Over the last thirty-four (34) years Donald Fohrman &
Associates, Ltd., has secured over $100,000,000 in Workers' Compensation benefits
for thousands of union workers. Because of our extensive experience, we are
able to guide union members through the particular legal and practical problems
they face after being injured on-the-job.
For
example, in the building trades, few employers create light or restricted duty
jobs to accommodate injured workers. Unfortunately, most treating doctors are
unfamiliar (or in some cases unconcerned) about this policy and will release
injured workers to return to work with restrictions. Upon receipt of such a
release, the employer Compensation insurance
carrier will either refuse to pay, or stop the injured workers weekly
disability benefits. In these situations, it is our responsibility to do
whatever is legally necessary to insure that the injured worker's benefits are
reinstated as quickly as possible.We also, aggressively pursue all available
remedies in addition to Workers' Compensation benefits
on behalf of injured union workers including:
RETALIATORY
DISCHARGE LAWSUITS- Section IV of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act
provides that it is unlawful for an employer to fire, layoff or refuse to
rehire any worker in retaliation for filing a Workers' Compensation claim.If
it can be proven that you were fired for taking advantage of your rights under
the Workers'
Compensation Act, we can file a retaliatory discharge lawsuit against your
employer.There are no limits in the amount of damages in retaliatory discharge
lawsuits as opposed to Workers' Compensation claims
which are limited by state law.
THIRD
PARTY LAWSUITS- Injured workers could have the right to receive substantial
monetary damages, in addition to Workers' Compensation benefits
if the facts of the accident establish that a third party, someone other than
the employer or a co-worker, was, in part, legally responsible for the
accident. Some of the most common type of Third Party lawsuit that we file, on
behalf of injured union workers include:
Construction Site Accidents
Union building
tradesmen are frequently employed by subcontractors who, in turn, are hired by
a general contractor. If a worker is injured as a result of negligent conduct
by an employee of another subcontractor, the injured worker could have a Third
Party case against the subcontractor or possibly, the owner of the property
where the accident occurred.
Products Liability
Lawsuits
Union workers
frequently sustain injuries as a result of defective equipment or tools such as
ladders, power drills or power saws. This type of case is referred to as a
Products Liability lawsuit which could be filed against the manufacturer and/or
distributor of the defective item.
Highway Accidents
Union truckers are
frequently involved in accidents caused as a result of a negligent driver. In
these instances, the trucker would have a Third Party lawsuit against the
negligent driver of the other vehicle involved. The trucker would also have a
Workers'
Compensation claim against his employer's, or their own,
Workers'
Compensation insurance company if they are working as an independent
contractor.
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