Construction workers rely on their skill and strength to raise skyscrapers, create residential homes, build our roads, and accomplish great things. They routinely face difficult and dangerous working conditions. The nature of their work exposes them to unique dangers.
Workplace injuries among construction workers are frequently treated with opioids – a valuable medication for relief of pain. These painkillers help workers deal with their pain level and get back to work. But, what about workers who experience side-effects or addiction from opioid use and suffer complex health consequences?
As an attorney who represents Chicagoland clients in Workers’ Compensation claims, I fight for victims every day to gain the benefits that they deserve. In addition to resolving Workers’ Compensation claims, with the increase in the use of opioids, we help workers hold physicians and drug manufactures accountable to provide safe and effective medication. Construction workers and their families need to understand their rights should they suffer ill-effects from opioid use.
What to Know About Opioids.
What are they? Opioid drugs are narcotic painkillers used to treat chronic pain. Patients suffering from workplace injuries can benefit from opioid prescriptions.
However, opioids are very addictive and can lead to serious harm if taken in the wrong dosage and for a prolonged period of time.
What are the dangerous effects? Prolonged use of opioids may lead to decreased respiration, drowsiness, lethargy, nausea, brain damage, and liver damage. Patients have also suffered more severe side effects from an overdose, including coma, pinpoint pupils, restricted breathing, vomiting, cardiac arrest, and delirium.
Who is Responsible?
Workers’ Compensation Claim. If you are a victim of an on-the-job injury, an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced with Workers Compensation cases can help you protect your rights. Injuries can keep you away from work, create medical expenses, and add concerns about providing for your family. We help you navigate the claims process so you receive all the benefits you deserve.
Medical Malpractice Claim. While you are under the care and treatment of a doctor for your workplace injury, it is your physician’s responsibility to prescribe a safe and effective dosage of any drug or opioid. It is also important for the physician to monitor each patient’s reaction to the drug and use reasonable medical judgement in releasing the worker to return to their construction job.
If your doctor negligently prescribes an unsafe dosage or fails to monitor your condition while taking the opioid, you may have a medical malpractice claim.
And, there may be liability for the pharmaceutical or manufacturing companies responsible for the drug.
We Help Victims.
The Attorneys at Friend, Levinson & Turner Law apply a disciplined approach to gain a comprehensive perspective of the facts, issues, and injuries experienced by victims of work related injuries and medical malpractice claims. Our knowledge, experience, insight, and advice are invaluable. We help you avoid mistakes that may weaken your case. We ensure that no legal deadlines are missed, advise you of realistic compensation, and keep your case moving forward.
Big corporations and insurance companies rely on professional adjusters to negotiate. In order to deal with these professionals, you need a highly-trained, skilled attorney to protect your rights. We know your rights and the applicable laws. We are your advocates. We are experts at negotiating with powerful insurance companies. Experience counts.
We make the legal process as stress-free as possible. We focus on recovering compensation for you – while you focus upon your physical recovery.
If you or a loved one is injured in a victim of a workplace injury or the negligence of others, please call my office at 312-346-8465 or contact us using the form below.
