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:

• The injury was caused by the defendant’s dog.

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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.

Economic damages can also cover any lost wages or income resulting from your injuries, including missed work time during your recovery and for decreased earning potential due to disability or disfigurement. If you suffered property damage in the same incident in which you were injured, you may also be entitled to compensation for those losses.

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.

Workers’ Compensation Claims for Injured Drivers

In Illinois, workers’ compensation benefits are available to employees who are injured in the course of their work. Many occupations involve driving on an almost daily basis, including:

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:

• Duty – The doctor, specialist, or other medical provider owed a “duty of care” to the patient. This criterion is met by the formation of a doctor-patient relationship.

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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.   

Workers’ compensation claims are “no-fault” meaning that, in most cases, an employee is entitled to benefits regardless of who was at fault for the injury.