Posted on August 26, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

When an employee is significantly injured at work, people may assume that their employer will be more than willing to pay out the workers’ compensation payments to which they are entitled. However, this is not always the case, even in a state such as Illinois in which workers’ comp benefits are mandated. In reality, many companies will do whatever they can to avoid paying workers’ compensation benefits in full, or they may attempt to avoid making these payments altogether. However, since employees commonly experience workplace injuries, it is important to understand the steps you can take to ensure you will receive the compensation you and your family deserve if you are hurt on the job. 

Frequent Workplace Injuries 

While injuries in the workplace vary across different industries, there are a number of serious incidents that are common throughout all lines of work. Slip and fall injuries are some of the most common workplace incidents that can come with significant health ramifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips and falls resulted in the death of more than 800 workers throughout the United States in 2016 alone. Falls are increasingly common in the construction industry, where employers often fail to adhere to nationally recognized safety standards and OSHA regulations. In other fields, poorly lit rooms or poorly maintained stairways can be the culprit in a slip and fall.

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 Posted on August 22, 2019 in Personal Injury

Every year, thousands of Americans suffer significant injuries while riding bicycles. While biking can be an enjoyable activity and a convenient way to commute to and from work, cycling does come with some inherent safety risks. Most notably, bike riders have little protection aside from their helmets, especially if they are struck by a motor vehicle. Because of this, many of the injuries associated with bicycle accidents can be life-threatening. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 700 bicyclists suffered fatal injuries after being struck by motor vehicles in 2017. If you or a loved one are injured in a bicycle collision, it is time to speak with a legal professional. 

Securing Compensation 

When accidents occur between a motorist and a bicyclist, it is not uncommon to find that the motorist was acting negligently in some manner. Motorist negligence can come in any number of forms, from running a red light to erratically swerving from lane to lane. Today, the most common forms of driver negligence are speeding, texting and driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Speeding is prevalent in many bicycle collisions, due to the fact that the motorist’s reaction time is significantly hindered because of the high speed at which he or she is traveling. Texting while operating a vehicle has become the most common form of distracted driving and can be incredibly dangerous to bicyclists. Unfortunately, alcohol plays a huge role in many collisions between bikes and vehicles. Throughout 2017, 37 percent of all fatal bicycle collisions involved an intoxicated motorist. An injured cyclist may be able to seek compensation from a driver whose actions or negligence led to a bike accident.

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 Posted on August 20, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

In the United States, various forms of medical malpractice are much more common than most people would like to assume. Medical malpractice is defined as a process in which a medical professional does not adhere to a set of standards and thus causes injuries or significant harm to a patient. Malpractice in the medical field can include surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and pharmaceutical errors. Regardless of the type of medical malpractice, when a medical professional acts in a negligent or reckless manner, the implications can be life-threatening. If you or a member of your family has been impacted by the negligence of a medical professional, it is time to speak with a skilled legal professional. 

Medical Mistakes 

In any profession, people can make mistakes; we are all human. Unfortunately, in the medical industry, a person’s negligence or reckless behavior can ultimately cost a person his or her life. Below are some of the most common forms of medical malpractice in the United States. 

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 Posted on August 13, 2019 in Car Accident

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), approximately 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur throughout the United States, each and every year. Unfortunately, many of these collisions can result in serious injury to those involved. Of the 1.7 million rear-end crashes each year, an average of 500,000 results in injury to a passenger. After suffering an injury in a rear-end collision, it is critically important to know what steps to take next. Seeking medical attention if necessary is first and foremost, then contacting a personal injury attorney is essential for recovering damages. Below are some of the most common injuries associated with rear-end collisions, and how an individual can secure injury compensation in the aftermath of a crash. 

Common Rear-End Collision Injuries 

When seeking injury compensation in a personal injury case, the severity of the injuries suffered will play a significant role in how the judge ultimately decides the amount of compensation to be awarded. Whiplash, or a neck sprain, is the most common injury that occurs in rear-end collisions. The long-term symptoms of whiplash can range from headaches to neck stiffness and dizziness. In more severe cases, rear-end collisions can result in spinal fractures or traumatic brain injuries. A spinal fracture can leave a person unable to work and thus unable to provide for his or her family. Traumatic brain injuries can cause irreparable damage to the brain, and change a person’s life forever. 

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 Posted on August 06, 2019 in Personal Injury

If a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, it is likely that the injuries suffered will be severe. Even with the use of a helmet, motorcycle crash injuries can be life-changing and even deadly. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are much more common than most people think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,172 motorcyclists were fatally injured in collisions throughout 2017. In the aftermath of a motorcycle collision, one of the most important steps one can take is hiring an experienced personal injury attorney. It is important to examine the factors leading to a motorcycle accident to determine how injury compensation is ultimately decided. 

Seeking Compensation as a Motorcyclist 

Some of the most common motorcycle injuries range from minor bone fractures to significant spinal cord damage and head trauma. Recognizing the severity of these injuries and recovering the compensation a rider deserves can be critical to maintaining a person’s financial well-being. That being said, the process of securing compensation as an injured motorcyclist can often be complicated. 

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 Posted on July 31, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

Most people choose to work in occupational fields that do not put them directly in danger of suffering from serious or fatal injuries. When people think about “risky” jobs, many think of military members, police officers, and firefighters. Servicemen and women and law enforcement officers are praised for their sacrifice of choosing to face dangerous situations on a daily basis. While such positions do place these individuals in the line of fire, there are other occupations that can put employees at risk. These potentially hazardous jobs can result in workers’ compensation benefits for injured parties. 

What Are the Riskiest Jobs?

A dangerous job does not always mean an employee runs the risk of suffering from a bullet wound. There are many positions that require physical labor or have unsafe working conditions that cause serious injuries. According to the National Safety Council, 882,730 nonfatal workplace injuries occurred in 2017 alone. The data analyzed the nature of the injuries, the occupational field in which they occurred, and the event or exposure that caused the injuries. The field that had the highest number of injuries in 2017 was the Service industry with 211,650 injuries in a single year. The Transportation and Material Moving field followed with 178,270 injuries, and the Production industry held the third-highest number of injuries at 98,320 that same year. 

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 Posted on July 29, 2019 in Personal Injury

Like most states, auto insurance is a requirement for all motorists in Illinois. Not only will this help protect the driver, but it also protects others on the road if the driver is at fault for a car accident. According to the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois’ mandatory auto insurance is one of the most significant consumer protection measures in the country.

What Are the Illinois Laws for Auto Insurance Coverage?

Illinois law requires drivers to carry their insurance card in their vehicle at all times, showing it to law enforcement officers upon request. Because this is a legal requirement, the consequences are fairly steep if someone drives without proof of insurance. For motorists who are stopped for a traffic violation or involved in a collision without the ability to provide evidence of their insurance, an officer may suspend the driver’s license plates and charge a minimum fine of $500 for driving uninsured. For those people driving with suspended license plates for a previous insurance violation who are convicted for a second time, their fine increases to a minimum of $1,000. 

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 Posted on July 26, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or negligence occurs when a medical professional makes an error that negatively impacts the patient. This can happen in all fields of medicine, and these types of mistakes can be extremely dangerous for the affected patient. According to a report from MDLinx, approximately 50 percent of physicians aged 55 or older have been sued at least once in their careers. This number is fairly staggering and can leave patients wondering, “Is my doctor making a mistake?”

What Are the Top Reasons for Lawsuits?

There are certain areas of medical malpractice that are more common than others. While these mistakes are typically a product of human error, the severity of the results can leave patients with life-altering injuries. Some common types of medical negligence include:

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 Posted on July 19, 2019 in Personal Injury

Electric scooter companies have been all over the news throughout the last year as e-scooters have flooded city streets and college campuses, becoming one of the latest versions of “ridesharing.” Much like Uber and the branch companies that followed suit, Bird started the e-scooter craze and inspired many others to follow in their footsteps. Their e-scooters are known as “Birds” and first debuted in Santa Monica in 2017. The devices lay along the road, with no docking system, to allow consumers to easily hop on a Bird, ride it to the location of their liking, and leave it anywhere in the city. A free app allows individuals to pay for the distance they travel. The convenience of the device and enjoyment of the ride draw people to this alternative form of transportation. Since Bird’s success, other companies such as Lime have joined the streets, further growing the e-scooter business. However, people should be aware of the potential for injuries when using these devices.

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 Posted on July 15, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

Workers’ compensation coverage is required by law in Illinois. That means that all employers must have workers’ compensation insurance that covers any employee who is injured while on the job. The amount of insurance premiums paid in the United States has seen close to a $10 million increase since 2011, changing from $35,664,230 in 2011 to $45,047,380 in 2017. This makes one wonder, are jobs getting more dangerous, or are more people being encouraged to seek compensation? According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfatal occupational injuries and illness incidence rates have been decreasing each year since 2003. Since the number of accidents have not increased, there must be another reason for the surge of net premium payments. Whether or not the increase can be attributed to educational efforts or improved knowledge of employees, it is important to know the different types of benefits offered in case of a workplace accident.

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