Posted on December 00, 0000 in Truck Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents can cause serious consequences, from extensive car damage to severe injuries. When a car collides with a semi-truck, the aftermath can be devastating, even fatal to the occupants of the automobile. This is partly due to the massive size and weight of the truck compared to the car. The trucking industry is strictly regulated at the federal and state levels. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) puts in place several rules and regulations to govern the trucking industry. If these regulations are not adhered to, a truck accident can occur. Although many people may think the truck driver would automatically be at fault for causing the crash, in some cases, a trucking organization or company may also be found liable for negligent behavior or actions.

A Driver’s Reckless Actions

Illinois truck drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to operate their big rigs. A truck driver should take reasonable care to drive safely when working and if he or she does not, the results may be deadly. Below are a few examples of reckless behavior behind the wheel that can cause a truck accident:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Workers Comp

From office workers to construction workers, it is possible for any person at work to become injured on the job. Some of the reasons people need to file for workers’ compensation overlap despite being in different industries. Luckily, no matter how dangerous a job can be, most employees are covered by workers’ compensation.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

No matter how large or small a business is, most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This provides protection to employees in the event they are injured as a result of conditions at work. Every employee is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they qualify for it. For example, an employee falling off a ladder and obtaining an injury that prevents them from working for a short period would likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. An employee who was recklessly engaged in drugs or alcohol while at work, and fell off a ladder, would likely not qualify for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation pays for missed wages as well as medical care as a result of a workplace accident.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Workers Comp

When it comes to work accidents, they are treated (differently) than an injury that occurred at another private property. If a person slips in a grocery store and breaks their leg, they may be able to sue the store for negligence. When an employee is injured, instead of filing a personal injury lawsuit against their employer, workers’ compensation kicks in instead. Whether a workplace accident is caused by an employee or employer, the employee is eligible for benefits and unable to sue the employer. They may, however, sue any third-parties associated with the injury occurrence.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Provide?

Workers’ compensation is meant to help employees if they are injured on the job and cannot return to work, and/or require medical treatment. Any eligible employee has the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits, but they will not be granted for injuries that a basic first aid kit can cover. Depending on how long the employee needs to restrain from work, and their working abilities after an accident, they will be provided with a replacement wage. For any medical treatment required to heal the injury or illness caused by work, it will be at no cost to the employee.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Workers Comp

Although most companies take steps to prevent workplace accidents, they can still occur regardless of the occupation. Depending on the circumstances, injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 5,250 employees died from a work-related injury in the United States in 2018. Workers’ compensation is a benefits system for workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, paid by their employers.

The Illinois Workers Compensation Commission resolves disputes cases involving work-related injuries and illnesses between employees and employers. In certain scenarios, a worker may have a pre-existing medical ailment that can be aggravated by an injury at work. Pursuing a workers’ comp claim in these cases can be complicated, so it is important to have an experienced attorney assist you in completing the process.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Workers Comp

There are many different kinds of injuries that an employee can experience while on the job. The severity of an injury often depends on the type of industry. In some cases, injuries are apparent and require immediate medical attention. With these types of injuries, it may be easy to prove that the workplace was the direct cause of the accident. However, certain work-related injuries can take weeks or months to present symptoms or fully manifest, making it more difficult for an individual to seek benefits. An example of this type of injury carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a common repetitive motion injury that affects a person’s hands and wrists. Most Illinois companies are required to carry workers’ compensation benefits for their employees in the event of a workplace accident. A skilled attorney can explain your options for seeking benefits by filing a workers’ compensation claim for this type of injury, whether you work in an office, a warehouse, or at a construction site.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Dog Bites

While most people think of a dog bite as the resulting injury of such an attack, there are other injuries that may be sustained during the dog attack. These injuries can be more threatening than a flesh wound and should not be overlooked by a victim, medical provider, or attorney.

Disease from Dog Bites

A dog’s mouth can have many types of bacteria in it. There are over 60 types that have been found. It is no wonder that 18 percent of dog bites become infected.

Dog bite victims can contract these diseases:

• Rabies. If you do not know the shot record of the dog that attacked you, rabies is one of your top concerns. Rabies affects the brain and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
• Capnocytophaga. This type of bacteria does not make dogs or cats sick. Many people will also not become sick from this bacteria. However, the bacteria are dangerous to those with weakened immune systems.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Brain Injury

According to national statistics, more than 630,000 children are brought to emergency rooms each year because they have sustained some kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that one in 30 children will sustain a brain injury by the time they reach 16 years of age. Young children, in particular, are more susceptible to brain injuries, and about one-third of children with TBIs will suffer from long-lasting or permanent disability from the injury.

There have been multiple studies done which confirm that TBIs in children can have serious side effects on a child’s behavior, cognitive function, and IQ that can last for an extended period of time. Some of these studies reveal that recovery from brain injuries can go on for years and that there are certain factors – including whether the child has certain genes or the home environment the child lives in – which can affect recovery.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Dog Bites

Being bit by a dog, or another animal, may not be the first thought that comes to mind when thinking of a personal injury case. However, in the state of Illinois, man’s best friend can get into trouble with the law and it’s up to the owner to right the wrongs of the crime.

According to Illinois law, if a dog bites or acts out and was not provoked by the injured person, the person that owns the dog becomes responsible for the dog’s actions. Even if the owner behaves cautiously with their dog, they will still be at fault. This means that they also become liable for the injuries that were caused. Illinois has a statute that states that an owner can be any person that has a right of property for an animal. Be mindful that if you are dog-sitting, these laws still apply to you.

Dog Bite Statistics

Animals can cause injuries to occur annually not just in Illinois, but across the U.S as well. There are a number of dog bite-related statistics that prove this to be true. Listed below are just a few:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Dog Bites

Having a dog can be the most exciting milestone in a family’s life. Being able to play fetch and walk the dog is almost always what a family looks forward to when adopting a dog. Like all other animals, there are requirements and responsibilities on how to take care of the dog, including making sure that its vaccinations are up to date, feeding it, and keeping it from damaging other people’s property.

Rabies Vaccination and Dog Bites

Any dog that has been with its owner for at least four months should be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian with a valid license. Within one year of the first round of rabies vaccinations, the dog should be vaccinated again. All other vaccinations for the dog must be compliant with USDA licenses of vaccines administered. If a bite occurs by a dog that is exempt from a vaccination for health reasons, it will be treated as a dog that was not vaccinated, re-examined by a veterinarian will a valid license, and vaccinated against rabies if the dog’s health improves.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Dog Bites

Dogs can provide comfort as pets, and some have additional professional duties such as being a service animal for a disabled person. It is easy to forget that dogs are animals with their thoughts and feelings, and that is when dog bites happen. The average dog can exert 269 pounds of pressure with a single bite, so when a dog is provoked, the physical damage can be serious.

Children are especially susceptible to dog bites. A young child may not be aware of the warning a dog gives off, and may not understand personal boundaries. Because children are smaller, an injury from a dog can be more severe, and they are at a higher risk of infection. Children should always be supervised with animals, even ones they are familiar with. Half of all dog bites occur from a familiar dog or family pet.

Why Are Dog Bites Dangerous? 

Like any external wound, a dog has the chance to get infected. However, due to the force of a bite and bacteria in a dog’s mouth, most dog bites that break the skin do get infected. This can include Staphylococcus or Pasteurella, which require antibiotic treatment. These bacteria may not affect the dog but are present in their saliva. Dog bites can get bacteria as deep as muscle and bone layers, on top of the already physical damage. After a dog bite, the most important step is to clean the wound for this reason.

Continue Reading ››