A Dangerous Spill at the Pickle Factory
On January 25, 2021, “the client”, a 61-year-old production worker, was on duty at the Claussen Pickle Co. facility in Woodstock, Illinois.
The accident was sudden and unavoidable. A high-pressure hose burst, spraying oil across the workspace and drenching the client. In the chaotic, slippery conditions, he lost his footing and fell hard. The impact caused severe trauma to his right side, specifically damaging the tendons in his arm, shoulder, and hand.
The Employer Puts Profits Over Safety
The client immediately reported the incident and sought medical help. While X-rays showed no broken bones, the tendon damage was real and painful. His doctors placed him on strict medical restrictions to allow his arm to heal.
However, his employer refused to play by the rules. The company:
- Refused to pay for the time he needed to see his doctors.
- Ignored his medical restrictions, forcing him to work regular duties despite his injury.
- Disregarded his recovery, putting a 61-year-old employee at risk of permanent damage.
Fighting for the Right to Heal
This is where our legal team drew the line. An employer cannot override a doctor’s orders. We stepped in to ensure the client’s rights were respected.
We pushed for a proper medical evaluation. An Independent Medical Examination (IME) confirmed the severity of the injury, recommending surgery to repair the damaged tendons. This medical evidence validated the client’s pain and proved that the employer’s demand for him to work “without restrictions” was negligent.
Securing Weekly Pay and a Final Settlement
Our intervention accomplished two major goals. First, we ensured the client received $56,264.52 in Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits, providing him with income while he was unable to work.
Second, Jack Epstein’s team negotiated a final resolution to the case. We reached an agreement for a total sum of $62,834.00.
By the end of the case, we had stopped the employer’s harassment, ensured the client was paid while recovering, and delivered a final payout that compensated him for the permanent nature of his injuries.
Proven Experience in Every Illinois Case
“Jack Epstein, with 30 years of experience in the Illinois legal market, personally oversaw the case.”
“The client paid nothing until we won the case.”
