According to a new study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, injuries and illnesses sustained by employees working in Illinois mines are significantly underreported.
Currently, Illinois has a reporting program, called the Part 50 program, that allows employees to report illnesses or injuries related to their job. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration, there were 4,171 workers employed in Illinois’ mining industry in 2015 with 23 active coal mines.
Unfortunately, the mining industry remains significantly dangerous for employees, with risks of injury and several health conditions like emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The study, led by Dr. Robert Cohen, clinical professor of environmental and occupational health sciences in the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, looked at reported injuries and illnesses to the Part 50 program between 2001 and 2013. They connected each report to an Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission case and considered those cases that didn’t have a corresponding Part 50 report unreported.
The data showed that the Part 50 program reported 1,923 injury or illnesses under Illinois’ workers’ compensation laws. However, there were 5,653 injuries or illnesses reported by mining employees found in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission database. This means that the Part 50 program did not capture about 66% of mining employees’ compensation cases. They also found that chronic injuries and illnesses were less likely to be reported to the Part 50 program than minor accidents.
Where Can You Find Information on Lawyers?
Even though about 74% of states require employers to offer their employees workers’ comp coverage, a personal injury or workers’ comp lawsuit can become very complex. If you find yourself stuck in a sticky workers’ compensation or personal injury lawsuit, it’s important to find an experienced lawyer. So where exactly can you find information on lawyers? Let’s discuss a few easy ways people can learn more about some of the best lawyers in their area.
Recommendations One of the easiest places to start is by asking for recommendations from friends and family. If you know people who have dealt with workers’ compensation or personal injury claims, start by asking about their experience with the lawyer they chose. This can be a great way to find an attorney who would be willing to take your case.
Local Referral Services Many communities offer referral services to help residents find lawyers in the area. If you don’t personally know anyone who has dealt with a case similar to yours, these services can recommend a lawyer to evaluate your case.
Online Resources Attorneys will often have online reviews regarding their clients’ experiences and case outcomes. While you shouldn’t rely completely on online resources to find a lawyer for your case, this can be a good way to gather a list of prospective lawyers you want to speak with.
If you find yourself in a complex workers’ comp or personal injury claim, it’s important to find a reputable lawyer to represent you. The law regarding these types of cases can be complex and confusing and a lawyer can help get you the compensation you deserve for your claim.
[…] properly and that all of the necessary information regarding the accident is obtained. While about 74% of states require employers to offer employees workers’ compensation coverage, when people get hurt […]