For law enforcement officers, exposure to stressful and traumatic events is not uncommon. Police officers may witness drug overdoses, violent car accidents, child abuse, or any number of grisly scenes. Many officers are injured or killed in the line of duty, which can also have a profound psychological impact on the entire police force.

Fortunately, Illinois law allows police officers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder caused by trauma they experienced on the job to receive compensation through workers’ compensation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Can Be Debilitating

When most people think about workers’ compensation coverage for a work injury, they imagine broken bones or back injuries. However, some of the worst injuries are invisible. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological condition that a person can develop after experiencing or witnessing a shocking or traumatic event.

Being the victim of a hit-and-run accident is a shocking and frightening experience to go through. A car crash is already traumatic, but when the other driver flees the scene, it can make the victim feel as if he or she has no options.

If you or somebody you care about was hurt in a hit-and-run accident, you may be able to secure financial compensation for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and other damages – even if the other driver is never identified.

A personal injury attorney advocates on behalf of injured individuals. If you are facing medical bills and other expenses, a lawyer experienced in hit-and-run accidents can help you understand your options for seeking compensation, and fight for the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Illinois law considers a driver to be intoxicated per se, or intoxicated according to the law, if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater. A blood alcohol concentration of over the legal limit is not always required for a drunk driving arrest, but having a BAC over the limit will certainly make it much harder to beat a DUI charge.

There are two main ways that police officers and prosecutors demonstrate a driver's intoxication level: breath alcohol tests and blood alcohol tests. Blood testing is generally considered to be he most reliable way to determine a person's blood alcohol concentration. However, it is possible for a blood alcohol test to be incorrect.

Contamination of the Blood Sample

Blood alcohol tests involve using a syringe to draw a small quantity of blood from a person's body. Next, the blood is tested in a laboratory to determine the amount of alcohol in the sample. If the blood sample is contaminated, this can throw off the results. For example, if the person who administers the blood test uses an alcohol swab to clean the area and does not let the alcohol dissipate before conducting the blood draw, some of the alcohol may get into the blood sample, artificially increasing BAC.

A workers’ compensation claim can be a complex and confusing process. If you have been injured on the job, it is essential to seek legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you may be entitled to. Today, we are going to unpack the reasons why it is essential to hire legal counsel as you go about pursuing compensation for your work-related injury.

What Can Happen if I Do Not Have a Lawyer?

Many things can go wrong, including:

• You may not receive the compensation you deserve – If you do not hire legal representation, you may not receive the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries. Insurance companies frequently try to minimize the amount of compensation they pay out and may pressure you to accept a settlement that is less than what you are actually entitled to. An attorney can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, including pain and suffering, medical expenditures, and lost income.
• You may miss important deadlines – Workers’ compensation claims have strict deadlines that must be met. For example, workers in Illinois must let their employer know of their injury within 45 days of the injury. Furthermore, you will have three years to file your claim with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. You may lose your right to file a claim or receive compensation if you miss a deadline. An attorney can help you meet these deadlines and ensure that your claim is filed correctly and on time.
• You may not understand your rights – Workers’ compensation laws can be complex and challenging to understand. If you do not have legal representation, you may not be aware of your rights under the law. An attorney can explain your rights and options and help you make informed decisions about your case.
• You may face challenges from the insurance company – Insurance companies may challenge your claim or try to deny it outright. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your claim is properly documented and presented.

Contact a Will County Workers’ Compensation Attorney

It is important not to make the mistake of handling your workers’ compensation claim on your own. An attorney can be an invaluable resource during this challenging time. Contact the skilled Joliet workers’ compensation lawyers with McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC. Call 815-727-0100 for a free consultation.

False confessions, or confessions to crimes that an individual did not commit, are well-known in the justice system. While it may seem strange or counterintuitive for someone to confess to a crime they themselves were not responsible for, there are several reasons people do so. For anyone charged with committing a crime, it is essential to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure your rights are protected. It is vital to speak with law enforcement only if an attorney is present, as this may reduce the likelihood of getting stuck in a vulnerable position, which can lead to false confessions.

Reasons Why False Confessions Occur

The following are reasons why false confessions occur, including:

• Coercion and duress – One of the most common reasons people confess to crimes they are not responsible for is coercion and compulsion. This can include physical coercion, such as torture or abuse, or psychological pressure, such as threats, deception, or intimidation. When an individual is subjected to this kind of treatment, they may feel that confessing to a crime is the only way to end the abuse or to protect themselves or their loved ones.
• Mental illness or intellectual disability – People with mental illness or intellectual disabilities are at a higher risk of making false confessions. This is because they may not fully understand the consequences of their actions or may be more susceptible to suggestion or manipulation by law enforcement. Additionally, people with mental illness or intellectual disabilities may be more likely to give inaccurate information during interrogations due to impaired cognitive abilities.
• Desire for attention or fame – Sometimes, people may falsely confess to crimes to gain attention or notoriety. This can include people who are mentally ill or have a history of attention-seeking behavior. In other scenarios, someone may falsely confess to a crime to protect another person or to cover up their involvement in the crime.
• Misunderstanding or miscommunication – Some false confessions may result from misunderstandings between the individual and law enforcement. For example, the individual may have given an ambiguous or confusing statement during an interrogation, and law enforcement may have interpreted that statement as a confession.

Contact a Joliet Criminal Defense Attorney

Remember, do not speak with the police unless there is a lawyer present. Moreover, if you have been charged with a crime, consider contacting the experienced Will County criminal defense lawyers with McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC. Call 815-727-0100 for a free consultation.