Free Consultation
phone ringing icon
Featured Posts
Young man working on his car engine. negligent car maintenance
Negligent car maintenance is one of the top causes of car accidents in Chicago, Illinois. Negligently maintained cars are likely to have malfunctioned headlights, faulty brakes, worn tires, and faulty steering. These maintenance issues may make the vehicle difficult to control, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Car parking in the supermarket complex in the evening. parking lot accidents
Drivers on thoroughfare lanes, the primary roads running through lots, have the right of way over other drivers in Illinois parking lots. So, the vehicles entering the thoroughfare lanes from feeder roads and those reversing from parking spaces are often liable in the event of an accident. Additionally, the Illinois vehicle code prioritizes pedestrian safety in parking lots. Drivers must give way to the pedestrians, even when they are in unmarked crosswalks. The input of an experienced car accident lawyer is instrumental in determining who is to blame for parking lot accidents and ensuing injuries.
Fragments of a broken motorcycle on the pavement. helmet laws in Illinois
What are the helmet laws in Illinois? Illinois doesn't currently have helmet laws in place for motorcyclists, meaning these laws won't directly have an impact on an accident case. However, your decision to avoid wearing a helmet could still affect the outcome of your case, as this gear can greatly reduce the risk of injuries.
If you were injured in a trucking accident in Chicago, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Cicero, or a nearby community, call the injury attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law for a free consultation.

Workers’ Compensation and Truck Accidents: We Found the Perfect Marriage!

Posted By:

Grazian and Volpe (now Lloyd Miller Law) can’t write enough about trucking companies and shippers disregarding or attempting to circumvent state and federal laws and regulations aimed at preventing truck accidents. We simply can’t avoid advocating for workers’ injured on the job who are having difficulty with their workers’ compensation claims certainly not helped by the State of Illinois and its business lobby friends.

When news of a recent settlement crossed my desk, we gave a cheer for a rare win for the good guys. A case where the issue of the abuse of the “independent contractor” appellation and trucking companies has married the issue of  companies avoiding the  payment for workers’ compensation benefits.

The case involved the propriety of a trucking company classifying a group of drivers as “independent contractors”. This misclassification allowed the trucking company to be relieved of the obligation to reimburse the drivers for any and all employment claims. The trucking company thus avoided allowing required meal and rest breaks, keeping itemized wage statements and paying for workers’ compensation insurance. The drivers claimed that they were employees as the trucking company controlled the services performed by the drivers as to what was to be performed and the manner in which it was performed. The drivers prevailed and the company was compelled to create a large settlement fund to guaranty any workers’ claims.

Not only does this settlement set an an example for employers attempting to avoid paying for workers’ compensation insurance benefits but also those companies that improperly label workers as “independent contractors” but; it also serves to prevent trucking companies and shippers from avoiding the liabilities of negligent, impaired or fatigued drivers who ignore safety laws and regulations by claiming that they have no responsibility for the independent contractors they retain (see September 21, 2011 “Is the Shipper Liable?”)

The Chicago truck accident and Chicago workers’ compensation lawyers at Grazian and Volpe (now Lloyd Miller Law) are always happy to report verdict, settlements and laws that benefit our clientele who have been injured at work or in life. In over 25 years of workers, injury and accident practice we have never seen a case which so beautifully combines the pursuit of driver safety and the prevention of truck accidents with the assurance of benefits to workers. Our hats off to these brave truck drivers for pursuing their rights to the benefit of workers and highway safety!

About the Author

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Miller Law, Ltd.

Years of Experience: Over 35 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions: Illinois State Bar

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Miller Law, Ltd.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: Illinois State Bar Association U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Miller Law, Ltd.

Years of Experience: Over 35 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions: Illinois State Bar
About the Author

Kurt D. Lloyd is a plaintiff’s trial lawyer who focuses on medical malpractice and other catastrophic injury cases. He lives in Chicago and represents injured clients throughout Illinois. He is also the founder of Lloyd Miller Law, Ltd.

Years of Experience: Over 35 years
Illinois Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions: Illinois State Bar