Posted on February 10,2020 in Recreational Vehicle Accidents

Illinois offers a great number of outdoor recreation opportunities. During the winter months, many outdoor enthusiasts enjoy climbing aboard a snowmobile and cruising off into the wintery landscape. Unfortunately, as enjoyable as snowmobiling is, it can often be equally as dangerous. Snowmobile accidents are relatively common, and many of these accidents result in severe injuries or even death. If you or a loved one have been injured in a snowmobile accident, you may have incurred significant medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. If the injury was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to receive compensation for these and other expenses related to the accident.   

Top Causes of Snowmobile Accidents

It is estimated that about 2 million people ride snowmobiles each year in the United States. Of these snowmobile drivers, about 14,000 will suffer an injury in a snowmobile crash. Snowmobile accidents often result in broken bones, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Sadly, it is estimated that about 200 people die in snowmobile accidents every year. Some of these accidents are caused by a snowmobile driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not skilled enough to safely maneuver the vehicle, or traveling at unsafe speeds for the terrain conditions. However, many snowmobile injuries are not the fault of the driver. In some cases, another party’s negligent actions or inaction are to blame for the driver’s injuries.

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 Posted on January 29,2020 in Premises Liability

Although dogs are referred to as “man’s best friend,” dog attacks do happen. Severe injuries including deep lacerations, broken bones, and nerve damage and can result from a dog bite. Because dogs’ mouths are filled with bacteria, wounds from a dog bite can quickly become dangerously infected. In some cases, a dog bite can also cause terrible disfiguration. Dog attack victims may require an extended hospital stay, antibiotic medication, and surgery to correct the damage. The physical and emotional scars caused by a dog attack can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog attack, you may be wondering who will be responsible for the medical bills incurred by the attack. The answer depends on several factors.

Illinois Law Regarding Dog Bites

In some situations, the owner of the dog can be held legally responsible for any injuries caused by the dog. Illinois statute 510 ILCS 5/16 states that a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by a dog attack when the following conditions are present:

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 Posted on January 27,2020 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

The spine is made up of 33 bones that encase the delicate nerves of the spinal cord. In addition to the spine, the back contains muscles and soft tissue that support the body and allow us to move. When the spine or back is injured, the injured person may experience extreme pain and be unable to move around normally for months or even years. Even a seemingly minor back injury can cause a person debilitating pain and discomfort. If you have suffered a back injury in a work accident, car accident, slip and fall, or other incident involving negligence or wrongdoing, a personal injury lawsuit may help you receive compensation.

Common Back Injuries That May Lead to a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Almost any type of back injury that causes damages such as missed work and medical bills may be grounds for a personal injury claim. Most personal injury claims are brought against a negligent party. The negligent party could be a driver who caused an accident by driving drunk or texting while driving, a restaurant that exposed patrons to a hazardous condition, a landlord who did not properly maintain a property, and many more. 

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 Posted on January 23,2020 in Distracted Driving Accidents

These days, we use cell phones for almost everything that once required the use of a personal computer. Modern technology allows us to watch the news, check our bank account balance, and even shop for groceries all with our smartphone. Unfortunately, the increasing functionality of cell phones also means more opportunities for distracted driving. Texting and driving has long been a major concern, but now motorists and pedestrians must also worry about drivers scrolling through Facebook, taking pictures of themselves, or even watching Netflix while driving.

Distracted Driving Concerns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nine people are killed in accidents involving distracted driving every day in the U.S. and over 1,000 are injured. When cell phones first gained widespread popularity among the general public, the main concern was texting and driving. Today, there are many additional dangers. In one study, nearly 20 percent of drivers admitted to checking social media accounts while driving. Even more surprising, 8 percent of drivers admitted to watching videos while driving.

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 Posted on January 22,2020 in Wrongful Death

Everyone faces death eventually. However, some people are taken from this earth too soon. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident or other incident caused by negligence, you may be completely unsure of what to do next. The unexpected loss of a loved one not only causes sorrow and grief but often great financial harm as well. Your loved one may have undergone expensive medical treatments before he or she passed away that now leave your family burdened with medical debt. The death may have left the deceased person’s spouse and children without their main source of income and healthcare benefits. These are only some of the damages that may be available through a wrongful death claim.

Illinois Law Regarding Wrongful Death

Wrongful death claims are civil claims brought against a party who is liable for a death. A wrongful death claim could follow a fatal drunk driving accident, fatal work accident, or many other scenarios. Illinois law states that a party may be entitled to recover damages when death is caused by “wrongful act, neglect, or default.” Under Illinois law, a personal representative of the deceased—often the executor of the state—may bring a wrongful death “for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse and next of kin of the deceased person.”

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 Posted on January 15,2020 in Lake County Injury Attorney

Illinois is known for its harsh winter weather, and homeowners are constantly battling the accumulation of snow and ice on driveways and walkways. Serious slip-and-fall injuries can occur when a person slips on an icy area, but a homeowner is only legally responsible for these injuries under certain circumstances. Read on to learn more about homeowner liability in slip and fall cases involving winter weather and what you should do if you have been injured because of a property owner’s negligence.

Illinois Law Regarding Injuries Caused by Icy Conditions on a Residential Property

Not every slip and fall accident caused by ice is the fault of the property owner. In order to bring a successful premises liability case against a homeowner, your injuries must have been caused by the property owner’s negligence. Property owners and property managers have a legal obligation to keep their property reasonably safe and free of dangerous conditions. This includes clearing driveways and walkways clear of snow and ice. However, if the icy condition is not caused by negligence but is simply a product of Mother Nature, the homeowner may not be liable for injuries caused by the icy condition.

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 Posted on January 13,2020 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Being involved in a serious car accident or other injury-causing incident can leave both physical and mental scars. Experiencing the chaos and destruction caused by a major auto accident firsthand can be extremely shocking. Some car accident victims are even witness to the death or catastrophic injury of other individuals involved in the accident such as passengers or pedestrians. Needless to say, these mental images can haunt a person for years. Mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, phobias, and depression can be caused or worsened by a major accident. These injuries may not be observable in the way that a broken arm is evident, but they are just as real.

Signs of Psychological Distress After an Accident

While we often think about physical injuries when we think of the damage caused by major auto accidents, the psychological damage caused can often be just as distressing or even worse than the physical injuries. One mental condition that is especially common in accident victims is PTSD. The symptoms of PTSD may only become apparent weeks or months after the traumatizing event. They include but are not limited to:

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 Posted on January 08,2020 in Brain Injuries

When someone is involved in a car accident, slip and fall, or other injury-causing accident, they may suffer a mild traumatic brain injury called a concussion. Most of the time, the symptoms caused by a concussion are short-term. However, some people who suffer a concussion develop post-concussion syndrome. The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome can dramatically affect a person’s ability to do his or her job, participate in hobbies, care for children, and enjoy life the way he or she could before the concussion occurred.

Common Causes of Concussions

A concussion is a brain injury that occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull or is otherwise injured. A violent blow to the head, such as a person hitting his or her head on the dashboard during a car accident, can cause a concussion. Sports, falling, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, and physical abuse can also cause someone to suffer a concussion. It is not always easy to know if you have a concussion. Symptoms such as headache, nausea, and confusion may not appear for days or even weeks after the injury. This is one reason that it is so important for anyone involved in an auto accident or other serious accident to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.

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 Posted on January 06,2020 in Car Accidents

Being involved in a severe car accident can impact the rest of your life. Not only can a car crash leave you with enormous medical bills, but it can also stop you from enjoying life the way you did before being involved in the accident. Through a personal injury claim, you may be able to get compensation for your hospital bills, prescription medication costs, and other expenses. You may also be able to receive compensation for your pain and suffering as well as any disability or disfigurement caused by the accident. These are only some of the damages available to injured plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits. However, in order for a person seriously injured in a car accident to win a personal injury claim, he or she must prove that the other driver was in some way responsible for the accident. Along with a qualified attorney, an accident reconstruction specialist may help you prove fault in a car accident claim.  

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 Posted on December 27,2019 in Personal Injury Lawsuits

Severe burn injuries are some of the most painful and debilitating injuries a person can possibly experience. Burns can leave a person with horrible scars—both physically and mentally. A major burn injury can also leave a person unable to enjoy the activities they once could, work in their chosen profession, and keep their independence. When a person is severely burned due to the negligence of another party, they deserve justice. Through a personal injury lawsuit, a burn victim may be able to recover compensation for the damages the negligence caused them and their family.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

There are a variety of ways that a person can sustain a severe burn injury. In some serious auto accidents, a vehicle’s gasoline ignites and causes the car to burst into flames. This can result in severe burns as well as severe psychological trauma. Burn injuries can also be the result of gas explosions, electrocutions, chemical accidents, and fires at worksites. Apartment and hotel fires can be especially disastrous. When a person is trapped inside of a large building during a fire, they may not be able to get out in time to avoid severe burns and smoke inhalation damage. Defective products such as items with faulty wiring, defective appliances, malfunctioning batteries, and defective fuel tanks can also cause burn injuries.  

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