We are still doing business via email and telephone.
We are still able to file Illinois Workers’ Compensation claims via email and mail.
We are still able to file Social Security Disability applications online.
Call us and we will be glad to discuss your injury and disability needs.
Free consultations available at 309-827-4371.
http://newyorker.com/news/news-desk/keeping-the-coronavirus-from-infecting-health-care-workers
Click above to read.
In Illinois if you are a healthcare worker and contract Coronavirus you are eligible for Work Comp benefits. Protect yourself.
Rapid change this week on the Coronavirus front and how it is impacting Illinois Work Comp cases and Social Security Disability cases.
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission has suspended all in person Arbitration proceedings for the remainder of March 2020. This means no on site meetings with Arbitrators and lawyers. There is a provision for emergency proceedings. No official word on what this means.
The practical effect is that this slows down the system and makes it difficult to reach settlement or have a trial on your case. If this extends for several months or more, the system will be under great stress and it will make it very difficult for injured workers.
On the Social Security Disability side, the Federal government has suspended all in person hearings. Your options are a telephone hearing or a video hearing at a lawyer’s office who has special video equipment.
If you have to reschedule the hearing it may take months to get a new hearing.
Our office has special video equipment for Social Security Disability hearings.
Questions about your Work Comp case or need a Social Security Disability video hearing? Feel free to contact Illinois Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.
Click above to read.
Shows that sometimes you can win your case if you fail to seek immediate medical treatment and report it right away, but why risk it? Go to the doctor right away and tell everyone it is a work injury.
It is a brave new world with the coronavirus pandemic at hand.
What happens in Illinois if a worker is infected and becomes ill is a novel question.
Illinois law provides a defense for employers if the injured worker does not experience a risk greater than the general public.
With the virus it is an interesting question whether all are at risk equally, or if certain professions bear a greater risk.
For instance, healthcare workers would seem to be at high risk. Or workers in high population settings, such as school workers. But what about an office worker who contracts the disease from someone setting next to her?
In terms of what someone who is infected is entitled to, Illinois law provides for payment of medical benefits, off work pay, and potentially a settlement.
The interesting aspect of Illinois law is that it requires permanent partial disability in order to be paid a settlement. In other words you need to experience some sort permanent damage. Not sure what that would be with the coronavirus. Diminished breathing capacity, or some type of permanent restricitons? Of course, the worst outcome is death. Illinois law does provide for death benefits.
If you are infected on the job please contact an experienced Illinois Work Comp lawyer. Please feel free to contact Illinois Workers’ Compensation Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.