No matter which industry you work in or the job title that you hold, all types of employment come with their own set of stressors and complications. Ideally, your job will not cause you to experience unbearable stress or other related mental health concerns. 

However, some employees find themselves wondering what their legal rights are in the midst of heightened stress that makes them concerned for their mental health. If you are interested in learning about whether or not you can file a workers’ compensation claim for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, or other mental illnesses in Illinois, keep reading. 

What Is a Workers’ Compensation Claim? 

A workers’ compensation claim refers to a legal demand presented by an employee who sustained an injury, developed a disability, or was otherwise harmed because of their job. Illinois employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance.

Returning to work after suffering a serious workplace injury is a cause for celebration; it is a sign that things are getting back to normal.

However, returning workers often do not work regular hours right away, and their job duties are often less than what they were pre-injury. Such “modified jobs” allow workers to ease back into full employment, but they also create financial hardship. Workers that come back in a limited capacity usually make less money than they did pre-injury.

Thankfully, there is a solution called Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). TPD is intended to help close the gap between the reduced wages the worker receives in a reduced capacity, and the wages he was making pre-injury working in a full capacity.

 Truck accident victims are often left with debilitating physical injuries, not to mention medical debt, job loss, and mental trauma.

Recovering compensation for these losses is often a long and arduous process. Thankfully, victims have rights under Illinois Law. If the accident was caused by negligence or wrongdoing, they can file a personal injury claim against those responsible. A successful claim may result in financial compensation for losses resulting from the accident.

The thrust of every claim is, of course, the evidence. The evidence presented will determine who is at fault and how much money the plaintiff is owed if the court rules in their favor.

Despite advances in medical technology, thousands of mothers and babies are injured during childbirth every single year.

Uterine ruptures are one of the most common, and most serious, birth injuries. The term describes the tearing of the uterine wall during childbirth. Severe complications often follow uterine rupture. The mother may experience severe bleeding, which can cause the baby to suffocate in the womb. In rare cases, uterine rupture is fatal to both the mother and the baby.

Even if both parties survive, they may be left with permanent disabilities. The Mother could suffer permanent damage to her uterus, rendering her unable to sustain future pregnancies; babies are often left with impaired cognitive function, a product of oxygen deprivation.

A serious injury has tremendous consequences far beyond bodily harm. You may be unable to work, burdened by medical debt, and troubled by psychological trauma.

Overcoming these obstacles is incredibly challenging. If a person’s injuries are the result of negligence or wrongdoing, they can file a personal injury claim against those responsible to pursue compensation for the harm they suffered.

There is, for example, significant confusion regarding who can be sued. It is often assumed that only the person directly responsible for an accident is liable, but in reality, many different parties could be responsible because of the doctrine of vicarious liability.

Suffering a serious workplace injury can disrupt your life on multiple fronts. Besides debilitating physical injuries, you may be left unable to work and with a mountain of medical debt. It may be difficult to simply pay the rent and put food on the table. However, your situation becomes much more perilous if your workers’ compensation claim is denied. Unfortunately, employers and insurance companies devise crafty ways to avoid their responsibilities to injured workers. For example, they may claim that the injury is not work-related or not serious enough to prevent the claimant from working. Thankfully, injured workers can appeal denied claims to pursue the benefits they so desperately need and deserve.

Workers' Compensation Arbitration

When an injured worker believes they were wrongly denied workers compensation benefits or that the size of their benefits package was too small given their injuries, they may file a claim with the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission.

Arbitration is the first step in the appeals process. Arbitration is like an informal trial, during which the arbitrator will go over the facts of the case and make a decision. Each party is allowed to submit additional evidence, such as witness testimony, in support of their positions.

Childbirth does not always happen naturally. Sometimes, doctors utilize a variety of techniques to facilitate the birthing process. An episiotomy is one of the most common procedures to help the mother deliver. When a doctor performs an episiotomy, he cuts the area between the vagina and the anus known as the perineal. This incision creates a wider opening for the baby to pass through. Episiotomy is often performed out of necessity, such as when the baby’s head is too big for the birth canal, the mother requires a forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery, or the baby is in breech position. Most medical associations recommend that they only be performed when the mother or baby’s health depends on it. Such caution is necessary because an unnecessary episiotomy can seriously injure the mother.

Injuries Caused by Episiotomies

An unneeded episiotomy can seriously harm the mother. It can cause dozens of different injuries and complications, including:

• Infections
• Excessive bleeding
• Discomfort during intercourse
• Anal sphincter and rectal mucosal damage
• Perineal hematoma
• Pelvic organ collapse
• Anorectal disfunction
• Complications in future pregnancies

These complications can cause lingering health problems that greatly impact the mother’s quality of life. In severe cases, multiple corrective surgeries may be required to repair the damage.

 Nursing homes abuse is an endemic issue that exists in every state and around cities throughout the country. According to the National Coalition on Aging, nearly 5 million seniors are abused on an annual basis, violating the dignity of some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse takes many different forms. It may be obvious in some cases, while more covert in others.  

Nursing home abuse may be:

Not all car accidents are the same, some simply have more destructive potential than others. Among the most dangerous car accident types is the sideswipe.

A sideswipe accident occurs when the sides of two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide. Although the initial impact by itself may not cause much destruction, it often causes one or both of the drivers to lose control and either drive off the road or crash into other vehicles.

Thousands of people are injured in sideswipe collisions every single year. In fact, over 900 people died in sideswipe accidents in 2020 alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

When an elderly individual starts to experience accidental injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or broken bones, their families often opt to move them to a nursing home so that they can receive proper and attentive care. Unfortunately, placing a loved one in a long-term care facility does not always mean they are safe from injury. While accidents can still happen, abuse and neglect also play a significant role in nursing home injuries. The following addresses some of the most common physical dangers residents face while living at a nursing home.

Four Frequent Injuries Resulting From Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

1. ) Bedsores

When a patient remains in one position for an extended amount of time, they may develop bedsores. Bedsores are most often seen in a patient’s ankles, elbows, tailbone, and hips. When nursing home residents are not capable of moving on their own, it is the staff’s responsibility to assist in rotating or shifting the patient’s position on a regular basis. When staff neglect this duty, the sores can become severely infected and have life-threatening effects.

When a pregnant mother is preparing to give birth to her child, she may not consider the possibility of facing an emergency situation. In some instances, this emergency situation may require a cesarean delivery. The need for a first-time cesarean delivery, better known as a C-section, is often not apparent until the delivery process has already begun. Some mothers opt for this method ahead of time if they have been experiencing complications through their pregnancy or have already undergone a c-section with a previous child. In other cases that require an emergency c-section, it is the doctor’s responsibility to understand the warning signs that necessitate this procedure and how to perform the surgery safely. When a doctor fails to uphold these expectations and the mother or child suffers an injury, It may be possible to hold the doctor accountable for their medical negligence.

C-Section Delivery Injury Risks

C-sections, while sometimes necessary, are unfortunately not always done soon enough and not always done properly. Both of these errors can cause distress to both the mother and child throughout the C-section.

The mother is highly susceptible to injury during a c-section if it is not performed well or at the appropriate time. After the procedure, the mother may be more likely to develop an infection and blood clots. They may also suffer a postpartum hemorrhage and surgical injury to their bladder or bowel. Additionally, any time a C-section is performed, there is a chance that a mother may react poorly to the anesthesia.

When an employee is injured at work, in most cases, they are entitled to financial damages through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance program. In Illinois, any injury resulting from the employee’s job can qualify for a workers’ compensation claim. However, it is the employee’s responsibility to file the claim correctly and provide sufficient evidence. Anyone pursuing a workers’ compensation claim, should be aware of the mistakes that employees often make that diminish the validity of their claim and ability to collect compensation.

Missteps That Can Derail Your Workers’ Compensation Claim

1.) You fail to seek medical attention after the accident.

Some work-related injuries can be incredibly harmful long-term, such as ladder falls and repetitive stress injuries. Seeing a doctor immediately after can help an employee address, diagnose, and treat their injuries. Additionally, visiting a healthcare facility after an accident will assist in adding validity to a workers’ compensation claim. It is important to see a doctor and follow their instructions. Failure to see a doctor after suffering an injury on the job may make the impression that the injury is not serious enough to qualify for a claim.

Even the most confident of drivers can feel a twinge of intimidation and vulnerability when passing a large semi-truck on the highway. Some drivers accelerate faster to lessen the amount of time spent next to the truck, while others may avoid passing them until absolutely necessary.

These instincts are not entirely unfounded. Accidents involving large trucks have proven to be incredibly devastating to occupants of passenger vehicles and often result in catastrophic injuries. This blog details some of the most common injuries seen in truck accidents and the long-term consequences the injured victims may suffer.

Back and Neck Injuries

Truck accidents often result in passengers experiencing moderate to severe pain in their back and neck. In some cases, the accident may only result in minor neck pain, however, in worse cases, a person may suffer dislocated discs and whiplash. Back and neck injuries can greatly impact a person’s ability to complete daily tasks, likely delaying the timeframe in which an individual can return to work.

Construction accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. There are many factors that contribute to the dangers of a construction worksite including heavy machinery, high heights, and insufficiently trained employees. Workers in this industry should understand the dangers they may face and what steps they can take in order to protect themselves against construction accidents.

Studies completed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have identified four leading causes of construction site injuries and fatalities. These causes, which are referred to as the “Fatal Four,” include falls, being struck by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between.

Methods of Prevention for Construction Injuries

Falls include both falling from heights and slips and trips. Falling from heights is one of the most common causes of construction fatalities. Employers in the construction industry can make an effort to reduce the dangers of construction falls by implementing the following safety recommendations:

Almost all motor vehicle accidents are a result of someone’s negligence. In most cases, it is the negligence of one of the drivers involved. However, that is not always the case. The state of Illinois is notorious for its poorly maintained and dangerous roadways. The hazards found on these roads put those occupying the road at risk of being involved in a collision, including drivers, passengers, and workers. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries due to an accident caused by road hazards, you may be interested in filing a personal injury claim and holding the appropriate parties responsible.

What Kind of Hazards Can Lead to Dangerous Road Conditions?

Vehicle accidents due to road conditions often result from common issues, some of which include:

• Construction equipment or materials
• Potholes
• Uneven roadways
• Fallen trees or branches
• Cargo or debris that fell off a vehicle
• Broken traffic lights
• Poor road design

Streets in disrepair may feature hazards such as uneven lanes and narrow shoulders. Hazards of this nature can lead to drivers losing control of their vehicle and causing an accident, putting themselves and others sharing the road at risk of injury or even death.

Prescription medications are fairly common in households throughout the country. It is in the nature of most people to trust their doctor’s opinions in terms of their health, including what medications they may need to take. Unfortunately, mistakes involving the prescription and administration of medications do happen and they can result in severe injuries for the patient. Pharmaceutical errors are often linked to medical malpractice and patients who have been harmed by such negligence should be able to hold negligent parties accountable.

How Do Medication Errors Happen?

Errors related to prescription medications are typically associated with human error in some form. While some issues may arise from lack of attentiveness, others may be a result of poor communication. Whatever the true root of the error is, administering and prescribing medication incorrectly can potentially lead to very serious consequences.

It is possible for patients to be given the wrong medication or the wrong dosage of a medication. In some cases, doctors make miscalculations in terms of dosage, which puts the patient at risk of overdose. Medication errors of this sort may also be caused simply by human error when writing or reading the correct amount of medication.

In the state of Illinois, entities in charge of maintaining a property are expected to uphold high standards to protect those who visit and occupy the structure. When structures like balconies or porches are not properly maintained, constructed, and inspected, innocent lives may be at risk of sustaining very serious injuries. If you or a loved one have been harmed due to a structural collapse, it is possible that your injuries are a result of negligence.

Causes and Injuries Related to Structural Collapses

Structural collapses are almost always preventable and often a result of negligence. Structural collapses are frequently caused by negligence in instances involving faulty construction, foundation defects, building code violations, preventable fires and explosions, inadequate building maintenance, poor design, and insufficient building inspections.

When liable parties fail to keep up with regular maintenance or fail to properly design and construct structures such as balconies and porches, victims can suffer severe industries. While the severity of such injuries often varies depending on the structure’s distance from the ground and the way in which the structure collapsed, there are common injuries that arise from such accidents. For example, commonly seen injuries that arise from a balcony collapse include:

As young adults begin taking part in dangerous activities such as underage drinking, many parents may believe the safer route is to allow their minor teenager and their friends to drink at their homes. However, these parents, along with other parties who willingly provide alcohol to minors, should understand the persisting risks of underage drinking. In the event of serious injury or death, Illinois law allows for the adult who provided the alcohol or drugs to be held responsible.

Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act

In 2004, Illinois passed a law that placed significant responsibility onto individuals who supply alcohol and drugs to minors. Specifically, under the Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act, when an intoxicated individual under the age of 18 seriously harms another person or property or is harmed themselves as a result of the alcohol consumption, the adult who provided the minor with the drugs or alcohol may be held liable. In regard to this act, the adult is considered the social host.

Many people may be familiar with dram shop laws that exist throughout the country and place responsibility on alcohol sellers, such as bars or liquor stores. On the other hand, any person who supplies alcoholic beverages to underage guests who go on to injure a third party while intoxicated may be imposed with social host liability.

Overmedication results when elderly patients take unneeded or excessive quantities of medication. When staff intentionally overmedicate their residents, it is considered elder abuse, whereas accidental overmedication may point to nursing home neglect. Nursing home staff may purposely overmedicate their residents to better control those who are more difficult and stubborn. If you believe your loved one may be a victim of overmedication at their nursing home, it is important to act quickly to avoid further injury and hold the proper parties accountable.

What Does Overmedication Look Like in Nursing Homes?

Lethargy, isolation, confusion, and excessive sleeping are just a few of the signs that someone may notice if their loved one is a victim of overmedication. Additionally, excessive quantities of medication can lead to depression, injury, and even death. When the overmedication is chronic, not only may the resident develop an addiction, but acute medical conditions may also.

There are several manners in which nursing staff may overmedicate their residents. If a staff member administers medication and neglects to monitor how the drug will interact with the resident’s other medications, this may be considered overmedication. Additionally, if there is no prescription for the medication, administering the drug can be considered overmedication.

Individuals occupy, patronize, and utilize public properties and facilities every day. They rarely stop to consider who maintains these properties and how that maintenance, or lack thereof, could possibly affect them. Holding property owners accountable for the condition of their property and how that condition may affect their guests is an aspect of premises liability. Guests and tenants who are injured by a property owner’s negligence should be aware of their rights and what damages they may be eligible to recover

Causes and Consequences of Inadequate Maintenance

When property owners neglect to put the time and effort into maintaining their site and its surroundings, guests of the property or business can sustain unnecessary injuries. Unfortunately, it is common for these maintenance issues to not be addressed until it is too late. This sort of premises liability can occur in numerous environments including the workplace, common areas such as shopping centers and apartment complexes, stores, roadways, and public transit.

Types of maintenance issues that could lead to guest injury include insufficient security, spills or fallen merchandise, uneven or broken stairs or sidewalks, overgrown or improperly maintained trees, and cluttered aisles and hallways. In addition, a property feature that is often overlooked is the property’s lighting. Unfortunately, a lack of proper lighting can lead to more opportunities for violent crimes and should be monitored on a regular basis.