A lot of people who suffer an injury while on the job can collect workers’ compensation benefits. Under Illinois law, employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees in the event they are injured on the job. In certain industries, a worker may develop an ailment over time due to repeated exposure to toxic substances. A person can suffer permanent physical and/or neurological damage from contact with chemicals, dust, fumes, mold, or radiation. Those employees are also entitled to compensation if the occupational disease or illness was due to continuous employment in that profession. The Illinois Occupational Diseases Act assures fair compensation for workers who are temporarily or permanently disabled by such illnesses or diseases.

Illinois Occupational Diseases Act

The Illinois Occupational Diseases Act states that an occupational disease is an illness or damaging condition that is a direct result of employment or which could be aggravated by hazardous workplace conditions. These unsafe conditions must not be “common to the general public.” Common colds and other contagious ailments are not generally considered to be directly work-related. Many jobs involve exposure to dangerous chemicals, radiation, loud noise, and other hazards. These occupations can include but are not limited to the following:

• Miners
• Construction workers
• Welders
• Farmworkers
• Tunnel or railroad workers
• Diesel mechanics
• Aerospace workers

The following occupational diseases are common among long-term industry employees and can ultimately be life-threatening for the employee:

Workplace accidents happen even when employers and employees act responsibly and take all necessary safety measures. These accidents can cause injuries that range from head trauma to carpal tunnel syndrome to lung disease. Companies in Illinois are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in the unfortunate event their employees get hurt on the job. If you suffer an injury while performing your occupation, you can file a workers’ compensation claim to receive benefits for medical bills or lost wages. However, it is possible your claim could be denied. If it is denied, you still have options, but they can depend on the reasons for the denial.

Reasons Why a Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied

There are several reasons your workplace injury claim may be denied. One reason is a delay in filing the claim. It is imperative that you report your injury or illness to your employer immediately. Then you should file a workers’ compensation claim with the state (unless your employer files it). If you miss a deadline, your claim will probably be denied.

Another reason your claim might be denied is lack of evidence the injury or illness was caused by performing your job duties. Your employer may try to argue that you had a pre-existing condition or you were acting irresponsibly, etc. Gather evidence to support your claim, such as photographs of the injury or witness testimonies.

Landscaping companies are typically the busiest in the summer months since the weather is ideal for working in the yard. Depending on the size of the yard or property, a lot can be done to enhance a landscape. This can include trimming bushes, cutting the grass, and planting trees or flowers. Riding lawn mowers and trimmers are some of the tools of the trade for a landscaper. Powered equipment such as those can break down or potentially cause an accident. In any type of work environment, even outside, an employee can be at risk for injury. If you are hurt while performing duties at your landscaping job, you might be entitled to benefits through workers’ compensation.

Types and Causes of Injuries

According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured on the job every seven seconds. Injuries in the landscaping field can be related to faulty equipment or machines, improper maintenance, or negligent property owners. Some of these injuries can include:

• Broken bones or fractures
• Severed body parts
• Concussions
• Heat stroke
• Back or neck strain

Some landscaping duties require workers to climb ladders to trim tall trees. If the ladder is not properly positioned, an employee can lose his or her balance and fall to the ground. This can cause significant head trauma or a broken arm or leg, not to mention a serious back or neck injury.

Blood and plasma donors help save lives. Donated blood and plasma are used for a wide variety of life-saving techniques that benefit thousands of people every day. Blood transfusions are needed on a daily basis in hospitals across the country. Plasma is used in the treatment of serious disorders such as hemophilia and immune system deficiencies, and to treat victims of shock and burns. Plasma donation has become popular due to the cash incentive since donors get paid for their donations, typically in the form of VISA gift/debit cards. As with a lot of medical professions, lab technicians at these facilities can injure themselves while performing certain job tasks. If you are hurt working in a blood or plasma donation center, you might be eligible for worker’s compensation benefits.

Job Duties

Lab technicians who work at blood or plasma donation centers screen candidates for their compatibility as donors. The plasma technicians use automated machines that collect the donors' blood, which separates blood components, retains the plasma, and returns the remaining blood components to the donors.

In addition to collecting and processing the blood or plasma, technicians might have duties that include cleaning the lab center and counting inventory. This could require manual labor, such as lifting and reaching for objects, sweeping and mopping floors, or even moving furniture. Employees could also provide routine maintenance on computers or machines, as well as administrative duties such as answering phones and helping donors complete paperwork.

A hospice social worker is a certified medical social worker (MSW) who has had specific training in end-of-life care. In hospice care, the social worker plays an important role in assisting with a patient’s wishes for care. This may include directives like a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, planning a funeral, suggesting grief counselors, and more. Sometimes the social worker simply provides a listening ear or an expression of sympathy. A hospice social worker’s compassion, support, and knowledge can greatly improve the experience of the patient and his or her family during a very emotional time. But what benefits does a hospice worker receive if they are injured on the job?

Types of Injuries

Many hospice social workers travel to nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and even patients’ homes to perform their jobs. They typically use their own vehicles for transportation to and from sites, but this travel time is usually considered part of their workday. Inclement weather can sometimes put them at risk for car accidents due to icy or snowy road conditions, traveling in all kinds of weather, rain or shine. Distracted drivers on the roadway can also cause crashes or rear-end collisions.

Since a hospice social worker often enters patients’ homes, the potential for possible injury can occur there, too. For example, if the social worker trips on stairs, obstacles, or an uneven walkway in or around the house or facility. Slip and falls could also take place due to water or ice on the pavement. The social worker could also sustain a back or neck injury if he or she tries to help a nurse or family member transfer a patient from a chair to a bed.