The labor movement in the U.S. grew in response to the need to protect the common interests of workers such as better wages, reasonable hours, and perhaps most importantly, safer working conditions to prevent injuries and fatalities in the workplace. This weekend we celebrate Labor Day, a day to recognize the social and economic achievements… Read More »
Workers’ Compensation Payable for Work Sponsored Trips and Events
When you are injured while working your 9 to 5 job at the office, you will likely be covered under workers’ compensation for medical bills and lost wages resulting from the injury. Workers’ compensation coverage is typically available to employees if an accident or injury occurs when performing work related duties. However when accidents occur… Read More »
Workers’ Compensation for Truck Driver Neck and Back Injuries
Sometimes a doctor may recommend ACDF surgery to treat occupational related conditions such as herniated discs or degenerative disc diseases to provide relief. Anterior cervical discectomy or ACDF is a surgical procedure to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the spine, which is then replaced by a spacer bone graft to fill the space.… Read More »
Marijuana Impairment at Work in the Age of Legalization
With Illinois set to legalize recreational marijuana use January 1, 2020, a whole host of worker safety issues and potential workers’ compensation claims come into play as do potential employment law issues as employers grapple with how to handle potentially impaired employees and what consequences will follow – all within the framework of Illinois and… Read More »
The Role That Fatigue Plays in Workplace Injuries
Although it does not go so far as recognizing workplace burnout as a medical condition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the burnout many employees experience on the job as a bonafide occupational phenomenon in its International Classification of Diseases. Overworked, under compensated, with work related emails and texts to answer 24/7, many American… Read More »
Firefighter Injury Compensation
An Iowa firefighter who survived an 80 foot fall after an explosion at a silo inferno is speaking out about the perilous experience. Back in January, the 23-year-old man and another firefighter were putting out a fire on top of a silo when the structure caught fire. Soon after an explosion erupted knocking the firefighters… Read More »
Employer Retaliation Wrongful Termination
Repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, a back injury, or other conditions that result from performing the duties of a job sometimes require medical attention and days off from work to resolve the injury. Unfortunately, an employee may experience retaliation including wrongful termination when they file a workers’ compensation claim to take care… Read More »
Top Ten Workplace Safety Violations in 2018
Workplace injuries are often preventable when employers follow safety rule and regulations. Unfortunately, when safety is not a priority, the risk to workers being injured by workplace accidents increases. In 2018, OSHA issued thousands of citations that underscore some of the hazards workers face every day in the workplace. The top ten include: Fall… Read More »
Industrial Fire and Explosion at Iowa Plant
Firefighters responded to a fire at the Archer Daniels Midland plant over the weekend after a report of smoldering material in a silo storage bin. Unfortunately, despite efforts to stabilize the scene, an explosion occurred killing one firefighter and critically injuring another. According to the fire chief, an investigation is underway and is “expected to… Read More »
Social Media Evidence Used to Deny Workers’ Comp
For many of us, social media such as Facebook and Instagram are part of our everyday lives, where we can share videos and pictures hanging out with friends, celebrating special events, or just spending time with family. While social media helps many stay connected by providing up to the minute updates on someone’s activities, when… Read More »