Chicago Personal
Injury Attorney Blog

A Class Action lawsuit can occur when one or more individuals file suit on behalf of other people who have the same complaint.  Many class action lawsuits arise from complaints resulting from a defective product or unfair business practice explains a Chicago personal injury attorney.

A Class Action lawsuit finds strength in numbers.  Often thousands of people will be involved in a single case.  Employee groups often form a single party when filing a suit against a company they work for.  An Illinois personal injury lawyer states, “Vital to any Class Action is the strength and experience of the firm that represents the Plaintiffs.”

Several factors are generally present in class action lawsuits.  Even though one person may file a Class Action lawsuit, the individuals potentially affected by the harmful product or illegal practice must exceed one.  In addition, all individuals within the class must share common injuries or complaints according to a Chicago Class Action attorney.

A Consumer Protection Class Action is the most common type of case involving a “class” or group.  These cases involve those who violate State and Federal laws that protect consumer rights.  Examples include faulty services, misleading advertising, contract violations and scams.  These lawsuits generally involve:

• Telephone providers
• Internet providers
• Insurance companies
• Credit card companies
• Manufacturers of defective products

If you would like more information on Class Action lawsuits or how to proceed with a claim, contact an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney today.

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Chicago personal negligence attorneys represent individuals who have been injured as the result of another party’s negligence.  Negligence is a legal term meaning “carelessness that leads to an injury.”  The following examples describe negligent behavior:

• If a construction site does not provide 100% fall protection, the general contractor may be found negligent
• If an individual drives through a stop sign and hits your car he or she can be found negligent
• If a landlord fails to fix a safety hazard and you are injured, he or she may be found negligent

Illinois personal injury lawyers further describe negligence as the “doing of something or the failure to do something that an ordinary person would do under similar circumstances.”  Negligence cannot exist without “duty.”  To be found negligent, the party must owe you a duty.  Generally, the duty owed is a duty of reasonable care or ordinary care and the law determines who owes a duty to another.

In Illinois, personal negligence lawyers list the following people that owe the general public a duty of reasonable care:

• Business owners
• Landlords
• Physicians
• Manufacturers
• Automobile operators
• General contractors
• Airlines
• Railroad employers
• Riverboat employers
• Lawyers

In the state of Illinois, if the jury finds the Plaintiff more than 50% at fault, the Plaintiff will lose the case unless an individual is injured at work explains a Chicago negligence attorney.  At work, negligence does not need to be proved.  The employer is automatically liable for any injury.

If you have been injured and believe it is due to negligence from another party, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer promptly.  Insurance companies will have investigators working on the case immediately; therefore, having a dedicated Chicago personal injury attorney on your side from the beginning will help ensure you have a successful case.

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Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating and can alter the course of an individual’s life.  Diagnosing traumatic brain injuries is crucial to determining the proper course of treatment.  In this post, Chicago brain injury attorneys will discuss how diagnosing occurs in victims of traumatic brain injuries.

Anyone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury is usually brought to an emergency room for initial diagnosis and treatment.  Vital signs are assessed and stabilized, life threatening injuries identified and treated, and the diagnosing of the brain injury begins explains Illinois brain injury lawyers. 

X-rays, CT scans or MRI scans are generally conducted to determine if any skull bones are fractured or if bone fragments have penetrated the brain tissues.  A neurological evaluation is performed to look for hematomas or elevated intracranial pressure.  A detailed medical history is necessary to identify any prior psychological treatment, previous injuries, any existing seizure disorders or substance abuse.  The individual is asked a number of simple questions and given simple commands.

Physicians generally use the Glasgow Coma Scale to determine the patient’s degree of consciousness, determine the severity and predict his or her chance for recovery.  The Glasgow Coma Scale measures the patient’s ability to move, speak and open his or her eyes.  The lower the total score, the less chance a person has for complete recovery.  The Glasgow Coma Scales is posted below:

Eye Opening

4 = Responds spontaneously
3 = Responds to voice
2 = Responds to pain
1 = No response

Best Motor Response

6 = Follows commands
5 = Localizes to pain
4 = Withdraws to pain
3 = Decorticate (produces an exaggerated posture of upper extremity flexion and lower extremity extension in response to pain)
2 = Decerebrate (produces an exaggerated posture of extension in response to pain)
1 = No Response

Best Verbal Response

5 = Oriented and converses
4 = Disoriented and converses
3 = Inappropriate words
2 = Incomprehensible sounds
1 = No response

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a brain injury in Chicago, personal injury attorneys will help fight for justice and proper compensation.  Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating and life-changing.  You need the support of a qualified and experienced Illinois brain injury lawyer on your side if another party was at fault for your injury.

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Traumatic brain injuries may be difficult to diagnose for many symptoms and signs are not immediate.  If you have received a minor or major blow to the head, Illinois brain injury lawyers strongly recommend seeking immediate medical treatment.  An individual does not have to be knocked out or fall into a coma for devastating complications to occur following a head injury.

Symptoms and signs of brain injuries depend on which structures in the brain are damaged.  Chicago brain injury attorneys list the following common symptoms and signs associated with traumatic brain injuries:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Blurry or double vision
• Nervousness
• Behavioral changes
• Impulsiveness
• Irritability
• Depression
• Slurred or slowed speech
• Sleep difficulties
• Sense of spinning or vertigo
• Seizures
• Lack of coordinated movements
• Feeling light headed
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of memory
• Muscle spasms or stiffness
• Tingling, pain or numbness
• Weakness in facial muscles
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Weakness in one or more limbs

This list only includes potential signs and symptoms of a brain injury.  They can develop long after the initial injury occurred.  Illinois personal injury lawyers are dedicated to pursuing justice for individuals suffering from brain injuries as a result of negligence.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms contact an experienced Chicago brain injury attorney immediately.

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Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating and can fill victims with fear about their future health condition.  In this post, Illinois brain injury lawyers will offer potential questions to ask your doctor if you have been the victim of a TBI.   It is extremely important to learn as much as possible about head injury prevention and about treatment and rehabilitation following a brain injury.  Chicago personal injury attorneys recommend printing out the following questions and presenting it to your doctor.

1. What area(s) of the brain have been affected by the injury?
2. What are the stages of progression with this brain injury?
3. What kind of head injury do you believe has occurred?
4. Is the injury life threatening?
5. Is the injury mild, moderate or severe?
6. What kind of diagnostic tests and imaging tests will be conducted?
7. How is the severity of the injury evaluated?
8. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale and what does it indicate?
9. What are complication signs and what should I do if I develop any?
10. What are the long-term effects with head injuries?
11. Can this brain damage cause a cascade of events in the brain?
12. How likely is bleeding or swelling in the brain after this injury?
13. Is the brain damage diffuse or focal?
14. What are the initial effects of brain damage?
15. What should I do if additional symptoms develop?

Brain injuries can be a traumatic experience.  If you have been injured as the result of another party’s negligence, Chicago brain injury attorneys with extensive experience can help.  The road after an injury can be unknown and tumultuous; therefore, having a competent Illinois personal injury lawyer on your side is crucial.

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Chicago brain injury attorneys have been highlighting information about brain injuries in the last couple of posts.  In this post, common questions surrounding traumatic brain injuries will be answered.  Brain injuries can have serious complications and can even lead to death.  Illinois personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing justice for individuals suffering from a brain injury as a result of another party’s negligence.

1)    What is a brain injury?

A brain injury generally results from an external trauma such as a blow to the head.  Brain injuries may occur without physical contact to the head.  Brain damage can be at the microscopic level and can impact speech, cognition, behavior, personality, emotions and perceptions.

2)    Does a person have to be knocked out to sustain a brain injury?

No, an injury to the brain can happen without a loss of consciousness or coma.

3)    How often do brain injuries occur in the United States?

Approximately two million head injuries occur every year throughout the United States with 75,000 to 100,000 deaths as a result.  Brain injuries have become known as a “silent epidemic.”

4)    What are the main causes of traumatic brain injuries?

Motor vehicle accidents, falls, industrial accidents, sporting accidents and violent acts are the main causes of TBI.

5)    How is a brain injury diagnosed?

If major damage occurs such as a hemorrhage, swelling or contusions, a CT scan or MRI will show the injury.  If the damage is microscopic, the diagnosis must be made as a result of the history from the patient and his or her symptoms.

6)    Why are TBI often called “mild?”

Nothing is ever “mild” about a traumatic brain injury; however, when a person does not lose consciousness, the injury may be referred to as mild.

7)    What are symptoms of traumatic brain injuries?

Symptoms may vary among people and may include a change or loss of consciousness, dizziness, headaches, memory impairments, visual disturbances, speech disorders, disorientation, balance difficulties, impaired judgment, disorientation, language and learning deficits, fatigue, anxiety, depressions and hearing and vision impairments.  These symptoms are only examples of the wide range of symptoms that can occur.

If you or someone you love is suffering from a brain injury, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney with experience in traumatic brain injuries.  Symptoms of a brain injury can occur long after the initial injury.  Illinois brain injury lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of TBI recover losses from this traumatic injury.

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is described as a blow or jolt to the head that can disrupt the function of the brain. The symptoms of a TBI can range from a mild concussion to the extremes of coma or sadly, death.

Around 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from a traumatic brain injury.

Every year in the US, an estimated 1.4 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury. The leading causes are vehicle accidents and crashes, birthing injuries, and slips and falls. Approximately 5.3 million Americans currently live with disabilities resulting from a traumatic brain injury. In Chicago, brain injury attorneys represent clients or loved ones of clients who have suffered severe brain injuries.

Illinois personal injury attorneys have found that victims of brain injury and their families often are not given adequate information regarding the serious nature of their medical condition. The field of traumatic brain injury is extremely complex, and health care providers often do not have the time or resources to adequately address all of the medical and recovery issues involved.

Victims living with traumatic brain injuries need specialized legal representation if a case is going to be pursued. Throughout the state of Illinois, brain injury lawyers are uniquely experienced in the complex medical and legal issues involved in such cases.

Injuries suffered as a result of a traumatic brain injury can be severe and life-altering. Immediate goals often include getting medical bills paid and covered. In addition, your traumatic brain injury attorney should help make sure you or your loved one does not suffer financially through any lost wages, and make sure the appropriate insurance company will pay for future treatment relating to your injury.

If you are considering pursuing traumatic brain injury litigation, our Chicago personal injury attorneys can help.

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Throughout the United States, thousands of individuals become victims of spinal cord injuries.  These traumatic injuries can alter the course of an individual’s life and dramatically affect him or her, both emotionally and physically.  Illinois spinal cord injury lawyers have represented numerous victims of spinal cord injuries and can provide crucial legal assistance if you have been injured.

In this post, Chicago personal injury attorneys will discuss recent demographics and statistics behind spinal cord injuries in the United States.  They following is the latest statistics:

• The highest per capita rate of spinal cord injuries occur between ages 16-30
• The average age at time of injury is 33 years
• The leading cause of spinal cord injuries is motor vehicle accidents
• Falls overtake motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause after age 45
• 82% of the total number of people with spinal cord injuries are male, 18% are female
• 53% of the number of people injured were single at the time of injury
• After 5 years, 88% of single people were still single
• The average hospital charges are $99,553
• The average health care and living expenses for the first year after injury is $198,335 with $24,154 an average for each year after

Illinois personal injury lawyers report that the most common cause of death is due to diseases of the respiratory system.  Overall, 85% of spinal cord injury patients who survive after the first 24 hours are still alive ten years later.  When victims do not survive, the most common cause is diseases of the respiratory system, mainly pneumonia.  Heart disease is the second leading cause of death.  The third comes from deaths due to external causes.  The majority of these deaths are suicide.

In the past, many people with spinal cord injuries had to live the rest of their lives in a nursing home.  Now, almost 90% of people who are discharged are sent to a private residence, often their home before injury.  Only 4% are discharged to nursing homes.  The rest of the individuals are sent to hospitals or group living situations.

Spinal cord injuries can be devastating.  If you or someone you know has been a victim, contact an competent Chicago spinal cord injury attorney with extensive experience representing victims of spinal cord injuries.

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Illinois spinal cord injury lawyers have represented many unfortunate victims of spinal cord injuries caused by the negligence of another party.  Spinal injuries can be life-altering and extremely traumatic.  In this post, Chicago personal injury attorneys will highlight facts about spinal cord injuries.

• Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries (SCI) happen in the United States annually
• Around 45% of SCI’s result in a complete loss of sensation
• Around 55% of SCI’s result in a partial loss of sensation
• Between approximately 180,000 and 230,000 people in the United States are currently living with a SCI.
• Individuals who survive a SCI have an increased mortality rate
• Two classifications exist for SCI; complete and incomplete

Automobile accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries.  The next greatest cause is acts of violence, primarily gunshots.  Falls come in third followed by sporting accidents.  Over the years, acts of violence statistics are climbing and automobile crashes are decreasing reports a Chicago spinal injury cord attorney.

As discussed in the previous post, spinal cord injuries are often devastating and can affect an individual throughout the rest of his or her life.  If you have suffered this debilitating injury and feel another party was responsible, Illinois personal injury lawyers can pursue legal action with diligence.

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Illinois personal injury lawyers have represented numerous clients throughout the years and often represent clients with similar cases.  In this post, Chicago personal injury attorneys will answer frequently asked questions about legal claims.

My neighbor’s dog bit me, what should I do?

The first step is to seek immediate medical attention.  Next, report the dog bite to local law enforcement and animal control.  Contact a Chicago personal injury attorney immediately.  He or she can find out whether the dog has had it’s necessary shots, interview witnesses and obtain reports from the authorities.  An experienced attorney can help you take the necessary steps and seek proper compensation for your injuries.

What is a Statute of Limitations?

Statute of limitations is a term referring to the deadline for filing a legal claim.  If you fail to officially bring your claim within the statute of limitations, you cannot receive any justice in the future.  Statutes of limitations differ from state to state.  Illinois personal injury lawyers can further explain the specific guidelines for various claims in Illinois.

I slipped and fell on liquid in the grocery store, do I have a case?

Property owners are required by law to keep their premises safe and not allow dangerous conditions to occur.  Generally, in a slip and fall case, you would have to show the store the liquid was there and they should clean it in a reasonable amount of time.  Slip and fall cases are not black and white.  Chicago personal injury attorneys can help determine if your specific case has legal grounds to pursue compensation.  Each slip and fall case is very different.  If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, notify management at the location.  They should write a report immediately.

I was driving on the job and was hit by another vehicle.  Who can I make a claim against?

If you are injured in an accident while you were on the job, you have two possibilities for compensation for any injuries sustained.  The first possibility is a Worker’s Compensation Claim.  The second possibility is from the other driver.  An employee injured on the job has the right to seek compensation from a third party who may have been negligent.

Experienced Illinois personal injury lawyers can advise you on how to proceed if you have been injured in any situation and feel another party is to blame.  Competent lawyers can help you pursue compensation if you have been a victim in any circumstance.

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