Posted on October 30, 2018 in Firm News

Let us say you are waiting for a red light to turn green when your sedan is suddenly struck from behind. The impact causes you to bump your head on the steering wheel.

You think you may develop a goose egg on your forehead, but otherwise, you seem to be okay. Still, intuition tells you to visit your doctor.

Heading for trouble

When you are the victim of a rear-end collision, even one that happens at low speed, the impact causes your head to snap forward and backward. You may sustain whiplash, and you could even suffer a spinal injury. However, if your head hits the steering wheel, you could experience a concussion or traumatic brain injury.

The two forms of TBI

A traumatic brain injury can be either open or closed. Open refers to a situation where a foreign object penetrates the skull and then enters the brain. What is more common is a closed TBI, caused by a bump or blow to the head, such as direct contact with the steering wheel.

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 Posted on October 15, 2018 in Firm News

With so many fatal and severe accidents in construction, it is no wonder that the industry has numerous regulations surrounding safety and training. Following these regulations is imperative in eliminating hazards and preventing future injuries (such as diseases due to exposure to harmful substances).

Many construction companies choose to comply to avoid expensive workers' compensation claims and lawsuits. Perhaps your employer was one of them, and you received training before starting your job. But did your occupational safety program really do its job? The answer may be no.

The problem with some training materials

Using written training materials such as pamphlets and handouts is an effective method because the combination of words, charts, diagrams and pictures can make things clear and reach various types of learners. However, research has found a trending problem with these documents: They may be too difficult for the average worker to understand.

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 Posted on September 28, 2018 in Firm News

Driving is a rite of passage for many teens in the Springfield area and across the nation. It is also a leading cause of accidental injuries and death for that age group. Their lack of experience is not the only reason for teenage car accidents. Some teens believe that they can operate their vehicles safely while being distracted by their phones, passenger conversations and more.

Most car accidents occur due to bad maneuvers and driving mistakes. Mistakes happen for a variety of reasons, but mostly because of “driver inattention, internal and external distractions, and inadequate surveillance,” states the Behavioral Scientist. Here are some key pointers to consider on teen car accidents and distractions:

Time is not on their side

All it takes is a few seconds for road conditions to change and motor vehicle collisions to occur. Teenagers do not have much practical driving experience. They have not been exposed to the many different hazards and situations that they might encounter that require them to make instant decisions and maneuvers. They also do not have enough time to recognize and react before impact.

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 Posted on September 19, 2018 in Firm News

There are many misconceptions regarding workers' compensation, a state benefit available to employees. Every state has slightly different laws governing workers' compensation and requirements for employers in terms of providing workers' compensation insurance.

While workers' compensation insurance is available in all 50 states, each state decides whether a particular employer must offer this insurance as a benefit to his or her employees. Therefore, not all employers cover their workers with this type of insurance, and you should inform yourself about whether your particular job includes this type of insurance as a benefit.

Workers' compensation requirements

In Texas, state law does not require employers to carry workers' compensation insurance, even though many employers do so anyway. In contrast, in the state of Illinois, the Workers' Compensation Act mandates that all employers with at least one employee, even if that one employee is part-time, must carry workers' compensation insurance. These differences from state to state demonstrate why it is important that you find out what coverage your employer provides. If state law requires your employer to carry this insurance coverage and he or she does not, that is a legal violation and could be grounds for a lawsuit if you suffer an injury on the job and need to seek payment for your medical expenses and other damages such as lost wages.

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 Posted on September 11, 2018 in Firm News

The fall season comes with beautiful leaves, warm sweaters and the beginning of the holidays. For motorists, autumn also comes with some unique safety concerns. 

Weather changes, road conditions and shorter days can make driving unpredictable. Staying aware of fall driving hazards will help you avoid wrecks.

Be ready for rain

You will experience increased rainfall during the fall. Make sure you stay farther away from the vehicles in front of you to allow yourself more time to brake if necessary. Decreasing your overall speed is also a good idea in the rain – this will help you avoid hydroplaning. When it is foggy, use your fog lights and/or low beams. 

Beware of freshly fallen leaves

Leaves on the road may seem like no big deal, but that is a false assumption. Wet leaves are one of the most dangerous fall driving hazards. If the leaves are wet, they are slippery and may cause you to lose control of your car. Drive slowly over leaves and do not brake hard on them. Additionally, leaves can hide road markers, so stay alert to stay in your lane. 

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 Posted on August 31, 2018 in Firm News

When it comes to employment in the Springfield area, many people choose their careers based on the amount of income they will earn and the benefits they will receive. Very few think about workplace safety until there is an accident or they need to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.

You should never overlook workplace safety. Even industries where there does not seem to be immediate danger from machinery and other extreme hazards, accidents can still happen that leave you so severely injured that you have to take time off from work, get medical treatment and focus on your recovery. Regardless of how safe you believe your work environment to be, take some time to consider the following pointers on workplace safety and workers’ compensation.

Not all injuries and accidents qualify for workers’ compensation

Many people believe their employer covers all types of accidents and injuries employees sustain while at work or on company time. The rules governing the workers’ compensation system are very clear in what kind of actions can void a claim. Also, most employers have policies in place to prevent accidents. When incidents occur that violate workplace policy, your employer has the right to contest your claim.

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 Posted on August 20, 2018 in Firm News

When you think about car accidents in Illinois, a number of factors might come to mind. Distracted driving, reckless drivers and intoxication are all common culprits in motor vehicle accidents. You might not think about tires as a potential cause of a collision, but, in fact, they contribute to several crashes every year. This is especially true when something causes a tire to blow out in the middle of the road.

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, this was true for one Illinois driver whose tire blowout caused a fatal accident. If you want to stay safe on the road, pay attention to the following tips for avoiding tire blowouts and the accidents that can often result from such incidents: 

Be aware of seasons

It is often said that warmer weather increases the likelihood of tire blowouts. Between the months of May and October, when late summer heat is at its peak, you may indeed be more vulnerable to tire failure than in other parts of the year. This is because the heat causes the air in tires to expand. Be mindful of this, and be sure to keep an eye on your tires. 

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 Posted on August 01, 2018 in Firm News

Every day, people from all walks of life and a range of different industries suffer injuries at work. There are many different circumstances that might lead to such an incident, but regardless of the situation's specifics, you need to report the injury and seek medical care immediately. When you report the injury to your employer, you should receive information to file a workers' compensation claim, too.

You may wonder whether your injury necessitates workers' comp, legal action or both. This is a complicated issue that you should consider carefully. The following are important factors to take into account when you are determining the best course of action after an on-the-job injury.

Coverage of benefits

One of the reasons you may look for recourse beyond workers' comp benefits is an offer of coverage that is insufficient. In most cases, there is a limit to the payout that benefits can afford you, and the insurance company could deny your benefits altogether, offering you nothing. In either case, if workers' comp is not a viable solution to the problems caused by your injury, you may want to seek other options.

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 Posted on July 27, 2018 in Firm News

You may experience neck problems after a car accident. According to the Mayo Clinic, auto collisions are one of the main causes of whiplash. The term "whiplash" occurs to a neck injury that happens when your neck forcefully and rapidly moves back and forth. 

While you may hear about whiplash, you may not know about the exact symptoms, how to get a diagnosis or what recovery looks like. Here is a guide to understanding all these aspects of a whiplash injury. 

Signs and symptoms

It is hard to ignore the symptoms of whiplash, which include the following:

• Decreased range of motion in the neck
• Neck tightness
• Neck pain, especially when moving your head backward and forward or side to side
• Headaches starting at the base of the skull
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

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 Posted on July 18, 2018 in Firm News

If you were injured at work, you are probably working on submitting your workers' comp claim. Injured workers in Illinois often depend on workers' compensation benefits to get them through the times when their injury prevents them from earning. The last thing you want is to miss out on this crucial support due to a mistake.

There are several common errors workers' comp applicants commit that seriously complicate the process and even cost them their benefits.

Delaying your report to the supervisor

When you sustain an accident, filling out paperwork may be the last thing on your mind. However, if you delay reporting it, you may be putting your benefits at risk. Technically, you have up to 45 days to report to a supervisor. In practice, a delay of even a few days can lead to the insurer questioning your claim, especially if you do not have witnesses.

Neglecting to comply with doctor's orders

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