Posted on August 24, 2022 in Auto Accidents

At any given time, there are millions of vehicles on Illinois roads. Cautious drivers need to be able to handle many different situations, including traveling at high speeds, navigating busy roads and intersections, and being aware of pedestrians or obstacles in the road. Traffic laws are in place to ensure that everyone can share the road safely. 

Unfortunately, many drivers violate these laws. These violations occur due to carelessness, lack of respect for others, stress related to busy schedules or other factors, anger at other people's actions, fatigue, and more. When drivers fail to obey traffic laws, they put themselves and others at risk. There are multiple types of violations that are likely to cause car accidents, including:

1. Speeding - This is one of the most common violations, as many people regularly travel at least a few miles per hour over the speed limit in order to get to their destinations as quickly as possible. Speeding makes it more difficult for a driver to stop in time if someone else slows down suddenly or if there is an obstacle in the road. It also increases the force of impact if a collision does occur.

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 Posted on August 09, 2022 in Workers' Compensation

There are many ways a person can be injured while they are on the job. When workplace accidents occur, or when a person experiences physical health issues due to the work they have performed, they will typically be eligible to receive workers’ compensation. But what about situations where a person becomes ill due to conditions in their workplace or exposure to an infectious disease? In these cases, workers will need to understand how workers’ comp addresses occupational diseases.

Benefits Available to People Who Experience Occupational Illnesses

Work-related health issues are a common concern for people in certain occupations. Workers who are exposed to substances that could cause them to suffer illnesses, such as construction or demolition workers who work around asbestos, will want to make sure the proper measures are taken to ensure their safety. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this has become a significant concern for many people. Employees who work around the general public can be exposed to Covid, which may not only require them to take time off work while they are contagious but may also have long-term effects on their health.

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 Posted on July 08, 2022 in Auto Accidents

Without a doubt, driving a large commercial truck is a challenging job. Drivers must deal with long, lonely hours on the road, tight deadlines, and irregular schedules. These factors can make it difficult for commercial truck drivers to get the sleep they need. While federal regulations limit the number of hours drivers can drive without a rest break, fatigued driving is still a major contributor to severe and fatal truck crashes.

Sleepiness Behind the Wheel of a Big Rig

Everyone has experienced the sensation of sleepiness. Usually, fatigue is little more than an annoyance. However, research shows that fatigue can dramatically affect driving ability. Drivers who are sleepy have longer reaction times, slower information processing, and are less vigilant. Fatigue affects driving similarly to alcohol intoxication. Some sleep-deprived drivers even fall asleep at the wheel.

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 Posted on June 24, 2022 in Auto Accidents

Marijuana is now legal in Illinois for adults aged 21 and over. However, driving under the influence of marijuana is still against the law. Cannabis flower and THC products have a major effect on a person’s cognitive function. Studies show that it can distort a person’s perception, decrease coordination, and slow reaction time. It is, therefore, no surprise that drugged driving is associated with a higher risk of being in a car accident. One study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that cannabis-related auto accidents have doubled in the last 20 years.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a crash caused by a driver who was intoxicated by marijuana, it is important to know your legal options.

Car Crashes Caused by High Drivers

Public opinion about cannabis has changed dramatically in recent years. However, this does not mean that marijuana use is without risk. People who drive while “high” put their own lives and the lives of others in danger. In Illinois, those who drive with greater than five nanograms or more of THC per ml of blood are at risk of DUI charges. However, criminal charges against a drugged driver do not provide any restitution to victims.

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 Posted on June 03, 2022 in Personal Injury

When an individual patronizes a bar, restaurant, nightclub, retail store, or other commercial business, he or she expects that the business will take reasonable steps to prevent customers from being harmed. However, not every business fulfills its duty to keep customers safe.

Negligent security lawsuits are brought against businesses and property owners when inadequate security causes a guest to be injured or killed. If you or a loved one were the victim of assault, battery, rape, or robbery because of a business’s substandard security measures, you may be able to file a premises liability claim on the basis of negligent security. You may be able to hold the at-fault party responsible for physical and mental injuries and recover financial compensation for your damages.

What Counts as Negligent Security?

It can be hard to know for sure when an attack is caused by negligent security because the security measures a property or business owner should take depend on many factors. A business located in a high crime area with a history of violent attacks will have different security needs than a business in a low crime area. The foreseeability of an assault, battery, or other violent act is often a major determining factor in a negligent security lawsuit. Did the business owner have reason to believe that customers may be in danger? Did the property owner fail to fix broken locks, hire enough security guards, or install lights in the parking lot?

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 Posted on May 23, 2022 in Workers' Compensation

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 2.7 million workplace injuries and illnesses in the year 2020. The agriculture, mining, utilities, construction, and manufacturing industries accounted for a significant portion of work-related injuries. However, a workplace accident or illness can happen to anyone in any profession.

If you or a loved one were hurt on the job, you may be exploring your options. Workers' compensation and personal injury laws can be complicated and hard to understand. Many people are especially confused by the role of liability in a work injury case.

Workers' Compensation is No-Fault in Illinois

Employees who are hurt on the job are typically entitled to workers' compensation as long as their injury is related to work duties, occurred at work, and happened while the employee was "on the clock." In Illinois, workers' compensation is no-fault. This means that the worker does not need to prove that an employer acted negligently or wrongfully to recover compensation.

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 Posted on May 13, 2022 in Wrongful Death

Nursing home residents should have access to consistently high-quality care. Unfortunately, not every nursing home provides the standard of care residents need and deserve. Stories of intentional nursing home abuse often make news headlines, but less attention is paid to nursing home neglect.

Nursing home neglect can be extremely dangerous, and in many cases, deadly. Residents who do not receive the medical attention and day-to-day care they need can suffer from new and worsened health concerns that significantly decrease their quality of life. In extreme cases, nursing home neglect is fatal.

Nursing Home Neglect Resulting in a Resident’s Untimely Death

Many people who live in nursing homes are elderly and in poor health. They need help with everyday tasks like eating meals, bathing, using the restroom, and getting in and out of bed. Most residents are also on one or more medications which must be administered regularly. When staff fails to provide the care and attention residents need, they can suffer profoundly. Some are unable to survive the consequences of the neglect. Examples of nursing home neglect that can be fatal include:

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 Posted on April 26, 2022 in Auto Accidents

Medical advancements have helped people live longer, healthier lives. Among these advancements are implantable medical devices like insulin pumps, pacemakers, and artificial joints. While most medical devices are safe and effective, sometimes there are unexpected problems with medical devices that put patients at risk of injury or even death. Defective medical devices can be extremely dangerous so it is important for anyone who uses a medical device to be aware of product recalls involving medical devices.

Defective and Dangerous Medical Devices

Whether it is a metal rod used to keep bones in place after a break, a pump that delivers medication, or another type of medical device, it can be unnerving to have a foreign object implanted in your body. Sometimes, this hesitation is warranted. People who suffer complications after a medical device is implanted may not initially realize that the device is the cause of their problem. However, they soon realize that something is terribly wrong.

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 Posted on April 15, 2022 in Auto Accidents

Freight trucks transport the majority of the cargo shipped across the country. While most trucks are loaded properly and the freight is shipped without incident, sometimes, cargo becomes dislodged. In extreme cases, cargo even falls off of the truck and onto the road. This creates an extremely serious and potentially deadly hazard.

If you or a loved one were involved in an accident caused by loose or dropped cargo, you may be unsure of who to blame. A personal injury attorney experienced in truck accident cases can help you identify the liable party and seek the financial compensation you need.

Improper Loading and Securement of Truck Freight

Commercial trucks travel vast distances – often on rough roads and through unpredictable weather. The importance of truck cargo being loaded properly and secured tightly can hardly be overstated. Loose truck cargo can move around in the trailer of a semi-truck, causing the driver to lose control. Truck freight may even drop out of a truck during transit. Fallen cargo may strike other vehicles directly or cause accidents indirectly when motorists swerve to avoid colliding with the cargo.

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 Posted on March 28, 2022 in Auto Accidents

Cell phones, GPS systems, kids in the backseat, and countless other factors can lead to distracted driving. Driving takes a great deal of concentration. Drivers must pay attention to traffic signs and signals, other motorists, and pedestrians simultaneously. Failure to pay close enough attention to the road and surroundings can lead to horrible accidents.

To bring attention to the ongoing problem of distracted driving, April has been designated as distracted driving awareness month. If you or a loved one were injured in a car crash caused by a distracted driver, you should know your rights. You may be able to hold the distracted driver accountable and seek financial compensation for your damages.

Dangers of Distracted Driving

Despite advances in automotive technology and safety, The National Highway Safety Administration reports that fatal auto accidents rose 17 percent from 2019 to 2021. Many experts believe that the increase in smartphone use behind the wheel and complacency while driving has contributed to the increase in fatal crashes.

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