbursement for hospital bills as well as compensation for lost wages and living expenses.

Asbestos-Related Illness

Asbestos once was heralded as a building material breakthrough that could help prevent the spread of fires and would make buildings safer. It was used extensively throughout schools, commercial buildings, multi-family buildings and other structures in which a large number of people might accumulate. Although there may have been warning signs early on, it was not until the 1940s that some began linking asbestos exposure to incidents of cancer.

A number of occupations have reported a high percentage of incidents of cancer related to asbestos exposure. Those include:

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 Posted on October 05, 2017 in Catastrophic Injuries

Although initially created to protect consumers from injury or death by fire, groups are heralding new efforts to ban the use of flame retardant materials now known to contain deadly carcinogenic compounds. The flame retardants in question are used on a number of household items used by consumers across the country.

Consumers in Line for Greater Protection from Harmful Chemicals

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently voted to issue a consumer warning about products that contain harmful toxins. The vote now sets in motion a debate that could result in new, stricter regulations governing the use of flame retardants on a wide array of consumer products:

• The most notable among the products impacted include toddler and baby products, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and electronics cases or enclosures; and
• Consumer groups have long pressured major retailers to discontinue stocking products containing harmful flame retardant chemicals.

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 Posted on September 28, 2017 in Personal Injury

Suffering an injury, whether at work, as part of an auto accident or when simply walking down the street, can have a dramatic impact on one’s life. When faced with medical bills, loss of wage or the inability to perform everyday household tasks, an injured individual may pursue filing a personal injury claim to help cover related expenses.

Personal Injury Filing Criteria

A personal injury claim is a legal is a legal case, so it is important to understand and follow the rules and procedures in place to ensure that your filing is reviewed and processed without delay. Before filing your claim be sure one or more of the following criteria is met:

• Injury cannot be self-inflicted;
• The injury must have caused both financial hardship and physical suffering; and
• The injury in question must have occurred within the past three years.

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 Posted on September 21, 2017 in Car Accidents

It has been reported that, despite laws designed to help keep drivers focused on the road, the rate of auto accidents occurring in Illinois continues to increase. If you are injured in a car accident  the pain suffered can have lasting results. However, the law provides a variety of options one can pursue to help offset the various expenses that accompany most automobile accident injuries.

Your Options

If you or someone close to you is injured, whether as a pedestrian, driver or passenger, it is important to know the various avenues to consider when seeking monetary relief to help pay for medical bills or cover loss of income.

• Insurance Claims - Illinois law requires all drivers to maintain pre-determined levels of automobile insurance. The amount you may be entitled to can depend on the severity of the injury. Additional funds to cover loss of income may be due you, depending on your situation. The source of compensation may include both your insurance and that of the other driver.

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 Posted on September 14, 2017 in Workers' Compensation

Although workers compensation premiums paid by Illinois employers are expected to decrease next year, it is widely believed the reduction will not be enough for the state to compete with its neighbors in luring new jobs to Illinois. The governor’s office further indicated the expected reduction would not make a dent in Illinois’ non-competitive workers’ compensation expenses.

Workers Compensation Reform Efforts

Since taking office in 2015, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has advocated for reform of the state’s workers compensation laws. Some view this agenda item as an important step in making the state more attractive so large companies would relocate here, creating more jobs for Illinois residents.

Another group seeking reform is labor unions and organizations seeking relief for workers hurt on the job. It is the view of the Laborers International Union of North America that insurance companies are placing profit ahead of people. They see it this way:

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 Posted on September 07, 2017 in Catastrophic Injuries

Despite efforts to make sports equipment safer and protect the participants, personal injuries continue occurring to those who take part in athletics and other physical activities. While many believe participating in sports come with inherent risk, the fact remains that every year injuries happen in situations and under circumstances that demand close scrutiny.

While some courts have upheld that inherent risk exists under certain circumstances, it does not always account for injuries that occur. From faulty equipment to unsafe playing conditions and even negligence, willful or otherwise, catastrophic injuries can change the lives of those injured, as well as those of family members.

The Role of Negligence

Cases of personal injuries occurring in sports and other athletic-related events frequently present themselves in a variety of manners. Some of the more common negligence claims include, but are not limited to:

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 Posted on August 25, 2017 in Slip and Fall

If you have been injured after falling at business, you may think you have a foolproof lawsuit. However, slip and fall claims can be complicated to prove. In many cases, the most difficult element that an accident victim will be required to show to the court is that the business owner knew or should have known about the danger that caused the fall.

The law requires that business and property owners keep their properties in reasonably safe conditions. However, the accident victim must prove that the responsible party have knowledge or should have had knowledge of the dangerous condition.

How to Prove Knowledge of the Dangerous Condition

Sometimes it may be the case that there is evidence that the business or property owner knew of the hazard. For example, maybe a complaint had already been made or an accident had already been caused by the condition.

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 Posted on August 18, 2017 in Workers' Compensation

It can be surprising to a worker when he or she is injured on the job and yet cannot get workers’ comp benefits because the employer or its insurer denies the claim. Not only can this mean you are out of work, it can also mean that you will have to pay for expensive medical treatment yourself.

Your health and livelihood are two important things, and fighting a claim denial may be your best shot at getting the help you deserve under the law. An attorney can help you as you navigate the workers’ compensation process.

Here are some common reasons an employer or insurer will use to deny your claim:

• The accident was not immediately reported. For most injuries in Illinois, employees have 45 days from the accident to tell their employer about the injury;
• The injury was self-inflicted. This reason for denial can include injuries sustained during a fight that was caused by the claimant;

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 Posted on August 11, 2017 in Car Accidents

The capital city of Hawaii, Honolulu, recently passed a “distracted pedestrian law,” which bans those on foot from looking at their cell phone while crossing a street or highway. Lawmakers said that the new rule was put into place in an effort to curb pedestrian accidents, which can be serious or deadly.

More Details on the Law

While most states have laws on the books that prohibit texting and driving, Honolulu appears to be the first major city in the U.S. to ban texting and walking. The mayor of Honolulu said that the area had seen many pedestrian accidents involving seniors and that he hoped this law would reduce the number of accidents.

Those behind the law said that a perfect storm for a dangerous accident would be created if a someone who was texting and driving encountered a pedestrian who was texting and walking. The law, already enacted, goes into effect later this year in October. Fines will range from $15 to $35 for the first offense.

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 Posted on August 04, 2017 in Car Accidents

America’s opioid abuse has reached crisis level with many first responders and doctors reporting a significant spike in deaths and complications due to the drug, which includes prescription painkillers. Another sign this type of drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions is the recent report that the number of drivers who died in car crashes under the influence of these drugs has increased sevenfold.

This comes as little surprise to those familiar with the statistics on opioid use. Prescriptions for the drugs oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine have risen by four times since 1991. In 1991, there were 76 million prescriptions written for these drugs, and in 2014 there were almost 400 million.

Thus, experts are not surprised that these drugs are now contributing to roadway deaths as these drugs can cause drowsiness, distorted thinking and decreased reaction times.

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