Posted on September 28, 2015 in Firm News

Asbestos has long been known to be a toxic fiber. However, up until the 1980s, it was still widely used to make materials for home construction, automobiles, railroads, ships and plumbing. And even though people in the U.S. are largely aware of how dangerous asbestos is, it is still not completely banned in this country.

Because of all this, the reality is that it is not unheard of for a person to come into contact with asbestos on the job. Whether a person is demolishing a building that was built with asbestos decades ago or is working on an automobile that was recently built with asbestos-containing products, it can be crucial to know what options exist if someone has been exposed to asbestos.

To begin with, workers who are exposed to asbestos on the job will generally qualify for workers' compensation. These benefits are intended to at least partially replace a worker's wages and cover medical expenses for illnesses suffered on the job. Many instances of asbestos exposure are the result of workplace conditions, so workers' compensation is typically available.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 21, 2015 in Firm News

It may still feel like summer, but fall is just around the corner. For farmers across Illinois, that means that it is almost time to start harvesting crops. 

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, there are more than 74,000 farms in this state covering millions of acres of land. A great number of these farms are used to grow plants like corn and these crops in particular can impact the safety of people who drive near farms during this time of year.

Corn stalks can grow to be several feet high before they are harvested which can lead to some serious visibility problems on the roads around corn fields. Whether you are driving through farm country on a road trip or take small, gravel roads every day to get to work, you can find it all but impossible to see other people or vehicles when corn stalks grow higher than a car.

In addition to the visibility issues that can crop up around corn fields, there can also be a lack of adequate traffic signs at rural intersections. It may not seem like a very big deal, considering the very low traffic levels in these areas, but the fact is that it creates an environment ripe for accidents.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 14, 2015 in Car Accidents

Over the years, cars and trucks have gotten significantly more advanced in terms of safe driving technology. The vehicles that are on the market now have a wide range of features designed to keep people safe and avoid crashes that didn't exist just a few years ago.

However, a recent survey found that most drivers aren't even aware of these technological solutions; if they have even heard of them, many still don't know what they do or how they work. So does that mean they are ineffective?

The answer to that question is "maybe." In some cases, these technologies work on their own without any action or awareness on the part of a driver. For instance, anti-lock brake systems and airbags engage automatically. 

However, some of the newest features like adaptive cruise control often require the driver to know how to use and set it to be effective. If a car is equipped with ACC and the driver understands how to use it, the car can adapt to changing speeds based on the distance between it and the car in front of it. Drivers who don't know about this feature or how to engage it may not be able to respond to changing speeds as quickly as the automated system.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 09, 2015 in Firm News

People all across Illinois go to great lengths to protect their loved ones who are currently in the care of nursing home facilities. They check in on them regularly, monitor their care, ask questions and try to stay as informed as possible when it comes to the type of treatment they are receiving.

Unfortunately, we can't be by our loved ones' side all day every day. There are periods of time -- brief or extended -- where it is solely up to nursing home staff members to care for the vulnerable patients. In many cases, this is done properly and there is no cause for concern. However, there are some situations where the care provided is substandard and a patient is being harmed or neglected. 

While there are many different signs of elder abuse and neglect, there are few conditions that can and should spark some immediate concern for the well-being of a nursing home resident.

In terms of abuse, bruising, sexually transmitted diseases and increased fears or anxiety around certain staff members can all be common found in patients who are being abused. These can all be indicators that a patient is being hurt or threatened by the people around them.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 31, 2015 in Car Accidents

Parents across Illinois have been helping their kids get ready to go back to school. People have been out shopping for new clothes and school supplies, adjusting work schedules to make room for extracurricular activities and helping kids prepare to get back to a more structured daily routine.

However, there is another way to prepare kids to go back to school that could ultimately save lives. Many teen students will be driving to school for the first time this fall and this means that going over safe driving behaviors can be crucial.

Young drivers can be especially vulnerable on the road. They are inexperienced, easily distracted and may take more risks behind the wheel than other drivers. In order to keep your child and other people on the road safe, parents will want to be sure kids are prepared.

To begin with, drivers and passengers should all be sure to buckle up. Unfortunately, many teens fail to do this. In fact, we have discussed this very issue in an article on our website titled, "Illinois teens not buckling up, putting their lives at risk." In that article, we noted that teen drivers are less likely to use a seat belt when compared to other drivers.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 18, 2015 in Firm News

Most workers in Illinois are covered by employer-provided workers' compensation insurance. This system allows people who get hurt or sick on the job to have their medical bills covered and receive partial wage replacement if their condition keeps them from working. In exchange for providing this insurance, employers are protected from being sued by workers.

This can seem like a fairly straightforward system. However, there are some common mistakes people can make when it comes to pursuing workers' compensation that could put these benefits at risk.

1. Failing to act quickly: The clock is ticking after you get hurt or sick at work. If you do not report your injury, seek medical help and/or make sure a claim is filed in an appropriate amount of time, you could be ineligible for benefits.
2. Listening to people who say you shouldn't file: There are people who may try to discourage you from seeking workers' compensation, including employers or co-workers. However, legally speaking, you cannot be punished for pursuing these benefits and your decision to seek compensation doesn't affect anyone but you and your family.

   Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 11, 2015 in Car Accidents

In the coming weeks, students all across Illinois will be heading back to school. It might seem like the beginning of school only affects kids and their parents, but every person around the state should be aware that classes are about to be back in session because with that should come some changes to how everyone drives.

To begin with, drivers should always use caution when driving around a school. In many cases, there are clearly marked crosswalks for pedestrians in these areas and drivers should be very cautious and yield to people crossing the street. Drivers should also slow down and be extra focused on scanning the roadways for things like children, toys or other debris that may be in the road around schools.

It is also crucial for all drivers to obey traffic laws when they are sharing the road with a school bus. These buses typically make frequent stops to pick up passengers or if they approach a railroad crossing. Bus drivers should alert other motorists by flashing the appropriate lights and extending the stop sign arm if necessary and the other drivers should know what they are expected to do in those situations.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 03, 2015 in Firm News

We often discuss the hazards of working in the farm industry on this blog, as it typically is physically demanding and the use powerful, heavy machinery is generally necessary. These factors can and do contribute to many different and tragic accidents across Illinois.

However, farm workers are also at risk of being injured even when their work takes them off the farm. In rural areas across the state, it is not uncommon to see tractors and other types of farm equipment on the road. While other motorists are expected to slow down and give slower-moving vehicles enough room, this doesn't always happen. One recent accident is a devastating reminder that vehicles of all kinds are at risk of getting hit when people don't drive safely.

The accident involved a 75-year-old man on a farm tractor and the driver of a tractor trailer. Reports indicate that the tractor was being driven on Route 154 when it was hit by the truck. The truck driver evidently did not see the tractor and struck it from behind.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 27, 2015 in Firm News

Accidents involving tractor trailers can be among the most catastrophic on the road due to size of trucks, the potential for cargo spills and the often devastating injuries suffered by victims.

While the chaos of a crash will eventually pass and everything will get cleared up, the physical and emotional toll of these crashes can linger on long after an accident. This is why many people choose to seek compensation after a truck crash.

Filing a lawsuit in light of these types of accidents can be an effective way to get the financial resources necessary to cope with the considerable adjustments that need to be made afterward. This can be a difficult process, especially because there are a number of ways that truckers and/or trucking companies may try to avoid responsibility. Below are a few common defenses.

• Trucker blames driver: A trucker may claim that the victim did something like cut off the truck, followed too closely or swerved over a lane line and the driver's actions, not the trucker's, caused the crash.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 22, 2015 in Articles

Working in hot weather can be riskier than you realize

For most people in Illinois, summer is a time to look forward to. But, for farm workers, construction workers and anyone else whose job requires them to work outside, the hot and humid weather can actually pose a huge risk. Without proper safety precautions, heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses and injuries can take a serious toll on workers' health.

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, every year dozens of workers die while working in the hot outdoors. Thousands more become ill or injured. While this is tragic, the good news is that there are many preventative strategies workers and employers can take to minimize the risk of on-the-job harm.

If you're going to be working outside this summer, consider the following:

• Dress appropriately: At the very least, wear light-colored clothing and a hat. Folks who are going to be outside for a long time might want to consider investing in ventilated clothing, or clothing made from moisture-wicking or UV-blocking fabric.

Continue Reading ››