Workers' Comp, Local Representation
Workplace accidents can be physically, emotionally and financially devastating. And if that’s not challenging enough, you must navigate the complex landscape that is the workers’ compensation system. This is where the expertise of a local Rockford workers’ compensation attorney becomes invaluable to ensure you have the support you need to get the benefits you deserve.
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Workers' Comp
To determine if an individual is an employee, as opposed to an independent contractor, and therefore eligible for workers’ compensation in Illinois, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission assesses several key factors. These factors revolve around the level of control an employer exerts over the contractor’s work.
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Workers' Comp
Recently the Appellate Court upheld a Commission decision, which found that a secretary at a school who slipped and fell on snow in the school parking lot did sustain a compensable work-related injury and the employer was responsible for benefits.
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Workers' Comp
If you’ve been hurt on the job, understanding the Illinois workers' compensation process can help you start the process of filing a claim. Knowing your rights can also empower you to receive fair compensation, medical benefits, rehabilitation services and more.
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Workers' Comp
At Black & Jones, we offer a free initial consultation, which is an important first meeting between you and an attorney from our team that you can hire to represent you in your worker’s compensation case. To make sure this meeting is as productive as possible, and avoid delays or rescheduling, come to your consultation prepared with the information the attorney needs to properly evaluate your case.
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Workers' Comp
When you are injured at work, your rights are governed by state law. Each state has its own law governing the rights and responsibilities of the parties. And while some things are similar across all states, there are many things that are different. Sometimes, you have the option to file your case in more than one state. Therefore, it is important to pick the state which has a law that is most advantageous to you.
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Workers' Comp
The roads in Northern Illinois, especially during the winter construction season, can be a hazard for construction workers and drivers alike. Cold, snow, ice and other extreme winter conditions can contribute to several types of construction accidents. In addition, with temperatures dropping and snow and ice covering the ground, many people are at risk of suffering injuries while on the job. These injuries can range from minor bruises and sprains to serious injuries, such as broken bones, head trauma and even death.
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Workers' Comp
But what if the accident was my fault? This is a very commonly asked question when filing a claim for workers’ compensation. The short answer is yes; it typically doesn’t matter if the incident was your fault. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not eligible for workers’ compensation—especially your employer.
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Workers' Comp
Clients often ask me if they can start a new job or quit working for their current employer if they have a pending workers’ compensation case or are receiving benefits. Before you take that job, you should know how it will affect you and your case.
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Social Security
One of the biggest frustrations with pursuing Social Security Disability benefits is the amount of time it takes to get a decision and, hopefully, begin getting benefits. This struggle has plagued applicants and their social security disability attorneys for decades.
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Workers' Comp
If you’re wondering whether you have a case, consider having a workers’ compensation lawyer on your side to help you through the complicated steps.
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Workers' Comp
Many people who file workers’ compensation claims are hardworking, loyal and honest employees who simply got in an accident at work, by no fault of their own.
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Workers' Comp
Illinois law protects employees from retaliation and discrimination for exercising their rights under the IL Workers’ Compensation Act.
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Workers' Comp
This comprehensive list will provide a step-by-step process of how to act following a workplace incident, remember that you have the power to immediately contact a trusted lawyer to help you file for compensation.
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Workers' Comp
We know how difficult it can be to sustain an injury or illness from a workplace incident. And, it’s okay if you don’t know everything about Workers’ Compensation yet. In fact, many of those injured are unaware of their rights to recover benefits.
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Workers' Comp
Workers’ compensation protects employees by covering medical bills, rehab costs, and any wages lost due to a workplace injury. The insurance policy also offers benefits to an employees’ family if they died due to workplace injury.
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COVID-19
Regardless of whether you think everyone should get vaccinated or no one should, or that everyone should wear a mask or not, it is important to know what your employer can and cannot mandate in the workplace.
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Workers' Comp
It’s tough enough putting in so many hours with little compensation, but getting hurt at work can also be a life-altering injury. Your job, self-esteem, relationship with your family, and financial situation can be impacted after sustaining a serious injury at work.
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Workers' Comp, Police & Fire
If you or someone you know is a firefighter, EMT or paramedic and was diagnosed with MRSA or any other bloodborne pathogen, lung or respiratory disease or condition, heart or vascular disease or condition, hypertension, tuberculosis, or cancer resulting in disability, you may be entitled to benefits under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.
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Workers' Comp
Have you ever had an employer say that it is not a work-related injury because you were just standing up or reaching or walking? Unfortunately, when an employer or insurance company says something like that, often employees believe them. Yet it is not necessarily true, and most likely is wrong!
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Workers' Comp, COVID-19, Videos
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.
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COVID-19, Videos
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.
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Workers' Comp, COVID-19
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.
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Workers' Comp, COVID-19
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.
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Workers' Comp, COVID-19
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 it at work.
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Police & Fire
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.”
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Workers' Comp
Not every injury that happens at work or on the clock is the responsibility of your employer. But just because you are off the employer’s premise or off the clock doesn’t automatically mean that your employer is not responsible for the injury.
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Workers' Comp
My response is always, “Even if everything is going perfectly right now, you will inevitably need an attorney. Don’t wait to get one until after a problem occurs because then you risk a situation where an attorney cannot fix the harm that has been done.”
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Social Security
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 was intended to provide significant legal protections for workers’ benefits. There is one aspect of ERISA, called the ‘reservation of discretion’ which insurance companies and plan administrators have been able to use to deny workers health and disability benefits. Under a recent Illinois federal court decision, this has changed.
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Our Team
So often in our busy lives we end up with blinders on that keep us focused only on ourselves, our jobs, our close family and friends. And even though our jobs may involve helping others in some capacity, we often limit our hands and feet to that work only. The mission of Black & Jones Attorneys at Law has always been to help people in need.
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Workers' Comp
What happens when a work related injury leaves you with permanent restrictions and your employer cannot accommodate those restrictions? You find yourself without a job, without an income, and very little hope that you will find an employer who is willing to tolerate your restrictions.
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Workers' Comp
Unfortunately, when a business is allowing employees to work in an environment or around equipment that is blatantly unsafe, injuries not only are likely to happen, but they can be devastating.
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