Posted on November 15,2024 in Workers' Compensation

When a worker is left permanently and totally disabled after a workplace accident, workers’ compensation can often replace the worker's entire paycheck. However, a lot of workers who have sustained permanent and life-altering injuries are no longer able to do the job they had before but are still able to do some work. For example, a factory worker who lost an arm and cannot keep working on the assembly line might be able to find work as a crossing guard or a cashier. However, this job is likely to pay less. In these cases, workers’ compensation can often make up the difference between what you were able to earn before and what you can earn now. If you had to take a lower-paying job after a workplace injury, an experienced Naperville, IL workers’ compensation attorney might be able to help you gain compensation for your lost wages.

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 Posted on October 24,2024 in Personal Injury

Halloween is widely considered one of the most fun holidays by children and adults alike. Children get to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Adults are more likely to celebrate by heading out to the bars or to house parties, possibly also in costumes. Unfortunately, this means that there is a higher-than-average number of drunk drivers out on the one night of the year when children flood the street just after dark. This creates a very dangerous situation for everyone involved. If you are injured by a drunk driver this Halloween, an experienced DuPage County, IL pedestrian accident lawyer can fight to recover compensation for you.

4 Reasons Halloween is Particularly Dangerous

A few of the reasons why Halloween is a particularly risky night for pedestrians in residential areas that are normally quite safe include:

• Families are out - While New Year's Day is the most common day of the year for drunk driving accidents in general, Halloween is more dangerous for children. While families with young children tend to stay home on New Year’s Eve, so they are not out driving in the deadly post-midnight hours, families with young children are usually out trick-or-treating. 

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 Posted on October 10,2024 in Workers' Compensation

Any workplace injury can have serious short-term effects. Most injured workers will need some time off and might need assistance with the normal activities of daily living while they are healing. Something as simple as a broken finger can prevent you from doing your job for weeks. Other injuries are permanent, life-altering, and devastating to deal with. After a workplace injury leaves you permanently disabled, finding purpose and meaning in life again can take time. If you suffered a catastrophic injury while at work, you may be entitled to significant compensation that can replace your lost wages and more. An experienced Will County, IL workers’ compensation lawyer can help.

What is a Catastrophic Injury? 

A catastrophic injury is one that is permanent and life-altering. These severe injuries will never fully heal and impact how you function in daily life. Common examples of catastrophic injuries include: 

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 Posted on September 26,2024 in Personal Injury

You have probably seen ads urging you to call a personal injury attorney after you are injured in an accident and wondered why you need a lawyer to file your claim. You do not have to hire an attorney; you can handle your claim alone. However, there are several reasons why it is usually a good idea to choose a skilled law firm that focuses on personal injury law. Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC explains.

How Do Personal Injury Claims Work?

Most personal injury claims are based on negligence, which means failing to behave like a reasonable person would in the same situation. After an accident or incident, qualified injured victims can seek compensation from at-fault parties by filing an insurance claim. Many claims arise from:

• Motor vehicle collisions

• Slip and fall accidents and other premises liability incidents

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 Posted on September 12,2024 in Workers' Compensation

Illinois laws require most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees, which pays specific benefits if they are injured while at work or develop a work-related illness. These laws also prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who file workers’ comp claims. Unfortunately, some employers ignore that prohibition and do penalize workers. Employees may hesitate to file a claim because they fear being fired or harassed.

Whether you need assistance filing your workers’ comp claim, help with a denied claim, are fighting to get full benefits, or your employer is retaliating because you filed a claim, an experienced lawyer from Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC can help. Call us today to discuss your situation.

What Does Workers’ Comp Cover?

Every job has potential risks. Construction workers may fall from heights, office staff might get carpal tunnel syndrome, and warehouse employees can sustain back injuries. Others may become ill from exposure to toxic substances. Workers’ comp benefits should pay for your medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and disability.  

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 Posted on August 28,2024 in Personal Injury

In 2022, there were almost 300,000 motor vehicle accidents in Illinois, injuring nearly 84,000 people and causing almost 1,300 fatalities. Sadly, some of those accident victims were pregnant.

Do pregnant women get higher settlement amounts in car accident cases? What kinds of compensation are available? The knowledgeable lawyers at Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC explain.

Collision Risks for Pregnant Women and Unborn Children

Although careful vehicle design provides some protection, the human body is vulnerable during collisions. Particularly in advanced stages of pregnancy, the mother and fetus can both sustain injuries due to:

• Deploying airbags

• The steering wheel or other objects hitting the woman’s abdomen

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 Posted on August 15,2024 in Workers' Compensation

If you sustain a work-related injury or become ill due to your employment, you can receive workers’ compensation benefits that cover your medical expenses and part of your lost wages. You may also qualify for disability benefits, and eligible survivors of workers who lose their lives may be able to obtain survivor benefits. However, these cases have restrictions, notably the exclusive remedy rule.

Workers’ comp claims in Illinois can be complex. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer from Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC can help you overcome potential challenges to reach a successful resolution to your claim.

What Is the Exclusive Remedy Rule?

Employers are obligated to provide workers’ comp insurance for their employees. These benefits are active on the first day of employment, and you do not have to prove fault to receive them. However, the exclusive remedy rule is a key concept in these cases.

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 Posted on July 30,2024 in Personal Injury

Slip and fall accidents might not seem like a big deal at first, but these accidents can have catastrophic impacts for victims. People who are injured in a slip and fall accident may experience traumatic head injuries and spinal cord injuries, among many other difficulties.

If you have experienced a slip and fall accident at a business, that business may be responsible for your injuries. An experienced Illinois slip and fall accident lawyer can help you determine if you have a case.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can occur when a person encounters a wet area, an area full of tripping hazards, or a poorly maintained and damaged area. Common causes of slip and fall accidents around businesses include:

• Slippery ice or water on the floors outside of a business or inside a business without proper signage

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 Posted on July 15,2024 in Workers' Compensation

Experiencing an injury on the job or losing a loved one due to a fatal accident on the job can be traumatic. Workers’ compensation in Illinois aims to provide benefits for those who have been injured while working, though injured parties need to file a claim in order to receive benefits.

While you can navigate the Illinois workers’ compensation system alone, you do not have to. You are more likely to get positive results if you have the help of a knowledgeable Illinois workers’ compensation attorney who can advocate for your rights and interests during the claim process.

The Basics of Illinois Workers’ Compensation

Illinois workers’ compensation may seem difficult to understand, but the basic concepts behind this program are fairly simple. Workers compensation is a system of benefits established by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act that aims to pay for the medical costs of an injury or illness sustained on the job, in addition to providing benefits for individuals who have been permanently disabled or left unable to work after a workplace accident. Additionally, the Workers’ Compensation Act provides benefits to the families of individuals who have experienced a fatality due to a workplace accident or illness on the job.

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 Posted on June 29,2024 in Uncategorized

Traumatic brain injuries are often severe, and the victims of these injuries often deal with expensive medical bills, long-term recoveries, and a changed way of life. For many people, a traumatic brain injury stops them from working in the future or enjoying life the way they did before the injury occurred.

If you or someone you love has experienced an accident that led to a traumatic brain injury, it is important to contact a skilled Illinois personal injury attorney. With the help of a lawyer experienced in this kind of injury, you can pursue a claim for the compensation you deserve.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that occurs when someone receives a strong or violent blow to the head. In mild cases of TBI, the impact of the injury is temporary and recovery may be possible, but with severe TBIs, there are often long-term complications and impacts.

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