Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.Lake County IL Workers Compensation Attorneys | Waukegan Work Injury Lawyers | Cook County Workplace Accident Lawyer2026-09-24T12:03:16Zhttps://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/feed/atom/WordPressOn Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[Carpal tunnel or wrist pain: When could symptoms mean more?]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490402026-09-24T12:03:16Z2026-09-24T12:03:16ZWrist pain can develop after hours of typing, gripping tools, lifting objects or doing other repetitive tasks. However, workers should not assume that every aching or tingling wrist means carpal tunnel syndrome. There are several conditions that can cause similar symptoms. That’s why getting the right diagnosis is important. It can help the injured worker get the proper treatment and a potential workers’ compensation claim.
How can workers tell the symptoms apart?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure affects the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning or weakness in the hand. Symptoms often affect the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger.Ordinary wrist pain may feel different. A worker could develop soreness after overuse without having nerve compression. Tendon problems, arthritis, sprains and other conditions can also cause wrist or hand pain.What kind of symptoms deserve prompt medical attention? Symptoms to watch out for are persistent numbness, worsening weakness, difficulty gripping objects or pain that does not improve with rest. Additionally, sudden severe pain after an injury also warrants medical evaluation.
Why can the correct diagnosis matter?
A diagnosis helps identify what causes the symptoms and what treatment may help. Depending on the circumstances, testing may help determine whether nerve damage or another condition exists.Diagnosis can also matter in an Illinois workers' compensation case. Under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act, an employee seeking compensation must prove that an injury happens during the course of employment. It also recognizes claims involving carpal tunnel syndrome caused by repetitive trauma. However, medical evidence and the connection between work activities and the condition can become important issues.
How can workers protect their health and rights?
Workers should consider reporting ongoing wrist symptoms and seeking medical care rather than diagnosing themselves. Illinois generally requires workers to notify their employer of a work accident within 45 days. That requirement also applies to repetitive-trauma claims. However, determining the relevant injury date can involve when the injury and its connection to work becomes apparent.A workers' compensation attorney can help a worker understand how medical findings, job duties and notice requirements may affect a claim. Legal guidance may also help when an employer or insurer disputes whether repetitive work caused or contributed to the condition.]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[Can anxiety caused by work qualify for Illinois workers’ comp?]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490392026-09-10T07:50:29Z2026-09-10T07:50:29ZA work injury is not always easy to see. A bad event at work can cause anxiety, panic attacks or other mental health issues. These problems can affect your sleep, focus and daily life. If your job caused these symptoms, you may ask if workers’ comp can cover them.
Illinois workers’ comp covers many injuries tied to your job. Mental health claims, however, can have extra rules. Your claim may depend on what caused your anxiety and how it links to your work
When anxiety may qualify as a work injury
What caused your anxiety can affect your claim. Your case may have a stronger link to work if a clear event caused your symptoms.For example, anxiety may start after:
Witnessing a serious workplace accident
Experiencing a violent incident at work
Suffering a physical injury that causes ongoing emotional distress
Facing repeated work-related events that contribute to a mental condition
Illinois law may treat mental health injuries in different ways. The rules can depend on whether the injury came from a physical injury or a traumatic event. The facts of your case can affect whether you may get workers’ comp benefits.
What can affect an anxiety claim?
Establishing a connection between your job and your anxiety can require more than showing that your workplace feels stressful. Medical records, treatment history and evidence about the event that triggered your symptoms may help show how your condition developed.Illinois generally requires you to notify your employer of a work-related injury within 45 days. However, timing for mental health claims can be more fact-specific, particularly when symptoms develop gradually or you later recognize their connection to your work.For instance, a medical professional may document anxiety symptoms that began after a workplace accident. Records describing the event and your resulting symptoms can provide additional context for a workers’ compensation claim. Legal assistance can also help you examine the facts and determine whether your condition may meet Illinois workers’ compensation requirements.
When work affects your well-being
Anxiety can affect your sleep, focus, relationships and work. If a work injury or traumatic event caused these problems, you may have options under Illinois workers’ comp law. Looking into those options can help you see what benefits may be available.]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[Workers’ Comp Ended but You Still Cannot Work: Can SSDI Help?]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490372026-08-31T17:56:02Z2026-08-31T17:56:02ZHow is SSDI different from workers’ comp?
Workers' comp provides benefits for qualifying work-related injuries and illnesses. SSDI focuses on whether a medical condition prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity. Social Security considers whether you can perform your past relevant work and, if you cannot, whether you can adjust to other work in the national economy.
Could you have applied before comp ended?
You may apply for SSDI while still receiving workers' comp. However, receiving workers' compensation can affect the amount of SSDI you receive. Social Security may reduce disability benefits when workers' compensation and Social Security disability benefits payable to you and eligible family members exceed 80% of your average current earnings before you became disabled.
The offset becomes especially important when a workers' comp claim ends in a lump-sum settlement. A qualifying settlement may be prorated into a monthly amount when Social Security calculates the offset.
How do you prove you cannot work?
Medical evidence should do more than identify a diagnosis. It should show how the condition affects your ability to perform specific work activities. Relevant records may include treating physician notes, imaging results, surgical records and medical examinations arranged by SSA.
For example, records may document difficulty standing, walking, lifting, sitting, concentrating or maintaining a regular work schedule. The more clearly the medical records connect the condition to these limitations, the easier it is to show why returning to work may not be possible.
What to know before filing an SSDI claim
Workers' comp and SSDI use different eligibility requirements. If workers' comp benefits have ended but a medical condition still prevents work, SSDI may provide another potential source of disability benefits. Reviewing the eligibility requirements and how the two programs interact can help clarify available options.]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[How TTD benefits are calculated in Illinois workers’ compensation]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490362026-08-18T10:50:26Z2026-08-24T10:49:58ZMissing work due to an injury disrupts your life and threatens your financial stability. Illinois workers' compensation provides temporary total disability (TTD) benefits to replace lost wages while you recover. Knowing how the state calculates these payments ensures you receive every dollar you deserve under the law.
Calculating your average weekly wage
Calculating your average weekly wage (AWW) forms the foundation of your entire disability claim. The Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission determines this figure by taking your total earnings from the employer over the 52 weeks prior to the injury and dividing that sum by 52.Certain factors directly impact this baseline calculation:
Gross earnings before tax deductions
Overtime pay if you worked required overtime regularly
Earnings from a second job if your primary employer knew about the employment
Time lost from work due to prior unpaid leave or illness
Taking steps to compile accurate pay stubs and tax records guarantees that all income sources factor into the final wage calculation. Leaving out secondary job earnings or regular overtime hours lowers your baseline wage and permanently reduces your weekly checks.
Determining your final TTD payout
After your average weekly wage is set, the TTD payment can be calculated. In Illinois, TTD benefits are generally two-thirds of your average weekly wage.For example, if your average weekly wage is $1,200, your TTD payment would be about $800 per week.Illinois also has minimum and maximum TTD rates. These rates can change every six months based on the state's average weekly wage. As a result, a worker with high earnings may receive less than two-thirds of their actual weekly wage because of the maximum rate.Workers with lower wages may receive the minimum payment set by state law. TTD payments generally continue while the worker remains unable to return to work because of the injury, subject to Illinois workers' compensation rules.
Protecting your financial recovery
TTD payments can play an important role when an injury keeps you from working. Reviewing your pay records and weekly benefit checks can help identify possible errors in the wage calculation.Getting legal help with a workers' compensation claim may also help you check whether the insurance company used the right wage amount and benefit rate.]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[Does Workers’ Comp Cover Shoulder Impingement in Illinois?]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490352026-08-17T06:50:58Z2026-08-17T06:50:58ZShoulder pain can make it hard to do your job. Many workers develop shoulder impingement after months or years of lifting, reaching or repeating the same motions. If your work caused the condition, you may wonder if workers' compensation can help. Yes. Illinois workers' compensation may cover shoulder impingement when work duties caused or worsened the condition.
How shoulder impingement happens at work
Shoulder impingement develops when the tendons or other soft tissues in the shoulder become irritated. This often happens because of repeated overhead work, frequent lifting or other repetitive motions. The injury may appear slowly instead of after one accident. Manufacturing employees, warehouse workers, maintenance staff and health care workers often perform tasks that place extra stress on the shoulder.The cause of the injury matters when a worker files a claim.
When workers' compensation may apply
Under Illinois workers' compensation law, employees may receive benefits for work-related injuries and occupational conditions. To qualify, medical evidence should show that work activities caused or greatly contributed to the shoulder impingement. A doctor may also consider other possible causes before linking the condition to your job.The following information may help support a claim:
Medical records describing the shoulder injury
A doctor's opinion connecting the condition to work
Details about repetitive lifting or overhead tasks
Records showing when symptoms first appeared
Employer records about the injury or work restrictions
Good records help explain how the injury developed.
Why early reporting is important
Many workers ignore shoulder pain because it starts slowly. They may hope it will improve on its own. Waiting too long to report the injury or seek medical care can make it harder to show that work caused the condition. Under Illinois law, reporting the injury promptly and following the treatment plan creates a clearer record of the injury and recovery, and these steps can strengthen the claim.Shoulder impingement does not always happen because of one accident. Daily job duties can also cause the condition over time. Knowing when workers' compensation may apply can help you understand your options and take informed steps if shoulder pain begins to affect your work.]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[Why some machines use two-hand control systems]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490342026-07-23T18:59:02Z2026-07-23T18:59:02ZIn some workplace environments, such as a manufacturing plant or a warehouse, machines and equipment are used frequently. Some of these machines may have two-hand control systems. To activate the machine, there are two separate buttons that need to be pushed simultaneously, and they are far enough apart that the worker has to use both hands to accomplish this task.The goal is worker safety. It ensures that the worker's hands are away from the operating surface every time they use the machine. This can reduce the odds of significant workplace injuries.
Operating a hydraulic press
One common example of this is a hydraulic press with a two-hand control system. A worker's job may be to insert material onto the surface of the press and then activate it so that it presses that material into a certain shape as part of the manufacturing process.A significant injury risk, though, is if a worker absentmindedly leaves their hand on the material when they activate the device. This could lead to an amputation injury, which is often a permanent disability for the worker. It is one of the more severe injuries they can suffer.By using the two-button control system, however, the worker has to move their hand away from the material. As long as they use the machine correctly, there is no chance of an amputation injury.
Seeking compensation after significant injuries
This helps to demonstrate some of the major injury risks workers face and the systems that are in place to help prevent them. But there are always risks when working with heavy equipment, whether due to design defects, malfunctions, worker mistakes or other such issues. For those who have suffered such serious injuries, it is critical that they understand all of their rights to workers' comp benefits.
]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[3 early signs of a workplace neck injury]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490332026-07-23T16:15:23Z2026-07-23T16:15:23ZPain that worsens during work tasks
Pain that repeatedly flares up while you are working is often one of the first signs of a workplace neck injury. You may notice soreness after lifting materials, stocking shelves or spending hours looking down at a workstation. Some office workers also experience discomfort after long periods of switching between computer monitors or working without proper ergonomic support.
Because the pain may ease once you go home or rest, you might dismiss it as ordinary fatigue. If the same activities trigger the discomfort day after day, however, your body may be signaling that your job is contributing to the problem.
Stiffness that makes routine job duties harder
Difficulty moving your neck during regular work tasks can also point to an injury. Instead of turning your head comfortably, you may find yourself rotating your entire body to check equipment, watch a conveyor belt or look over your shoulder while operating machinery.
This kind of stiffness often develops gradually, which makes it easy to overlook. When simple movements that your job requires begin to feel restricted or uncomfortable, it is worth paying attention to the pattern rather than assuming it will resolve on its own.
Tingling or weakness while using your arms at work
Symptoms that spread beyond your neck should not be ignored. Tingling, numbness or weakness may become noticeable while you:
Assemble products
Package materials
Type for extended periods
Operate tools or machinery
These symptoms may suggest that the injury is affecting nearby nerves. If they appear repeatedly during your normal job duties, seeking medical attention early may help identify the cause before the condition becomes more serious.
Your next steps
Paying attention to symptoms that consistently appear during your workday can help you address a neck injury before it interferes with your health or your ability to earn a living. If you believe your job caused or contributed to your condition, report your symptoms as soon as possible and seek legal assistance so you can understand the benefits that may be available.]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[3 ways that power tools can hurt blue-collar workers]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490322026-07-11T12:48:50Z2026-07-11T12:48:50Z1. Vibration injuries caused by protracted use
Professionals exposed to hand and arm vibrations caused by power tools or whole-body vibrations caused by heavy machinery may develop various medical issues, including nerve damage, loss of grip strength and musculoskeletal symptoms. The longer workers handle power tools, the greater their risk of having a negative bodily reaction.
2. Accidental contact with tools
Professionals can injure themselves if they slip while using a power tool or make a timing mistake. Lacerations and other serious injuries are possible when workers accidentally make contact with their own bodies while using power tools.
3. Dropped tools
Coworkers can potentially injure one another with power tools. One worker might accidentally drop a drill, which can injure someone standing next to them. If one professional is at an elevation, such as on a roof or ladder, a dropped power tool can cause especially severe injuries to the people below them.
Regardless of how it occurs, a power tool injury related to employment may qualify a professional for workers’ compensation benefits. Reporting the incident at issue, and having support while seeking benefits, can make it easier for workers to recoup lost income and cover their medical bills.]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[Any occupation has the potential for injury]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490312026-07-01T09:44:43Z2026-07-01T09:44:43ZThere are certainly some jobs that are more dangerous than others. The construction industry is a good example, and it often has one of the highest fatal accident rates. Other professions that lead to high injury rates include maintenance, manufacturing, delivery drivers and first responders.But it is important for people to remember that any profession can lead to injury. Nothing is entirely safe, and any worker could suffer an injury that causes them to miss time at work. All workers, even in “safe” professions, need to know what to do if they are hurt on the job.
Repetitive stress injuries
For example, office jobs are often thought of as being relatively safe, but even they can lead to repetitive stress injuries. Someone who has to type on the computer all day may develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Workers who have to sit at a desk may develop lower back pain and spinal issues. Workers in older buildings could be exposed to asbestos or other dangerous environmental conditions, even if the tasks they’re given are not inherently risky.
Slip and fall accidents
Additionally, workers could always suffer injuries in a slip and fall accident. Even someone who works at a grocery store restocking shelves could slip on a wet tile floor and experience a traumatic brain injury or an SCI. It is easy to understand the fall risks in something like construction, where many falls happen from heights, but even a fall on the same level can lead to serious injury.Because all workers face injury risks, it is important that they understand what rights they have to seek workers' compensation benefits.
]]>On Behalf of Hannigan Botha & Sievers, Ltd.<![CDATA[Back injuries are common workplace injuries]]>https://www.illinoisworkerscomplawyer.com/?p=490302026-06-23T16:27:05Z2026-06-23T16:27:05ZMany people assume that only people who have physically demanding jobs will suffer from back injuries at work; however, that’s not the case. Even people who have office jobs and other non-physically demanding jobs can end up with an on-the-job back injury.
Back injuries are among the most common workplace injuries. They’re often caused by lifting, twisting, falls, repetitive motions or sudden strain. These injuries can cause pain immediately, but they may also appear slowly.
Injuries can affect various structures in the back
A back injury can affect the nerves, ligaments, muscles and discs. In some cases, the spine might be affected. These injuries can lead to a host of symptoms, including pain, stiffness and numbness. Some people may also experience limited movement or radiating pain that travels down the leg. These symptoms may start off minor and then get more intense as time progresses. When a back injury happens at work, the employee should alert the employer so they can initiate the workers’ compensation process. Workers’ compensation should cover the medical expenses, and it should pay partial wage replacement for workers who can’t return to work within a specific amount of time after the injury. Even when an employee can return to work, they may not be able to resume their full work duties all at once. Being put on light duty could mean a reduction in hours, which can negatively impact their paycheck.Injured workers count on workers’ compensation benefits to make ends meet. When the workers’ compensation benefits aren’t what they should be, an appeal might be necessary. Seeking the assistance of someone familiar with these matters is beneficial.
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