If you were injured on the job and received workers’ compensation benefits, you may be wondering whether those payments count as taxable income. This is a common — and important — question for injured Illinois workers, especially if you’re planning a settlement or already receiving benefits. Below, our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers explain how 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…
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…
Repetitive stress injuries happen quietly. You don’t fall, slip, or get crushed by machinery — instead, your body breaks down from lifting, bending, typing, kneeling, scanning, pulling, twisting, or standing for years. Many Illinois workers aren’t sure whether these injuries qualify as workers’ comp claims. The answer is: often, yes — but the insurance company…
Yes — in most Illinois workers’ compensation cases, you can choose your own doctor.If you are injured at work in Chicago, your employer or its insurance company may tell you that you must treat at a company clinic such as Concentra Medical Center. Under Illinois workers’ compensation law, injured workers generally have the right to…
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for many industries, including retail, warehousing, delivery, and manufacturing. As workloads increase and winter conditions create additional hazards, workers face a higher risk of injury on the job. Importantly, seasonal and holiday employees have the same rights to workers’ compensation benefits as full-time employees under the…
Construction work is consistently ranked among the most dangerous occupations in the United States, and Chicago construction workers face serious risks every day on job sites throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that construction accidents remain among the most frequent and severe workplace injuries nationwide….
Did your employer refuse to report your work injury, change the story, or pressure you to say it happened at home? In Illinois, you may still have a valid workers’ compensation case. This guide explains what to do next — and how the workers’ comp lawyers at McHargue & Jones can protect your benefits with…
Illinois workers’ compensation covers workplace assaults and violent attacks when an employee is injured because of their job duties or work environment. Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, employees in Chicago and across Illinois who are assaulted by patients, inmates, students, customers, delivery recipients, or members of the public may be entitled to full benefits,…
No. Illinois workers’ compensation does not pay traditional “pain and suffering” damages — but injured workers can still receive substantial financial benefits that account for serious injuries, permanent limitations, and long-term impact. Instead of pain and suffering, Illinois workers’ comp provides guaranteed medical coverage, wage replacement, and permanent disability benefits based on medical evidence and…
The Importance of Health and Safety in Retail Stores When most people think of hazardous jobs, retail roles generally do not make the list. Retail workers are just as likely as any other worker to be injured at their jobs and may be equally at risk for occupational accidents as workers in traditionally “dangerous” roles….
