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….
In most industries, people who are injured on the job have the option to file a claim with their employer and their employer’s insurance company in order to recover workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is not available to all employees in the United States, including people who work in the railroad industry. Railroad workers have…
Can I Sue My Employer for Negligence Leading to My Work Accident? The reception of workers’ compensation benefits is not dependent on fault. An injured employee does not need to blame another person to qualify for benefits. In addition to the absence of “fault” under the workers’ compensation system, employees cannot sue their place of…
To recover benefits under the workers’ compensation system, an injured employee must spend a significant amount of time speaking with their employer, representatives from their employer’s insurance company, and attorneys. These processes can be complicated for the many non-native English speakers in the American workforce. Workers’ compensation bureaus throughout the United States (including the Illinois…
Nearly every business in the United States is required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance and provide benefits to injured employees. In addition to offering those benefits in the event of an on-the-job accident, employers must also take action to ensure their employees are educated on their rights under the workers’ compensation system. The Rights of…
Having a pre-existing condition does not automatically disqualify you from workers’ compensation benefits in Illinois. If a work accident or job duties aggravated, accelerated, or worsened an underlying condition, you may still be entitled to medical treatment, temporary total disability (TTD) benefits, permanent disability benefits, and even surgery. These cases are common—and frequently denied—but many…
Workers’ compensation benefits help many people recover from injuries that can result from a physically-demanding job. Bone fractures, spine injuries, and muscle tears are all common conditions that prompt employees to file a workers’ compensation claim. Harm that results from a job can include more than physical harm. There are many workers who, for example,…
