Recent Blog Posts
Understanding Temporary Partial Disability in Illinois
When workers in Illinois sustain an injury on the job, he or she may be eligible for different types of workers’ compensation benefits. One of these benefits is Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). TPD is designed to aid employees who have suffered a work-related injury that limits their ability to perform their full job duties temporarily but does not render them completely unable to work. To learn more about TPD and to see if you are eligible, contact an Illinois workers’ compensation attorney.
TPD Eligibility Criteria
In order to qualify for TPD benefits in Illinois, the injured worker must meet certain conditions. Firstly, the injury must be work-related and properly documented. Secondly, following the injury, the employee should be capable of performing some work but at a reduced capacity. It is essential that the injured worker follows the medical advice and restrictions provided by a healthcare professional.
Top Three Causes of Construction Accidents in Illinois
Construction sites are dangerous places with many potential hazards. In Illinois, the three main causes of construction accidents are falls, equipment failures, and electrocutions. If you suffered injuries on a construction site and are interested in pursuing legal action, contact an attorney to see what your options are.
Falls: The Most Common Accident on Construction Sites
Falls are the leading cause of injuries and deaths on construction sites. Workers can easily fall from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs, resulting in broken bones, head injuries, or worse. OSHA has safety rules to prevent falls, such as using guardrails and harnesses, but such rules are not always followed. When falls happen, workers may decide to file a workers’ compensation claim against his or her employer, but cannot file a personal injury claim against the employer.
Why Is Distracted Driving So Dangerous?
Did you know that approximately 10,652 of the 295,888 Illinois motor vehicle crashes in 2021 involved a distracted driver? Those accidents injured 4,102 people and killed 11. If you think distracted driving is not dangerous, think again.
If a distracted driving accident injured you, you may qualify to seek compensation. An experienced auto accident attorney can help.
What Is Distracted Driving?
To be a safe driver, you need to keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind focused on the act of driving. There are three basic categories of distractions:
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Cognitive: Thoughts that do not pertain to driving
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Manual: Actions that take your hand off the wheel
Preserving Evidence After a Car Accident
Experiencing a car accident is a stressful and often traumatic event. In the aftermath, it is crucial to focus not only on your well-being but also on preserving evidence related to the accident. This evidence can be pivotal in determining fault, settling insurance claims, and supporting any potential legal action. Here is a closer look at why preserving evidence is so important and how it can benefit you. And remember, if you have been in an accident, contact an Illinois personal injury attorney to ensure your rights remain protected and respected.
Collect Important Evidence
The moments immediately following an accident are chaotic but critical for gathering evidence. If you are physically capable, take pictures and videos of the accident scene using your phone. For example, capture images of the vehicles involved, visible damage, skid marks on the road, weather conditions, and traffic signs or signals nearby. This documentation provides a clear record of the scene, which can come in handy later when dealing with insurance companies and legal representatives.
How Can You Hold a Nursing Home Accountable for Excessive Isolation?
In Illinois, nursing homes have a legal and ethical obligation to provide quality care for their residents, including ensuring their emotional and social well-being. Excessive isolation can severely impact residents’ health and quality of life. An Illinois lawyer can help you determine the best approach to hold a nursing home liable for excessive isolation.
What is Excessive Isolation?
Excessive isolation in nursing homes occurs when residents are unnecessarily separated from others or denied opportunities for social interaction. While some isolation may be necessary for medical reasons or during health emergencies, prolonged or unjustified isolation can be harmful.
Excessive isolation can lead to numerous health problems for elderly individuals, including increased risk of depression and anxiety, cognitive decline, weakened immune system, higher blood pressure, and increased risk of falls and fractures. These health issues can significantly reduce a resident’s quality of life and may even lead to premature death.
Seeking Compensation After Getting Sick from a Supplement
Dietary supplements are a popular choice for many people looking to improve their health and well-being. However, when a supplement causes illness or injury, you have a right to know your legal rights and options for seeking compensation. An Illinois lawyer can help you understand some typical scenarios where you can take legal action against a supplement company and the steps you should take to protect your health and legal interests.
Common Situations Where You Can Sue a Supplement Company
Under Illinois law, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against a supplement company if:
- The supplement contains undisclosed or dangerous ingredients: If a supplement contains ingredients that are not listed on the label or are known to be harmful, the manufacturer may be liable for any resulting injuries.
- The supplement is contaminated: If a supplement is tainted with bacteria, toxins, or other harmful substances due to poor manufacturing practices, you may have a case against the company.
When Can You Apply for Permanent Disability in Illinois?
Dealing with a work-related injury is stressful enough, but trying to figure out the ins and outs of workers’ compensation can be too much to handle. When it comes to securing permanent disability benefits, timing is key. Taking the time to understand your rights with an Illinois lawyer is helpful to ensure you are on the correct path.
What is Permanent Disability in Illinois?
In Illinois, permanent disability is classified into two categories: permanent partial disability (PPD) and permanent total disability (PTD). PPD refers to a permanent impairment that partially limits your ability to work, while PTD indicates a permanent impairment that completely prevents you from engaging in any gainful employment. When a worker suffers a permanent impairment due to a work-related injury or illness, he or she may be entitled to permanent disability benefits. These benefits are designed to compensate the worker for the long-term effects of impairment on his or her earning capacity and quality of life.
Top 4 Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
No one expects to be involved in a car accident, but unfortunately, they happen too frequently. After a car accident, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. However, the steps you take immediately following an accident can have a significant impact on your ability to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. An Illinois lawyer can help you understand the top four mistakes to avoid after a car accident.
Failing to Call the Police
One of the biggest mistakes people make after a car accident is not calling the police. Even if the accident seems minor and there are no apparent injuries, you should have a police report on file. This report will document the details of the accident, including the parties involved, the location, and any apparent damage or injuries. Without a police report, it can be much more challenging to prove your case later on. Not to mention, people can tell their story later and end up blaming you for the entire accident, so it is ideal to have a crash report on hand.
Nursing Home Neglect Causing a Resident to Fall
People place their aging parents in a nursing home because they believe it will provide them with the best care for their needs. That is why it can be so distressing when a nursing home resident is neglected and even injured. One major sign of nursing home neglect that often goes unnoticed because it sometimes seems unavoidable is falling. When a resident at a nursing home falls, there might be legal implications, and your family might be able to recover compensation for damages. If this has happened to your parent, make sure to speak with an experienced Aurora, IL personal injury attorney. Monetary compensation can never make up for the negligence that caused your parent to get hurt, but it can help hold accountable whoever was responsible.
What Should I Do After My Parent Falls in a Nursing Home?
As soon as you are informed that your parent has fallen, there are two important things you should do:
Why You Need to Watch for Delayed Injuries After a Crash
If you are involved in a car accident, one of the first things you should do is seek immediate medical attention. Even if you do not have obvious injuries or symptoms, you should be screened and then given a report showing any damage or injury that needs treatment. However, people often notice severe pain throughout their bodies several days after an accident. Because this pain does not appear directly after the accident, people sometimes fail to recognize that the two are related. Some injuries can take longer than others to be immediately felt. If you experience this type of delayed injury, you should first seek medical attention again and then speak to a knowledgeable Kane County, IL personal injury lawyer to understand what your options are.
How Do Delayed Injuries Happen?
Many types of injuries are immediately apparent at the scene of a car accident. If someone is bruised, bleeding, swollen, has a broken bone, or anything else that is stopping them from walking, talking, and gesturing the way they otherwise would have, it is more obvious that they are injured.
