The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission has announced an “emergency” amendment under The Rules of Evidence — Section 9030.70(a).  Under the “emergency” amendment a rebuttable presumption has been created for “first responders” and “front-line workers” who are diagnosed with COVID-19 during a COVID-19-related state of emergency.

The rebuttable presumptions include: (a) the exposure will be presumed to have arisen out of and in the course of the COVID-19 First Responder or Front-Line worker’s employment and that (b) the exposure will be presumed to be causally connected to the hazards or exposures of COVID-19 First Responder or Front-Line Worker’s employment.

Distracted driving is more of a problem every day.  It is the cause of most rear-end car accidents. In the United States between 2012 and 2014, almost half of all collisions between two vehicles were rear-end collisions, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.  An astounding eighty seven percent 87% of those accidents were caused by distracted driving.

The range of rear-end accidents vary from a minor accident that you don’t even pull over for to a major accident that causes serious injuries requiring you to be rushed to the hospital.  Whether the rear car’s driver is distracted or speeding to cause the crash, it’s important to know what potential back and neck trauma you could suffer from in a rear-end accident.

As the spread of COVID-19 continues to affect people on a global scale, we have to remember there are those that are putting their lives on the line every day to protect and care for others. For healthcare workers and first responders like paramedics, firemen, and police officers in the line of fire of the virus, there is the potential for these individuals to lose wages and time off of work, medical expenses, and other related losses if they get sick or injured due to new hazards that exist due to the virus.

It has yet to be seen how workers’ compensation cases will be handled when filing for contracting the coronavirus. We are closely monitoring the situation to determine how we can best serve clients during this difficult time. As just one example of a similar situation, today, the Chicago Tribune reported that a Chicago Police Officer contracted COVID-19 and passed away. The Tribute reported that officials are considering his death an on-duty death which would provide his family certain benefits they would otherwise not be entitled to. This ruling may provide some insight on how workers’ compensation claims may be handled.

Our clients are very important to us. Therefore, we are taking the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing suggested by the CDC seriously. While our office remains open, we are encouraging our clients to communicate with us via telephone, email, fax or text rather than coming to the office. In order to assure that our office continues to function appropriately to give our clients continued service, each of our lawyers and staff have the capability to work remotely and will make arrangements for paperwork to be exchanged as efficiently as possible.

We encourage everyone to protect themselves, their loved ones and those who are most vulnerable. The best way to prevent the spread of this illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus by avoiding contact with individuals who are sick or who may have been exposed to the virus. You can also protect yourself by washing your hands and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. For more information from the CDC on how to protect yourself, please visit the CDC website.

Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP was recently nominated in the service category for the ‘Best of North Central Illinois’ business awards. We’re proud to announce that the votes are in, and our firm was voted as the winner in the personal injury law firm category. The voters were North Central Illinois citizens. We are honored to receive this recognition from our community. We will continue to maintain our strong work ethic and when fighting for justice for injured Illinois citizens.

Our lawyers are dedicated to providing trusted and reliable legal services to those who have been wrongfully injured. We believe that anyone who is injured has the right to be made whole again and to be treated with dignity and respect. That principle drives our lawyers to work hard every day to look out for and serve our clients’ interests in the best manner possible. For decades, we have been standing up for the rights of hard working people in North Central Illinois. Legal matters can get complex. We are here to explain and answer any questions our clients have about their potential claims.

Determining what to do immediately following a traffic accident can seem overwhelming. You may be suffering from a variety of injuries and not know what to do. After you’ve called 911 and received emergency medical attention, you’ll need to make sure that an official police report has been prepared.

If you decide to go forward with the help of a car accident attorney, they will take the necessary steps to  gather evidence and build a case so that you can get the compensation you deserve if you have been wrongfully injured.. While they will handle tracking down the majority of the evidence needed to support your claim, it’s good to know how to obtain a police report after a collision in Illinois. It’s likely both your lawyer and the insurance company will need the information recorded by the police officer at the time of the crash. The process is different for every state, and understanding how it works in your area can speed up the litigation process.

Dog bites are traumatic experiences that can cause significant injuries. When a dog bite occurs, many immediately think that the type of breed of the dog is responsible for the bite. While there may be some breeds that have higher bite rates, it’s important to remember that there isn’t one particular dangerous breed that everyone should avoid. There are many reasons why a dog may bite. If the dog feels threatened or provoked, it may be more likely to bite someone. Additionally, if an  owner does not have control of his/her dog, then a bite is more likely to happen.

Regardless of why a dog bite happens, the results can include injuries and hospital bills. If you’ve suffered an injury because of a dog bite, you can seek compensation for your losses. The experienced lawyers from Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP may be able to help you with your dog bite claim.

We’re excited to announce our nomination as a Best of North Central Illinois Business. Honoring the hardworking businesses in this area, the Best of North Central Illinois highlights all kinds of businesses and organizations in the following categories: Health & Beauty, Dining & Food, Arts, Leisure & Entertainment, Service, Home & Lifestyle, Auto & Equipment, Retail, and Places. As a personal injury law firm in Illinois, it’s an honor to be nominated for the Best Personal Injury Attorney in the Service category.

Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, is dedicated to providing the best legal services to our clients. We’re proud to help the citizens of North Central Illinois protect their rights and get them the justice they deserve. These citizens have the nominating and voting power for the Best of North Central Illinois Business and we would greatly appreciate you casting your vote for our law firm.

As a dedicated employee, it’s likely you don’t want to be out on workers’ compensation. Being unable to work because of physical injuries sustained on the job can result in emotional distress and conditions like depression. Additionally, going back to work will likely result in earning what you were previously making – which is probably more than your workers’ comp benefits.

As a result, you may want to rush going back to work; however, it’s important to understand what the process is for returning to work and what your rights are. This will help you make the right decision for when to return to work, so you maximize your chances of making a full recovery.

Driving in winter weather conditions such as snow or ice makes it more difficult to maintain control of the vehicle. If a driver hits a patch of ice or doesn’t give their vehicle enough time to stop, they can cause an accident. Commercial truck drivers often need to travel through inclement weather for work, but if they lose control of their vehicle, the resulting truck accident can be devastating.

With a skilled lawyer at their side, a truck or commercial vehicle driver can have peace of mind knowing that their workers’ compensation claim may have a better chance of being secured. If a driver is struggling a to receive benefits they’re entitled to, hiring a lawyer can assist you in getting the benefits an injured individual is entitled to. Let’s take a look at how workers’ compensation works for those who have to travel to do their job.