Posted on August 22, 2014 in Articles

Farm animals can be useful, beautiful and even fun, but they can also be predictable and cause serious injuries and fatalities.

When the topic of farming hazards comes up, people may think about the dangers of certain farm equipment, such as tractors and other types of heavy machinery, but they may not realize that many of the animals commonly found on a farm can be dangerous as well. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated, farming has long been one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S. Unlike most other professions, family members can also be at risk in the agricultural business, since families tend to live on the farm site and share many of the dangerous chores. Anyone can be at risk when working with the variety of animals present on a farm, but younger and more inexperienced workers are particularly vulnerable.

Farm animals are typically large and, while domesticated, are not always docile or predictable. According to the University of Illinois Extension, since 1986 at least eight people have been killed in farm accidents while working with livestock, and many more may have been seriously injured. Some of the fatal accidents included a worker being charged by a bull, another worker being butted into a fence by a cow and a farmer who was trampled by agitated cattle while trying to free a trapped calf.

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 Posted on August 19, 2014 in Firm News

Workers in Illinois are generally aware that if they are hurt or get sick on the job, they may qualify to collect workers' compensation benefits. Companies are typically required to carry workers' compensation insurance to cover these payments, which in turn protects an employer from being sued by employees. 

However, there may be some confusion over the types of injuries that may qualify for this coverage. In many cases, people assume that unless an injury is catastrophic, like a serious burn or a brain injury, pursuing workers' compensation benefits is futile. But some of the most common workplace injuries for which people collect workers' compensation start very small and get worse over time.

Repetitive stress injuries are very common for people in work various types of jobs, from construction to office administration. These injuries often start out small; almost undetectable. Over time, however, they can get worse and more painful, especially when the trigger of the conditions is something that a person does consistently, such as standing, sitting, typing or carrying heavy machinery.

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 Posted on August 12, 2014 in Firm News

The aftermath of a truck accident can be catastrophic. When a commercial vehicle is involved in a collision, there is often significant property damage, road closures, extensive cleanup efforts and emergency responders on the scene. This is all in addition to the most devastating damage: the injuries of people involved in the crash.

Injuries suffered in any motor vehicle accident can be quite serious, whether they involve broken bones, brain trauma or spinal cord damage. But when the vehicle that caused a crash is enormous and weighs as much as 80,000 pounds, injuries on a whole new level are reported. In many cases, victims of a truck accident are killed or suffer life-changing and permanent injuries.

Sadly, the injuries suffered by five victims in a recent truck accident in Illinois turned out to be fatal after a speeding semi-trailer made an unsafe lane change. Three other vehicles were unable to avoid the unexpected moves of the truck and they were all involved in a serious crash. All told, five people were killed and three others were injured.

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 Posted on August 04, 2014 in Firm News

People all across Illinois participate in or love to cheer on college sports teams. College athletes are admired and encouraged by fans all across the country. However, some argue that the players have been missing support from one very critical source: the NCAA.

For years, there has been a debate about whether the NCAA is doing enough to protect young athletes from suffering serious and traumatic brain injuries. Between 2004 and 2009, more than 29,000 college football and soccer players suffered concussions and many people argue that the NCAA is at least partially to blame for the long-term consequences of these injuries.

Thankfully, the NCAA recently agreed to improve their efforts to protect young athletes from the devastating effects of a brain injury.

According to reports, the NCAA has agreed to set aside $70 million in funds to improve the diagnosing of these injuries. This means that athletes who play or have played in contact sports during college will have better access to resources that can accurately detect brain trauma. 

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 Posted on July 29, 2014 in Firm News

Families all across Illinois have to deal with the difficult decision of whether to place an elderly loved one in a residential care facility. As family members get older, their medical and physical needs can be difficult for individuals keep up with. In many cases, there may be no choice but to research nursing homes.

We assume that these facilities will be equipped to care for our loved ones with experience, compassion and professionalism. Unfortunately, there are cases when these workers provide substandard care or abuse patients who suffer from physical or mental deficiencies and vulnerabilities and cannot protect themselves or report misconduct.

In order to protect these patients, it can be crucial for family members and friends to be aware of some of the signs of nursing home neglect or abuse. These signs include:

• Bruising
• Unusual emotional changes or instability
• Abrasions or broken bones
• Genital trauma
• Fear of being touched or approached

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 Posted on July 22, 2014 in Firm News

Imagine you are driving home from work or heading out to the grocery in your car. It seems like a typical, routine trip when you stop at an intersection and wait for the light to turn green. Suddenly, you see a flash in your rear-view mirror and before you realize what is happening, you are rear-ended and your body is violently thrown forward and then slammed back.

You may be able to get out of your car, assess the damage and exchange insurance information with the other driver. You may go back home, glad to be safe but are still understandably shaken after the crash. But what many people may not realize is that there could still be serious health concerns that they may need to worry about, including whiplash.

Whiplash occurs when a person's neck is severely jerked or damaged in an accident. According to the North American Spine Society, the neck is made up of several bones, muscles and ligaments that aid mobility and support. In a serious accident, any number of these parts can be crushed, strained, compressed or otherwise injured as a result of the impact. In some cases, the injuries are minor and will heal on their own. In other cases, the damage is more severe.

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 Posted on July 14, 2014 in Firm News

When families are exploring their options for admitting a loved one to a nursing care facility, it can be an emotional and difficult process. To make the decision a little easier, facilities often promote the fact that they have the staff, resources and technology to help people feel better and get the care they require. These are essential factors in a family's decision.

However, too many facilities in and around Illinois fall short of providing the quality care they have promised to families. In reality, many are short-staffed or employ workers who are not trained properly. There are also places where claims of abuse or neglect are ignored. The victims of this substandard care can be left to suffer serious illnesses or injuries that put their life in danger. One 72-year-old woman fell victim to alleged negligence when staff workers at a nursing home ignored alarms signaling that she was in distress.

According to reports, the woman was suffering from a number of health issues that left her unable to care for herself. She relied on a ventilator but was admitted to a facility that was supposed to help wean her off the mechanical breathing device.

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 Posted on July 07, 2014 in Firm News

Truck drivers in Illinois and elsewhere are required with a number of state and federal laws that specifically address trucking practices. One such obligation is to accurately track their hours in a log book. By doing so, the driver and the trucking company can monitor the amount of time that a driver is on the road. 

In the event that a truck driver gets fatigued and causes a crash, this log book can prove to be a critical piece of evidence. It may show that a trucker was in violation of the Hours of Service Regulations with which drivers must comply. These regulations are in place to prevent truckers from being on the road too long and getting drowsy or falling asleep behind the wheel.

After a recent tragic trucking accident, one trucker has now been sentenced for attempting to tamper with his log book. According to police, the 42-year-old man ripped a page out of his log book and tried to hide it from authorities after he crashed into the back of a woman's car which was stopped at a stop light. The woman was killed and other motorists were injured in the devastating accident.

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 Posted on June 30, 2014 in Firm News

If you are like many people across Springfield, you already have your holiday weekend planned. The Fourth of July is a very popular time to get outside, enjoy barbecues, fireworks and time with family and friends. Often, these gatherings involve drinking alcohol, which could put people in serious danger.

Whether you are headed into the city for a parade or a cabin for some boating, chances are good that you will be on the road. No matter how cautious you are or how closely you monitor your own alcohol consumption, the fact is that there will be people on Illinois roads and highways who are not taking these same precautions. It only takes one drunk driver to ruin a holiday weekend and potentially destroy a family. That is why it is crucial that people be aware of their rights as victims of drunk driving accidents. 

Getting hit by a drunk driver can be among the most frightening and painful experiences a motorist can have. Drivers who are drunk have slower reflexes, impaired vision and decision-making skills, as well as a potentially heightened sense of aggression. Each of these factors makes a drunk driver extremely dangerous behind the wheel.

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 Posted on June 23, 2014 in Firm News

In our last post, we discussed the dangers that people can face when they are at swimming pools or lakes in the summertime. However, the heat of summer can also present a number of hazards to people who are not lucky enough to cool off in the water. Specifically, this includes people who work outside.

Being outside in the summer can be the cause of several serious conditions. People who are outside in the humidity, sun and heat for extended periods of time can be at risk of getting sick or injured, and it can be important to remember that workers affected by these working conditions may be able to pursue workers' compensation benefits. 

Generally speaking, there are three common factors that can lead to a work-related injury in the summer: heat, extreme weather and sun.

• Heat: During the very hot months, people who work outside can suffer from dehydration, heat cramps, rashes, confusion and nausea. Once these symptoms begin, a person can require immediate assistance and time off to recover.

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