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Illinois police officers witness many traumatic events on the job, especially when they work in urban areas. They face the aftermath of murders, rapes, robberies and other violent crimes. Even well-trained police officers can suffer severe consequences from what they see on the streets. In some cases, officers are rendered unable to work by job-related post-traumatic stress disorder.

A sprain or strain is a soft tissue injury, and when this type of damage happens in the neck, it is called whiplash. Individuals in Illinois who are in automobile crashes frequently experience the condition due to the sudden stretching and bending of the neck. Injuries often include damage to the joints, discs, muscles and nerves. It is critical for a person who is in a motor vehicle accident to seek treatment, even when the injury does not appear to be significant at first. Symptoms may be present immediately after the injury, or may not show up for several days afterward. When pain signals continue in the nervous system for six months or longer, the pain is considered chronic.

A lack of physical health creates occupational hazards for Illinois law enforcement officers. Studies show that those who are overweight are more likely to experience work injuries. Engaging in a total fitness and wellness program has proven effective for reducing injuries while improving job performance, overall health, and longevity after retirement. In spite of this evidence, the average officer’s level of fitness is lower than that of the average U.S. civilian.

Railroad workers are in an unusually hazardous industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fatal injury rate for rail transportation workers employed by railroads was twice that of the all-industry rate. In 2013, the Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety Analysis reports that there were 7,627 incidents, which included 468 fatalities. An incident involves any event causing a work-related illness, an injury, or a fatality to a railroad employee.

Any job-related injuries or diseases that employees sustain at work make them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These are paid by employers, and entitlement to them is not provisional or waived by clauses in the employment contract. The law ensures that responsibilities for injury expenses caused by a profession are paid by the industry, rather than by society. The Illinois  Workers' Compensation Commission does not limit compensation to employees who are currently U.S. citizens or documented immigrants. Undocumented workers are also eligible for benefits.