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Americans with Disabilities Act protects workers after an injury

When Illinois residents agree to work for a company, often the agreement specifies that the worker is an at-will employee. That means the employer can terminate the worker's employment at any time, given that the reason for termination is legal. Likewise, under an at-will agreement, the employee can strike or otherwise quit working at any point. But remember this: an employer cannot fire an at-will employee for just any reason. Again, the reason has to be legal. And it is...

NFL Punter Earns Workers’ Compensation After Career Ending Injury

Many Chicago Bears fans will know the name Tom Tupa well -- the longtime NFL punter, whose 17-year career came to an abrupt end in 2005, has been granted workers' compensation for an injury he suffered that year while practicing. Tupa was preparing for a preseason game in 2005, and while he was out on the field practicing punts, he landed awkwardly. He felt something in his back and quickly sought medical attention. Tupa never played in the NFL again....

Report Highlights Chicago Area Workers Death

A disturbing workplace accident that occurred in the Chicago area was highlighted in a recent report by the Center for Progressive Reform. In general, the report recommends that OSHA increase efforts to protect temporary or contingent employees who are unduly used for dangerous or undesirable jobs. Companies often hire these workers to avoid having to pay workers' compensation or insurance costs.In the Chicago-area case, a man employed by a temporary staffing company was working in a Raani Corporation plant in...

OSHA Cites Home Depot For Worker Safety Issues

Our Chicago readers know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a big job to do. In addition to investigating workplace accidents which have already happened, OSHA works to develop safety rules and conducts inspections to make sure that those worker safety rules are being followed. Recently it was reported that OSHA cited The Home Depot in Chicago for safety violations. Specifically, OSHA stated that the superstore was exposing workers to electrical hazards. The citations came after an anonymous...

Rollover Car Accident Injures Police Officer In Unmarked Car

When we think of a Chicago police officer injured in the line of duty, we may think of someone shot by a bad guy. Perhaps an undercover officer is busted for being a cop and is shot. The truth is that most police officers are injured in motor vehicle accidents. According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control police officers are among the top fifteen occupations for risk of fatal occupational injury. The CDC says that nine out of...

Family Sues After Workplace Accident Death

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is one of several regulatory agencies that strive to keep workers safe. Even so, accidents can happen especially in certain industries such as construction. When OSHA finds a violation, they can levy a fine against a company, but that does not always stop the unsafe workplace practices. In Chicago last year a workplace accident in a factory resulted in the death of a factory worker. Under normal circumstances, the worker's family would be eligible...

Kristen Chenoweth Injured In Scaffolding Accident

Kristin Chenoweth has released multiple country music albums, worked on Broadway musicals and has a reputable television career. And no matter if Chenoweth steps onto a performance stage, a movie set or a television studio, she is entitled to a safe work environment. This expectation is the same for all employees in Chicago, Illinois -- employers need to provide a healthy and structurally-sound workplace. When Chenoweth was recently on the set of the television show "The Good Wife," falling debris...

What Is Utilization Review What Is ?UR? ?

It is becoming increasingly clear that if you get injured on the job in Illinois, you will most likely need a workers' compensation lawyer, now more than ever, due to the most recent changes made to the workers' compensation laws in Illinois. These changes work against injured workers for the benefit of their employers' and their insurance carriers. Previously, the insurance companies primary method to try to control your medical care was by the use of an independent medical examination...

Injured Foxconn Worker Not Protected By US Workers Comp Laws

Anyone in Chicago can attest to the fact that we work within a global economy. For decades, or perhaps more than a century, Chicago has been a hub of international business activity. According to business sources we have more than 1,500 foreign-based companies and more than $40 billion in foreign direct investment within our city. One of the benefits of being employed by a foreign company but working within our national borders, is that our laws apply to employees in...