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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 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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