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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 Posted on July 11, 2018 in Firm News

Injuries such as broken bones, concussions, neck pain and disfigurement are common issues that result from a car crash. While their severity depends on many factors, those that are mild at first or that appear mild can have long-term implications.

Take concussions for example.

Short-term effects

A concussion is a mild type of traumatic brain injury. In the short term, you can expect to experience a few (or more) symptoms such as dizziness, loss of balance, loss of memory, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, fatigue, nausea and ringing in your ears.

In young children, symptoms may manifest themselves as excessive crying, changes in sleeping patterns, dazedness or unsteady walking, among others.

Long-term effects

The long-term effects of a concussion can include disturbed sleep, abnormal smell and taste ability, sensitivity to noise or light and memory and concentration issues. These symptoms often manifest early, and you may think they will just be short-term effects, but they linger and can get worse.

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 Posted on June 29, 2018 in Firm News

The Fourth of July is a time for celebration. However, it is also one of the deadliest days on the road for many cities around the United States. According to the Illinois Tollway, drivers need to remain vigilant on July 3-4 and take into account any construction going on around nearby roadways.

Naturally, you should never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or taking prescription medication. There are plenty of more actions you can take to ensure you and your family have a safe holiday to avoid a car accident. 

Stay far away from seemingly intoxicated drivers

You may stay sober this Fourth of July, but you may encounter other cars on the road swerving and creating a hazard due to drunk driving. The most important thing in this scenario is to keep your distance. Take note of the license plate number and have someone in your vehicle contact the police. 

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 Posted on June 19, 2018 in Firm News

Injuries can happen anywhere, in any situation, with no warning. A careless or inebriated driver might cause an accident that leaves you seriously injured. Perhaps negligence at work caused you to fall and hurt yourself. Regardless of what circumstances preceded the incident, when you sustain an injury, you should seek medical care as soon as possible and consider what legal recourse is available, too.

Many people neglect to see a doctor because they do not experience any immediate symptoms. Some injuries, including pulled muscles, become apparent through the gradual emergence of symptoms. Do not wait to see a health care provider, and be on the lookout for the following symptoms of a muscle pull.

1. Cramping around area

Sprains, pulls and cramps are all different kinds of injuries, but cramps are often symptomatic of the other two. Cramps occur when you overuse a muscle or when there is inadequate blood flow to the area in question. If your muscle is simply experiencing extra strain—as is the case when it has been pulled—you might feel the sensations of a cramp. This includes a painful tightening feeling in and around the muscle.

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 Posted on June 13, 2018 in Firm News

Anytime you take to the Illinois roadway, you assume a certain amount of risk, but statistics show that those risks grow considerably during what is known as the “100 deadliest days.” The term, per the AAA NewsRoom, refers to the period of time between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when teen drivers are out of school and out on the roads. This marks a highly dangerous time not only for teens, but for all motorists.

Just what is it about this time period that makes it so deadly?

Factors contributing to summer’s 100 deadliest days

Teen drivers, through little fault of their own, are inexperienced motorists, meaning they are ill-prepared when it comes to knowing how to react to unexpected circumstances or otherwise avoid potential accidents. Teens are also often more likely than older motorists to engage in certain dangerous driving behaviors, such as speeding and running red lights. Teens also face dangers relating to distracted driving, and they frequently find themselves losing focus because of other passengers, cellphones and in-dash navigation systems, among other distractions.

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 Posted on May 16, 2018 in Firm News

A restaurant or food service environment is an inherently dangerous place, and your risk of suffering a serious on-the-job injury increases if your place of employment fails to train you properly or follow recommended safety protocols. Many restaurant and food service environments present similar risks for workers, meaning the hazards faced by employees of, say, fast food establishments are often quite similar to those faced by workers in high-end dining atmospheres.

Just what types of specific injury risks and hazards do you face as a restaurant or food service worker?

Repetitive motion injuries

Repetitive motion injuries are some of the most common types of injuries suffered by today’s restaurant and hospitality workers. The nature of your job likely means that you likely regularly carry, lift or move heavy loads, which might include carrying trays, moving furniture or unloading heavy food and kitchen deliveries. Repeating such actions can lead to sprains, strains and associated problems, and such injuries may become increasingly common for employees who tend to favor one side of their body over the other when working.

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