Posted on September 29, 2025 in Nursing Home Neglect

Falls in nursing homes are a leading cause of serious injuries for elderly residents. Many falls are preventable if facilities follow proper safety standards. If your parent fell and got hurt in a nursing home, you may be wondering what options you have for holding someone accountable. If you suspect negligence contributed to your loved one’s injury, talk to a Decatur, IL nursing home neglect lawyer about your case.

Why Do Residents Fall in Nursing Homes?

Residents can easily fall down when a facility does not provide them with proper care. If there is not enough staff to supervise residents, elderly residents can end up falling in situations where they would otherwise be safe. Missing handrails, grab bars, or bright enough lights can also cause people to trip, slip, or fall down.

Certain residents who are at risk of falling should have care plans. If these are not paid close attention to, this can also cause falls. Of course, if hazards like slippery or broken floors are left unrepaired, that can also lead to injuries. All of these situations are preventable, and when ignored, they can lead to serious injuries.

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 Posted on September 19, 2025 in Personal Injury

With summer turning into fall, many people in Illinois take advantage of the cooler weather to enjoy outdoor activities like riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). ATVs can be a fun way to explore, but they also pose serious risks. 

Accidents involving ATVs often result in severe injuries because the vehicles provide little protection. If you or your child was hurt in an ATV accident, a Bloomington, IL personal injury attorney can guide you on how to pursue compensation for your losses.

Are ATVs Considered Dangerous?

ATVs are powerful machines that can reach high speeds. Unfortunately, they usually lack safety features like seatbelts and airbags. Riders are exposed to the elements and extremely vulnerable in a crash. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, hundreds of people across the United States die in ATV accidents each year, and thousands more suffer life-altering injuries.

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 Posted on September 10, 2025 in Workers' Compensation

Many Illinois workers worry that a past injury or health problem will stop them from getting benefits if it gets worse on the job. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305/, makes clear that workers can still qualify for benefits if their job duties aggravate, accelerate, or combine with an existing condition. 

In other words, you may be covered even if you were not perfectly healthy before your workplace injury. A Champaign, IL workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.

What Is Aggravation of a Pre-Existing Condition in Workers’ Comp Claims?

A pre-existing condition is any health issue you had before your current injury. Aggravation happens when your job duties make that problem worse. This can occur in many ways. For example, lifting heavy boxes may cause a prior back injury to flare up. Repetitive tasks like bending or typing can make arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome more painful. Exposure to dust, mold, or chemicals may worsen asthma or other breathing issues.

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 Posted on September 02, 2025 in Workers' Compensation

Remote and hybrid work arrangements are now a normal part of life for many Illinois employees. While this flexibility has clear benefits, it also raises difficult questions about workers’ compensation. If you are hurt while working from home, how can you prove that your injury is work-related? 

The answer depends on what Illinois law defines as "arising out of and in the course of employment." If you have been injured at home and are unsure about your rights, one of our Springfield, IL workers’ compensation lawyers can explain your options.

What Does Illinois Law Require for an Injury to be Considered Work-Related?

The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, 820 ILCS 305/, says that an injury must arise out of and occur in the course of employment to qualify for benefits. "Arising out of" means the injury is connected to something for your job. "In the course of" means it happened while you were performing your work duties or something reasonably incidental to those duties.

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 Posted on August 29, 2025 in Workers' Compensation

Many union workers believe that being part of a union guarantees approval of a workers’ compensation claim. Unfortunately, that is not true. While union membership can provide strong protections and support, Illinois law requires all employees, union or non-union, to meet certain conditions to receive benefits. Claims can still be denied, even when the worker belongs to a union and even when their work injuries are legitimate.

With more than 100 years of combined legal experience, the Champaign, IL workers’ comp attorneys at Kanoski Bresney help people hurt at work understand their rights and fight claim denials.

How Workers’ Compensation Works for Union Workers in Illinois

Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/), most employers are required to provide workers’ comp benefits for employees who are hurt on the job. These benefits may cover medical treatment, temporary total disability (TTD) payments while you cannot work, permanent partial or total disability, and vocational rehabilitation if you cannot return to your old job.

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 Posted on August 23, 2025 in Car Accidents

Every driver in Illinois knows that traffic accidents happen. But when a collision leads to catastrophic injuries, the impact goes far beyond the scene of the crash. Families may find themselves overwhelmed with emergency medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and the harsh reality that life may never return to normal. These cases are not about fender-benders or short-term discomfort. They are about life-altering harm that requires skilled legal action to remedy.

As of August 2025, Illinois courts continue to recognize personal injury claims for serious crash-related harm under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, which governs comparative negligence. That law means an injured person may recover damages if they were less than 50 percent at fault for the crash. For victims with lifelong injuries, every dollar of compensation can make the difference between ongoing medical care and financial ruin.

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 Posted on August 14, 2025 in Workers' Compensation

Faulty equipment in the workplace can be a lot more dangerous than many people realize. From malfunctioning machinery on a factory floor to defective tools on a construction site, equipment failures can cause severe injuries that leave employees unable to work. 

If you were hurt in Illinois because of defective or poorly maintained work equipment, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. A Springfield, IL workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand your options and guide you through the claims process.

Workers’ Compensation and Faulty Equipment in Illinois

Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, most employees who are injured on the job are eligible for benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This includes injuries caused by faulty or defective equipment. You do not need to prove that your employer was negligent; you only need to show that the injury occurred while you were carrying out your work duties.

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 Posted on August 08, 2025 in Personal Injury

Bar fights are often fueled by alcohol and adrenaline. But just because you are involved in one does not mean you are responsible for everything that happens during it. Even if you started a fight, you might not be liable for all the resulting damage. If you threw the first punch but were seriously injured by someone else’s response, you might assume you have no legal options. However, Illinois law does not automatically disqualify you from seeking compensation, especially if the other person used excessive force.

As of August 2025, Illinois courts continue to look closely at the degree of force used in self-defense. If the response to your initial punch went beyond what was necessary, speak with an experienced Champaign, IL personal injury lawyer to understand whether you have a valid claim. 

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 Posted on July 31, 2025 in Workers' Compensation

Workplace injuries are not always visible. While broken bones, repetitive stress injuries, and other forms of physical harm are commonly accepted under workers’ compensation, mental health injuries may also qualify. If your job has caused severe emotional distress, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), workers’ compensation benefits might be available to help you recover.

As of July 2025, Illinois workers’ compensation law continues to recognize certain psychological injuries, but qualifying for benefits is not always straightforward. A knowledgeable Decatur, IL workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand your rights and options.

Do Mental Health Conditions Qualify for Workers’ Comp in Illinois?

Illinois law allows mental health injuries to be covered under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, but qualifying often involves more scrutiny than a claim following a physical injury. You must show that the mental health condition was directly caused by your job and that it arose out of and in the course of your employment.

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 Posted on July 22, 2025 in Personal Injury

Train-pedestrian accidents are often fatal and almost always involve severe injuries. In Illinois, where freight and passenger rail lines cross through cities like Springfield and Peoria, these incidents are tragically not unheard of. When someone is struck by a train, the aftermath raises difficult questions: How did this happen? Who is at fault? What legal options are available to the injured person or their family?

Determining responsibility for a train-pedestrian accident depends on several factors, including where the accident occurred and whether negligence was involved. If this happened to a loved one, speak with an experienced Peoria, IL personal injury lawyer to understand whether your family has legal options.

Can a Railroad Company Be Held Liable if a Pedestrian is Harmed?

The company that operates the railroad could be held legally responsible if it failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the accident. Illinois law requires railroads to exercise care in operating trains and maintaining crossing areas. The company could be liable if:

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