Posted on April 28, 2023 in Personal Injury

A personal injury lawsuit is a means of pursuing financial compensation for harm caused by another party’s negligence. The plaintiff, or the individual who was injured, brings the lawsuit against the party who was responsible for his or her injury, called the defendant. The defendant may be a negligent driver, an insurance company, a property owner, a business, or even a government entity.

A crucial aspect of a personal injury lawsuit is discovery. During the discovery process, the defendant and the plaintiff gather information about the facts of the case using various legal tools. The information gathered during discovery may help the parties negotiate a settlement and avoid taking the case to trial. If no settlement is reached and the case does go to trial, the information gathered during discovery will be used as evidence in court.

Information-Gathering Strategies Used in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Discovery exists so that both sides of a lawsuit have all of the information and can build their cases effectively. Depositions are sometimes used in personal injury lawsuits to gather oral testimony from parties who are placed under oath. A deposition is a formal meeting that takes place in front of a court reporter who will record everything the parties and their attorneys say.

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 Posted on April 20, 2023 in Personal Injury

Severe and catastrophic burn injuries can occur in a car accident, equipment-related accident, fire, workplace accident, farm accident, or a number of other situations. Suffering a severe burn injury is a life-changing experience. Not only are burns extremely painful, but they also often lead to permanent disfigurement. Furthermore, the psychological trauma associated with a severe burn may plague the burn victim for years or decades.

When a burn injury is caused by another party's recklessness, carelessness, intentional wrongdoing, or negligence, the victim may be able to take legal action against that party. A personal injury claim can be used to pursue monetary damages as well as justice for the terrible event.

Legal Rights of Burn Injury Victims in Illinois

Illinois law allows an injured person to file a civil claim for damages against the party who caused his or her injury. The party responsible for a severe burn may be a negligent driver, property owner, contractor at a construction site, product manufacturer, or numerous other parties.

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 Posted on April 14, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

Work-related injuries can lead to physical, emotional, and financial hardship for workers and their families. In Illinois, injured workers will be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, as long as an injury occurred while they were working or arose out of their employment. Workers' comp benefits address medical expenses related to a work injury, and they also provide wage replacement for those who experience disabilities. In some cases, a person may be totally disabled, meaning that the injuries they suffered prevent them from returning to work and earning an income. In these situations, it is important to understand the total disability benefits that will be available through workers' compensation.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

Depending on the severity of an injury, a person may be unable to work while they are recovering. For example, a back injury may prevent a person from walking, standing in place for extended periods of time, bending over, lifting objects, or performing other work-related tasks. Especially serious injuries may even require a person to remain in bed or a seated position throughout the day, making it impossible for them to perform any work. For those who are unable to work at all during a period of recovery, TTD benefits will help cover some of the income they would have been able to earn during that time. A person may also receive these benefits if they have been approved for light-duty work by their doctor, but their employer is unable to accommodate them and provide them with a temporary position with duties that fit their limitations.

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 Posted on April 07, 2023 in Car Accidents

Car accidents and truck accidents are very dramatic with regard to severity. Some accident victims are able to walk away from the crash relatively unscathed. They may have a few bumps and bruises, but the crash does not have a lasting impact on their quality of life or ability to work. For others, the accident represents one of the most significant life events they ever experience.

Crashes resulting in dismemberment or requiring surgical amputation of a limb are rare. However, they do occur. If you or a loved one suffered an amputation injury as a result of a car accident, it is crucial that you understand your legal rights and options.

Legal Options After a Car Crash Resulting in Amputation

Illinois law gives crash victims the option to bring a personal injury claim against the party who caused the accident. In many cases, the at-fault party is another driver. Distracted driving, intoxicated driving, speeding, failure to yield, and other forms of negligent driving are common causes of accidents in Illinois. The liable party could also be a commercial trucking company, manufacturer or designer of vehicle parts, or several other parties.

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 Posted on March 23, 2023 in Personal Injury

Many people swear by chiropractic care, believing it can help relieve back pain and other ailments. However, chiropractic treatments can cause serious injuries if not done correctly. If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of chiropractic adjustments or other treatments, you may be wondering: Can I sue a chiropractor for an injury?

Chiropractors and the Duty of Care

Like all medical professionals, chiropractors are required to maintain a professional standard of care when providing treatment. This means that they must adhere to certain protocols, such as obtaining a full patient history, following accepted medical practices, and getting informed consent from their patients. If the chiropractor fails to meet this standard of care, then they may be considered negligent and, therefore, liable for damages.

Chiropractors can make mistakes during adjustments that seriously injure patients. For example, a chiropractor can misapply force to an area of the body that is not meant to be manipulated, causing damage or tissue tears. In extreme cases, improper chiropractic treatments can lead to pinched nerves, herniated discs, or even broken bones. Tragically, in rare cases, chiropractor malpractice is fatal. Vertebral artery dissection caused by improper chiropractic care can lead to ischemic stroke, thrombus formation, paralysis, or death.

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 Posted on March 16, 2023 in Personal Injury

The men and women who keep our roadways working safely and efficiently perform an essential duty. Unfortunately, these workers are also at risk for a wide variety of job-related injuries. If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident while working on a road or highway, you may be able to take legal action and recover monetary damages. Depending on the type of worker and the circumstances of the accident, an injured road worker may be covered by workers' compensation. However, it may also be possible to recover compensation through a personal injury claim.

Third-Party Liability for Injured Road Construction Workers

In Illinois, workers' compensation insurance is required for businesses with one or more employees. If an injured worker is an employee who was hurt on the job, he or she may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and part of their lost income through workers' compensation.

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 Posted on March 09, 2023 in Personal Injury

The ability to see is one ability that most people take for granted. Seeing allows us to drive, read, interact easily with computer screens and smartphones, and generally go about our everyday lives. An accident resulting in a loss of vision can leave victims feeling helpless and isolated from the world. Injuries resulting in vision loss or blindness are some of the most devastating injuries a person can experience, and the devastation is compounded when the injury is caused by another party's negligent actions.

Filing a personal injury claim may be a viable option for individuals in this situation. 

Accidents Resulting in Eye Injuries or Vision Loss

Sadly, many accidents resulting in vision loss are entirely preventable. Incidents resulting in eye injuries or vision loss can occur from a wide range of circumstances, including:

• Auto accidents - The force from a car accident may send shards of glass or metal into the eyes, resulting in permanent damage. Crashes involving commercial trucks hauling dangerous chemicals can lead to chemical burns and severe eye problems if an accident victim is exposed to these hazardous materials.

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 Posted on March 02, 2023 in Personal Injury

Springfield, Illinois and the surrounding areas are a unique combination of farmland and cities. Because of this, it is common to see farm animals roaming around the area, sometimes near roads. Unfortunately, these animals can cause severe car accidents if they are not contained properly. If you or a loved one were in a car crash caused by a farm animal, you may be able to take legal action and recover financial compensation for your damages.

Accidents Caused by Cows and Other Livestock

Illinois is ranked fourth in the country for auto collisions involving animals. When they are not contained by a fence or structure, animals like cows, horses, or pigs can wander into the road and cause an accident. Drivers may strike the animal head-on or swerve to avoid missing the animal, only to collide with another vehicle or object. Accidents caused by farm animals often leave vehicle occupants with physical injuries, vehicle damage, and substantial financial losses. In some cases, accidents caused by livestock are fatal.

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 Posted on February 28, 2023 in Personal Injury

Catastrophic injuries are injuries that lead to significant, long-lasting impairment. When we think about catastrophic injuries, pileup car accidents or explosive industrial accidents may come to mind. However, slip and fall accidents can also cause catastrophic injuries.

Each year, thousands of people suffer from serious injuries due to slips and falls on unsafe premises. Often, these incidents occur in places like grocery stores, office buildings, or restaurants where property owners have neglected to keep the premises free of dangerous conditions. If you or a loved one were severely injured in a slip and fall accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your damages.

When Falling Down Leads to Life-Changing Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can cause catastrophic injuries including spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries. These types of injuries typically require long-term medical treatment and physical therapy, resulting in expensive medical bills. The injured person may experience life-changing symptoms that dramatically reduce his or her quality of life, including:

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 Posted on February 22, 2023 in Workers' Compensation

Working in an office is typically seen as less dangerous than professions requiring physical labor. However, this does not mean that serious injuries cannot occur in an office environment. The most common workers' compensation claims involving office employees involve injuries caused by repetitive motions or repetitive strain on a specific body part.

Office workers are just as entitled to compensation through workers' compensation as employees in other lines of work. Unfortunately, however, office workers often have a difficult time getting their claim approved. Because office environments are usually seen as less dangerous, there is a tendency to think that workers should not be able to obtain compensation for injuries sustained in the workplace. This is simply not true.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Typing

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common workers' compensation claims among office employees. This disorder is caused by repetitive activities, such as typing at a computer for an extended period. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, and stiffness in the hands, wrists, and arms.

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