Before the enacting of any legislation in Illinois to protect and provide for injured workers, employees were at great risk of being injured and dying while on the job. Not only were they no longer able to work, but they also had no means of financial and physical support after the accident. This was true for the large cities such as Chicago as well as for smaller centers like Libertyville. Before Workers Compensation, lawyers tried to take employers to task. In many cases, it was in vain.
This was to change because of two serious workplace incidents. They were:
- In 1909 Cherry, a fire broke out in a Cherry, Illinois coalmine. 259 men and boys lost their lives in this tragic and preventable event
- In 1911, in New York City, New York, 146 people, mainly women and young girls were killed when a fire ripped through their factory. This was the now infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
Legislation that had been slowly working its way through the courts became galvanized. In 1912, the original Workers Compensation Act was adopted and accepted in Illinois. Workers in communities such as Chicago, North Chicago, Libertyville and Woodstock, now had some form of protection. They could also turn to specialists in this new field – Workers Compensation lawyers, to take a stand on their behalf.
Today’s Workers Compensation Act
Today, Illinois law protects its workers under a much amended Workers Compensation Act. The last time revisions were made was in 2011. Further changes have been suggested as recently as June 2015. These alterations are ones that many Workers Compensation lawyers perceive to be detrimental to the worker. In fact, the 2011 changes were condemned as being too favorable to business.
The focus has been on several issues. Among them are:
- The loss of the right to sue an employer, even if he, she or it was proven negligible
- The employee was restricted on who he or she could select to be their medical provider
- The fee schedule for medical providers became substantially reduced – by around 30%
- A reduction in the number of weeks an employee may take off from work for an injured hand. The number decreased from 205 to 190 weeks off
- The wage differential for employees in Libertyville has changed drastically in such a way as to seriously affect the income post-accident of the earner.
- The AMA guidelines now become the factor in determining partial disability. The association’s definitions are the means through which such things as atrophy of the muscles and tissue as well as loss of range of motion are decided.
These factors will help to determine who will ultimately receive benefits for their personal injury. Is it any wonder why you will need to turn to Workers Compensation lawyers to find your way through the legal issues?
Why Workers Compensation Lawyers
To win a legal action, you require someone who knows the issues. It is important that he, she or they are experienced and have expertise in this field. If you want to win your case against an employer in Libertyville and obtain the compensation you and your family not only deserve but also desperately need, you have to have someone on your side. In such an uphill legal battle, the only answer is to call on a firm of professional Workers Compensation lawyers to guide you right from the very beginning.
If you live in Libertyville, Workers Compensation Lawyers may become necessary. If this occurs, take the time to talk to the professionals at the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C. With more than 20 years fighting to protect the rights of their clients, they have the experience and expertise in the field of personal injury. This is what they do best. In fact, this is their mission and lifetime goal. To learn how they can help you fight your case aggressively, visit their online website at www.robertedenslawoffice.com.
