Posted on May 11,2021 in Spinal Injuries

The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of the body’s nervous system. Since the spinal cord connects the brain to the nerves in the rest of the body, injuries that affect the spine can disrupt the messages sent and received by the brain. Depending on the location of the injury and the extent of the damage, a person may experience severe pain, tingling, or numbness. In severe cases, a spinal cord injury may result in partial or complete paralysis that affects different parts of the body, and the loss of use of these body parts will likely result in permanent disabilities.

While some spinal cord injuries may occur because of diseases or health conditions, in many cases, another person is to blame for causing physical harm to a person. Car accidents are a common cause of injuries to the spine. People may also suffer spine injuries in slip and fall accidents, and elderly people are especially susceptible to serious harm in these cases. Those who have suffered serious injuries because of someone else’s negligence or intentional actions will want to work with an attorney to determine how they can receive financial compensation that addresses the harm done to them and their family.

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 Posted on May 04,2021 in Personal Injury

Injuries can occur for a wide variety of reasons, and in many cases, they are accidental. However, there are some situations where injuries may be intentionally inflicted. Bar fights are one such situation, and even if a person was not looking to start a fight, they may act aggressively toward someone else and cause them harm. As more bars and entertainment venues begin to open to the public after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that fights will occur. Those who are injured in these types of fights will want to understand their options for receiving financial compensation. By identifying the parties who were responsible for their injuries, victims can take action to hold these parties liable and receive compensation for their damages.

Liability for Bar Fight Injuries

Whenever a person acts in a way that causes harm to someone else, they can be held liable for the injuries and damages that were inflicted. In cases involving bar fights, a person may be charged with assault and battery, but even if they are not convicted of these charges, they may be held liable for injuries they intentionally inflicted on someone else. Depending on the extent of the victim’s injuries and whether a person acted with reckless disregard for others’ safety, they may be required to pay punitive damages in addition to compensating the victim for the ways they have been affected.

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 Posted on April 23,2021 in Personal Injury

For many, warmer weather means that it is time to get out on the water. The Arlington Heights area has many opportunities for fishing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing, or lounging on the deck of a pontoon. Unfortunately, severe and even fatal accidents can occur during a boating excursion. If you or a loved one were hurt in a boat accident in a boat that was rented, you might be unsure of your rights in this scenario. Is the boat rental company liable for the accident? Who will pay for your medical bills?

Understanding Liability for a Boat Accident

Boat accidents can happen for countless reasons. In some cases, a boat collides with the shore, a submerged object, or another watercraft. Injuries may also occur when a boater slips and falls on the boat deck. Boat defects may cause the boat to flood, resulting in injuries or even death due to drowning. After a boat-related injury, the legal options available to you are primarily based on the reasons for the boat accident. The cause of your boat accident may include:

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 Posted on April 16,2021 in Car Accident

Large commercial trucks such as delivery trucks, tanker trucks, and 18-wheelers can cause severe damage during a car accident. Over 4,000 people lost their lives in truck accidents in 2019 and thousands more were injured. If you have been hurt in a trucking accident, it may be possible to sue the trucking company or other liable parties for damages. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Liability for a Large Truck Accident

Truck accidents are often especially complicated because of the number of factors that may contribute to the accident. The truck driver may have made critical errors behind the wheel that caused or worsened the accident. The trucking company may have failed to properly maintain and inspect the truck for issues that could reduce the driver’s ability to drive safely. Product designers or manufacturers may even share liability for the crash if the truck components or equipment was flawed. Determining which parties are liable for a truck collision is an essential element of a successful truck accident lawsuit.

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 Posted on April 13,2021 in Workers' Compensation

If you or a loved one were hurt on the job in Illinois, you may be interested in filing a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation benefits reimburse an injured worker for medical bills and part of the workers’ lost income while the worker is recovering. However, getting the compensation you need after a work injury is not always straightforward. Knowing your rights and what the workers’ compensation process entails is key to getting the compensation you need.

What Types of Work Injuries Qualify for Workers’ Compensation Coverage?

According to Illinois law, workers’ compensation is available to most employees who are injured at work. Workers’ compensation is “no-fault” meaning that the employee does not have to prove that the injury was the employer’s fault to be eligible for compensation. As long as the work injury was caused or made worse during the course of employment, you should be covered by workers’ comp. An individual may not be entitled to workers’ compensation if the injury was self-inflicted, caused by a violation of company policy, or occurred during the commission of a crime. Injuries caused in a sudden work accident such as a fall as well as repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or back injuries may qualify for workers’ compensation coverage.

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 Posted on April 12,2021 in Medical Malpractice

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, computed tomography (CT) tests, and other imaging tests have dramatically improved doctors’ ability to diagnose patients. These tests allow doctors to see inside a patient’s body without the need for invasive surgery. However, when the results from an imagining test are misread, the test can do more harm than good. If you were harmed because a radiologist misinterpreted the result of your imaging test, you may be able to sue for medical malpractice.

Radiologist Mistakes Can Lead to Considerable Patient Harm

Radiologists are highly educated and spend years learning about how to properly interpret the results of an imaging test. However, this does not mean that radiologists are immune to mistakes. Unfortunately, misunderstanding the results of a patient’s imaging test can be disastrous. The patient may not receive a correct diagnosis in time to prevent additional harm or even death. Failure to diagnose cancer is one of the most serious consequences that may result from a radiologist’s mistake. The patient may be left with additional medical bills, lost income from missed work, and other financial losses. He or she may be forced to suffer avoidable, painful symptoms.

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 Posted on April 06,2021 in Car Accident

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Illinois State Police Department and the Illinois Department of Transportation have partnered with local law enforcement agencies across the state in an effort to curb cell phone use behind the wheel. While most people are aware that texting and driving is illegal, few realize just how severe an issue distracted driving has become. According to a recent study, distracted driving is a factor in over a million auto collisions each year. Using a cell phone while driving increases the chances of a crash by an astounding 400 percent.

Cell Phone Use While Driving is Dangerous and Unlawful

Although many drivers think nothing of reading or sending a message while driving, this practice leads to thousands of injury-causing and deadly car accidents every year. Some drivers justify cell phone use behind the wheel because they are only looking down at their cell phone for a few seconds at a time. However, a driver traveling at 55 mph who looks down for as few as five seconds travels over 400 feet without looking at the road. If a vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist appears in the driver’s path, he or she may not have enough time to avoid a collision.

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 Posted on April 02,2021 in Medical Malpractice

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Almost everyone has a story of how cancer has touched their lives. Fortunately, medical advances have significantly decreased the rate at which people die of cancer. Cancer can now be detected at an earlier stage and more and more people can get the treatment they need before the disease takes their lives. However, to get the life-saving cancer treatment a patient needs, he or she must first be diagnosed with the disease by a physician. Failing to promptly diagnose cancer can constitute a form of medical malpractice.

Delayed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis of Cancer

Receiving a diagnosis is the first step to stopping the spread of cancer. When a doctor or specialist fails to see the warning signs of cancer and order the appropriate cancer screening tests, a patient may suffer irreparable harm. Sadly, some patients die because a medical professional fails to diagnose cancer.

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 Posted on March 29,2021 in Uncategorized

A work accident such as a fall, caught-between accident, or equipment-related injury can cause profound suffering and financial distress. Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to reimburse an injured worker for work injuries that occur on the job. Although workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for all Illinois employers, getting the compensation you need and deserve after a work accident can be problematic—especially when the accident has worsened a pre-existing injury.

Work Injuries Can Make an Existing Medical Condition Worse

Most adults struggle with at least one health concern. They may have a bad knee from an old sports injury, degenerative disc disease, an inherited disorder, or countless other medical conditions. When a work accident worsens an employee’s medical condition, this is also covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, workers’ compensation claims involving aggravation of preexisting conditions are often more complex than claims involving a brand-new injury or medical condition. Workers’ compensation insurance companies or employers may argue that the condition is unrelated to the accident or that the accident did not actually worsen the condition. The insurance company may deny your claim or offer you less than you deserve.

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 Posted on March 19,2021 in Brain Injury

Brain injuries can vary considerably in severity. Some brain injury sufferers only experience short-term, mild symptoms. Other brain injury victims suffer from debilitating symptoms that prevent them from working or even enjoying life as they once did. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a car accident in Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation. However, getting the compensation you deserve may be a very challenging task.

Reimbursement for Medical Expenses Caused by a Brain Injury

Brain injuries are typically diagnosed through imaging tests including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans. Brain injuries are often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may not appear for a few hours or days after the accident. Severe brain injuries may be immediately apparent and require emergency medical intervention. Sometimes, surgery is needed to stop bleeding in the brain or relieve the pressure inside of the skull. Some brain injury sufferers must be placed in a temporary coma so that the brain has time to heal. Many severe brain injury sufferers require rehabilitative care and ongoing medical treatment for months or years.

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