Posted on April 28, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

When people consider workers’ compensation benefits, it is usually in the context of injuries suffered due to accidents in the workplace. An employee who is injured while working is eligible to receive benefits that address the costs of medical treatment, as well as any income lost due to a temporary or permanent disability. However, a person’s health can also be negatively affected by conditions in their workplace, and workers’ comp will apply for those who have suffered occupational diseases. 

In some cases, proving that an illness is related to the work a person performed may be difficult. This may be a concern for people who have been exposed to COVID-19 during the course of their employment. Those who have suffered occupational illnesses will want to work with an attorney when filing a workers’ comp claim to ensure they can receive the benefits they deserve.

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 Posted on April 14, 2021 in Car Accidents

The month of April has been designated Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and during this time, public safety campaigns are working to make sure people understand how this issue affects everyone who uses the roads. Distracted driving is one of the most common forms of driver negligence, and it can lead to dangerous car accidents that result in serious injuries or wrongful death. In fact, across the United States, 3,142 people were killed by distracted driving in 2019. Non-fatal accidents are very common as well, with about 700 people being injured every day in accidents involving distracted drivers. People who are injured by distracted drivers will want to work with an attorney to determine how they can receive financial compensation for the injuries they suffered because of the driver’s negligence.

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 Posted on April 06, 2021 in Car Accidents

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused people throughout the United States to make changes to their lives and routines. Many people have shifted to working from home rather than commuting to an office. In their personal lives, people have stayed at home when possible to prevent the risk of infection, and they have avoided traveling long distances. Because of this, the amount of traffic on the roads has decreased. 

While it might seem like fewer vehicles on the roads would lead to fewer car accidents, this has not been the case. The number of motor vehicle collisions resulting in fatalities increased in 2020, and pedestrians have been especially affected. When compared to 2019, the number of people killed in pedestrian accidents increased by 8%. However, the total number of miles traveled by vehicles decreased by 16.5%, and because of this, the number of pedestrian fatalities per mile traveled increased by 20%.

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 Posted on March 23, 2021 in Car Accidents

In central Illinois, car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and the most dangerous types of collisions often involve a frontal impact between vehicles that are traveling in opposite directions. Head-on collisions can be devastating, especially when cars are traveling at high speeds, and the impact can cause serious harm to a vehicle’s occupants. Victims of these types of crashes will want to work with an attorney who can help them pursue a personal injury claim and recover compensation for their injuries and damages.

Head-On Collision Injuries

A front-impact crash will cause a vehicle to come to a sudden stop, subjecting the bodies of the driver and any passengers to strong forces that can cause a great deal of bodily harm. A collision can be even more serious if a vehicle rolls over or if the crash results in a multi-vehicle pileup. Some injuries that commonly occur in head-on crashes include:

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 Posted on March 16, 2021 in Personal Injury

When products become available for sale, people expect to be able to use them without being placed at risk of harm. This is especially true for products that are meant to treat or prevent health issues, such as pet products that prevent infestations by pests. Unfortunately, many different types of products are found to be defective or dangerous, and people or their pets may suffer injuries when using these items. Recently, concerns have been raised about a type of flea collar that has been linked to thousands of cases involving injuries to both pets and their owners. Those who have been injured by these types of products will want to understand their options for pursuing a product liability claim against a negligent manufacturer.

Seresto Flea Collars May Have Harmed Thousands

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 Posted on March 09, 2021 in Personal Injury

Of the many different types of injuries that a person can experience, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most difficult to deal with. Concussions or other types of injuries that cause harm to the brain may not have any obvious physical symptoms, and they may not begin to affect a person until days or weeks after the injury occurred. However, they can have a long-lasting impact on a victim’s health and well-being, resulting in chronic pain, sensory problems, difficulties with balance and coordination, mood disorders, or seizures. When these injuries are caused by another person’s negligence or intentional actions, victims will need to work with a personal injury lawyer to determine how they can receive compensation that will address the ways their life and health have been affected.

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 Posted on March 02, 2021 in Car Accidents

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be difficult, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the crash. Drivers, passengers, and anyone else involved may need emergency medical treatment, and their injuries may continue to affect them for some time to come. Expensive vehicle repairs may also be needed, or a vehicle may be “totaled,” in which case it will need to be replaced. Addressing the costs related to medical treatment, property damage, and other accident-related issues can be a complex undertaking, but it can be even more difficult if the driver who was at fault for the collision did not have auto insurance. In these cases, victims will want to work with an attorney to determine the other sources of financial compensation that may be available.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

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 Posted on February 23, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

If you are injured while on the job, you will usually be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which will cover the costs of medical treatment and provide you with repayment for the loss of income due to a temporary or permanent disability. However, if you have a pre-existing condition, you may be worried about how this will affect your eligibility for workers’ comp. In many cases, you will still be able to receive benefits, and by working with an experienced work injury attorney, you can protect your rights and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Work-Related Injuries and Aggravation of Pre-Existing Conditions

Workers’ comp covers all injuries that occur during the course of a person’s employment. This includes any injuries that lead existing injuries or medical conditions to become worse. For example, a person may have experienced a back injury in a car accident several years ago, and after receiving treatment and following all medical instructions, they made a full recovery. Then, while working in a warehouse, they attempted to lift a heavy item and re-injured their back in the same location as the previous injury. Even though the injury had previously existed, it became aggravated because of the work the person was performing, making them eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for medical treatment for the new injury, as well as wage benefits that address any missed work while recovering.

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 Posted on February 17, 2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

Many elderly Americans need help with their daily activities. While some families are able to provide care for their loved ones, in many cases, nursing homes provide the best option, ensuring that a person will have a place to live and spend time with other people while having their needs attended to by trained staff members. Unfortunately, many elderly patients are victims of nursing home abuse. In some cases, residents will suffer abuse because of inadequate staff training or supervision, while in other situations, a member of a nursing home’s staff may be the perpetrator of physical, verbal, sexual, or financial abuse. Family members should be aware of the warning signs that may indicate that their loved one has experienced abuse.

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 Posted on February 10, 2021 in Car Accidents

While car accidents occur for a wide variety of reasons, adverse weather conditions are one common factor in collisions that take place in Central Illinois. Winter weather can be especially dangerous. Of the 1.2 million weather-related car accidents that occur every year in the United States, 29 percent take place on icy, snowy, or slushy pavement, and 18 percent occur while snow or sleet is falling. Studies have found that Illinois is one of the deadliest states for winter driving, with an average of 27 fatal car accidents taking place during the winter each year. In some cases, a personal injury claim can provide compensation for injuries suffered in a winter auto accident caused by a negligent driver. 

Causes of Winter Vehicle Crashes

Winter weather presents a number of risks that can affect drivers, and accidents can occur if drivers fail to account for winter conditions or do not take steps to drive safely in inclement weather. Collisions may take place during the winter because of:

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