Construction is a vital industry, but it's also one of the most hazardous. Workers regularly face risks, and falls from heights are a prevalent cause of catastrophic injuries and even death. Of particular concern are the traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can result...
The workers' compensation system in Illinois aims to support employees who suffer injuries at work. A crucial aspect of this system is the injured worker's ability to seek treatment, which is governed by rules that balance employee rights with the interests of...
Workplace accidents can occur when you least expect them. Few people anticipate getting injured on the job, but when it happens, it’s crucial to know what steps to take next. How you handle a workplace injury can help to determine both how well you’ll heal and if...
Returning to work after a worker’s compensation-covered injury depends on a few factors. Your treating physician, your employer, and you, the injured workers, all have a say in when the right time to return to work is. Determining whether you’re ready to start working again depends on several factors, like: Are you fully recovered from your injury? Have you reached…
Workers’ comp benefits are typically available for workers who are injured on the job. But not all injuries are the same, nor are they treated the same. For example, some injuries are classified as partial and some as total. For workers’ comp’s sake, what’s the difference, and how does this difference affect a workers’ benefits? Partial Disability A partial disability…
If you’ve been injured on the job and received workers’ compensation benefits, you may be wondering, “Will my workman’s compensation claim affect my future employment?” You’re protected under the law if you’ve been involved in a workers’ comp case, and potential employers cannot hold that against you as a condition of hire. In fact, Illinois law strictly regulates what employers can…
Most workers in Illinois are covered by workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation provides employees who are injured during the course and scope of employment with financial assistance. Unfortunately, however, not all workers’ compensation claims are approved. In fact, there are multiple reasons that workers’ compensation claims are denied in Illinois, including: Incomplete reports Poor recordkeeping Insufficient evidence Preexisting conditions The injury…
If you get hurt at work in the state of Illinois, you may be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, not all employers are required to carry such insurance. In this article, we explain when workers’ compensation is required in the state of Illinois. Employer/Employee Relationship Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (“IWCA”), an employer/employee relationship is required for a…
When determining a person’s eligibility for workers’ compensation, it’s important to determine whether he or she is an employee or an independent contractor. Employees are eligible for worker’s compensation in Illinois—independent contractors are not. However, depending on the circumstances, some independent contractors may be considered employees under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, thereby making them eligible for worker’s compensation following…
Cold weather presents unique hazards to workers. Fortunately, many cold-weather injuries are covered by workers’ compensation. In this article, we discuss workers’ compensation and cold weather injuries. Common Cold Weather Injuries Cold weather injuries can be painful and even fatal. Therefore, it’s crucial to be able to recognize the symptoms of common cold-weather injuries. Common cold-weather injuries include: Frostbite: Frostbite…
