Peoria Workers' Compensation Blog

Many people in Peoria have worked in the food service industry at one point in their lives. Whether they were flipping burgers at a fast food joint as a teenager or whether they currently have a career as a chef or server in a restaurant, it is important to recognize that restaurants can be dangerous places to work. If employers in the food service industry do not take appropriate measures to keep their workers safe, it could lead to workplace injuries.

For example, workers in restaurants may have to lift heavy objects, which could lead to strains, sprains and nerve damage. They may also have to be on their feet on a hard surface for their entire shift, which could lead to back injuries and muscle fatigue. Chefs work with sharp knives and around hot surfaces, which could lead to lacerations and burn injuries. Having to complete repetitive tasks day-in and day-out, such as chopping, can lead to repetitive stress injuries. Exposure to hazardous cleaning chemicals could also lead to eye, skin and respiratory problems.

Many people ride trains and subways in Illinois every day, but they may not give much thought to those who maintain these transportation systems. Railroad workers perform important duties behind the scenes to ensure that these tracks are in good operating condition. However, railroad work can also be dangerous, as one recent incident shows.

One railroad worker lost his life, and another was seriously injured after an explosion occurred in the area of the Grayland Station in Chicago. The men were working on a track project and were welding at the time of the incident. According to officials, for reasons unknown, the acetylene tank on a truck blew up, killing one worker who was standing near the vehicle and injuring another. The deceased worker had been employed as a track inspector for 17 years.

A successful workers' compensation claim can provide an injured worker with the financial support they need to recover from their harm and get themselves ready to return to work. There are many steps that must be followed to prevail in a workers' compensation claim, and this blog has addressed many of the issues that individuals can face when they decide to seek this specific form of benefits. One important issue that workers should be aware of, however, is the statute of limitations that applies to workers' compensation claims.

In Illinois, the amount of time that an injured worker has to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits can vary. The period will either be two or three years. The two-year statute of limitations applies in cases where workers are no longer employed with the company where their injuries occurred.

After a worker suffers an on-the-job injury, they are generally required to report their injury to their employer. This gives the employer notice of the harm the employee suffered as well as an opportunity to be aware of any claims the employee may make regarding their need for compensation. Illinois workers who are hurt while doing their employment duties should be prepared to provide their employers with certain information about the incidents that caused their harm.

Factual information should be communicated to employers about the accidents and events that led to their workers' injuries. Such information can include, but is not limited to, when the accident occurred, where the accident occurred, and the date on which the accident occurred. The employers may need their employees to report whether witnesses were present when the accident happened and the employer may also need to know exactly what was happening when the injury transpired.