Strokes and Illinois workers' compensation law
A Chicago workers' compensation law firm we respect had an interesting case that I thought would be a good blog post.
Basically the law in Illinois is that if your job caused, aggravates or accelerates a condition it is considered work related. Just because it happens at work doesn't mean you win. So if you are sitting at your desk and have a brain aneurysm or heart attack, you'd have to prove that the job played a role.
One of the biggest injuries to suffer that is among the hardest to prove is work related is a stroke. This happens when there is a loss of blood supply to the brain, usually from a blocked or burst blood vessel. If not treated right away it could lead to permanent disabling injuries.
The case our friends had involved a fire fighter who suffered a stroke while fighting against a big blaze. At first you'd think the stress of the situation would make that a winning case, but even then you have to prove how the fire cut off the blood supply to the brain. A written opinion and testimony from a neurologist will likely be needed.
Strokes often happen after someone has been struck in the head. So if you are a laborer that gets hit in the head by a brick wall that collapsed, it might be easier to show that a subsequent stroke was work related. On the other hand, if you are just sitting at your desk and have one or even if you are under a lot of pressure it probably isn't enough to win a case.
Even with a work injury, if you are essentially a ticking time bomb it can be very difficult to win especially given how difficult these cases are to begin with.
The firefighter did end up getting benefits. If you are in that situation, like any other work injury, we suggest you be honest with your doctor and very detailed about what happened to you. An attorney can add real value by painting a clear picture of your scenario. Remember, the job doesn't have to be the only cause of the stroke, just a contributing cause.
We are workers' compensation attorneys that help people with Illinois work injuries anywhere in IL via our statewide network of attorneys. Contact us and we will answer your questions or find the right lawyer for your situation.
