Posted on July 30, 2021 in Personal Injury

Premises liability injuries are not uncommon, coming in many different forms and arising from many different circumstances. Included in premises liability is negligent security. Crimes fall under the category of negligent security when they could have been prevented or made the criminal act less likely by the use of sufficient security measures. When an individual suffers from an injury on private property due to substandard safety measures, they may be interested in pursuing damages from the property owner or tenants.

What Constitutes Negligent Security?

When an owner or tenant of a property fails to install reasonable security measures to maintain the safety of its visitors and one of those visitors suffers an injury as a result, the owner or tenant may be liable for negligent security. Injuries that may arise from security negligence include robbery, battery, assault, or rape.

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 Posted on July 08, 2021 in Personal Injury

Concussions are usually the result of a sudden, forceful impact on the head. Construction site injuries, including being struck by a falling object, slip and fall accidents, and car crashes are just some of the numerous causes of concussions. While many concussions are considered "mild" traumatic brain injuries when compared to other types of brain injuries, the results of a concussion can have a dramatic impact on a person’s life. In some cases, debilitating concussion symptoms last several months after the initial injury.

What Are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

When the brain moves within the skull, it may impact the inside of the skull and become damaged. The first symptoms of a concussion are unconsciousness, memory loss, confusion, headache, vomiting, and dizziness. Someone who suffers a concussion may also experience sensory problems like sensitivity to light and sound as well as double vision or blurry vision. Psychological and cognitive problems like "brain fog," difficulty concentrating, irritability, depression, and even excessive crying may also be caused by a concussion.

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 Posted on June 22, 2021 in Auto Accidents

When many people think about the effects of a car accident, they imagine physical injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. While vehicle crashes can certainly result in these types of injuries, they can also lead to severe emotional distress. If you have been struggling with your mental health after a car crash, it is important to speak to a mental health specialist right away.

Common Emotional Injuries That Result from Car Accidents

A vehicle collision is a traumatic event that can cause victims to suffer long-term emotional consequences. Mental health issues that may result from car accidents include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder - It is not uncommon for car accident victims to experience shock, fear and anger following a vehicle collision. However, these feelings should subside over time. If they do not, post-traumatic stress disorder can develop. Common signs of this condition include recurring thoughts about the accident, trouble sleeping, and uneasiness about riding in vehicles.

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 Posted on June 08, 2021 in Motorcycle accidents

Now that we have celebrated Memorial Day and are speeding toward Independence Day, it is safe to say that summer is coming into full swing. This time of year is the perfect time to pull your motorcycle out of storage and take it for a ride, however this fun pastime does not come without its own dangers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were around 84,000 people who were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2019, with slightly more than 5,000 more fatalities. Motorcycle accident injuries are often severe and can affect your life in many ways, which is why seeking legal help after an accident can be beneficial.

Motorcycle Accident Causes

Motorcycle accidents can become very serious very quickly. The NHTSA states that motorcyclists were 29 times more likely than occupants of passenger vehicles to die in a motor vehicle crash. There are various reasons why motorcyclists can get into a vehicle accident. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

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 Posted on May 10, 2021 in Personal Injury

Illinois law allows people who are injured by another party’s actions to sue that party for damages. Personal injury lawsuits can help an injured person recoup the cost of medical bills and ongoing medical expenses, lost income from missed work, and more. However, to recover compensation, the injured person must demonstrate the gravity of his or her injuries and the damages resulting from those injuries. This is especially difficult when a person suffers from "invisible injuries."

Some Injuries Are Not Immediately Apparent  

If you were hurt in a car crash, truck accident, product-related accident, or another incident caused by another party’s conduct, you may have a right to financial compensation for your damages. However, getting the compensation you are owed is much more difficult when your injuries are not immediately obvious.

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 Posted on April 20, 2021 in Auto Accidents

In the blink of an eye, a serious car accident can absolutely devastate a person’s life. Car accident victims not only deal with agonizing injuries, but they are also often left with massive financial stress as well. If you were hurt in an accident, you may be facing steep medical bills and vehicle repair costs as well as the financial burden caused by being out of work. These and other damages may be recoverable through a personal injury lawsuit. Accident reconstruction is often a crucial element of bringing a successful case.

How Can Accident Reconstruction Benefit My Case?

Car accidents are rarely straightforward. The at-fault party or parties may deny responsibility for the crash or even blame the victim for the injuries caused in the collision. Pile-up and multiple-car collisions are often especially confusing. Accident reconstruction is a process of evaluating evidence and data and "reconstructing" the accident scene. An accident reconstructionist may generate reports, models, diagrams, or computer animations that your lawyer can use to explain the accident and demonstrate liability. Accident reconstructionists may also provide expert testimony during a personal injury lawsuit. Statements and evidence from a well-respected, experienced accident reconstructionist will carry significant weight in a complex case.

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 Posted on April 05, 2021 in Personal Injury

Individuals above a certain age may remember news stories about a woman suing the McDonald’s restaurant chain because her coffee was too hot. The 1994 lawsuit made international headlines and became the go-to example of "frivolous" lawsuits. For almost 30 years, the McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit has been touted as the epitome of American litigiousness. However, the real story behind the infamous product liability lawsuit may surprise you.

The Real Facts of Stella Liebeck’s Hot Coffee Claim

If you are like most people, you may remember reacting to the "hot coffee" lawsuit by rolling your eyes in disbelief. After all, everyone knows that coffee is hot. You may remember hearing that the woman spilled the coffee on herself because she was attempting to simultaneously remove the lid while driving. You may have also heard that the woman received an exorbitantly high payout for the incident.

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 Posted on March 20, 2021 in Auto Accidents

The year is not even half over and there have already been 137 fatal crashes in Illinois. Car accidents resulting in serious injury or death are not uncommon in Illinois – especially in populous areas like Cook County and DuPage County. Distracted driving, drunk driving, and other forms of negligent driving are often to blame for these accidents. However, the party who is liable for a car crash is not always another driver. In fact, sometimes the liable party is a municipality or government entity.  

Car Accidents Caused by Poorly Designed Roads

We trust that the government will design and construct roads that reduce the risk of car accidents. After all, this is what our taxes help pay for. Mistakes in the design, construction, or maintenance of roads can cause or contribute to crashes. Inadequate road markings, unsafe shoulders, unreasonably complicated intersections, or dangerous exit ramps may all be examples of poor road design. Insufficient or conflicting road signs and traffic signals may increase the chances of an accident at an intersection. Roadside hazards, hidden obstructions, and unmarked construction zones may also be the fault of a government entity.

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 Posted on March 08, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

Did you know that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) jobs are listed in the top 25 most dangerous professions? Burns, electrocutions, falls, and other HVAC accidents can lead to severe injuries and even death. In 2018, just under 7,000 HVAC workers suffered injuries and 40 workers were killed in a work-related accident. If you or a loved one were harmed in an HVAC work accident, it is important to know your rights. You may be entitled to compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance and/or a third-party claim.

Types of Work Injuries for Which You May Be Owed Compensation

Per Illinois law, workers’ compensation coverage is "no-fault." This means that you do not have to show that your employer or another party’s actions caused your work injury to be covered by workers’ compensation. As long as the injured person is an employee and not an independent contractor and the injury occurred during the course of work, the injured person is typically covered.

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 Posted on February 23, 2021 in Auto Accidents

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a truck collides with another vehicle or a pedestrian, the results are often catastrophic. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a truck crash, you may be interested in pursuing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. An injury claim may allow you to hold the liable party accountable for the truck collision and recover compensation for your damages. However, in order to build a credible claim, you will need to show evidence of the defendant’s negligence, the connection between your injuries and the defendant’s actions, as well as your damages.

Basic Components of a Successful Truck Accident Claim

Most truck accidents occur because a party acted negligently or carelessly. Legal responsibility for the accident may lie with the truck driver, the trucking company, the designer of a defective truck part, or a number of other parties.

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