Saint Clair County Law Blog

Skin diseases may stem from conditions at work

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

Many employees focus on remaining safe from accidents that can injure them. Even when they are being as cautious as possible, there are still some hazards that likely remain. One that some individuals may not have thought about is contaminants and other substances that affect the skin.

Skin diseases are one of the most common illnesses that impact people in the workforce. Up to 40 percent of workers will have problems with their skin during their career. There are many different things that contribute to these issues.

How can a concussion impact a person?

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

A concussion occurs when a person is hit on the head or when the head is shaken in a violent manner. This can happen if a person is in a car wreck, plays contact sport, falls or is involved in a workplace accident. Victims of abuse, including those with shaken baby syndrome, might suffer from a concussion.

While it is unlikely that a single concussion is going to have lifelong impacts on you, repetitive concussions can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. This is a brain condition that can't be diagnosed during a person's life, but it is evident during a postmortem examination of the brain.

Don’t forget to do these things after a car crash

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

One second you're driving down the road and everything is going as planned. The next, someone strikes your vehicle and your life changes forever.

You do your best to avoid trouble on the road, but you never know if another driver will act in a negligent manner. If you're part of a car crash, it's important to keep your cool to ensure that you take all the right steps at the right time.

Safety is critical on highways and interstates

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

Driving on the highway or interstate means driving at speeds faster than what you travel in the city. This might be frightening or intimidating for new drivers. However, some experienced drivers have become too familiar with driving here. No matter how long you've been driving, you should ensure that you are using safe practices when you get on the highway or interstate.

Driving mindfully helps you to get to your destination safely and it does the same for others on the road. Here are some tips to remember if you are heading out on one of the nation's busy roads:

Farmers must use extreme caution around equipment

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Monday, August 6, 2018.

Farmers are going to be out working hard in their fields during the upcoming months. During this time, each one of them needs to ensure they are taking the steps necessary to remain as safe as possible. The equipment used during the farming process can be very dangerous.

Many farms in this country are family owned and operated. With this in mind, it is often family members who are showing each other how to use equipment. It is imperative that no corners are cut when it comes to safety. In fact, around 85 percent of tractor accidents involve a member of the family.

Working in the trucking industry is hazardous

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Friday, July 27, 2018.

Truckers face serious risks each time they head out on the road. It is easy to think about these hulking vehicles posing risks to others, but there are a lot of things that can harm the ones handling the trucks. In fact, truckers aren't the only ones who are at risk of suffering injuries. Others who help maintain the trucks can also suffer from injuries.

There are many different things that can lead to accidents that go far beyond crashes. Here are some of the dangers that people in this industry need to watch for:

Keeping teen drivers safe during the 100 deadly days of summer

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.

Being a parent often means making difficult decisions for your children. Sometimes, this could mean sacrificing something you want to do to make sure that your child's needs are met. Other times, it can mean telling your teenager "no" when he or she really wants to go hit the road.

As a parent, you want to keep your child safe and help him or her reach the age of majority. Unfortunately, many teenagers die in cars every year. This is especially true during the summer. Educating yourself and your teen about best practices for safe driving can help ensure you have a fun summer instead of a tragic one.

Road construction zones: Hazardous for everyone involved

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Proper maintenance is required to keep the roads in Illinois in good shape for drivers. Whether there is a need to repair a road or to completely redo it, construction workers are going to have to head out to get the job done.

While many drivers think of these work zones as inconveniences, the workers who are in them are counting on those drivers to move through them in a safe manner. There isn't any reason why a driver should drive unsafely or aggressively through these areas because the laborers deserve a safe work space so they can go home to their family members after their shift.

Drowsy driving a big public health risk in the United States

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Sunday, July 8, 2018.

Have you ever noticed that a car is drifting in and out of lanes and wondered what is going on? When you got closer to the vehicle, you might have noticed that the driver seemed to be nodding off at the wheel. This happens more often than what some people might realize. Fatigued driving is a very real risk on the roads that can cause serious motor vehicle wrecks.

There are many reasons why motorists might be drowsy when they drive. For the victims of crashes that are caused by these drivers, the cause of the accident could be important to their claims for compensation. Here are some points to remember about this risk of the road:

Is an outdated workers' compensation system harming workers?

On behalf of Jon Rosenstengel of Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.

Sorting through the Illinois workers' compensation laws can be a trying experience. There are many points in this state's system that haven't changed much since its inception early in the last century. This can make it difficult for workers who count on the coverage and for the employers shoehorning the job descriptions and requirements.

Many aspects of the current system are still geared toward the types of accidents that occurred during the Industrial Revolution. As time has evolved, safety has improved for jobs in manufacturing and other areas. Unfortunately, the same isn't true for many of the points that are found in the workers' compensation laws. This can actually put workers in danger.