Recent Blog Posts
Premises Liability in Illinois: Holding Property Owners Accountable for Injuries
Premises liability governs the legal responsibilities of property owners or managers for injuries that occur on their property. Under Illinois law, property owners have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn visitors of any known dangers. If a property owner breaches this duty and someone is injured because of it, the owner may be held liable for damages.
Duty of Care
In Illinois, the duty of care owed by property owners to visitors depends on the visitor's status on the property. The law distinguishes between three types of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees are individuals who are invited onto the property for the owner's benefit, such as customers in a store. Business or property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care and must inspect their property regularly to identify and correct any hazards.
Workers' Compensation Claims in Illinois: Your Rights as an Injured Worker
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program that offers benefits to employees who are injured or suffer an illness due to work responsibilities. Employees in Illinois and most states that offer this insurance are eligible for these benefits regardless of fault.
Your Rights as an Injured Worker in Illinois
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA) governs worker's compensation claims in the state. If you are injured in the workplace, you may be entitled to:
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100% medical expenses – Employers must cover all medical costs of the injured worker.
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Temporary total disability benefits (TTD) – If workers have to take some time off to get treatment for workplace injuries, they may be eligible for lost wage benefits. The sum is based on at least 2/3rds of their average gross weekly wages.
Steps to Take Right After a Motorcycle Accident in Illinois
Motorcycle accidents can be devastating and life-changing events. They can cause severe injuries, medical expenses, and emotional trauma. Illinois, like most states, establishes various requirements for individuals involved in any motorcycle accident. A lot of these steps are quite simple and basic. Nevertheless, notifying legal authorities and other technical requirements are slightly more complex.
Here are the steps you must take after a motorcycle accident in Illinois:
1. Stay at the Scene of the Accident
Make sure you stay at the accident scene after a motorcycle accident. Failing to stop is considered a “hit-and-run accident” and a criminal misdemeanor. Nevertheless, in case of death or serious injury, a hit-and-run can be considered a criminal felony.
2. Call the Police
If the accident involves injuries, deaths, or significant property damage, you must call the police. The police will create an accident report, which will be essential when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. It is essential to provide accurate and complete information to the police officer and not admit fault or liability. The police officer will take statements from all parties involved and any witnesses.
Hit by a Car While Walking? Here Is How You Can Maximize Your Compensation
Getting hit by a car while walking can be a terrifying and traumatic experience. It can result in serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost wages from time taken off work. Dealing with the aftermath of such an accident can be physically and emotionally overwhelming.
If you have been hit by a car while walking in Lake County, Illinois, you should know you have legal rights and options. You can consider filing a personal injury claim to pursue compensation for the damages you have suffered.
Here are some tips on maximizing your compensation after being hit by a car while walking:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your health should be your top priority after being hit by a car while walking. Even if you feel fine or have minor injuries, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some injuries may not show up right away but can become more serious if not treated promptly. Additionally, a medical report from a qualified professional can help strengthen your personal injury claim.
How to Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Case
Illinois has a high number of car accidents, leading to numerous injuries annually. Under Illinois law, individuals involved in car accidents have the legal right to hold negligent drivers responsible for any losses they incur. However, proving negligence in a personal injury case can be complex. With the right approach, evidence, and legal strategy, it is possible to achieve a favorable outcome.
In this guide, we will outline some key steps to take to prove negligence in a personal injury case.
What Is Negligence?
Negligence is a legal principle that denotes a lack of reasonable care in one's actions or omissions, leading to harm to another individual. To establish negligence in a personal injury case, the plaintiff, who is the injured party, is required to demonstrate that the defendant, who is the person or entity responsible for the harm, owed a duty of care to exercise reasonable caution, violated that duty, and consequently caused harm.
Understanding Illinois Car Accident Laws - What You Need to Know
According to Illinois law, car accident victims have the right to hold negligible drivers accountable for their losses, including lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and suffering and pain. If you or a loved one were hurt in a crash, you may be entitled to financial compensation for these losses.
How Does Fault Affect a Car Accident Case in Illinois?
Illinois is a "fault-based" state, meaning that the individual at fault for the crash is also responsible for the resulting vehicle damage, injuries, and other losses. The at-fault party is usually another driver. However, businesses, trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, and several other parties may also be at-fault for a car accident.
Requirements for Car Insurance Illinois
A key question that needs to be answered after a car accident is whether the drivers involved in the crash have the proper auto insurance. Illinois drivers must have a minimum of $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury coverage and $20,000 property.
Illinois Law Regarding Non-Bite Injuries Caused by a Dog
Anyone who has been around dogs can confirm that their behavior is sometimes unpredictable. A large dog may run and jump on somebody, knocking them to the ground where they suffer a serious head or spine injury. Dogs who think a neighborhood child is a threat may try to attack the child. Sometimes, dog-related injuries occur not because the dog is aggressive, but because the dog is playing and does not realize its own strength. However, this can still lead to serious injuries.
If you or a loved one were injured by a dog, you may have several questions about your legal rights and options. According to Illinois law, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs in most circumstances. These laws typically apply to dog bite injuries, but the law also covers people who have suffered another type of dog-related injury.
Traumatic Brain Injuries Caused by Fall Accidents
Falling and hitting your head can lead to severe injuries to the skull and brain. Even if the skull remains intact, the brain may strike the inside of the skull and become damaged. An injury to the brain can lead to severe symptoms that dramatically impact a person's everyday life. Depending on the severity of a brain injury, a person may be left with disabilities that prevent him or her from working or enjoying life to the fullest.
If you or somebody you care about suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fall, you might be able to take legal action to recover financial compensation for damages.
Fall Accidents Caused by Unsafe Properties
Illinois law states that property owners and property managers may be liable for injuries that occur on their properties due to hazardous conditions. A property owner cannot completely guarantee that no injuries will ever occur on the property. However, the property owner is expected to maintain reasonably safe premises.
Tips for Negotiating a Settlement After a Car Crash in Lake County
Car crashes can lead to head injuries, neck injuries, internal organ damage, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, burns, and lasting emotional trauma. Victims of car accidents may be entitled to compensation for the damages caused by the accident. Auto insurance is designed to cover accident-related expenses. However, many people who get into a crash soon realize that insurance companies make it very difficult to secure the compensation they need. One of the most challenging parts of securing compensation after a crash is negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a car crash in the Waukegan area, consider working with a car crash injury lawyer who can communicate with the insurance company and negotiate a settlement that covers your losses.
Recognize that the Insurance Company is Not Your Friend
Insurance adjusters are employed by the insurance company. They are going to look after the insurance company’s interests before your interests. Just like any other business, insurance companies want to make money. This means that they may use various tactics to try to undervalue your claim.
5 Parties That May Be Liable for Damages After a Commercial Truck Crash
If you or someone close to you was recently injured in a commercial truck crash, you might be desperate for answers. Who is to blame for the accident? Will the at-fault party be forced to pay damages? How can I hold the liable party accountable?
Answering these questions is rarely easy. Many different parties can be held accountable for a commercial truck crash, and it is important to investigate all of the possible sources of liability in your case.
The Truck Driver
Many people automatically assume that a commercial truck driver is at fault for a crash. While this is often the case, it is not always the truck driver's fault. The truck driver may be liable for a crash if the driver was driving negligently at the time of the accident. Fatigued driving caused by Hours of Service violations, intoxicated driving, speeding, and inattentiveness are all possible causes of a truck crash.
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.