Posted on November 13, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

Some occupations are considered to have an increased risk of head injuries, such as athletes or construction workers. However, anyone can suffer a head injury if they fall and hit their head or if they are hit by a piece of equipment. In Illinois, all companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. This is in the event a worker gets hurt on the job. In certain cases, a person may sustain life-altering complications that may require extensive rehabilitation or even a career change. Due to the complex nature of head injuries, symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after an accident. That is why it is imperative to know your rights regarding filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 07, 2019 in Car Accidents

There is no denying that the Midwest has some of the most extreme weather, from hot and humid summers to bitter cold winters with a rainy season in between. Illinois winters have a reputation for exhibiting some of the worst conditions. Snow and ice can wreak havoc on traffic and cause serious problems for motorists. Truck drivers need to be extra cautious due to the size and volume of their vehicles. It is a proven fact that it takes longer for a truck to come to a complete stop than a car. In blizzard-like conditions, a truck accident can result in serious to severe injuries for the truck driver as well as the occupants of a car after a collision.

Safety Measures for All Drivers

When the seasons change, Illinois motorists need to change their driving habits. Regardless if you are operating a semi-truck or a compact car, precipitation of any kind warrants slowing down and taking other measures. Here are a few safety precautions to keep in mind when traveling in hazardous weather on the highway:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 30, 2019 in Personal Injury

When a person falls or is struck by an object, the resulting injury can range from minor to severe. Shoulder injuries are very common regardless of an individual’s age. This type of injury can occur if someone slips and falls and lands on his or her shoulder, causing a fracture, broken bones, or torn ligaments. Damage to the arm and shoulder can also be the result of an automobile, motorcycle, or bicycle accident. This is especially common in cases where another driver or rider was distracted or operating his or her vehicle recklessly. It is imperative to know your rights to compensation if your shoulder injury was caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another person.

Damage to the Rotator Cuff

Torn rotator cuffs are some of the most common shoulder injuries. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the top of your upper arm bone secured in the socket of the shoulder. Torn rotator cuffs can begin with a dull ache, but if they do not heal properly, they can require surgery to repair and significant rehabilitation.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 24, 2019 in Car Accidents

With fall upon us and winter approaching, parts of the country are already experiencing inclement weather. Heavy rains and winter storms can wreak havoc on driving conditions and pose a real danger to Illinois motorists. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics, more than 5.8 million vehicle crashes occur every year. Approximately 21 percent of those involved hazardous weather. Slippery or icy roads can lead to a driver losing control of his or her vehicle, resulting in car accidents with serious injuries or even fatalities. That is why it is even more important for everyone on the road to be extra alert during bad weather and drive responsibly in order to avoid a potential collision.

Weather Factors That Can Lead to Crashes

There are various conditions that bad weather causes, and it often depends on the temperature outside. Based on how warm or cold the air is, precipitation can result in fog, rain, sleet, hail, or snow. If the air temperature drops, water on pavement can turn to ice, a significant driving hazard. Below are some of the major weather conditions that occur in Illinois, which can increase the chances of an auto accident:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 17, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

People in all different lines of work have the right to a safe environment while performing their jobs. According to Illinois employment law, all employers are required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission is the government agency that handles workers’ compensation claims between employees and employers. If a worker is injured on the job, he or she is entitled to benefits for any damages as a result of the accident, such as medical bills or lost wages. However, the process of seeking compensation can be complicated if an employee aggravates a pre-existing health condition because of a workplace incident.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 10, 2019 in Car Accidents

Some people may think walking is a safe way of getting to and from places. However, a pedestrian traveling down the street or in a designated crosswalk can be at risk of being struck by a vehicle, motorcycle, or even a bicycle. The sheer force of the impact in any type of pedestrian accident can result in serious injuries or possibly death. The majority of pedestrian deaths take place on local streets at night, suggesting the need for safer road crossings, signage, lighting, in addition to distracted driving prevention measures. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, nighttime collisions made up more than 90 percent of the total increase in pedestrian fatalities in the last 10 years.

Types of Pedestrian Injuries

Pedestrian accidents can occur when someone is going for a run, taking a stroll, or simply standing on a sidewalk. Regardless if a pedestrian is struck by an automobile, motorcycle, bus or truck, injuries suffered are likely to be much more severe than if the person was a passenger in a car. For a pedestrian, there is no protection between the body and the vehicle to soften the blow. In some cases, a victim may need surgery, extensive rehabilitation, or even amputation. A person is often unable to return to work because of chronic pain or brain damage, which results in hardship due to lost wages. The most common types of injuries a pedestrian can suffer after being struck by any type of vehicle or cycle include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 27, 2019 in Car Accidents

Traffic laws, such as maintaining an appropriate speed, wearing seat belts, and not operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol are more likely to be followed by elderly drivers compared to younger motorists. Furthermore, elderly drivers often avoid difficult driving conditions, like rush hour, driving at night, or driving in poor weather conditions.

According to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 2016 recorded 41.7 million licensed drivers over the age of 65. Breaking that down, out of the 221.7 million licensed drivers in the United States, almost one in five drivers are 65 years or older. While elderly motorists are considered to be safer drivers, they are at a much higher risk of car accident injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, an experienced lawyer could advise you on the best course of legal action.

Why Are Car Accident Injuries More Common for Elderly Drivers?

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 19, 2019 in Car Accidents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States. Victims of car accidents often injure themselves by hitting the windshield or dashboard of the vehicle. They can also be thrown from the vehicle if they are not properly restrained. Today’s automobiles feature much more advanced safety features compared to cars in the past. In addition to seat belts, airbag restraint systems are placed throughout the vehicle. These devices can protect occupants by “cushioning” the impact or force when jolted in a crash.

Common Types of Car Crash Injuries

Injuries are not just sustained in high-speed car accidents. Even a collision at a lower speed can cause a driver’s or passenger’s head to hit the windshield, a side window, or the steering wheel. Unsecured objects in the car can also become airborne and hit occupants. A few of the typical injuries passengers suffer in a vehicle crash include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 12, 2019 in Slip and Fall

Sometimes a person falls and sustains only minor scrapes and bruises. However, some falls can cause significant personal injury. More than 800,000 people are hospitalized every year in the United States due to a serious fall accident. A slip and fall can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injury, spine or neck injury, internal organ damage, and more. When a slip and fall accident is the result of negligence, the injured party may bring a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party or parties. The damages available in a slip and fall case will vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of the accident.

Costs Associated with Slip and Fall Accidents

You may not think that simply falling could incur substantial financial damage, but many fall accidents leave the injured person in momentous debt. If you have experienced a serious fall, you may have needed emergency room treatment, an extended hospital stay, diagnostic tests, surgery, expensive prescription medication or medical equipment, physical therapy, rehabilitation or nursing home care, and more. Medical treatments such as these can easily cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 05, 2019 in Catastrophic Injuries

Any type of accident, whether it involves a vehicle, sports, workplace equipment, etc. can cause serious personal injuries. Depending on the situation, victims may be able to recover within days or months after surgery or rehabilitation if a bone was broken, for instance. However, there are other kinds of injuries that are considered more severe. A catastrophic injury is legally defined as an injury with “direct and proximate consequences” that “permanently prevent an individual from performing any gainful work.”

This type of injury can have life-altering effects and in many cases causes the victim permanent damage. This can range from paralysis to brain damage to third-degree burns. Regardless of the specific injury, it alters the victim’s life in a way that usually requires compensation to cover medical costs or long-term care.

Continue Reading ››