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Recent blog posts

Understanding Workers' Compensation for Police Officers and Firefighters in Will County

Posted on in Workers' Compensation

Joliet workers' comp lawyersIt is not hyperbole to say that police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders are among the heroes of our society. Day after day, night after night, these men and women put their life on the line to help others in their time of greatest need. But unfortunately, such occupations do carry a substantial risk of injury. As a result, police officers, firefighters, and EMTs are eligible for workers' compensation for injuries they sustain in the line of duty. 

Today, we will talk about what is most important to know regarding workers' compensation for police officers, firefighters, and EMTs. Accordingly, if you are an individual working in one of these professions and you have sustained an injury on the job, do not hesitate to contact a workers' compensation attorney to ensure you receive the compensation for your injury or injuries that you may be entitled to.

Common Injuries for Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and EMTs

Injuries are prevalent in these types of roles because of the physicality of the job. Whether chasing down a suspect and wrestling them to the ground or running into a burning office building to save the occupants inside, these jobs are very physical, making it easier to sustain injuries. Common injuries include the following:

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My Spouse Is Refusing to Pay Spousal Support. What Should I Do?

Posted on in Divorce and Family Law

Joliet spousal maintenance attorneyIt is not uncommon in marriage for one spouse to be the primary breadwinner while the other spouse earns less and tends to childcare and matters at home. When spouses get a divorce, it may be difficult for the lower-earning spouse to provide for themselves. As a result, spousal support is often a crucial element of many marital settlement agreements. 

Depending on the situation, a person may rely heavily on spousal support, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the divorce as someone looks to start their new life as a single person. For example, the support may be used to pay for food and clothing or help to pay for child-related expenses if children are involved in the situation. This is why it can be so distressing if spousal payments are not paid on time. If you should be receiving spousal support payments but for whatever reason are not, contact an experienced Illinois spousal support attorney who can inform you of your rights and represent you as you work to receive what is rightfully yours. 

Do I Need to Go to Court to Enforce Spousal Support Payments?

Try to speak with your ex before you take any action. Of course, they have a legitimate reason as to why they cannot pay, or they may have fallen on hard times and are unable, for whatever reason, to pay what they were initially supposed to pay in spousal support. However, if you decide to create a spousal support agreement outside of court, it is a best practice to have both of your signatures on it. Then, if a spouse fails to abide by the informal agreement, you will have proof that they agreed to it. 

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What Should I Do if the Police Arrive with a Search Warrant?

Posted on in Criminal Defense

Joliet criminal defense lawyerMost people dread the prospect of the police showing up at their house. The police showing up is bad enough, but what if they arrive with a search warrant? This is likely to make even the calmest, most even-keeled person nervous, and rightfully so. Having your home searched is far from a pleasant experience, regardless of whether you have anything to hide. Because of the highly stressful situation, people whose house is being searched may act out and demonstrate behaviors they would not regularly engage in. 

Unfortunately, acting out rashly while the police search your home will likely result in additional legal difficulties and even criminal prosecution. That is why it is essential to know how to act and what to do if the police ever show up at your door with a search warrant. If this has happened to you, you must contact a criminal defense attorney who will work to ensure your rights remain protected and that you understand your options moving forward. 

Tips for Handling a Search Warrant  

We see it often in the movies or on television: as soon as the police show up yelling that they have a search warrant, the occupants of the home run and hide or try and pretend they are not home. However, these types of actions will likely increase your legal liability. To handle the situation well, here are few things you can and should do:  

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What Are Some Common Causes of Rollover Accidents?

Posted on in Car Accidents

Joliet personal injury attorneyRollover car accidents are an extreme form of a traffic accident that occurs when a vehicle gets flipped upside down and is propelled into a deadly roll. Rollover accidents are not particularly common, as the ingredients for such accidents usually involve extreme forces acting upon the car. These powerful forces cause the vehicle to flip over and be sent rolling. Unfortunately, most vehicles' roofs are not strong enough to withstand the force and pressure involved in rollover accidents. As a result, the occupants of vehicles involved in rollover accidents are often subject to extremely severe injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or even wrongful death.

Suppose you have been involved in a rollover accident that was another driver's fault. In that case, it is more probable that the other driver was negligently operating their vehicle, which resulted in you sustaining injuries. Because of this, you may be entitled to compensation which can be used to pay for your current and future medical bills relating to the injury, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. If you have been involved in a rollover accident, contact an experienced attorney who can help you pursue compensation while also protecting your rights. 

Negligent Driving Behaviors That Can Cause a Rollover Accident

As stated previously, rollover accidents are often the result of extreme forces acting upon a car. These extreme forces may have been caused by the following:

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Common Mistakes People Make When Filing a Claim for Workers' Compensation

Posted on in Workers' Compensation

Will County workers' compensation lawyerTo put it plainly, workers' compensation is there to help injured workers when they need it most. Compensation for a work-related injury is often used for medical expenses, lost wages, and even total disability if the injury was severe to the extent that the injured person became disabled because of the injury. Thankfully, the Illinois Workers' Compensation act mandates that employers provide workers' compensation insurance to their employees. 

However, like many other government programs, the process for obtaining workers’ compensation can be difficult and highly complex. As a result, making a mistake when filing your claim can be easy. To ensure that no errors are made, contacting, and working with an experienced workers' compensation attorney is essential to ensuring the process is as smooth as possible.

What Mistakes Do People Make When Filing Their Claim? 

Making a mistake during the workers’ compensation process is an excellent way to derail your claim. Besides not hiring an attorney after their work-related accident, the first mistake people often make when filing for workers' compensation is failing to receive medical treatment for their injuries promptly. If you delay getting treatment for your injuries, the insurance company will likely argue that your injury could not have been that serious if it did not require prompt medical treatment. So get treatment as soon as possible. 

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