Certain jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. Construction workers, for example, are required to work with heavy materials and large machinery, which puts them at a greater risk of being injured than someone who has a desk job in an office building in Chicago. It is for this reason, however, that workers’ compensation laws are so important to employees in Chicago. Those who work dangerous jobs should know that they will be protected if something happens to them.
Consider a recent workplace accident in Chicago that involved an employee of the Illinois Department of Transportation. The employee, a maintenance worker for IDOT, had stopped on the shoulder of the Kennedy Expressway to assist a driver with a flat tire. As the worker went to get back in his vehicle, an SUV slammed into the IDOT truck, injuring the worker.
Police have charged the SUV driver for drunk driving and failing to yield to the IDOT truck. Police also cited him for not having insurance, not being able to present his driver’s license and not slowing down to prevent a collision.
Although the IDOT worker was in good condition after the collision, a report from CBS Chicago said he suffered injuries to his arm. Should those injuries prevent him from working or limit his ability to work, he may want to consider seeking workers’ compensation.
Seeking workers’ compensation from an employer, however, is not always easy. Insurance adjusters do not have your best interests in mind. Instead, they do their best to pay you as little as possible to protect their own interests. For this reason, it is important to work with an attorney who understands Illinois workers’ compensation laws. Armed with legal knowledge, you can protect yourself and seek the compensation you deserve.
Source: CBS Chicago, “Long Grove Man Charged With DUI In Crash That Hurt IDOT Worker,” Feb. 6, 2014