Posted on March 18,2022 in Personal Injury

When a person is injured in a car accident, it is important for him or her to seek medical care. In the United States, of course, medical care costs real money. One of the most common questions after such an accident revolves around which party or parties are responsible for these costs. Depending on the details that led to your crash, the at-fault party is likely to be responsible for your medical bills, but getting your medical bills paid may take a substantial amount of time. What are you supposed to do in the meantime?

Covering Your Costs

Filing a claim for compensation in a personal injury situation is an important step, but processing the claim takes time. It is not always immediately clear who was at fault, and even if liability is clear, insurance companies often do not pay out claims immediately.

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 Posted on March 14,2022 in Personal Injury

With the spring season right around with corner, people throughout Northern Illinois will soon be looking to stretch their legs and leave winter behind them. Stores and retail outlets are likely to see a boost in sales over the next few weeks and months, but with more customers out and about, there will also be an increased risk of shopping injury. Wet floors, tripping hazards like extension cords, and falling merchandise can all pose serious threats to shoppers. Fortunately, the legal system provides protection—known as premises liability—for those injured on the property of another. At its most basic, premises liability laws require landowners to make sure that their property is safe for other people to enter, but other complications do often arise.

Shopping Injuries

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 Posted on February 28,2022 in Medical Malpractice

It is not uncommon to develop a strong, trusting relationship with your primary care physician (PCP). Over time, you come to realize that your PCP is someone you rely on to look out for your best interests when it comes to your health. While most PCPs are highly trained, competent medical professionals, some such doctors occasionally make errors that lead to substantial harm for their patients. Such mistakes include failing to diagnose a condition, prescribing the wrong drug, and much more, and they can lead to patient harm that should have been prevented. If you or a member of your family has been hurt by the actions or inaction of a PCP, a qualified medical negligence attorney can assist you in determining the best course of action.

When Is a Mistake Considered to be Negligence?

To become a doctor, an individual is required to successfully complete many years of education after high school, including a significant period of training on-the-job. That being said, physicians are still human, and they make mistakes from time to time. Some mistakes are essentially harmless, but others can lead to serious patient injuries or even death. When a doctor’s error causes a patient to experience new or worsening medical problems, the situation could be considered to be medical negligence.

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 Posted on February 22,2022 in Personal Injury

In the moments after a car crash, it is understandable that you might be rattled and more or less in a state of shock. This is especially true if you or someone you love was injured in the crash. With so much going on and all of the confusion, it is not terribly uncommon for the driver who caused the accident to approach you with a request to settle on the spot without involving the police or insurance companies. He or she might even have his or her wallet or checkbook open.

Accepting a handshake deal on the spot might seem tempting. After all, it can be difficult to deal with insurance companies, the police, and possibly the courts. However, it is almost always a bad idea to accept a verbal settlement offer at the scene. It is a much better option to call the police, your insurance company, and a qualified personal injury lawyer.

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 Posted on February 16,2022 in Personal Injury

Driving an 18-wheeler truck or tractor-trailer is not an easy job. Often, drivers are expected to drive hundreds of miles a day and deal with stresses like traffic congestion, detours, and other slowdowns which make their days even longer. Unfortunately, this leads to many drivers being chronically exhausted and sleep deprived. Some truck drivers end up taking stimulants just to stay awake and drive. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident involving a fatigued or otherwise impaired truck driver, you may be able to get financial compensation for your losses.

Studies Show Truck Driver Fatigue is a Major Factor in Truck Accidents

In a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it was found that approximately 13 percent of serious crashes involving large trucks are caused by driver fatigue. Other factors which contributed to serious truck accidents include driver drug use, including both legal and illegal drugs, inattention to the road, and driver illness. Truck drivers are often operating vehicles that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. A vehicle of this size can cause colossal damage during a crash.

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 Posted on February 08,2022 in Personal Injury

When you think about the health risks associated with consuming too much alcohol, you might think of issues such as high blood pressure or liver disease. Health conditions such as these, however, are just some of the countless ways that alcohol abuse can lead to injuries or death. Injuries related to alcohol, including those resulting from car crashes, falls, or violence, are quite common. In addition, international statistics indicate that about 3.2 percent of deaths worldwide are linked to alcohol.

If you have been hurt in an accident related to alcohol, you have the right to file a personal injury claim against the party whose alcohol use caused the incident. However, in some cases, you might also be able to bring a claim against an establishment that served the party alcohol. Such claims may be filed under what are known as the Illinois Dram Shop laws.  

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 Posted on January 28,2022 in Medical Malpractice

Surgery, in general, is risky but having a competent surgeon and anesthesiologist should never be a concern for a patient. Unfortunately, there are examples of patients being injured because of an anesthesiologist’s medical negligence. The patient is the victim in these instances and the anesthesiologist could be held liable for any injuries or illnesses resulting from anesthesia error.

Different Forms of Anesthesia

Each type of anesthesia is designed to help keep you comfortable and pain-free while being operated on. Depending on the severity of your surgery, there are different types and levels of anesthesia that would be administered, including:

• General Anesthesia – The most common anesthesia used for major surgeries and is administered by an anesthesiologist through either a mask or IV into your vein. The anesthesiologist will monitor the patient’s vital signs throughout the duration of the operation.

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 Posted on January 27,2022 in Uncategorized

 Birth injuries can often be life-changing for both the affected child and his or her entire family. In some cases, birth injuries are caused by negligent doctors, nurses or hospital staff involved with the birthing process or infant care. Labor and delivery negligence can lead to injuries such as brachial plexus birth palsy. When looking to file for malpractice and receive compensation for a birth injury, it is important to find an attorney that is skilled in personal injury representation. 

What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

The brachial plexus is a nerve system located within the shoulder that extends down through the spine and into the arms and hands. When trauma occurs to the shoulder area, this nerve can become damaged leading to significant and lasting effects within the body. 

Brachial plexus nerve damage during birth (Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury) often occurs in larger babies. The top of the head gets pulled away from the neck leading to strain on the shoulder and neck nerves. Breech babies, women in extended labor and babies stuck under the pelvis bone for long periods of time are all at risk for a brachial plexus injury. This injury can lead to lasting medical conditions including:

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 Posted on January 18,2022 in Car Accident

The cost of a single car accident can be substantial but if you are not the at-fault driver, then you should not be the one paying for it. Expenses can add up quickly when it comes to medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering associated with being injured in a serious car wreck. The compensation process can be very difficult, so knowing how to go about getting what you deserve as a victim is essential. If the pain or soreness after an accident lasts for an extended period of time, you may also need to take action against the at-fault driver and his or her insurance company.

Illinois is an “At-Fault” State

In the state of Illinois, if you are not the one responsible for causing an accident, then you may be able to recieve financial compensation for expenses stemming from the wreck. In order to pursue compensation, you will likely need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you cannot recover adequate compensation through an insurance claim, you may need to file a civil lawsuit. In some cases, a car accident victim may be compensated by the at-fault driver’s employer or even a member of the at-fault driver’s household.

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 Posted on January 06,2022 in Workers' Compensation

Suffering an injury of any kind at work can be life-altering, and knowing what to do next to protect yourself is essential. Going through the process of a workers’ compensation brain injury case can be very arduous and complex. The process is lengthy because traumatic brain injuries take time to develop and properly diagnose. Most common workplace injuries are preventable but being mindful of any symptoms you may be noticing after an accident and knowing your legal rights if those symptoms continue to worsen is critical.

 Most Common Workplace Injuries

Any injury involving your brain, skull, or scalp is categorized as a head injury. The most common ways these workplace injuries occur are:

• Falling from a height — Falling a significant height off a ladder, roof, or scaffolding can cause serious and sometimes fatal head injuries. Even a fall from a few feet can cause a traumatic brain injury.

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