Posted on September 13, 2013 in Firm News

Employees injured in workplace accidents in Sangamon County are often already hesitant to file workers' compensation claims because they fear causing friction with their employers and any potential repercussions that they believe they may face by doing so. While they shouldn't have to worry about these potential consequences, they should also be able to rely on the insurance companies paying out for workers' compensation claims providing adequate funds to cover their medical expenses. Any concerns about not receiving sufficient funds to help pay for their medical bills may discourage injured workers from filing claims even further.

Illinois Health care providers have recognized this potential obstacle to their patients receiving compensation for their injuries and taken notice. An Illinois-based chiropractic office was part of a 2004 class action lawsuit against the insurance provider now known as Coventry that alleged that the insurer offered such poor benefits for workers' compensation claims that employees were actually deterred from seeking medical care for their work-related injuries. As part of the settlement reached with the defendant, area health care providers and educators such as the Southern Illinois University School of Law and the Illinois Osteopathic Medical Society have received over $1 million to support ongoing medical education.

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 Posted on September 06, 2013 in Firm News

Each year, millions of people are effected by serious and catastrophic accidents. And even in instances where lives are spared, Illinois auto accident victims and their families can have an incredibly difficult time recovering from physical and emotional injuries. Even though their current medical condition is not stated, two sisters may be relieved to learn that the man accused of causing their near-fatal collision is facing criminal charges.

The two young women were on their way home one night in August, 2012, when they were struck by a vehicle that veered into oncoming traffic. The impact of the head-on collision caused the sisters to be trapped inside the car. They both sustained severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding and broken bones. The younger of the two sisters is 15 years old, and her 20-year-old sister was on break from college when the incident occurred.

The man who is identified as the defendant in the case was also injured. He is accused of carrying a methadone card and driving illegally because his license was terminated, according to official complaints. Furthermore, the defendant is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and methadone.

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 Posted on August 30, 2013 in Firm News

Cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, tractor-trailers and farm equipment all share the roads and highways throughout rural Illinois. This wide range of vehicle types poses unique risks for accidents. Driving conditions, speed, weather and any driver impairments or distractions also have direct affects on the number and severity of motor vehicle accidents in the state. From single-car accidents to fender benders to deadly multi-car pile-ups, accidents take place everyday.

A new Illinois highway speed limit bill approved by the state legislature has now been approved by the governor. The new law, set to take effect January 2014, will raise the Illinois highway speed limit from its current 65 miles per hour to 70 miles per hour. Since 1995, almost 36 other states have increased their highway speed limits to 70 miles per hour. 

Supporters of the bill say it will help streamline and regular traffic flow on the highways because so many drivers already travel at 70 miles per hour. The state Department of Transportation and state police were against the speed limit increase saying that they believe it could increase the risk for auto accidents. The impact of a car accident depends largely on the speed of the vehicle or vehicles involved.

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 Posted on August 23, 2013 in Articles

Jacksonville, Ill., and the surrounding communities are mourning the loss of a local teenage couple that died in a motorcycle accident late one Wednesday evening in June 2013. The motorcycle driver was 19 and a graduate of Jacksonville High School, while the passenger was 17 and about to begin her senior year at the school.

Reportedly, the driver of an SUV turned left in front on the approaching motorcycle, which struck the passenger side of the motor vehicle. According to the Jacksonville Journal-Courier, the driver told police that he did not see the motorcycle and he received a citation for failing to yield while turning left.

Illinois motorcycle accident statistics

Unfortunately, motorcycle crashes with fatalities like the Jacksonville incident happen all too often. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that in 2011, 142 fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in the state, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. The average age of riders who died in those accidents was 42 years old, with almost a third of them under 30. A whopping 86 percent were men or boys and about three-quarters of those who died were not wearing helmets.

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 Posted on August 19, 2013 in Firm News

The problems associated with care for elderly family members are common to a great number of Americans. Concerns about elder abuse are legitimate and scary. Reports of insufficient care of and treatment for medical conditions like bedsores or physical, emotional and sexual abuse are easily found in the media all around the nation.

A report recently released by Families for Better Care gave Illinois an F for its care of elderly residents in nursing homes. The report leveraged 2012 federal data and reviewed complaints, inspection results, deficiencies and staffing levels. Illinois was ranked 51, the lowest of all, for the number of direct care staffing hours provided to residents on a daily basis. The study concluded that only seve states provided more than one hour of skilled nursing care per day to patients. Those states also had larger and more experienced staff.

Illinois placed 44 out of 51 for its number of deficiencies, or violations that resulted in harm or injury to residents, with 25 percent of facilities found to have severe deficiencies. The overall rankings place Illinois fourth out of the six Great Lake states. Grades were given to all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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 Posted on August 16, 2013 in Firm News

Farming is well known to be one of the most dangerous professions in our country with many opportunities for serious accidents or illnesses. Exposure to chemicals and large machinery make the possibility of farm accidents such as grain bin explosions, combine accidents and more real to every farmer, every day. Safe work habits and processes are critical to keeping workers safe.

A recent news article reported on an accident on a family farm in Brown County. Two men, a father and son, were working on a tractor, performing some needed repairs. For reasons not identified in the article, the tractor slipped into gear and hit both of the men. The work on the tractor was being done inside a shed. The tractor also had a front-end loaded attached to it while the work was taking place.

The father, who was 91 years old, died from the accident. His 62-year old son was taken from the accident scene to a hospital in Springfield and noted to be in good condition at the time the article was written. The west-central Illinois farm is about 60 miles northwest of Springfield.

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 Posted on August 06, 2013 in Firm News

Farm jobs in Illinois abound during the summer months when crops mature and harvest time nears. Laws allow children as young as 12 to work in fields with parental consent for jobs that are considered non-hazardous, keeping a strict eye on workplace safety. Despite best efforts, farm accidents can still happen and can affect teenage workers.

A recent article highlights a case where 79 teenage farm workers required emergency decontamination after being sprayed by a fungicide from an overhead crop-duster. The teens were hired by Team Corn, based in Princeton, IL, to "detassle" corn, a non-hazardous task that is allowed to be conducted by teenagers. While the children were working, the plane accidentally sprayed the fungicide on the field. 

Emergency personnel treated each worker at the scene and then took them to the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana for follow up care and observation. Some of the teens had skin irritations as a result of the spraying. The article did not specify what fungicide was sprayed or the name of the pilot. The Illinois state Bureau of Environmental Programs together with the national Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be investigating the incident.

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 Posted on July 31, 2013 in Firm News

Most people get in their cars everyday and trust that they will safely reach their destinations. Fortunately, this is the case the majority of the time. However, a motor vehicle accident can happen at any time and in rural Illinois, it may involve another vehicle, a truck, a tractor trailer or more. Such accidents can result in great damage and personal injury.

A recent accident in La Salle led to several charges for the driver of a Freightliner semi. With a blood alcohol content of more than two times what the legal limit allows, the driver could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. The truck hit a Jeep SUV with two passengers inside, overturning the Jeep and landing it on its side. Emergency personnel had to cut two portions of the vehicle away to free the women inside. Both women were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital and treated for their injuries. The truck was not pulling a trailer at the time of the accident.

Additional charges against the driver included improper use of road lanes and of registration, driving without insurance and failing to avoid the accident by reducing speed. The truck accident was witnessed by others who reported that the truck hit the driver’s side of the SUV while making a turn.

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 Posted on July 29, 2013 in Firm News

Farm accidents in Illinois have become a great concern to local residents. As new developments continue to arise throughout what had previously been only rural farm land, there is increased activity of "regular" vehicles along with farm equipment on the roads. This mixture can lead to an increased chance for problems such as tractor accidents.

As harvest season approaches, Illinois residents are urged to give greater caution when sharing the road with farm equipment. The stories of two local farmers illustrate the increased need for safety. One man was killed when his tractor was hit by a car. The tractor flipped over and the man went off and away from the vehicle about 10 feet. Another farmer was more fortunate, sustaining only minor injuries, when the rotary hoe he was towing with his tractor was hit by an SUV.

The McHenry County Farm Bureau and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office are working hard to increase awareness and safe practices for cars when driving on roads with farm vehicles. The heart of the harvest season will begin in September and that will herald in an even greater number of tractors, combines and more such equipment on the road. It is the goal of local authorities to minimize any accidents and injuries.

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 Posted on July 19, 2013 in Firm News

Car and truck accidents can always be dangerous and rural Illinois roads are susceptible to a variety of traffic from tractors to farm trucks to cars and more--including bicycles as many local Amish residents use bicycles as a means of transportation. It is important for all motorists to be aware of other vehicles, tractors, bikes and pedestrians on the roads at all times.

A recent incident near Charleston, roughly 50 miles from Champaign, left one teenager dead and four other men injured after they were hit by a car while riding their bicycles. The driver of the car fled the scene and was later arrested. He is being charged with leaving an accident scene as well as driving under the influence. 

The car accident happened shortly after 9:00 pm when the five cyclists were riding home after attending an Amish farm trade show focused on technology powered by horses for farms. The teenager was riding at the back of the single file line on a two-lane road. All five bicyclists were taken to a local hospital. The teenager died at the hospital.

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