Category: Workers’ Compensation

Illinois employers that have hazardous chemicals must provide personal protective equipment to any employees who work around them. Workers who are sickened or injured because of workplace exposure to hazardous chemicals may file claims for workers' compensation benefits. 

In Illinois, mask-wearing is an essential preventative measure to help to stop the spread of COVID-19, but improper breathing while wearing masks for prolonged periods can lead to respiratory problems for workers. Workers who wear masks for eight or more hours per day may suffer from headaches, dizziness, fatigue, rapid heart rates, and anxiety.

Welding is done at high temperatures using electricity and gases, putting welders at risk for a myriad of workplace injuries. This line of work leaves professionals facing daily hazards such as burns, electric shock, optical and acoustic injury, and explosions.

Several states have passed COVID-related presumption laws. California, Vermont, and Illinois are some of the states that have so far extended workers' compensation presumptions to include COVID-19 for essential workers. 

Police officers face a variety of dangers while on duty including fatal and non-fatal injuries. Daily duties put officers at risk for car accidents, physical assaults, accidental shootings, and homicide.

Overexertion, falls, and being struck by objects are the three leading causes of work-related injuries for U.S. workers. These injuries have a significant impact on lost workdays and workers' compensation claims filed by workers every year.

Under the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act, certain injuries that occur “off-the-clock” are covered by workers' compensation insurance, as long as there is a direct link between work and the injury.

Chicago essential workers in frontline industries face higher rates of injury and death due to exposure to COVID-19.

Employees who work in retail and service industries sometimes encounter violent customers who threaten their safety. Customer actions range from angry outbursts of verbal abuse to physical assaults that cause employee injuries.

Under Illinois workers' compensation laws, a worker may be qualified as permanently and totally disabled when injuries are so severe the worker can no longer perform any work duties.