Articles Posted in Work Injuries

Workplace accidents in Chicago are unique in many aspects. For instance, it does not matter who is to blame for an incident when it comes to a worker’s rights; if that worker is injured while in the scope and course of employment, the worker has certain rights that cannot be barred by an employer. Even if the injured worker is the one who caused the accident, these rights are still available and can help an employee obtain financial compensation when injuries occur.

Workers who are hurt generally are entitled to get the medical treatment they need at no cost to them. This includes any emergency treatment necessary at a hospital, follow up care with a physician, rehabilitative treatment, occupational therapy, and any other treatment that is needed to help a victim recover. In addition to medical help, an injured worker is also entitled to compensation for the time he or she misses from work and may be entitled to a lump sum settlement for pain and suffering caused by an incident. The myriad options that exist following a work injury can make it difficult for a victim to understand what relief may be possible; speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago can help you sort out the details and determine what claims exist, including whether you are entitled to monetary compensation in your case.

In the afternoon hours on Monday, an employee of the Chicago Water Department was hurt when he fell while on-the-job. Police and local officials have reported that the employee was working at the South Water Purification Plant and performing an on site inspection when the employee fell and landed in a basin. The worker was rescued from the area and transported by ambulance to an area hospital where his injuries were not disclosed but it has been confirmed that he was in serious condition. He is expected to survive though it is not known whether the employee sustained any permanent damage due to the incident.

Police are reviewing the fall as are authorities who are charged with ensuring the safety of working environments in Chicago.
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Millions of people who live in Chicago go to work every day, trusting that their workplace will be safe and free of unnecessary hazard. Certain professions have greater risks than others but in truth, any type of job in any type of setting can lead to an injury for a worker. Many officer workers are hurt annually while in Chicago and across Illinois despite the fact that most offices are free from obvious risks. Conversely, the number of construction workers, factory employees, and drivers who are hurt annually are astounding and the injuries sustained may range from the minor to the fatal.

While accidents continue to occur, workers in Chicago should know that local, state, and national laws protect them in the event they are injured while on the clock, regardless of who was at fault for the injuries. Employees may be entitled to paid medical treatment, missed wages, and a lump sum settlement if they choose to pursue a work injury claim after an accident leaves them injured. Though these rights exist, it can be difficult for a victim to seek relief without the assistance of a lawyer, so speaking with a personal injury attorney may help you understand your best option to proceed with your claim and what relief may be available to you.

Just after 9:00 a.m. Monday, a steel beam at a construction site in the Chicago loop collapsed, sending four workers to area hospitals for emergency treatment. An official investigation has been initiated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, as well as by authorities associated with the site.

Three of the workers reportedly were involved in attaching the beam at a site near Canal Street and Lake Street when two bolts gave way, sending the beam falling between 14 and 20 feet to the ground. The three employees working on the beam were on top of it at the time of the fall and therefore fell as well, causing them to be seriously injured. An additional worker who was in the area and on the ground was hurt as the beam fell. Three of the workers were listed in serious-to-critical condition while the fourth was believed to have sustained more minor injuries.

Though early in the investigation, authorities believe that all safety protocols were followed by the workers and it is unclear why the bolts gave way at this time.
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Workplace accidents affect employees in all types of jobs and in every position. They often leave workers hurt and in need of medical treatment or surgery. In fact, work-related accidents are so common that most states, including Illinois, have enacted workers’ compensation laws to protect those who are injured while on the clock.

Unlike some other types of injuries, workers’ compensation accidents are handled through a no-fault system of insurance. Put simply, employers in Chicago and across Illinois are required to carry insurance in the event an employee is injured, and that employee has a right to coverage regardless of who is to blame, if anyone, for an incident. While there are some limited exceptions, in practice this means that the vast majority of workers who get hurt on the job have a right to relief which may include obtaining medical treatment they need, payment while missing time from work, and a lump sum payment for damages. The facts surrounding an accident may determine what types of relief are available so you may want to consult with a personal injury lawyer to lean about your options if you have been injured.

Work was ongoing at a Hyde Park building on Wednesday when scaffolding surrounding the building collapsed, according to local officials. At least one worker was on the scaffolding at the time of the collapse and that employee, a 55-year-old man, sustained injuries. Emergency crews transported the worker to a Chicago-area hospital with undisclosed injuries for treatment yesterday and officials believe the man will survive the incident, but it is not known whether any permanent damage will result.

An investigation is ongoing into the collapse and authorities have not revealed a suspected cause at this time but they have confirmed that the incident took place in the 1400 block of East 54th Place.
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In the state of Illinois, employer are required to participate in an employee insurance program that covers and protects workers who are injured on the job. Through the use of this workers’ compensation program, employees who sustain injuries are entitled to obtain necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation care after an incident. In addition to covered medical expenses, these workers are entitled to payment for time missed from work and may be able to recover a lump sum payment for their suffering.

Each workers’ compensation claim in Chicago is different and revolves around a unique set of facts so it is a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer who handles these claims. The laws also require that these claims be brought within a time period specified by state statutes so injured workers who are considering their rights should not delay when it comes to contacting a lawyer. In the tragic event that a worker is killed while on the job, the right to seek a recovery may belong to that worker’s surviving family members, even though no amount of compensation can ever be considered adequate when a loved one is killed.

A recycling plant in Granite City experienced an explosion this morning that claimed the lives of two people, according to local officials. It is not yet known what caused the explosion to occur or whether any other individuals were hurt in the incident but authorities were on the scene and investigating the location, which is approximately 8 miles outside of St. Louis. It is possible that live ammunition exploded on the site of the plant though that has not yet been confirmed at this time.

Work place accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries and several deaths in Illinois every year. Chicago experiences a large number of these tragedies in all types of work settings including construction sites, schools, office buildings, and factories. As the laws apply to cover all workers, whether they are involved in hazardous activities or not, all injured employees may be entitled to relief.
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Workers are protected by specific laws in the State of Illinois that ensure a safe working environment at a job site. Any worker who is injured while on the clock is entitled to certain benefits through a workers’ compensation claim to cover losses like medical bills. While these benefits are designed to apply automatically after a work injury, not all employers take this approach and some make it difficult for workers to obtain the relief they deserve.

A personal injury lawyer who handles workers’ compensation claims may be able to help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt while working. You may be entitled to covered medical treatment, rehabilitative care, compensation for time you missed from work, and/or a lump sum payment depending on your accident and the injuries you sustained.

Officials in Chicago have confirmed that a worker was critically injured when he fell from a water tower in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of the city on Monday. Officials believe that a metal ladder attached to the side of a water tower on the roof of a building in the 3000 block of West Grand Avenue broke free due to its deteriorated state or the state of the attachments holding it to the water tower. At the time, a worker was using the ladder to take down a portion of the water tower and he fell as the ladder broke free.

The worker fell a reported 25 feet from the water tower to the rooftop below. Emergency crews responded to the scene of the incident and transported him to a hospital in Chicago for treatment where he was considered to be in critical condition. The current status of the worker and the nature of his injuries are not clear at this time.
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Employees face certain risks every time they go to work. The risks vary depending on the occupation of an employee, the work setting, and the conditions during working hours, making some professions more dangerous than others. Among all workers, construction workers, nurses and nurses’ aides, airline employees, and factory line workers are particularly prone to damaging injuries while on the job.

But those workers are not the only ones who can be hurt while on the clock. An injury can occur to anyone, regardless of the profession, and it can occur at any time. Even low-risk employees like office workers sometimes become injured and may require medical treatment. When an on-the-job injury happens in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, the worker is entitled to certain benefits and protections under the applicable laws, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. In most cases, a worker can receive proper medical care, compensation for lost wages, and even payment for injuries through the use of a workers’ compensation claim. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your ability to recover if you have been injured while working.

Officials were called to the site of a workplace accident in Lisbon Township shortly after 3:00 pm yesterday. The incident took place on Helmar Road and involved an employee that became trapped in a grain bin with his leg stuck. The worker reportedly was conscious through the incident and crews were able to free the man from the bin. He was transported by air ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital where his current condition is not known.

Officials have not released what caused the accident to occur at this time.
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Workers in Chicago may face a number of threats while on the job every day. Different professions have different risks but the laws that protect workers are the same: if you are hurt on the job, you may be entitled to relief. It does not matter if you work in construction and with dangerous equipment or whether your job takes place in an office, sitting at a desk. Employers in Chicago are required to provide safe working environments and when you are injured on the clock, a workers’ compensation claim may be available to you.

Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your injuries and whether you are entitled to compensation for time missed from work, injuries, and pain and suffering. In many cases, a lawyer can help you understand whether you have other claims in addition to a workers’ compensation claim due to your on-the-job injury.

Though any worker can become injured, some types of employees are more likely to suffer injuries than others. Among them are construction workers, assembly line employees, nurses, flight attendants, and teacher’s aids. In higher risk occupations, employees may have to lift heavy objects or may come into contact with hazardous substances. Jobs like construction often involve heavy machinery and active work sites that can contain a number of threats if not properly maintained.

Authorities confirmed yesterday that a Chicago Department of Transportation employee was injured after he fell from a bridge in the north Loop. The employee was working on the Randolph Street bridge with several other employees shortly before 12:00 p.m. when he fell into a hole near the bank. The bridge was raised at the time for routine spring maintenance and the hole housed the weights of the bridge used for raising and lowering the driving surface of the street.

The worker had to be removed from the hole and emergency crews transported him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment of his injuries. Though expected to survive, his injuries were described as serious to critical as a result of the fall, which officials estimate was approximately 15 feet.
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Most employees believe that they work in a safe and secure environment and that it would be nearly impossible for them to be injured while on the job. But statistically, this is far from the truth. Even jobs in fields believed to be “safe” can be responsible for workplace injuries that may require medical and surgical treatment to an injured worker. Chicago laws provide workers with protection through workers’ compensation claims but these claims can be hard to navigate and can be difficult to bring successfully without a lawyer on your side.

Some workers undertake difficult and inherently dangerous tasks while on the job and these workers face a greater likelihood of suffering an injury. Commonly injured employees can be found in construction jobs, repair work, assembly lines, airline employees, teachers, and nurses. Though the risks in each of these areas might differ, the legal implications of an injury on the job are the same: a worker who gets hurt is entitled to relief under the law with very few exceptions. Speaking with an injury lawyer who handles workers’ compensation claims in Chicago and the rest of Illinois will help you understand whether your accident entitles to you recover for your damages.

Officials have confirmed that a man working in Chicago was hurt on the job this week and suffered serious injuries. At this time, authorities have confirmed that the man, who was in his 20s, was working to repair an elevator in the River North section of the city. The man was in the area below the elevator known as the “pit” while other members of the repair team were stationed at other locations. Reportedly, the elevator was stopped on the second floor, above the worker, when something occurred and the elevator began to move. The elevator, which is located in an apartment building in the 300 block of West Illinois Street, struck the worker and left him seriously injured.

The fire department responded to the incident and had to remove the worker from the elevator shaft before the man could be transported to a nearby hospital. The injured employee is expected to survive though he was listed in serious to critical condition at the time he was taken to the hospital and his current status is not known.
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The laws in Chicago and in Illinois are designed to protect workers who may become hurt or injured while on the job. Regardless of the profession, an injury can always happen, and therefore all workers receive these protections guaranteed to them by the law.

Though any job can pose a threat to safety, some positions present a greater risk than others. Employees in construction, healthcare professionals, airline workers, and classroom aides are likely to face injuries due to the nature of their jobs. Factory workers and manual laborers also face risks that many other workers do not, meaning that they are more likely to be hurt in a workplace accident. When an injury on the job occurs, worker’s compensation laws allow an employee to seek the relief they deserve. An injury lawyer who handles workplace claims can help you understand if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and whether you have the right to seek relief.

Early reports indicate that a CTA employee doing work on tracks in Skokie was injured Tuesday after coming into contact with the third rail, which is a portion of the railway that conducts electricity and enables a train to move. Though use of a third rail is common in many cities with mass transit systems, the third rail itself does present a risk of injury because electricity runs through it whenever the rail is active. This can potentially leading to electrocutions if an individual comes into contact with the third rail.

In Tuesday’s incident, initial reports indicated that a shovel in the worker’s hands may have been what struck the third rail. But today, officials have reported that the shovel was plastic and that it was intact, meaning that it is unlikely that the shovel provided a means for the worker to become electrocuted. Investigators and local authorities are still looking into the incident and trying to determine what caused the man to become injured.

The incident happened along the yellow line, near the Oakton Street station on Tuesday and caused the worker to sustain burns to his face. His current condition remains unclear though he was expected to survive.
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Workers in Illinois are protected by laws that require workplaces to be safe and free of hazards but unfortunately, not all workplaces are as safe as they should be. Work injuries occur every day in Illinois and leave thousands of workers hurt every year. Some of these workers even die from their injuries.

When a workplace accident causes you harm, the law also provides for the possibility of a claim against an employer or supervisor for the damages sustained, including any medical bills incurred and pain and suffering. Unlike many other areas of the law, these types of claims generally do not revolve around who was at fault but rather are designed to protect any injured worker as long as he or she was engaged in work at the time of the incident. Injury lawyers often represent these work victims in an effort to help them obtain a financial settlement in the worker’s favor.

But when an accident claims the life of an employee, no amount of compensation can make up for the loss felt by the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones. These cases can be frustrating and it can be difficult to determine exactly how the accident occurred and why it was not prevented.

A terrible work accident occurred at O’Hare Airport on Thursday morning as a contract crew was doing work on the roof of the terminal. It is not clear exactly what happened by witnesses stated that a 59-year-old worker fell approximately 35 feet from the roof to the ground, landing on his back. Emergency crews responded but the man’s injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The worker was an employee of an unidentified contractor doing work on O’Hare and at this time, the investigation into the incident continues.
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