Posted on February 09, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

If you suffered an injury at work that worsened an existing medical condition, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. This type of injury is known as an aggravation or exacerbation of a preexisting condition. An Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand what you need to know about making this type of claim.

Establish Your Preexisting Condition

The first step is to show documentation that you had a medical condition prior to the workplace injury. This can include medical records, testimony from your doctor, and medical bills that predate the injury. Some examples of preexisting conditions that could be aggravated by a work accident include:

• Arthritis
• Prior back injury
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Asthma

Prove the Work Injury Aggravated Your Condition

Next, you must prove that the work accident directly caused your preexisting condition to become worse. Your treating physician will need to clearly link the changes in your condition to the workplace incident. Make sure you give your doctor an accurate history of how the injury occurred and point out when your symptoms got markedly worse. Diagnostic test results can also demonstrate an objective worsening of your preexisting condition.

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 Posted on January 31, 2024 in Car Accidents

Road construction projects inevitably cause traffic disruptions and hazards for motorists. But when a lack of proper warnings, barriers, or visibility leads to an injury, you may have legal rights against negligent parties. If you recently sustained injuries while driving through a construction zone, you should know your rights. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you determine what to do.

Assess Responsibility Based on Missing or Defective Warnings

Construction companies must provide adequate warnings to alert approaching drivers of upcoming road hazards. If you unexpectedly hit objects, holes, edges, or debris that should have been clearly marked, the contractor may be liable for failing to prevent foreseeable accidents. Consider what types of warnings were missing or defective, like:

• Absence of signs indicating ongoing road work

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 Posted on January 25, 2024 in Personal Injury

Being injured in a government building because of negligence or unsafe conditions can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. If you suffered an injury in a state, federal, county, or city government building, there are important steps you should take to protect your rights and receive fair compensation. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can provide guidance on reporting the incident, documenting evidence, understanding liability laws, and moving forward with your claim.

Report the Incident Properly

If you are injured in a government building, your first priority should be seeking medical care. After ensuring your injuries are treated, you need to properly report what happened. Alert security guards, managers, or supervisors on the premises about when, where, and how you were injured. 

Ask them to prepare an official incident report with statements from witnesses. Be clear about listing exactly how the dangerous condition occurred and any safety protocols that were not followed. Get copies of these documents for later reference.

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 Posted on January 15, 2024 in Personal Injury

As we enter 2024, many of us are thinking about New Year’s resolutions around improving our health, finances, relationships, and more. However, one resolution that is often overlooked is reviewing and updating your insurance policies. This is beneficial, especially in case of a personal injury accident.

Having proper insurance coverage is essential, but the details can easily fall through the cracks over time as life changes. Make this the year you give your policies a checkup. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help make sure you are on track to keeping safe.

Evaluate Your Current Home and Auto Policies

Start by pulling out your home and auto insurance documents and giving them a thorough review. Check if your coverage amounts still align with the value of your home and vehicles. Have you made any substantial upgrades or improvements to your house that may impact rebuilding costs if there was a total loss? Did you purchase a new car that requires adjusted liability limits? Over time, as assets grow in value, the costs to repair or replace them also grow. Make sure your policies have kept pace.

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 Posted on January 05, 2024 in Pedestrian Accidents

When a negligent driver hits you, you can suffer physically, emotionally, and financially. Injuries may lead to trauma and expensive medical bills you did not deserve. Filing a personal injury lawsuit with an Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice and recover damages. To build the strongest case possible against the motorist at fault, keep these tips in mind.

Get Immediate Medical Help

Even if you feel fine initially after getting hit by a car, see a doctor right away. Signs of concussion, internal bleeding, spinal, or brain injury can take time to appear. This is why it is so important to seek medical attention, even if you do not think you have injuries.

Adrenaline may mask pain temporarily. Getting promptly examined and treatment started can provide vital evidence documenting your injuries tied to the crash. Continue the recommended treatment to completely heal. Inconsistent medical care may weaken your injury claims.

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 Posted on December 28, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating. If you believe workplace asbestos exposure caused your illness, it is essential to know your legal rights and how to prove the connection. An Illinois asbestos injury attorney can help organize your evidence and determine if you have a potential case.

Identify Asbestos Products Used

The first step is to prove that your workplace has asbestos. Helpful documentation may include site inventory logs and construction specifications that show insulation or floor and ceiling tiles with asbestos. Some of the evidence your attorney may use in your case include company records confirming which manufacturers supplied the hazardous goods and affidavits from coworkers who can attest to your asbestos claims.

Uncovering the Source of Exposure

The evidence should also reveal the particular ways in which asbestos materials at the workplace could have been disturbed, releasing fibers into the air that could be inhaled. This might involve activities such as renovations, maintenance, or repairs that disrupted asbestos that was otherwise contained. This ends up leading to the release of particles without adequate containment or protection for the workers. It could also include regular tasks like cleaning up asbestos debris or handling products that contain asbestos.

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 Posted on December 22, 2023 in Personal Injury

If medical assessments have confirmed you now have liver impairment or disease that appears connected to years of regularly taking the cholesterol medication Lipitor (atorvastatin), understand that legal options may exist to pursue financial compensation from responsible parties for your condition from Lipitor. You take medication to feel better, but unfortunately, it can come with some serious damage. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help determine if you have a case and how to go through the process.

Review Prescribing Guidance

Lipitor manufacturer Pfizer’s own labeling suggests baseline and follow-up liver function testing at intervals while using the medication. Compare what liver enzyme blood tests you underwent against the recommended testing guidance. Too few safety checks enable harm. Evidence of overlooked protocols aids negligence arguments against possibly careless doctors and pharmaceutical accountability reasons.

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 Posted on December 15, 2023 in Nursing Home Neglect

Choosing a nursing home for your loved one is an important and difficult decision. You want to ensure they receive quality care in a safe environment. However, sometimes nursing homes fail to uphold adequate standards of care, resulting in negligence and harm to residents. Being aware of what constitutes negligence can help identify warning signs of abuse or inadequate care. An Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can help you and your family if you have proof of nursing home negligence.

Failure to Prevent Bed Sores and Infections

One of the most common issues in nursing homes failing to take proper measures to prevent infections and bed sores. Bed sores, also called pressure ulcers, develop when a patient stays in one position too long without shifting weight. Nursing home staff must reposition immobile patients every two hours to prevent this. They also must check the skin for redness and immediately implement wound care plans for any sores. Failure to do this simple prevention leads to painful, infected wounds that can be life-threatening.

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 Posted on December 07, 2023 in Personal Injury

If a contractor ruptured a gas line on your property due to negligence or improper procedures, you likely have grounds to seek financial damages. Suffering property destruction, injury harm, lost income, and other serious gas line rupture consequences merits legal accountability. An Illinois lawyer can help you determine what you need to know about recovering losses after an incident caused by a contractor’s mistakes.

Assess the Damage and Document Evidence

In the immediate aftermath of a ruptured gas line, focus first on safety. Evacuate the area, contact emergency services, ventilate the property, and address any medical issues. Seeking any necessary medical care for injuries or potential asphyxiation should be the top priority. Once the situation is stable, carefully survey and photograph all damage before repairs commence. 

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 Posted on November 30, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

Suppose you developed a repetitive strain injury (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis from performing repetitive work duties over time in Illinois. In that case, you have certain rights under the state's workers' compensation system. Workers' comp laws provide important protections and benefits for employees with occupational injuries and illnesses. An Illinois lawyer can help you determine if you have a solid case to move forward.

Types of RSIs Covered

The Illinois Workers' Compensation Act covers repetitive trauma injuries that occur gradually from repeated motions and strain during work responsibilities. Examples of common repetitive stress injuries that are covered include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, tennis elbow, trigger finger, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

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