Throughout the scope of this blog, we have detailed what seems like countless workplace accidents across a variety of occupations in both Chicago and Illinois more broadly. While there are several safety regulations that should be closely adhered to in most workplaces, particularly those that are a construction or industrial setting, the reality is that>> Read More

In a recent post we discussed an explosion at a Caterpillar plant that seriously injured a worker. Unfortunately, a similar catastrophe has occurred at another Illinois factory, injuring three workers this time. The workers in the more recent accidents may face the same struggles, both in their physical recovery from burn injuries and their attempts>> Read More

Here are a few things about workplace injuries that employers and their insurance companies dont want to hear: that the full extent of your injuries may not be apparent at first; that you have the right to seek medical treatment from someone other than the company doctor; and that you have the right to deny>> Read More

A workplace explosion in Southern Illinois is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal. One worker was critically injured in the blast, having suffered burn injuries that required his being airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. He was said to be in critical condition as of Feb. 11. The explosion occurred at a Caterpillar manufacturing>> Read More

As of Feb. 2, a 35-year-old man from OFallon was still being treated after a serious electrical accident that happened on Jan. 23. He was working in Maryville at the time of the accident, and his condition remains critical. An electrical wire reportedly fell on the mans vehicle while he was working at an intersection>> Read More

A Springfield, Ill., pizzeria employee recently received workers compensation benefits for a shooting injury that he sustained at work. An arbitrator from the Industrial Commission of Illinois found that the pizzeria employee was entitled to workers compensation benefits because he suffered his gunshot injuries arising out of and in the course of his employment at>> Read More

On June 28, 2011, the legislature enacted changes to Illinois’ century-old workers’ compensationsystem in an attempt to decrease the workers’ compensation insurance premiums that employers pay. Ever since then, there has been much scrutiny over the effectiveness of these changes and whether or not they create a better business environment in Illinois. However, one important>> Read More

Following the end of the Illinois legislative session on May 31, 2011, Big Business calls for sweeping changes to the states century-old workers compensation system were met with a number of measures approved by both the House and Senate that are aimed at reducing costs, albeit at the expense of the injured workers and various>> Read More

After proposals to change the Illinois workers compensation system at the expense of the rights of injured workers stalled during the recent January veto session, at least one Illinois lawmaker is considering the nuclear option: completely abolish the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission. State Representative John Bradley, D-Marion, has filed an amendment to House Bill 1032>> Read More

Attorney James B. Hardy of Goldberg, Weisman, Cairo recently obtained a $199,000.00 Workers Compensation settlement for a 60 year old Polish immigrant truck driver involved in a weather-related collision resulting in multiple injuries which concluded with a two-level cervical spine fusion surgery. Following months of extensive physical therapy, the injured worker was given permanent restrictions>> Read More

When economic times in America get tough, one undeserved group always gets caught up in the negative attention: labor. In a January article , the New Yorker pointed out a growing anti-labor sentiment in America. As the article discussed, sixty percent of Americans surveyed in a recent poll stated that Unions had too much power.>> Read More

Many of our clients and friends are aware that the Illinois legislature recently considered a pro-business, anti-worker, and anti-union workers compensation bill during the veto session in January. With intense lobbying by so many people concerned about this damaging legislation we were able to hold off a vote on this terrible bill. Frankly, all of>> Read More