Did you know that the amount a lawyer can charge for a Social Security Disability claim is set by law? It is. Additionally, there is no attorney fee if your claim is ultimately denied. And, any attorney fee you do pay comes out of your past-due benefits. Under current...
Rockford Illinois Workers’ Compensation Law Blog
2 notices from the SSA: rising benefits and self-selected gender
Social Security Disability benefits, along with retiree benefits, will be increasing by 8.7% in January 2023. That means that Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will see larger benefit checks. The reason...
5 issues affecting the workers’ comp legal landscape this year
For the tenth year in a row, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has issued a report about recent bills, laws and regulations that could impact the workers’ compensation system. It’s a national report, and these issues are cropping up across the...
OSHA cites Chicago candy factory for repeat lockout/tagout violations
Machine safety is critical to our workforce. Virtually every job involves a machine of some sort, and many of them pose serious safety risks unless handled carefully. One of the most basic safety protocols around machines is to power them down completely before...
3 remote worker injuries people don’t talk about
Remote work has seen a dramatic rise in the past several years. Many employees find that their quality of life has greatly improved since working from home. But just because people are in the safety of their own homes doesn’t mean they’re safe from work-related...
Lemont truck repair company cited after fatal chemical exposure
Federal and state workplace safety laws are meant to ensure that every workplace is reasonably safe. Nevertheless, many workers face unreasonable hazards in their workplaces, and many are injured and even killed every year in Illinois. One man, 48, was inspecting a...
Holding the government’s feet to the fire in a disability claim, part 2
In part 1 of this post, we described how an attorney can help an applicant for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with their claim. Most people without legal training understandably find challenging the intricate rules,...
A lawyer can make the difference in an SSDI claim, part 1
You know you cannot work because of an injury or illness or a combination of health problems. Your doctor agrees with you. So why did the Social Security Administration (SSA) deny your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental...
A new top hazard for delivery drivers and warehouse workers: heat
Earlier this summer, this blog discussed a growing hazard for workers in Illinois and around the country. That hazard is heat, and it’s bound to get worse. This was the third hottest summer in U.S. history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric...
Long-haul COVID-19 is becoming a bigger disability issue
The symptoms can be maddening. Your heart races for no reason. You’re exhausted and short of breath. You’re experiencing such brain fog that you can hardly get anything done. You may be unable to digest certain foods or tolerate heat. There’s deep joint and muscle...