Among the ongoing developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, some good news has emerged for all essential employees in the state of Illinois who are concerned about being exposed to and potentially contracting coronavirus while on the job. Thanks to recent changes in the state's workers’ compensation policies, any essential employee who contracts the virus from the workplace will be covered, based solely on his or her word. This means that workers will not be required to furnish proof that the illness came from the workplace, as they typically would under normal circumstances. 

Recent Changes to Workers’ Compensation Policies

This change in policy at the very least offers essential workers some assurance that should they contract the disease while putting their lives on the line in the service of others, their illness will be taken seriously, and they will have special rights regarding workers’ compensation. If you are an essential worker, and you contract COVID-19 on the job, here is some important information regarding filing a claim:

Many times, when drivers think of using a seat belt, they assume that as long as they buckle up at least some of the time, or for long-distance trips, nothing else really matters. Many drivers adopt the mentality that occasional seat belt use is ”good enough.” However, the truth is that although car accident injuries are more likely for drivers and passengers who choose not to buckle up, they can also occur for those who use their seat belts incorrectly. Yes, it is possible to wear a seat belt the wrong way, and in many cases, wearing it the wrong way can be just as dangerous as not wearing one at all.

How You Wear Your Seat Belt Matters

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drivers and passengers can reduce their chances of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent, and chances of fatality by 45 percent by buckling up, but how you buckle your seat belt matters. Here are some dangers of wearing your seat belt the wrong way:

Parents of new teen drivers will want to warn their teenagers of engaging in risky driving behaviors that cause car accidents and injuries. However, it is just as important to make them aware of others around them who may be driving recklessly. Instead of assuming teens are the only ones driving dangerously, a concerted effort should be made to help them observe other drivers. In addition, they should be aware of the passengers in their own vehicles. These tactics will all help them learn to drive defensively and to be a positive influence among their peers while traveling on the roadways.

Hazardous Behavior and Conditions

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 2,500 teen fatalities in the year 2017. This does not count the numbers of crashes and fatalities that affected others due to teen drivers' reckless behaviors behind the wheel. Ensure that your teen driver understands that his or her decisions as a new driver impact others by discussing the following top three dangers on the road:

More than 300,000 car accidents were reported to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in 2017. Nearly a quarter of them resulted in injuries, and just under one percent involved fatalities. Every affected party has the right to pursue full compensation for their losses, but far too many have their claim denied or reduced because of actions or inactions that took place after the crash. In order to prevent yourself from becoming just another collision victim who lost out on potential compensation for pain and suffering, it is important to understand how you can increase your chances of receiving everything you may be entitled to. This starts with familiarizing yourself with some common misconceptions about filing a claim after a vehicle crash.

Auto Accident Claim Myths

1. Lack of Pain or Damage to Your Vehicle Invalidates Your Claim - As a car accident victim, you may not immediately feel pain or notice any damage to your vehicle. This may lead you to skip certain steps after the crash ultimately causing you to forfeit your right to pursue a claim. Unfortunately, adrenaline can temporarily divert the brain away from the pain that you feel, and unseen parts of your vehicle may be damaged in the crash. As a victim, you are encouraged to follow all post-accident procedures to protect the possibility of a claim, even if you do not immediately experience any pain or recognize any damage to your vehicle. This includes seeking medical treatment and taking photographs of your vehicle.

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A common cause for personal injury cases and medical negligence lawsuits, Legionnaires’ disease, originally discovered back in 1976, still continues to cause health problems nationwide due to building maintenance negligence and misdiagnosis within the healthcare community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 out of 10 people who contract Legionnaires' dies from the disease, and health departments recorded approximately 10,000 cases in the United States in the year 2018 alone. While these numbers represent official cases, experts say these statistics are not entirely accurate, as many new cases remain undiagnosed. If you fear you or your loved one has recently been exposed to the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, it is important to understand how the disease is transmitted and how your health may be affected.

How the Disease Spreads

Manifesting as a pneumonia lung infection, Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which grows naturally in fresh water supplies, such as lakes and streams. When this bacteria makes its way into a building’s man-made water management system and multiplies, it is at this stage that it becomes hazardous for humans to breathe in. If the plumbing system of a building or structure is not properly maintained, the bacteria can be inhaled via mist from showers, cooling fans, hot tubs, or even decorative fountains. Here are some basic transmission facts you should be aware of: