An Illinois staph infection bill would create a “rebuttable presumption” to assist some first responders seeking workers’ compensation benefits.
Illinois Staph Infection Bill Passes House
On April 21, 2021, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 3662. The Illinois staph infection bill amends the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act to create a rebuttable presumption that firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians who contract methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) did so in the course and scope of their employment.
This rebuttable presumption would make it easier for qualified first responders to obtain workers’ compensation benefits for staph infections. However, only workers who have held their positions for at least five years would be eligible.
Following its passage in the House, the Illinois staph infection bill moved to the state Senate for consideration. HB3622 would take effect immediately if signed into law.
Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacteria found on people’s skin. While staph bacteria are usually harmless, they may also cause serious infections that can lead to sepsis or death. MRSA can be the source of staph infections that are particularly difficult to treat because of heightened resistance to antibiotics.
Strengthen Your Staph Infection Claim
Even if the Illinois staph infection bill does become law, the rebuttable presumption that it creates is still no guarantee of benefits. In the majority of cases, workers’ compensation claims involve traumatic workplace incidents in which the cause of the resultant injuries is mostly obvious. But claims related to long-term conditions and illnesses, such as staph infections, may be more difficult to establish. Often such claims are only approved when the illness is strongly linked with a given profession. Even then, insurance carriers may still offer significant pushback to claimants.
To help overcome these objections and strengthen your staph infection claim, do what so many other injured or sickened employees have done before you and retain the services of the workers’ compensation attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers LLC.
With more than $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, GWC is one of the premier Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury law firms in Illinois. Our Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers have the experience, the determination, the resources, and the reputation of success necessary to get you and your family the justice you deserve.
For a free, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our dedicated work injury attorneys, contact GWC today. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
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