Saint Clair County Law Blog

If you're hurt, don't speak with the insurance company

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

When you're involved in a traffic accident, it's important that you get medical care. Most people who have injuries know that insurance should get involved if the other party has this coverage. If they don't, you might have to work with your own underinsured or uninsured policy to get compensation for the accident.

In both cases, it's smart to allow your attorney to take the lead. Insurance companies aren't necessarily trying to be unfair, but they do want to save as much money as possible by getting you to settle. That's why having a person trained to negotiate on your side is a must.

How does stress affect you after an injury?

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

There is an understanding in the medical field that stress plays a major role in how an illness or injury is perceived. For example, someone who is in great health with little financial or social stress may recover well compared to someone who is injured and has no support and financial concerns. Stress puts a strain on the body, weakening immunity and stressing the body's muscles and joints.

Have you ever seen a person's eyes twitching when they talk to you? It could be due to stress. That's one of many common signs that stress is getting to someone and becoming overwhelming.

How job stress leads commercial truckers to make bad choices

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Quite a few people mistakenly believe that truck drivers have an easy job. After all, you probably drive for an hour or more every day just to get to work and back, to say nothing of the obligations you may have if you have children involved in extracurricular activities. Just because you don't see driving as a difficult task doesn't mean that there aren't major stressors involved in commercial trucking.

Tasks that may not seem difficult to do for one hour may be painful or exhausting to do for eight, 10 or even 13 hours straight. Additionally, unlike many other career paths, commercial driving is intensely isolating, as drivers work alone for hours or even days at a time.

Plan your trip carefully when there are snowy conditions

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

The winter months are hard for many drivers in Illinois because of the snowy conditions that occur for much of the season. Until the warmer spring months arrive, drivers must ensure that they are well prepared for their journey.

Being ready for the road starts before you leave home. You have to ensure that your vehicle can handle the winter conditions. This means having the tires checked to ensure they have sufficient tread depth. You also need to be sure that the brakes can handle the demands of stopping on the slick roads. Check the battery so you know you can get the vehicle started when you need to.

Is drowsy driving really a big deal?

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

Driving during the winter is difficult enough without adding fatigue into the picture. When any driver, including those in commercial rigs, is fatigued, they can cause a serious crash that injures innocent people or claims a life.

Fatigue can lead a driver to make improper decisions as they drive. They might not be able to react quickly enough when there is a hazard in the roadway. This is why it is imperative for all drivers to get plenty of rest and ensure they are fully prepared to operate a motor vehicle.

There are special workplace considerations for winter safety

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

Illinois often has relatively harsh winters, which means that both workers and employers need to think about the potential safety consequences of severe weather. With snowstorms, cold temperatures and icy roads comes the risk for injury and different kinds of workplace accidents.

When you understand and acknowledge those risk factors, you can help protect yourself and other people at your place of employment more effectively. You can also let your employer know if they haven't taken adequate safety precautions for certain, noteworthy concerns.

Should you plan for a workers’ compensation denial?

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

Regardless of your profession or daily responsibilities, you're always at risk of suffering an on-the-job injury.

For example, a construction worker could fall from height and break several bones upon landing on the ground below. Or a secretary could develop carpal tunnel syndrome as a result of too much typing.

Drive safely around semitrucks this winter

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

Anyone who drivers on the interstate must remember that semitrucks are especially dangerous because they are so much larger and heavier than traditional vehicles. It is imperative that you take steps to remain safe around these trucks, but the truckers also have a duty to help keep you safe.

With the winter months right around the corner in Belleville, now is a good time to brush up on some basic tips that can help you to arrive at your destination without incident. One of the most important things to remember is to pay close attention to the road and only drive sober.

Safety tips for all factory workers, regardless of industry

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Monday, November 18, 2019.

Factory workers face many hazards on the job, some of which are due to the type of work they do and the items they are producing. No matter what type of factory you work in, there are several tips that can help you to remain safe. All of these must be part of the safety protocol the company uses.

Many factory employees receive safety training when they are going through a new hire orientation, but there might not be any subsequent reminders. It is imperative that you don't let safety fall by the wayside as you work.

Farm vehicle crashes can be horrific

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Illinois farmers face great risk when they operate farm machinery. Unlike in an industrial setting where co-workers can react and alert first responders in the event of a farm machinery accident, farmers are typically alone in their barns or fields and may be unable to summon assistance after a catastrophic accident.

Then, too, farmers are at high risk when moving their equipment along local roads where motorists drive. The University of Iowa's Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, a division of the College of Public Health, conducted past research on farm machinery crashes. Below are some of their findings.