Posted on July 07, 2022 in Medical Malpractice

Few life experiences rival the birth of a new baby. Sadly, what should be a joyous occasion can turn into a nightmare if medical professionals do not uphold their duty to provide competent medical care. Preventable birth injuries can be caused by many different factors. Sometimes, a hospital is understaffed and stretched too thin to provide patients with the personalized attention they deserve. Other times, medical staff are simply careless and act negligently. Whatever the reason, finding out that your baby has suffered an avoidable injury is devastating.

If your child was harmed due to a delayed C-section or failure to perform a necessary C-section, you may be able to seek justice on your baby’s behalf through a medical malpractice claim.

Failure to Perform a Timely C-Section May Constitute Medical Negligence

Doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other medical professionals have a legal duty to provide reasonably skilled medical care to patients. This includes monitoring patients for signs that something is not right. Approximately a third of all newborns are delivered via Cesarean delivery or C-section. Some C-sections are planned in advance and others are performed on an emergency basis due to complications with the mother or infant.

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 Posted on June 29, 2022 in Medical Malpractice

Chiropractors use physical manipulation of the spine to ease pain and increase mobility. Some people swear by chiropractic care. However, seeing a chiropractor is not without risk. Improper spinal manipulation can lead to severe injuries. If you or a loved one were harmed by a chiropractor, you may be able to sue and recover monetary damages.

Injuries From Chiropractic Adjustments

Manipulating the spine can cause injuries to the neck and back. In some cases, bad chiropractic care can even cause a stroke. Dissection of a vertebral artery, spinal stenosis, and herniated disc are just some of the injuries that have been associated with negligent chiropractic adjustments. Research shows that these injuries are more common than one may think – especially among elderly individuals. One report found that adverse effects of chiropractic manipulations occur in up to 61 percent of patients.

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 Posted on June 22, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Trucking companies and carriers have a crucial responsibility to ensure that their trucks and the drivers who operate the trucks do not put others in danger. Commercial trucks are huge vehicles and accidents involving large trucks are often catastrophic. Nearly 5,000 people lost their lives in large truck collisions in 2020 and thousands more were injured.

In some cases, truck crashes or accidents caused by fallen truck cargo are caused by trucking company negligence. When trucking companies take shortcuts during the hiring process or supervision of truck drivers, the companies can be liable for any crashes that occur as a result.

Unqualified Truck Drivers Can Cause Crashes

Driving a large semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or flatbed is no easy task. It takes a great amount of skill to operate a large vehicle safely. Trucking companies must ensure that drivers are qualified to operate a commercial truck by properly vetting applicants.

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 Posted on June 15, 2022 in Car Accidents

In the last several decades, the stigma associated with mental health conditions has slowly started to dissipate. Over a quarter of the population suffers from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and it is nothing to be ashamed of.

PTSD is a serious medical disorder classified by flashbacks, insomnia, and intrusive thoughts. Many car accident victims are plagued by PTSD long after their physical injuries have healed. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car crash and are now dealing with PTSD, it is important to understand your rights.

Signs of PTSD After a Car Crash

Being involved in a serious wreck is a terrifying, traumatic ordeal. Many car accident victims deal with not only their own injuries, but also the shock of seeing other accident victims injured or killed. It is estimated that PTSD affects 25-33 percent of auto accident victims.

Symptoms of PTSD can include:

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 Posted on June 07, 2022 in Personal Injury

Food poisoning affects about 48 million people each year in the U.S. If you have suffered from food poisoning, you know just how miserable it can be. Cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea are sometimes just the start. Food poisoning can also cause extremely high fever and dangerous dehydration.

If you or a loved one suffered from food poisoning or foodborne illness after eating at a restaurant, you may be able to sue the restaurant and recover compensation for your medical bills. However, bringing a successful claim is not easy. You will need to prove that the restaurant’s negligent actions caused your illness and that you sustained damages or financial losses due to the illness. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence and bring a compelling claim against the business that caused the food poisoning.

Liability for Food Poisoning

There are hundreds of different types of food poisoning. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause food poisoning include:

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 Posted on May 31, 2022 in Workers' Compensation

Workers in the manufacturing industry often face a unique set of on-the-job risks. Countless different chemicals and substances are used in the manufacturing process, and the health dangers of these substances are not always fully understood. Sometimes, the health risks associated with certain substances are only known when workers start experiencing medical problems. This was the case with "popcorn lung," a chronic lung disease that was first discovered in the lungs of popcorn plant workers.

Popcorn lung, which is technically called "bronchiolitis obliterans," does not only affect those in the food manufacturing industry. Anyone who is consistently exposed to harmful airborne chemicals can develop the disease. Workers who develop bronchiolitis obliterans may be able to file a workers' compensation claim and recover financial compensation.

Toxic Materials Associated with Bronchiolitis Obliterans

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 Posted on May 20, 2022 in Car Accidents

Almost everyone who has driven a motor vehicle has experienced frustration behind the wheel at some point. Responsible drivers understand that they cannot let feelings of anger or annoyance affect their driving. Unfortunately, not every driver has this level of self-control. Aggressive driving or road rage can be extremely dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association reports that fatal traffic accidents caused by road rage have increased by 500 percent.

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident caused by an aggressive driver, contact a car accident injury lawyer to take legal action.

Erratic, Dangerous Driving on the Rise

Between inflation, soaring gas prices, COVID-19, and everyday stressors, many people are experiencing high levels of anxiety and tension. This can lead some people to overact to traffic-related frustrations. They may speed, change lanes without signaling, run stop signals, tailgate, or even try and cut off other motorists in retribution for perceived wrongs. This type of aggressive driving is very dangerous, putting other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists at risk. Frighteningly, experts say road rage is on the rise.

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 Posted on May 13, 2022 in Personal Injury

Personal injury law deals with injuries and deaths caused by negligence or wrongdoing. There are nearly countless ways that a party’s negligent behavior or wrongful actions can lead to an injury. Many personal injury claims involve car accidents and commercial truck accidents. Others involve injuries caused by defective products. Negligent design or maintenance of a property may also lead to injury claims.

The at-fault party in most personal injury claims is an individual or private company. However, there are also instances in which the government is ultimately at fault for an injury or death. In this situation, is it possible to sue the government for negligence?

Injury Claims Involving the Government

It is possible to sue the government and recover damages for an injury, but doing so is an especially challenging feat. Claims against the government are subject to special rules and procedures. An injured person can bring a claim against the state of Illinois if his or her injury was caused by a state employee or agency. For example, if a state-owned government property contained a dangerous condition and someone was hurt while visiting the property, that person may be able to sue the state for damages. Similarly, if someone was hurt in a car crash caused by a state employee who was on the clock, the state may be responsible for the damages caused in the crash.

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 Posted on May 06, 2022 in Car Accidents

Six people were rushed to the emergency room after a limousine collided with an SUV on the South Side of Chicago on April 29, 2022. Fortunately, all of the crash victims survived. The accident serves as a reminder that car accidents can happen when we least expect it. Limousines are thought of as luxurious and safe, but car accidents involving limos can and do happen. In 2018, a tragic limousine crash caused by brake failure left 20 people dead. The owner of the Prestige Limousine was charged with negligent homicide after it was discovered that he knew about the brake problems and had received multiple warnings from the state to get the limo repaired before the deadly crash.

If you or a loved one were involved in a limousine collision, you may be able to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover monetary damages through a personal injury claim.

Crashes Involving Limos May Be Caused by Multiple Factors

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 Posted on April 26, 2022 in Car Accidents

Illinois has legalized the recreational use of marijuana for adults. However, this does not change the fact that marijuana is an intoxicating compound. Whether it is inhaled, eaten in the form of a marijuana edible, or consumed in another state, cannabis products have serious psychological effects.

The drug impairs concentration and memory, increases reaction time, and harms cognition. Consequently, it is very dangerous to drive while high on marijuana. If you or a loved one were hurt in a car crash caused by a driver under the influence of marijuana, you may be able to take legal action and recover damages.

Car Crashes Caused by Drugged Driving

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal for a reason. Intoxicated drivers are more likely to make mistakes that can lead to injury-causing and fatal accidents. They are also more likely to react slowly to a dangerous situation on the road such as a stalled vehicle or dropped truck cargo. If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident and you suspect that the driver was intoxicated by marijuana, do not hesitate to take legal action. Contact a personal injury lawyer experienced in car crash injuries who can help. You may be able to hold the driver accountable for the harm caused to you or your loved one. You may also be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. Past and future medical bills, vehicle repair or replacement costs, and lost wages from missed work during your recovery may all be compensable. You may also be entitled to compensation for the crash's non-financial consequences on you and your family, such as pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

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