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Restoring Dignity & Control After An Injury 

Illinois DCFS investigator suffers head injury protecting child

On Behalf of | Oct 10, 2017 | Workers' Compensation |

Each job has its own set of safety issues that can potentially harm employees. In some instances, potential hazards are obvious, such as in construction and manufacturing industries. In others, the danger is not always so clear. An Illinois investigator with the Department of Children and Family Services recently suffered a serious head injury after she was assaulted on the job.

The 59-year-old investigator was attempting to put a 2-year-old child into protective custody just prior to the assault. This was not the first visit with the involved family. In July 2017, a 29-year-old man was arrested on felony allegations for aggravated battery of a 6-year-old child, which apparently prompted the IDCFS’s initial investigation. That same man is accused of committing the assault against the investigator.

According to reports, the investigator was attacked soon after appearing at the home of the 2-year-old. She was repeatedly struck in her head, which caused severe brain injuries. Unfortunately, she is now in a coma and has undergone multiple surgeries since her hospitalization.

Illinois DCFS’s director stated that this attack only highlights just how dangerous social work can be. Often, investigators must intervene in unwelcoming homes that are in the middle of crisis. While this might not be the typical dangerous work environment people that most people picture, the stakes are still high. Workers’ compensation benefits are essential for any worker who has been injured as the result of an assault while carrying out their job duties. These benefits can help address the incredible medical costs associated with suffering a head injury or other serious harm.

Source: U.S. News & World Report, “Illinois Investigator Attacked While Trying to Rescue Child“, Oct. 4, 2017

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