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Seeking Justice After Injuries Suffered in a Fire or Explosion
Being injured in a fire or explosion is one of the most painful and traumatic things a person can go through. If you or a loved one suffered burns, respiratory injuries, or other injuries in a fire, you may be able to seek justice through a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim is a civil claim brought against a party for that party's negligent or wrongful actions. The defendant in a personal injury claim may be a business, product manufacturing company, property owner, trucking company, negligent driver, or a number of other parties.
Burns and Smoke Inhalation Injuries Caused by Negligence
Modern homes and businesses have smoke detectors, fire escapes, and other fire prevention measures. However, these measures are not always enough to prevent a fire or explosion from occurring. Building code violations, failure to install adequate fire prevention equipment, negligent practices, mistakes, and oversights can lead to fires resulting in severe harm.
Wrongful Death Damages for Fatal Car Accidents in Illinois
A wrongful death claim is a civil legal action taken by the representative of a deceased person. This representative is often a surviving spouse or close family member. If your loved one passed away in a fatal car crash in Illinois, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver or other liable parties.
Damages that may be available in a wrongful death claim for fatal car accidents in Illinois include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can reimburse the deceased person’s family members for financial losses associated with the accident while non-economic damages address the non-financial suffering caused by the death.
Possible Damages in an Illinois Wrongful Death Claim
Losing a loved one is not only shocking and traumatic, but it can also bring significant financial loss. Economic damages recognize this financial suffering by providing compensation through monetary damages.
Can I Sue a School for My Child’s Injury?
The last place a child should be seriously injured is at school. Schools should be safe environments, free of dangers that pose a risk of injury or death. However, this is not always the case. If your child was injured at school, you may have questions about your legal rights. Can you hold the school accountable by suing the school district? Can you force the school to pay for your child’s medical expenses?
Like most personal injury matters, the answer to these questions depends on the exact circumstances of the injury.
Injuries Caused by Willful or Wanton Disregard for Safety
Suing a public school is not the same thing as suing a private organization or company. Public schools are government entities and there are special rules surrounding lawsuits against the government. To successfully sue a public school or school district, you must show that the school or staff acted with “willful or wanton” indifference toward safety. In other words, the school must have acted with extreme negligence.
E-Scooter Injuries: Exploring Your Legal Options
Cities throughout Illinois have seen a sharp increase in the number of people using electric scooters to get around. Scooters are small, cost-effective, and ideal for navigating busy urban areas. The popularity of this mode of transportation is only growing – but so are the risks associated with riding an e-scooter.
When used properly, e-scooters can be a fun and convenient way to travel short distances quickly. However, some riders may be unaware of the dangers they face while riding. They can suffer serious injuries due to scooter malfunction, rider error, or a collision with another vehicle or person.
If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can evaluate your case and help you pursue a successful outcome.
I Was Hit by a Driver Who Was Speeding. Can a Lawyer Help Me?
Speed limits may seem inconvenient to some, but they exist for a reason. These limitations are put in place for the safety of all drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules of the road, and irresponsible drivers put lives in danger. If you have been hit by a speeding driver and are looking for ways to seek justice, consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer for help filing an injury claim.
Insurance Settlements and Personal Injury Claims
The faster a driver is traveling, the greater the force of a collision. Consequently, speeding-related accidents can result in severe, painful injuries including broken bones, spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), organ damage, facial injuries, and more.
A personal injury lawyer will be able to evaluate your case and provide advice on how to proceed. Typically, the first avenue for seeking compensation is a claim with the speeding driver's insurance company. Auto insurers are responsible for providing compensation to victims of car accidents when their policyholders are at fault. However, insurance companies are not always willing to pay out the full amount of a car accident claim. They deny claims, try to get claimants to take lowball settlements, and intentionally draw out the process.
Damages in a Car Accident Claim Involving Fractured Vertebrae
Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the United States, and many spine injuries lead to significant impairment. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain down the vertebrae and carries signals to and from all parts of the body. When the spine is damaged in an accident, it can cause severe pain, reduced mobility, loss of feeling, and paralysis.
Vertebral fractures occur when there is a direct impact on the spine, either from an immediate trauma or from another type of force such as whiplash. Depending on the severity of the fracture, symptoms can range from mild to debilitating. If you or a loved one suffered fractured vertebrae in a car crash, read on to learn about how to seek monetary damages.
Consequences of Vertebral Fractures
Like other bones of the body, the bones that make up our spinal column can fracture and break if enough force is applied to the bones. The vertebrae are not only responsible for protecting the spinal cord, but they also house and protect the nerves that come out of the spinal cord and go to all parts of the body. When these bones are damaged, fragments of bone may be pushed into the spinal cord causing loss of sensation, loss of motor function, bowel and bladder dysfunction, inability to regulate blood pressure, muscle spasms, pain, and numbness.
Can I Sue a Daycare For My Child's Allergic Reaction?
For many people, allergies are a matter of life and death. Severe allergic reactions can be extremely dangerous - especially for small children. Daycares, nurseries, after-school programs, and other childcare facilities have a legal duty to protect children from harm, including potential allergic reactions.
If your child was injured because of an allergic reaction at daycare, you may be able to pursue legal action against the daycare. You may be able to get justice for your child as well as financial compensation for expenses such as medical bills.
When is a Daycare Legally Responsible for an Allergic Reaction?
In most cases, a daycare can be held liable for an allergic reaction if there is proof that the facility was negligent. This means that the daycare should have known about your child's allergy and taken reasonable steps to ensure that the potential for an allergic reaction did not exist. Some examples of negligence can include:
Monetary Damages After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash
For most motorcyclists, riding a motorcycle is much more than a means of transportation - it is a lifestyle. Motorcyclists love to enjoy the winding Waukegan roads on their bikes. Sadly, some motorcycle trips end in tragedy.
In the event of a fatal motorcycle accident, mourning family members may be entitled to monetary damages based on their loved one's death. While money cannot replace the life lost, it can help cover expenses related to medical care and funeral costs that have been incurred due to the accident. Additionally, those eligible may also be able to receive financial compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the accident, lost wages, and loss of companionship.
Motorcyclists Are Especially Vulnerable to Crashes Caused by Negligent Drivers
Unlike a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle does not offer any protection to the rider in the event of a crash. Helmets and protective gear can help to a certain degree, but a motorcyclist is still much more likely to suffer serious injuries or even death compared to occupants in an automobile. When negligent drivers cause fatal crashes involving motorcycles, they should be held accountable and liable for the tragic losses suffered by victims' families.
"Black Box" Truck Crash Data and Your Personal Injury Claim
Being involved in a commercial truck crash can lead to devastating injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, the truck’s driver and trucking company often try to avoid responsibility by denying that they were at fault or minimizing the severity of the crash. For this reason, it is essential for victims of truck crashes to secure access to additional evidence that can prove their case – especially evidence like “black box” data.
You may know that airplanes contain a "black box" that records important data about the plane’s performance in an accident. Similarly, many commercial trucks contain their own black boxes called "event data recorders" that track data such as speed, braking distance, and acceleration. Obtaining access to this data can be extremely helpful for supporting your personal injury claim after a truck crash.
What Is an Event Data Recorder and Why it is Important?
An event data recorder is a device that stores information about the truck’s operation in the moments before and after a crash. It records information such as speed, engine RPM, brake application, acceleration, and fuel flow rate.
Who Pays for Medical Bills Resulting from a Dog Bite in Illinois?
Dog bites can lead to painful injuries and dangerous infections. Many dog bite victims require medical treatment such as emergency room visits, stitches, and antibiotics. Severe dog bites may require surgical intervention and physical therapy. For many people bitten by dogs, the physical injuries are just the start of their suffering. Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying experience to go through and victims may experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and fear of dogs in the future. They may need professional mental health care to deal with these symptoms.
In Illinois, animal owners are typically liable for damages caused by their pets. If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. A personal injury lawyer experienced in dog-related injury claims can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
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.
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