A lot of employees are going to be exposed to coronavirus or COVID-19 while working; if that happens, you should contact an attorney. If you test positive and here’s why sometimes, if you’re exposed, you may have a compensable work comp claim. So the way I look at this is for employees who are our…
If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19, you should not go to work. Now, under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, if you test positive, then you need to notify your employer, and you need to self-quarantine for whatever period of time your doctor has said. Now, if you work for an employer that has less…
Can an injured worker settle their case without the use of an attorney? The answer is yes, but it is not advisable. There are a lot of things to watch out for in a settlement that could ultimately harm an injured worker. I will highlight a few of those problems here and what you can…
In another unprecedented move today, the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission repealed the emergency rule amendment entered April 15, 2020. Recall that Governor Pritzker announced the amendment in his daily briefing, indicating that all frontline workers who test positive for COVID-19 would be entitled to a rebuttable presumption that they contracted the virus at work. This…
Today, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission made the unprecedented move of enacting an emergency amendment to the Rules Governing the Practice before the Commission to help protect our first responders and front line workers. The amendment provides that in any case where a first responder or front-line worker is infected with COVID-19 virus and that…
COVID-19, otherwise known as the “coronavirus”, is having a huge impact throughout our entire country. While we pray no one reading this gets sick from it, the reality is that there is a good chance you might. And we want to make sure you know your rights ahead of time if you are exposed to…
I have had several firefighters, EMTs and paramedics ask me if they can get compensation for their heart or lung disease under “the new Heart and Lung Act.” My answer to them is that there is no “Heart and Lung Act”, but if you are a first responder, you are afforded special consideration under the…
When you hurt your hand at home, you usually can call your doctor’s office and get into see someone fairly quickly. Then if the doctor recommends a diagnostic test or physical therapy, you can call the place you want it performed and set up the first available appointment. All this is possible because, in general,…
Are our first responders entitled to workers’ compensation benefits when they are injured while providing help in their official capacity while off the clock? Yes. In a recent case before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, a police officer had to fight to get benefits paid to him for an injury that took place when he…
There have been several news reports this year about people being killed in work place accidents. Fires, car accidents, factory machine malfunctions are just a few of the examples. Every time you drive on a highway or through a construction zone you see signs meant to prevent construction workers from being hit by cars while…
