Illinois Police & Fire Lawyer, Ltd.

May 19, 2024 through May 25, 2024 is the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS professionals and the important work they do in our nation’s communities.

Happy National EMS Week Our workers' compensation attorneys for first responders at Eames Law Group thank all EMS workers and first responders for the sacrifices you make in order to keep our communities safe.

We are proud to announce that our founding attorney, Brent Eames, has been appointed to serve as the Chair of the Workers' Compensation Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association for the 2024-2025 year. Brent will be tasked with leading and overseeing the Council and running all meetings in order to promote improvement in the workers’ compensation system and the administration of justice under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and Illinois Occupational Disease Act.

Eames Law Group Brent Eames Appointed Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section Council - Eames Law Group We are proud to announce that Eames Law Group Attorney, Brent Eames, has been appointed to serve as the Chair of the Section Council of Workers' Compensation Law for the Illinois State Bar Association. Founded in 1877, the Illinois State Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state....

Important caselaw update for firefighters regarding the potential to stack time in different departments in order to meet the credible service requirement for a not-on-duty disability pension. Click below to read more.

Firefighter Injury Legal Update: Lack of Credible Service Due to Department Change Dooms Claim for Disability Pension - Eames Law Group When it comes to workers’ compensation for firefighters in Illinois, disputes regarding the true cause of the injury are common. Many employers and workers’ compensation insurance carriers will hire doctors to attempt to argue that work-related injuries are preexisting or unrelated to work. This...

This proposed legislation provides that a physical or mental disability that constitutes, in whole or in part, the basis of an application for benefits under the Downstate Police Article of the Illinois Pension Code may not be used, in whole or in part, as a cause for a municipality to discharge a police officer. Click here to learn more about the bill

Important Proposed Legislation Would Protect Injured Police Officers from Termination. - Eames Law Group Unlike firefighters, downstate police officers have no protections under the Illinois Pension Code which would provide any job security after they suffer a catastrophic injury which would result in the need to file an application for a disability pension. After a serious work-related injury, it is n...

As the firefighter turned to respond to his lieutenant, he missed a step, causing him to fall forward and injure his ankle. Even though this injury happened while he was working at the fire station, the municipality denied his claim and refused to pay workers’ compensation benefits. Keep reading to learn more about how Eames Law Group, Ltd. won the case.

Brent Eames Secures Victory at Trial for Firefighter Injured While Walking at Station Mr. Eames represented a firefighter/paramedic who was walking in the station when his lieutenant asked him a question. As the firefighter turned to respond to his lieutenant, he missed a step, causing him to fall forward and injure his ankle.

This change in the statute will certainly benefit many disabled police officers and firefighters across the state, but it remains unclear exactly how municipalities will interpret the change in law and attempt to navigate employee benefits. If you have questions, you should immediately contact Brent Eames for a consultation to discuss your options.

Big Changes Coming to PSEBA On January 1, 2024 - Eames Law Group The Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (“PSEBA”) provides important benefits to eligible first responders who suffer the misfortune of being catastrophically injured in the line of duty. PSEBA (820 ILCS 320/1) is an Illinois law which provides for the payment of the full premium of an employer....

HB3529 which has been filed in the 103rd General Assembly seeks to add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions which are rebuttably presumed to be compensable under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act.

Proposed Legislation Would Affect Firefighters with PTSD HB3529 which has been filed in the 103rd General Assembly seeks to add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions which are rebuttably presumed to be compensable under the Act.

Happy Labor Day!

We are happy to report another victory before the pension board on behalf of a 20+ year veteran firefighter/paramedic who suffered a significant injury while participating in mandatory training exercises.

On May 13, 2022, Public Act 102-0811 was signed into law. This Act amended Section 3-120 to provide that a marriage of a police officer subsequent to a disability pension does not automatically disqualify the officer’s surviving spouse from receiving a survivor’s pension. Click here to learn more.

Legislative Update: Police Pension Survivorship Law Amended to Allow More Flexibility Who receives the survivor’s benefits? Keep reading to learn more from top injury attorney for police officers, Brent Eames, about a recent change in the law, and how it could impact your pension benefits.

Another great day at the office after assisting a 28 year veteran of the Naperville Fire Department obtain a fully favorable decision before the pension board. It was a long time coming, but justice has been served.