Glenview Elder Injury Attorneys

Lawyers in Cook County Protecting the Rights of Injured Seniors

While everyone experiences the same accidents and mishaps to a degree, there are certain situations that are statistically more likely to affect seniors. However, very often, no lawsuit is brought, either because it is seen as a waste of time or because the injured party does not know how to begin. If you are familiar with some of the common causes of action likely to disproportionately affect the elderly, you may be able to bring the appropriate suit to recover compensation, and the team at Gruzmark Law, Ltd. is equipped to help you do so.

Falls

By far, the most common injuries sustained by elderly people are related to falls, either at home or in public places. Approximately one-third of those over age 65 report falling at least once per year, and many of those falls yielded injury severe enough to require a visit to the doctor or emergency room. When an elderly person falls, he or she may be much more severely injured than a younger person might have been in the same fall. In addition, the impact to the victim's quality of life may be substantial as well.

At Gruzmark Law, Ltd. , we recognize the challenges that older fall victims face when seeking compensation for injuries caused by another's negligence. With this in mind, we will work hard to build the best possible case and to protect our clients rights at every stage of the personal injury process.

Auto/Pedestrian Accidents

While obviously, automobile accidents can be fatal for anyone involved, the percentage is distinctly higher for elderly drivers or passengers. While fewer people tend to keep their driver's licenses as they age, the rate of fatal accident for drivers over the age of 70 has noticeably increased, and continues to do so through the 85+ bracket. Elderly pedestrians are also at higher risk than those of younger years, simply because accident trauma may be poorly handled by an elderly person's body compared to that of a young person.

Be advised that if you are involved in an accident as either a driver or a passenger, and the plaintiff is elderly, you may be subject to the rule referred to at common law as the "eggshell plaintiff rule." It is very common for elderly people to suffer harm beyond what an average person might experience if they are in an accident, due to their somewhat more precarious state of health. Sometimes a defendant will try to argue that since the person was particularly vulnerable, they should not be liable for all the plaintiff's injuries because they were unforeseeable (and unforeseeable events are not compensable). The eggshell plaintiff rule holds that the defendant must take their plaintiff "as they find them," meaning that their health is irrelevant for the purpose of damage calculation. Whatever injuries the plaintiff sustains are compensable, if the defendant is found to be liable.

Call 847-729-7660 for a Free Consult

Elderly Illinois residents might have to take extra care with their health, but this does not mean that they are not entitled to seek redress if they are injured due to someone else's negligence. If you have been victimized, contact our office. Call Gruzmark Law, Ltd. at 847-729-7660 for a free, confidential consultation today. From our office in Glenview, we represent elderly clients and their families in Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, the North Shore, Glenview, Northbrook, Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Skokie, and surrounding communities.