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…
Sideswipe accidents are a fairly common type of car accident. Because of their commonality, some drivers assume that sideswipes are mostly not that dangerous, especially because they don’t involve a direct impact. However, this is quite far from the truth. Sideswipes can be just as dangerous and devastating as any other collision, depending on what…
No driver wants to hit an innocent animal while they are driving, yet accidents involving a car and an animal happen all the time. If you’re in an accident with an animal, can you hold someone liable for the damage to your car? Can the animal’s owner, if there is one, hold you liable for…
Halloween night often has busy streets that are packed with motorists and trick-or-treaters alike. With so many people on the roads, it is important that you prioritize safety first and foremost if you are heading out on Halloween. Before you drive anywhere, check out this quick list of Halloween driving safety tips. Stay sober: Drunk…
What Is a Seizure? A seizure is a medical condition caused by neurological damage or deficiencies. When an electrical impulse in the brain is unable to reach its intended destination or otherwise “misfires,” it can cause a seizure. Although many types of seizures are caused by identifiable seizures, a rare few are not, which means…
Most workers don’t want to get in trouble with their employer, even when they know that their employer is doing something wrong. Unfortunately, this type of thinking contributes to many unsafe workplaces around the country. The people who see something is unsafe are the same ones who are worried about reporting it. The conflict begs…
