Injured at work in Illinois? Considering hiring a worker’s comp attorney to help? If you’ve decided to file a workers’ compensation claim in Illinois, you might be wondering if you need to retain a lawyer. While retaining a workers’ compensation attorney isn’t required, it’s important to consider consulting with an experienced legal professional before you…
If you were injured in an accident, one of the first steps you’ll take to pursue compensation is filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This stage of the process involves presenting your case to the insurance carrier and negotiating to seek a fair settlement. Although you might have a compelling case, the…
Truck accidents can be devastating. Because they are such massive vehicles, when commercial trucks collide with passenger cars, it’s often the occupants of the car who sustain serious or catastrophic injuries. The financial and mental costs arising from a truck accident can be hefty. The injured party could pursue compensation for damages if they were…
Many car accidents occur because of driver negligence, such as distracted or drowsy driving, or traffic violations, like running a red light or speeding. These driving behaviors can lead to various types of crashes. The most common include: Rear-end collisions T-bones Head-on collisions Sideswipes This blog will review each type of wreck and what you…
Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Illinois According to the workers’ compensation law in Illinois, all injuries—including exacerbated pre-existing conditions and work-related injuries suffered outside of the workplace—caused during the scope of an employee’s job duties are covered by workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation in Illinois provides the following benefits to injured employees: Medical and rehabilitative expenses…
If you suffer an injury in a car accident in Illinois while performing work-related duties, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. But what if you are injured during your commute to and from the workplace? According to the “going-and-coming rule” in Illinois, an employee who sustains an injury while commuting to or from work is…
Rules About Working While Receiving Workers’ Compensation Benefits The rules about working while on workers’ comp vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the type of benefits you are currently receiving through workers’ compensation. For example, if you have only suffered a minor injury and are able to return to work in a…
How to Properly Lift Heavy Objects at Work Whether you work as a package delivery driver, on an assembly line, or even in an office environment, lifting is a common duty in many workplaces. Unfortunately, any kind of heavy lifting at work can put you at risk for suffering a serious back injury if not…
My short answer: you should almost always try to use workers’ compensation insurance, not your own health insurance, for a work injury. Here’s why. 1. No co-pays, no deductibles, no out-of-pocket bills Under workers’ comp, there are no co-pays or deductibles for approved treatment. When your claim is accepted and the bills are handled correctly,…
What does the insurance adjuster mean “it’s under investigation”? You hurt yourself at work and you opened a claim with the insurance company. They should be paying your benefits, right? But the adjuster is telling you that they are investigating and don’t want to pay. What does that mean, and what can you do next?…
Understanding How Workers’ Comp Affects Your Taxes If you have suffered a work-related injury in the last year and have been receiving workers’ compensation benefits, you may have concerns about how those benefits could affect your taxes in the future. This blog will attempt to answer any questions you may have about how your workers’…
Each month, the National Safety Council (NSC) observes different safety campaigns to promote safety, responsibility, and well-being across the country. In March, it is officially National Ladder Safety Month, as presented by the American Ladder Institute. At McHargue & Jones, LLC, we are often called upon to help clients who have fallen off unsafe ladders,…
Understanding Occupational Illnesses Is your job making you sick? We are not talking about workplace frustrations like not enough pay for too much work. We’re talking about actual illnesses. Occupational illnesses are a serious concern for people in numerous jobs and industries. Each day at work, someone in such an industry might be exposed to…
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), November of 2020 was the fourth hottest November on record, which dates back to pre-1900. November 2021 is looking to compete with last year, too. Whether you live in California, Idaho, Illinois, Florida, or Massachusetts, you have probably noticed that working outside is getting warmer…
Not all jobs keep you behind a desk or counter, or even within a brick-and-mortar place of employment. Many people make a living by driving around their cities and counties each day, and we’re not talking just about truck drivers. The growing “gig economy” has allowed thousands and thousands of Americans to use their cars…
