The Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act defines an “employee,” as meaning,
“Every person in the service of another under any contract of hire….. oral or written, … including aliens … who, for the purpose of this Act, are considered the same.” Undocumented workers know that dishonest employers may try to take advantage of their status to deny them rights and benefits they are entitled to under the law.
Hard-working immigrants who are here without authorization may fear the consequences of speaking up about such violations or may presume that the legal rights that apply to citizens don’t apply to them. Undocumented
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Latest from The Romaker Law Blog
Can You Collect Workers’ Compensation If You Get COVID At Work?
In the age of COVID-19, a workplace injury can be a matter of life and death. Those who continue to go to work each day, closely interacting with colleagues, customers, patients, and others, are at greater risk of exposure to the virus. Indeed, tens of thousands of Illinoisans, including a disproportionate number of first responders and frontline workers, have fallen ill or died because they contracted the coronavirus while on the job. Now, due to a new Illinois law passed earlier this year, these dedicated employees should have an easier time obtaining workers’ compensation benefits if they get diagnosed
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Trick or Treat or Tragedy: Keeping Safe From Dog Bites This Halloween
Trick-or-treating is one of the great things about being a kid. It can be fun for parents as well, as they escort their wizards, princesses, superheroes, and villains around the neighborhood. But all of that door knocking and running around in front of houses isn’t necessarily a good time for dogs. Many dogs get agitated, protective, and hostile during all of that hustle and bustle and, without warning, can attack and bite a child.
Dog Attacks Figures
Half Of All Dog Bite Victims Are Kids
Approximately 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites every year, according to the Centers for Disease
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Can I File an Illinois Workers’ Comp Claim and Personal Injury Claim at the Same Time?
We are often asked by prospective clients whether they can have an Illinois workers’ comp claim and personal injury claim at the same time, or whether the filing of one type of claim precludes the filing of another.
Some of the confusion is due to the common perception that when someone is injured in an accident the proper course of action is to file a personal injury case. However, if the accident occurs while you are at work, your first course of action may be to file an Illinois workers’ comp claim.
Under Illinois law, the filing of a workers’
Continue Reading Can I File an Illinois Workers’ Comp Claim and Personal Injury Claim at the Same Time?
Can I File an Illinois Workers’ Comp Claim and Personal Injury Claim at the Same Time?
We are often asked by prospective clients whether they can have an Illinois workers’ comp claim and personal injury claim at the same time, or whether the filing of one type of claim precludes the filing of another.
Some of the confusion is due to the common perception that when someone is injured in an accident the proper course of action is to file a personal injury case. However, if the accident occurs while you are at work, your first course of action may be to file an Illinois workers’ comp claim.
Under Illinois law, the filing of a workers’
Continue Reading Can I File an Illinois Workers’ Comp Claim and Personal Injury Claim at the Same Time?
The Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law
The Romaker Law Firm is a premier Chicago-based workers’ compensation law firm. For over 20 years we have faithfully served our clients. We have earned our reputation as a firm that fights aggressively for our clients to ensure that they receive maximum compensation for workplace injuries.
If you are considering filing a workers’ compensation claim, check out our top 10 things to know about filing an Illinois workers’ compensation claim. Our goal is to be a resource for you if you plan on filing a claim.
And if you require assistance in pursuing your rights, contact us. Our staff is
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Illinois statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims
Many of those injured in the workplace are unaware that their ability to recover benefits is subject to the Illinois statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims. The statute of limitations is essentially a deadline where a claim must be filed. If the claimant fails to file a claim before the expiration of the time period set forth in the statute, then he or she will forever forfeit the right to recover. There is, however, an important Illinois statute of limitations workers’ compensation exemption that can potentially save your claim if you failed to file within the statute of limitations
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How do I get my Illinois worker’s comp case resolved quickly?
One of the first questions new clients ask us is “how do I get my Illinois workers’ comp case resolved quickly?” You have likely heard horror stories about Illinois workers’ comp cases lasting well over a year. Many workers’ comp attorneys attribute such delays to busy court dockets. And yet, what they are not telling their clients, is that there is another way to expeditiously resolve cases. Known as a 19(b)(1) Petition under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, this method requires far more upfront work and diligence on the part of the attorney.
Most Illinois workers’ comp attorneys are
Continue Reading How do I get my Illinois worker’s comp case resolved quickly?
How do I get my Illinois worker’s comp case resolved quickly?
One of the first questions new clients ask us is “how do I get my Illinois workers’ comp case resolved quickly?” You have likely heard horror stories about Illinois workers’ comp cases lasting well over a year. Many workers’ comp attorneys attribute such delays to busy court dockets. And yet, what they are not telling their clients, is that there is another way to expeditiously resolve cases. Known as a 19(b) Petition under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, this method requires far more upfront work and diligence on the part of the attorney.
Most Illinois workers’ comp attorneys are
Continue Reading How do I get my Illinois worker’s comp case resolved quickly?
Halloween Personal Injury Statistics Every Parent Should Know
Halloween is back! For kids, this ‘spooky’ holiday can be one of the most exciting nights of the year. Dressing-up as their favorite character, going from door to door trick-or-treating with their friends, family and neighbors are activities that kids wait every year for. However, there is some scary road and pedestrian statistics that every moms and dads should know prior to Halloween.
Here are some scary statistics:
- Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. In 2017, October ranked No. 2 in
Continue Reading Halloween Personal Injury Statistics Every Parent Should Know
Can I Recover Worker’s Comp for Back Pain?
A client recently came into our office and asked this very question: “Can I recover worker’s comp for back pain?” Our office was not the first law firm that this 37-year-old man had consulted on the issue. In fact, he had previously been represented by another Illinois worker’s compensation lawyer. Not satisfied with the progress of his case, he sought out a firm with a reputation like ours – known for taking cases to trial where other firms are satisfied with a quick settlement, often to their clients’ detriment.
Like many who experience chronic back pain, our client had been
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Worker’s Compensation E-Filing in Illinois to Begin in 2020
Worker’s compensation e-filing in Illinois is scheduled to be implemented next year. This system will make filing a worker’s comp case in Illinois much more efficient. The changes will bring the worker’s compensation system in line with Illinois courts where e-filing is the required filing method.
To be sure, change is badly needed. Filing a worker’s comp case in Illinois is something that an estimated 45,000 individuals due each year. Perhaps not surprisingly, approximately one-third of these claims are filed in Chicago. This number represents roughly 25% of all work-related accidents occurring in Illinois per year. What this means is
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Are Independent Contractors Eligible for Workers’ Compensation in Illinois?
We are frequently asked by our clients whether independent contractors are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits in Illinois. Employers need to know the extent of their obligations under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Those injured in the workplace want to know if they are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Such concerns are becoming increasingly common in today’s economy.
What is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ Compensation is a mandated insurance program that every employer in the state needs to carry. The purpose of workers’ compensation is to ensure that employees injured while working are entitled to medical treatment. In addition to
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5 Foods That Keep You Cool
Heat exhaustion can cause a number of symptoms, from headaches and fatigue to nausea, dizziness, and heavy sweating. These symptoms can lead to a car accident in various ways, whether they result in drowsy driving or distracted driving, so prevention is the best action you can take. Here we have listed the best foods to keep you cool during even the hottest of summer days in Chicago.
Watermelon: A seasonal summer fruit comes for a reason. As it contains 91.45 per cent water, it helps in fulfilling your body’s water requirement. Also, loaded with anti-oxidants properties, watermelon gives you a
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The Deadliest U.S. Holiday for Car Accidents
According to study recently released by the National Coalition for Safer Roads Memorial Day weekend is the most dangerous holiday for road and highway accidents.
In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) found that over the last decade, the Memorial Day holiday weekend has averaged an 11.5 percent increase in traffic fatalities compared to similar non-holiday periods.
Memorial Day Weekend Driving Safety Tips:
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The Deadliest U.S. Holiday for Car Accidents
According to study recently released by the National Coalition for Safer Roads Memorial Day weekend is the most dangerous holiday for road and highway accidents.
In fact, the National Safety Council (NSC) found that over the last decade, the Memorial Day holiday weekend has averaged an 11.5 percent increase in traffic fatalities compared to similar non-holiday periods.
Memorial Day Weekend Driving Safety Tips:
Continue Reading The Deadliest U.S. Holiday for Car Accidents