Posted on May 12,2022 in Nursing Home Abuse/ Neglect

Many families are forced to make the decision to place an elderly loved one in a nursing home because they have reached the point where they can no longer live on their own and require round-the-clock care and assistance. Nursing home staff are responsible for helping residents with their personal hygiene tasks, such as showering and dressing, as well as making sure they take their medication, eat right, and participate in socializing. The law requires that these duties are carried out with both compassion and care.

But not all nursing home staff obey these laws, and when they fail to comply, the results can result in serious injury or even death for a resident. A nursing home resident who is not physically or mentally able to care for their own needs could forget to eat, take their medication, wander off the facility, or fall because no one is supervising them. It is critical for all families to be aware of any signs that could indicate their loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect.

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 Posted on April 22,2022 in Uncategorized

When an accident victim has suffered an injury, they may not realize that they have been injured. This is because there are many types of injuries that do not present symptoms right away. These injuries can take days, or even weeks, before symptoms began to appear and the victim realizes something is wrong. These delayed symptom injuries can occur in vehicle crashes, slip and fall incidents, or any other type of accidents.

Dealing with Delayed Symptoms

Delayed symptoms are one reason why personal injury attorneys recommend that victims do not settle with their claims with insurance companies right away. It is also why insurance companies do try to get victims to settle quickly. Once you have accepted a settlement, your accident claim is closed, even if it turns out you have suffered a serious injury.

Since there is always a risk in any kind of accidents that injury symptoms may be delayed, it is always recommended that victims get checked out by a medical professional following any kind of incident, even if they do not believe they have been hurt.

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 Posted on April 14,2022 in Personal Injury

The month of April has been designated as National Youth Sports Safety Month. One of the best ways for children to stay healthy and make new friends is participate in school-related or recreational sports. Although it can be fun for a child to be part of a team and learn about engaging in healthy competition with others, it is important for parents to be aware of the injury risks associated with these activities. It is also important for parents to realize that just as they are responsible for keeping their children safe, so too are the school officials, coaches, and recreational staff who are also involved in these activities.

Sports-Related Injury Awareness

It is estimated that more than 2.5 million children are treated in emergency rooms each year for sports-related injuries in the United States. There are a number of activities that children engage in that can result in serious injuries. Some of the more common include:

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 Posted on March 23,2022 in Car Accidents

In the majority of vehicle accidents that take place, there is typically one driver who is found to be at fault for the crash. That driver is the one that, under the law, is responsible for the losses the accident causes, such as injuries or damage to property. If the driver who is at fault is a private citizen, then usually the victim files a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company. If the at-fault driver was working for a business at the time of the crash, then the victim would typically file a claim against the company’s insurance company. When the crash involves a ridesharing vehicle, determining the at-fault party becomes much more complicated.

How Is Liability Determined?

In ridesharing crashes, the driver’s status at the time of the crash is what will determine how the accident claim will be filed. According to company policies:

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 Posted on March 17,2022 in Car Accidents

When a drunk driver causes injury to a victim, that victim not only can pursue damages from the drunk driver, but they can also pursue damages from the establishment that sold the alcohol to that driver. This action can be done under the Illinois Liquor Control Act. The majority of these actions occur as a result of drunk driving accidents; however, there are some other scenarios where the law could also apply.

Dram Shop Law

Under the Illinois Liquor Control Act, as referred to as the Dram Shop Act, any person who is injured (or the victim’s family if the victim is killed) due to the actions of an intoxicated individual can pursue legal action against any party licensed to sell alcohol who caused the intoxication by selling or giving alcohol to the individual. Affected parties can be:

• An establishment, such as a bar or restaurant, that sells alcohol to individuals who consume the alcohol on the premises.

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 Posted on February 15,2022 in Personal Injury

Losing a family member is always heartbreaking, even when that loss was expected, such as old age or a terminal illness. But when their death was caused by the negligent action or behavior of someone else, families are often left devastated by the suddenness and shock of it all. Not only are families left with the emotional devastation, but the victim’s death can also cause financial hardship, especially if he or she was the primary breadwinner for the family. In these types of tragedies, the family may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against those parties who are deemed legally liable for the victim’s death.

What Is a Wrongful Death?

According to Illinois law, wrongful death is defined as one that is caused “by wrongful act, neglect or default.” One way to understand what would constitute a wrongful death is that under the same circumstances, had the victim lived, they would have been able to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that caused the accident that resulted in their injuries.

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 Posted on February 04,2022 in Car Accidents

Most drivers have had the experience of being on the road and suddenly hearing sirens or seeing red flashing lights. We pull over in time to see a fire truck, police cars, or other emergency vehicles go racing by. Emergency responders provide a valuable service and are generally the first on the scene when threatening and tragic events happen but getting caught in front or alongside them on the road can put you in a potentially dangerous situation, making car accidents and injuries more likely to occur.

Emergency Vehicle Accidents

Police, firefighters, and emergency medical services (EMS) workers have the authority to go above speed limits and to disregard traffic signs and signals to protect the public and save lives in potentially dangerous situations. Unfortunately, these driving behaviors are among the leading causes of car accidents and injuries. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that emergency vehicle accidents pose enough of a hazard on roads and highways to warrant additional studies on how these accidents occur and what can be done to prevent them. In addition to the high rates of speed these vehicles travel in carrying out their duties, other factors involved in these accidents include the following:

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 Posted on January 26,2022 in Car Accidents

Most people have busy lives, and it is understandable for a person to want to be able to complete multiple tasks at once, especially when they are engaged in routine activities that do not seem to require their full attention. However, multitasking while driving is not just a bad idea, but it can have deadly results. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous practices that a driver can engage in, and it is far too common on the roads in the United States. These unsafe behaviors lead to thousands of fatal car accidents every year, as well as tens of thousands of non-fatal injuries. Drivers, passengers, or others who are injured by distracted drivers will want to understand their options for pursuing financial compensation that will address the damages they have suffered.

The Most Dangerous Types of Distracted Driving

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 Posted on January 13,2022 in Premises Liability

Winters in the Chicago area can be dangerous. Large amounts of snowfall, below-freezing temperatures that last for weeks at a time, and other weather conditions can lead to slippery surfaces that may cause slip-and-fall accidents. These accidents can result in multiple types of serious injuries, including broken bones, dislocated joints such as wrists or knees, whiplash, concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, and other forms of bodily harm. In these situations, injury victims will often wonder who was responsible for an accident, and they will want to determine their options for pursuing compensation from a property owner or another party who acted in a way that put them at risk of harm. By understanding how Illinois law addresses these cases, victims can determine their options for seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

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 Posted on December 23,2021 in Personal Injury

Bus accidents have the potential to be very dangerous and injure a lot of people at once. Passengers inside typically lack seatbelts and are vulnerable to being thrown during a crash. Those who were standing on a crowded bus are in particular danger of being seriously injured. Personal vehicles do not stand a chance in a collision with a heavy bus, which puts others on the road at extreme risk when the bus does not operate safely. The responsibility of a bus driver to drive safely is crucial because bus accidents can be so devastating.

Unfortunately, not every driver or every bus company takes that duty seriously enough. If you were hurt in a bus accident, it is important that you speak with an attorney as soon as you can so he can begin preserving evidence right away.

What Careless Practices Lead to Bus Crashes?

Buses are not easy vehicles to drive. They are large, cumbersome, and make wide turns. It can be difficult to see well at all times. Driving a bus safely requires focus and proper training. The bus company is also responsible for performing routine inspections and maintenance to ensure that a vehicular failure will not cause a wreck. Common reasons bus crashes may happen anyway include:

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