Today, in Illinois, when an accident happens on a construction site or on a warehouse floor, employees can usually turn to workers compensation. An experienced attorney in Orland Park or elsewhere in the state can talk to and provide the accident victim with advice on what to file, when to do so and how to ensure that compensation is awarded. This has not always been the case.
A Brief History of Workers Compensation
The advent of technology that formed the basis of the industrial revolution in Great Britain and North America, did not see any advancements made towards improving worker safety. If an accident occurred, it was considered to be the fault of the worker. The only form of organized compensation to be had in the 19th century came from local associations and unions where workers had established an accident fund. Money from an employer was considered a beneficent gesture and not required. It did not matter whether you were killed on the job, maimed for life or merely seriously wounded. There was no form of compensation
As the years of the 20th century began to unfold, the concept of workers compensation began to take hold in certain corners. Even then, however, it was still a dream. There were really no boards or commissions to govern workers compensation. An attorney in Orland Park who considered it as a career move would have been laughed at since laws in any state were voluntary. It was not until 1949 that all states had some form of compulsory workers compensation
Illinois and Workers Compensation
By 1949, the face of workers compensation had changed in Illinois. A workers compensation attorney in Orland Park could become a member of the Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association. Meanwhile, the Commission that handled the governance of workers compensation separated from the Department of Labor in 1957. It became the Workers’ Compensation Commission in 2005.
In Illinois, the legislation known as the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act 820 ILCS 305, has been amended several times to suit the current economic situation and address specific concerns of the workers, employers and government. This occurred most recently in 2011 and 2014. The former saw changes in benefits; the latter has altered the issue of liability among safety service providers. Whenever such changes occur, they can have serious ramifications for anyone who is planning to file under the act.
Why Hire a Workers Compensation Attorney Orland Park?
The Illinois Workers Compensation Act is not a static entity. It undergoes changes over the years. Some may dramatically affect your case. In addition, the amendments and changes add another layer of complexity to an act that has never been simple. The result – if you wish to be successful, you need a workers compensation attorney. Orland Park experts suggest this may be the only way you can argue your case successfully.
