Peoria Workers' Compensation Blog

The inhalation of substances can be damaging to workers

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in workers' compensation injuries on Thursday, October 11, 2018.

Taking a deep breath to clear one's head or to reset one's attitude can be an important part of getting through the workday. However, for Illinois residents who work in manufacturing and other industries where air quality may be affected by particulates, gases or chemicals, breathing in and out while on the job may actually be dangerous. Too many workers are hurt by inhalation injuries when they breathe in substances that are harmful to their bodies.

Just as fire victims can suffer serious and life-threatening harm when they breathe in smoke, so too can workers suffer significantly when they breathe in caustic and inflammatory substances on the job. A worker who is exposed to damaging substances in the air that they breathe may suffer medical conditions that affect their respiration, eye sight, and pain levels. These inhalation injury complications can force workers to take time off of their jobs to recuperate from the harm that they suffered for the sake of their employers.

Help when a workers' compensation claim has been denied

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in denied workers' compensation claims on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

Nothing in life is guaranteed, including the approval of a workers' compensation claim. Requests for workers' compensation benefits are subject to strict review and may be denied if they are deemed deficient or lack sufficient information on which to base approvals. While it is a good idea to submit a workers' compensation request with the most relevant information possible, those who receive a denial of the request should know that their fight for benefits may not be over.

Appealing a workers' compensation denial can be done with the help of a legal professional. John Lesaganich, Attorney at Law, provides clear legal counsel to men and women who are out of work because of serious workplace accidents and injuries. He understands that denied claims are detrimental to his clients' well-being and is prepared to advocate for them as they seek new reviews for the claims.

What cops should know about workers’ compensation in Illinois

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law on Monday, October 1, 2018.

Police officers have one of the most physically tasking jobs in the workforce. They constantly risk their lives taking on criminals and could critically injure themselves in the middle of a shootout, car chase or rescue. Unlike most other jobs, they do not have the benefit of predictability when it comes to their shifts.

Because of these elements, filing a claim for workers’ compensation is different than other jobs. In Illinois, not only does it vary on what type of injury you have, but also where you get the injury. Officers should familiarize themselves with the state’s policies to see if their condition is eligible for coverage.

Documentation is a key part of proving a workers' comp case

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in workers' compensation process on Friday, September 28, 2018.

A slip-and-fall at work can lead to months of pain and recovery for an Illinois resident. During their period of recuperation they may discover that they cannot get by without extra income on which to support their family. If they cannot work, they may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits until such time as they are back to working at their full capacity.

In order to get workers' compensation benefits a person must request them. The process of requesting and securing workers' compensation can be lengthy and as insurers rarely want to simply pay out claims to hurt workers, building a strong case for benefits can be an important part of emerging from the process with the benefits a worker needs.

What kinds of injuries may qualify someone for workers' comp?

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in workers' compensation injuries on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

A common example of a workplace injury involves a worker taking a fall while trying to do their job. However, in Illinois and across the rest of the country, workers in various industries suffer extensive and differentiated harm from accidents in their places of employment. This post will discuss some of the varied types of worker harm that may be covered by workers' compensation, but, as with all legal matters, readers should speak with their own attorneys to better understand their cases.

Workers' compensation may be available to individuals who had preexisting conditions that were aggravated by work. Worker's Compensation injuries can be difficult to prove and a worker may have to build a strong case to show that their suffering resulted from their work and not from another source.

Getting back to work after a workplace injury

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in workers' compensation process on Friday, September 14, 2018.

As has previously been discussed on this blog, a workplace injury can be a devastating event. Without the ability to work, a person and their family may suffer the financial ramifications of a period away from work and the stresses that accompany it. However, when the accident occurs while on the job, that worker may be able to receive workers' compensation through their employer.

There are many different expenses that workers' compensation can cover and, depending upon the extent of the injury, they may be entitled to receive workers' compensation for an extended period of time. Most workers, however, would prefer to get back to their jobs and earn the income their families need to pay bills.

Hurt workers often need workers' compensation benefits

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in workers' compensation benefits on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

There is nothing scarier for a Peoria resident than losing the ability to provide for their family. A person may have a spouse, kids, and even others who count on them to bring home a paycheck and keep food on the table. When they suffer workplace injuries and have to take time off work to heal, they may find themselves in exactly the position that they were afraid of.

Workplace accidents and injuries are upsetting because they should be preventable with proper training and care on the part of employers. However, thousands of men and women are injured each year while on the job and it's frightening for them to discover that their families' livelihoods are on the line because of those injuries.

Workers’ compensation in the childcare industry

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law on Saturday, September 1, 2018.

Those working with children are among the most generous employees in the United States. Yet their workplace injuries are disproportionately under-reported in the industry.

If you work with children and face injuries while working in the scope of your employment, you may prove eligible for workers’ compensation within your childcare organization. The state of Illinois establishes laws to accurately determine your injuries’ effects and hopes to provide you monetary benefit while you seek treatment or recover. Those working in schools and daycare centers should work in a safe work environment, but they face injury, they deserve compensation.

Do office workers suffer workplace injuries?

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in workers' compensation injuries on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

It may seem as though certain industries are more hazardous to workers than others, and that individuals who work in offices may be less likely to get hurt while doing their jobs than people who work in agriculture, manufacturing, or construction. However, Illinois residents may be surprised to know that office workers can and do suffer many workplace injuries each year.

According to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, certain workplace injuries are particularly common in office environments. Office workers are more than twice as likely to suffer damaging falls as individuals whose jobs keep them out of office buildings. Office workers commonly trip on desks, cords, and carpets, fall out of chairs and slip on wet surfaces.

Reasons for workers' compensation denial

On behalf of John Lesaganich, P.C., Attorney at Law posted in denied workers' compensation claims on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

Recently, this blog posted an article concerning the role that alleged horseplay may have in the denial of a claim for workers' compensation benefits. If an Illinois worker is claimed to have suffered a workplace injury because they were acting silly or goofing around, then it is possible that their request for benefits may be denied as their harm was not the result of wrongdoing by their employer. Horseplay is not the only cause of denied workers' compensation claims and this post will mention a few others.

Technical deficiencies in the filing of a workers' compensation claim can lead to its eventual denial. For example, if a worker does not report their injury to their employer, then their claim may not move forward. Also, if a worker does not file their claim soon enough after it occurs, then their window for seeking benefits may close.