Ridge Law Group

$101,918

Workers' Compensation

A 52-year-old school teacher was involved in two separate accidents during the course of her employment. Initially, Petitioner fell at work and twisted her knee. She was treated conservatively, both with physical therapy and cortisone injections. Neither of these helped, and Petitioner continued to have ongoing pain and discomfort in the knee. Her physician was concerned that she may be suffering from a displaced lateral meniscus tear and recommended arthroscopy surgery to explore the situation further. During the arthroscopy, her surgeon did not find anything that required repair. She continued with physical therapy and eventually improved sufficiently to return to work full duty. She was back at work for approximately two months when she had her second accident. On that occasion, she was dismissing her students from their class and in the rush to leave the classroom one of her students knocked her to the ground. She sustained injuries to her lower back on this occasion. Her initial treatment consisted of extensive physical therapy and pain management, but due to ongoing complaints of pain and discomfort, Petitioner was referred for surgery. An L4/L5 laminectomy and transforaminal interbody fusion was carried out. Petitioner did well after surgery and was released to return to work full duty. Petitioner was paid all workers’ compensation benefits due to her for the period of time she was absent from work.

$29,593

Workers' Compensation, Police Injury

A 31-year-old police officer injured his knee when he was tackled while attempting to arrest a suspect. He was originally diagnosed with a sprain and treated conservatively, but after that treatment failed the treating doctor recommended an arthroscopy of the knee. During the arthroscopy, it was found that he did in fact have a torn plica. Following surgery, Petitioner developed Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) in the injured leg. He was required to undergo a course of medication to treat the DVT. He will be required to be monitored with regard to the DVT issue for the rest of his life. Petitioner was absent from work primarily during the recovery of the surgery and during the treatment of the DVT. He received all his workers’ compensation benefits for all periods of lost time. He was returned to full duty work and continues his occupation as a police officer.

$348,000

Workers' Compensation, Occupational Disease

Ridge Law Group represented a client who dedicated over three decades of service to the Lake County Forest Preserve, working as a landscape equipment operator and natural resource technician. During his tenure, he was routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of lymphoid leukemia on June 20, 2017. Despite the severity of his condition, the employer and its insurance carrier denied all medical and workers’ compensation benefits, including reasonable work accommodations during the Petitioner’s cancer treatment. Throughout the 1990s, the Petitioner applied Cygon insecticide manually using a paintbrush and cup to treat oak trees-a product later removed from the consumer market due to its toxicity. His chemical exposure intensified over time; by 2010, his duties shifted from minimal chemical application (approximately 1%) to a role where chemical spraying comprised 75% of his responsibilities. Products used included “Round-up Pro,” “Aqua Master,” Trimec, Tordon, and GARLON 4. Medical evaluations confirmed the presence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (RAL Stage I) with associated thrombocytopenia. The Petitioner’s treating oncologist attributed the malignancy to prolonged chemical exposure in the workplace. Despite this medical opinion, the employer declined to offer a light-duty position that would have mitigated further exposure. To substantiate the occupational disease claim, Ridge Law Group retained expert oncologist Dr. Peter Orris, who affirmed the causal link between the Petitioner’s leukemia and his long-term exposure to toxic herbicides and insecticides.