Workers' compensation in Illinois

Most Illinois workers who are hurt on the job are covered by the employer's workers' compensation insurance.

2013-06-27

June 27, 2013 (Press-News.org) Workers' compensation in Illinois

Article provided by Short & Smith PC
Visit us at http://www.shortandsmith.com

The Chicago Tribune recently reported sad news, the tragic death of a worker at a construction site. Incidents like this are a reminder of the importance of workplace safety precautions and the need for workers' compensation coverage.

Accident under investigation

The construction accident happened at Northwestern University, where a Schaumburg construction company is under contract to build a $108 million structure to house the school of music. Work began in the fall of 2012 and will likely continue into 2015.

On the worksite an unsecured wooden beam fell six stories when a crane bumped into it and knocked it loose. The beam struck a 57-year-old worker, who was taken to a Chicago area hospital and pronounced dead from head and chest injuries.

In the case of serious workplace accidents like this, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will conduct an investigation. OSHA representatives will be interviewing witnesses, including the employer and other employees. It may take up to six months for OSHA to finish its work on the incident.

Employee coverage

Most Illinois workers who are hurt on the job are covered by the employer's workers' compensation insurance. Illinois has participated in a workers' compensation program since 1911. Workers' compensation laws arose around the country to address the needs of both employers and workers. Businesses were concerned that injured workers would resort to expensive lawsuits against them, and workers were afraid of becoming disabled and unable to earn a livelihood.

Workers' compensation has evolved into a no-fault program that pays for medical expenses and some income replacement and does not allow workers to sue their employers.

Under Illinois law, almost all employers must provide this coverage. Employers who fail to purchase insurance are subject to stiff fines, starting at a minimum of $10,000. The state collected over a million dollars in fines from uninsured employers in 2011, according to the most recent annual report from the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

The IWCC's figures show that about 200,000 accidents occur on the job in Illinois every year. These accidents result in about 50,000 workers' compensation claims. Generally, workers' compensation benefits will be awarded to cover medical costs arising from injuries that are at least in part caused by work. Injuries due to repetitive motion are covered, as are workplace injuries that aggravate a pre-existing condition.

People who are hurt at work must follow the right procedures to receive workers' compensation benefits, and if there is a dispute, they may need to provide convincing evidence about the injury. It is very useful to consult an attorney when filing a workers' compensation claim. An attorney will work diligently to protect the injured worker's rights to benefits.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Seeking custody of a grandchild in Texas

2013-06-27

Seeking custody of a grandchild in Texas Article provided by Connolly & Shireman, L.L.P. Visit us at http://www.connollyshireman.com It is a longstanding principle under both federal and Texas state law that parents have a fundamental right to make decisions about the care and custody of their children. Part of this includes the right to make decisions about which family members get to spend time with the child. As such, grandparents have no automatic rights to custody of their grandchildren, or even to visit with them occasionally. However, in situations ...

Brothers in Final Stages of Development on Indie Title, Organic Panic

2013-06-27

Before Indie Game: The Movie, before BioShock2, before Left 4 Dead, before Halo 3, and before Little BIG Planet was even announced, brothers Damon and Anatole Branch begin working together on Organic Panic [www.lastlimb.com]. Both brothers have extensive experience in the console and mobile video game space and their combined resume includes work with EA, HBO, Ford, Take 2 and the MLB as well as independent titles including GBA Thunderbirds and Xbox 360 Wing Commander Arena. Damon, who initiated the project in 2008, developed many of the game's core elements, including ...

The Orchilles Realty Group Helps First Time Home Buyer Close on a Single Family Home in Metrowest

2013-06-27

Francisco Orchilles, founder of the Orchilles Realty Group with Keller Williams Classic Realty, helped the first time buyers find a house for sale in the 32835 zipcode. The property is a 3 bedroom/ 2 bathroom home and the transaction closed within 45 days of a contract being accepted. The Orlando home was for sale for about 40 days before Orchilles showed it to his clients. The 32835 real estate market was experiencing an uptick in prices like most of the Orlando real estate market. The Orlando home was originally listed for $169,000 when the Orchilles Realty Group first ...

The Global Art League International Winter Exhibition of Professional and Emerging Artists Call For Submissions

2013-06-27

The Global Art League announces it has opened submissions for the annual International Winter Exhibition of Emerging Artists. The exhibition will be held in the galleries of the Montreal Art Centre from 1st to 21st December 2013. Open to Global Art League members over the age of 18 from around the world, the exhibition will feature over 100 selected entrants who will be eligible to be judged among the three best in the exhibition and share a prize of $1000. With the aim of supporting and highlighting emerging visual artists, the inaugural exhibition will feature work ...

The Speedo LZR Elite Swimwear is Now Available in New Colors

2013-06-27

D&J Sports is pleased to announce they now carry the Speedo LZR Elite swimwear for men and women in three new colors. In the past, this swimwear was only available in black, giving swimmers few choices in their competitive swimwear. Today, the suits are also available in combinations of black and sapphire, black and green and navy and raspberry. These brilliant colors allow swimmers to choose something that reflects their personality and helps them stand out from the other swimmers in the pool. The LZR Elite can be found in the jammer style for men and the recordbreaker ...

Ventura County Film Commission Premieres Liaison Position

2013-06-27

To promote Ventura County's role in film and strengthen the local economy, the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County, which oversees the county's film commission and the online directory venturacountyfilm411.org, recently contracted with Karen Kelley to fill the newly created film liaison position. Kelley gained valuable experience and contacts through her recent work as the film liaison for the city of Ventura and the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau. EDC-VC collaborated with both organizations to expand the position's focus countywide. In this ...

Residence Inn San Diego North/San Marcos Earns 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

2013-06-27

Residence Inn San Diego North/San Marcos today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award. To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed ...

Australian Singer Katja Glieson To Release Her First Single "Peek A Boo" July 16th

2013-06-27

Having the charm and sophistication of Grace Kelly, with the style and charisma of a young Janet Jackson- Katja Glieson- the first Australian pop princess is on the brink of making her breakthrough in the United States. The highly anticipated single is expected to release this summer. Her single "Peek A Boo" explores the taboo, yet tantalizing topic of voyeurism. The catchy, pop melody and potentially controversial lyrics strike a chord that not even Katy Perry hit when she did 'I Kissed a Girl.' "I feel like I was a sheltered conservative girl next ...

Six Beloved Breweries Join Forces to Create the Great American Craft Beer Pub Crawl

2013-06-27

In recent years, craft beer has made a serious statement at favored drinking holes around the nation. Fortunately for Chicagoland, the Midwest is known for the vast selection of specialized beers from local craft brewers. Bar1 Events has gathered six national craft beer heroes and teamed them up with six bar locations to showcase crafts selected by the brewers themselves. The First Annual Great American Craft Beer Pub Crawl was developed with the help of Lagunitas Brewing Co., Brewery Ommegang, Oskar Blues Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, and hometown heroes, Two Brothers ...

Illumination Foundation's Workforce Development Program Equips Orange County Homeless with Necessary Job Skills

2013-06-27

Last week, nine previously homeless and unemployed individuals graduated from the Illumination Foundation's Workforce Development Program. The Illumination Foundation is an Orange County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to better the lives of Orange County's homeless. The recent graduation ceremony marks the third ceremony since the program began last year. Since its inception, The Illumination Foundation's Workforce Development Program has placed 407 individuals in jobs ranging from medical assistant to construction worker. "We want to help people get off ...

Workers' compensation in Illinois

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: