Posted on January 06, 2022 in Workers' Compensation

A work accident that happens in a split second can change someone’s life forever. Whether in an office, construction site, delivery truck, or another work environment, work injuries can be severe. If you or a loved one were the victim of a serious work injury, you may be interested in exploring your legal options. Most people know that workers’ compensation insurance exists, but they are unaware of exactly what workers’ comp covers or how they should go about pursuing compensation. Many injured workers are also unaware of their rights – a fact which is often exploited by employers and insurance companies.

Workers’ Compensation and Permanent Partial Disabilities

Equipment-related mishaps, slip and fall accidents, struck-by accidents, on-the-job car crashes, and other work accidents can lead to life-changing injuries. Spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputation injuries, and severe burns are just some of the work injuries that can leave a worker permanently disabled. If you or a loved one are in this situation, it is important to understand your rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. Injured workers who can no longer work or must work a different job may be entitled to permanent partial disability benefits (PPD).

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 Posted on December 22, 2021 in Auto Accidents

There are nearly countless ways a serious car accident can occur. Head-on collisions in which both cars are traveling toward each other are often some of the most severe. Sadly, fatalities and catastrophic injuries are not uncommon in head-on crashes. If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a head-on crash, read on to learn about your legal options under Illinois law.

Personal Injury Claims and Head-On Accidents

When two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions, the force of a collision is magnified. Head-on crashes often cause head, neck, and spine injuries, broken bones, internal damage, and other severe injuries. An individual involved in a head-on crash or frontal crash may never be the same again. Money cannot make up for such a horrific experience, however, it may help the injured person cover accident-related costs and move past the experience.

Sometimes, liability in a head-on crash is straightforward. For example, one driver may have been traveling the wrong direction on the highway due to intoxication by drugs or alcohol while the other driver was an innocent victim. Other times, both drivers’ actions contribute to a head-on crash. In the case of a shared-fault accident, an injured person’s entitlement to monetary damages may be reduced according to his or her share of fault.

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 Posted on December 03, 2021 in Personal Injury

Children are naturally curious. Unfortunately, this curiosity can sometimes lead to severe or even fatal injuries. If your child was hurt after wandering into a neighbor’s property, you may have questions about your legal rights. You may wonder if the neighbor is legally responsible for your child’s injuries. As with many legal questions, the answers to these questions vary based on the circumstances of the injury-causing accident. In some cases, parents can hold property owners liable for child injuries through a specific type of personal injury claim called a premises liability claim.

Attractive Nuisances and Illinois Law

Generally, property owners are only legally responsible for injuries suffered by guests to the property. Trespassers are not usually protected by Illinois premises liability laws. However, the rules are different when children are involved. “Attractive nuisances” are dangerous areas or objects that may injure a child.

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 Posted on November 22, 2021 in Personal Injury

Commercial semi-trucks are massive vehicles capable of causing catastrophic damage in an accident. If you or a loved one were involved in a commercial truck crash, you know this firsthand. Victims of truck accidents and the surviving family of fatal truck accidents may be entitled to financial compensation for their damages. They may be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, funeral and burial expenses, pain and suffering, and more. However, to bring a successful claim, they need evidence of the at-fault party’s actions and the relationship between those actions and the crash. Often, proof of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) violations is a crucial part of this evidence.  

Hours of Service Regulations

Driving takes skill and attention – especially when operating a massive commercial truck. When a truck driver is sleep deprived, he or she is more likely to make mistakes behind the wheel that cause an accident. To reduce the incidence of truck accidents caused by drowsy driving, the FMCSA has instituted “Hours of Service” regulations. These rules limit drive time and require the truck driver to stop for rest breaks. The truck driver’s electronic logbook or the truck’s event data recorder may contain evidence of Hours of Service violations you can use to build your case.  

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 Posted on November 08, 2021 in Auto Accidents

Being involved in a car wreck is not only frightening and traumatic, it can also lead to massive financial costs. An individual hurt in a car accident may require expensive medical care that lasts weeks, months, or years. They may also be unable to work during their recovery. Add the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle involved in the crash, and a car accident can easily cost a family tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you or a loved one were involved in a serious auto collision, you may be entitled to compensation for financial and non-financial losses.   

Factors That Influence a Car Accident Claim Payout

The amount of money that you could recover in a car accident injury claim depends on many different factors, including:

• The severity of the injuries - The worse the injuries, the greater degree of medical care needed to address those injuries. Someone who suffered cuts and bruises will obviously not need as much medical treatment as someone who suffered catastrophic injuries. Therefore, car accident claim payouts are usually higher when the injured person suffers significant injuries or injuries resulting in long-term disability.

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 Posted on October 06, 2021 in Personal Injury

Dogs are thought of as loyal companions and loving pets. However, it is important to remember that dogs are animals capable of inflicting profound or even fatal injuries. It is estimated that nearly 5 million dog bites occur each year in the U.S. If a dog bit you or a loved one, you may have questions about your legal options. You may wonder if you can sue the dog’s owner and seek compensation for your medical bills and other damages. Fortunately, Illinois law does allow dog bite victims to pursue damages when a dog owner’s negligence causes them harm.

Illinois Dog Bite Liability Law

Owning a dog is a serious responsibility. In addition to caring for the dog’s health and safety, dog owners must also consider the safety of others. The Illinois Animal Control Act allows victims of dog attacks to seek legal remedies for dog bite injuries. In some states, an injured person must prove that an owner was aware of a dog’s aggressive nature in order to recover compensation for dog attack injuries. Fortunately, Illinois is not one of these states. A victim can recover compensation if:

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 Posted on September 20, 2021 in Personal Injury

Getting injured in an accident of any sort can have far-reaching effects throughout all aspects of your life. Some of these effects are financial, like substantial medical bills and lost time at work, while others are more personal, like effects on your mental health and limitations in your day-to-day life. When your injuries have been caused by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for all of these things. Understanding the different types of damages available can help you figure out how much compensation you may be able to expect.

Economic Damages

Economic damages provide compensation for any losses you have suffered as a result of your injury that have a measurable financial value. Most commonly, this includes compensation for medical expenses related to your care and treatment. You may be entitled to compensation for the care you have already received, as well as care that you are likely to need in the future. Covered medical expenses may include hospital and ambulance bills, surgery, medication, therapy, rehabilitation, and assistive devices.

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 Posted on September 09, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

Despite the many laws and safety measures in place to reduce the risks, driving a motor vehicle is an inherently risky activity. Anyone on the road could be harmed by a negligent driver and suffer serious injuries as a result. When driving is a regular part of an employee’s job duties, that employee is frequently exposed to the risk of harm. In fact, according to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation incidents are the leading cause of fatal work injuries and the fourth leading cause of nonfatal work injuries.

Workers who are injured in motor vehicle accidents are often left with many questions. Are they entitled to workers’ compensation benefits? Can they file a personal injury claim against the negligent party? Often, both are possible, but it is important to work with an experienced attorney who understands the best course of action depending on the situation.

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 Posted on August 23, 2021 in Medical Malpractice

When most people experience pain or other medically significant symptoms, they go to the doctor to find out what is wrong. They trust that the doctor will evaluate their symptoms, perform any necessary exams and tests, and determine a diagnosis. Once the patient receives a diagnosis, treatment can begin. However, this is not always what happens. Some people go to the doctor and do not receive a diagnosis in a timely manner. What happens if a doctor fails to diagnose a condition or takes too long to diagnose the condition and the patient gets worse? Is delayed diagnosis considered medical malpractice?

Understanding the Four Elements of Medical Malpractice

Although terms like “medical negligence” or “substandard medical care” are sometimes used as if they are synonymous with “medical malpractice,” medical malpractice involves more than poor medical care. A patient, or the surviving family of a deceased patient, has a valid medical malpractice claim when four elements are present:

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 Posted on August 09, 2021 in Construction Accidents

Construction workers have some of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Whether it involves working atop high scaffolds, in deep trenches, or on worksites containing toxic chemicals, construction workers are often exposed to dangers. If you or a loved one were injured while working on a construction site, you may be seeking information about your legal options. Construction site accidents can lead to painful, debilitating injuries that result in overwhelming medical expenses. Fortunately, there may be a way for you to recover financial compensation after a construction site injury.

Workers’ Compensation Claims for Construction Workers

Illinois law requires employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This insurance is used to reimburse injured workers for medical bills and part of their lost income. A worker who is completely unable to work while recovering from a construction accident may receive temporary total disability benefits equal to two-thirds of his or her weekly wages. If an injured worker can return to work on a limited basis, he or she may receive temporary partial disability benefits equal to two-thirds of the difference between his or her pre-accident and post-accident wages. Workers with injuries that result in permanent loss of function may receive permanent partial disability benefits for several years or more.   

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