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Can I Seek Compensation for Long-Term Care After a Spinal Injury?
After a catastrophic injury, a person’s life can be changed forever. Injuries to the spinal cord can be especially devastating, leaving a victim paralyzed. Damage to the spinal cord can require immediate medical attention and even surgery to try to repair broken vertebrae. In many cases, a person is unable to regain function of his or her limbs, resulting in partial or full paralysis. There are many causes of such an injury, from automobile crashes to workplace accidents to simply tripping and falling. Regardless of what led to a spinal injury, a victim can face a long recovery and rehabilitation and may be unable to return to work. For many, long-term care is needed, which can put a significant financial strain on a victim and his or her family. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you may be entitled to compensation if a negligent party was responsible for your injury.
Are There More Car Accidents Over Thanksgiving Weekend in Illinois?
The holiday season is here, which also signals the end of a year that has been trying for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an economic and health crisis throughout the world. Although many states, Illinois included, have closed non-essential businesses, some restaurants and bars are allowed to stay open but with reduced capacity, outdoor dining, or for takeout orders only. This Thanksgiving may look a little different, as many extended families are choosing not to get together and instead have a small gathering with their immediate household members. However, some individuals may opt to still go out and celebrate at friends’ houses or the local pub. Even if they decide to eat and drink at home, they may want to get out of the house and go for a drive after consuming one too many alcoholic beverages. Drunk driving can lead to devastating consequences, including vehicle crashes with serious injuries.
Electronic Warrants and DUI
By: Kal Issa
In Illinois, under most circumstances, police are required to either obtain a warrant or a driver’s consent in order to obtain a blood sample in order to test for the presence and/or amount of alcohol or other illicit substances in the driver’ system.[1] When a motorist refuses to consent to such a blood draw and testing, police are required to obtain a search warrant, which generally may take some time depending on the day of the week, location of the investigation and time of day as they are required to appear before a judge and lay out the facts that leads them to believe a warrant should be obtained.
However, many counties have taken advantage of an Illinois law that allows law enforcement to request and obtain a search warrant through electronic means, thereby making the process more efficient. In lieu of personally appearing before a judge, an officer can make an electronic request for a search warrant from a judge through video and audio transmission.[2] This would allow the investigating officer to immediately obtain a blood sample from the suspected impaired driver for testing and analysis.
Illinois Considers Third Class of Motorcycle License
For the past three years, there has been a consistent increase in the number of motorcycle accident fatalities in the state of Illinois. The number of deaths has caused officials to seriously consider adding a third class of motorcycle license to the two classes of licenses that Illinois now offers.
Currently, when a person applies for a motorcycle license, they have two options to test for. The first is for cycles which have an engine less than 150 cubic centimeters. Engines these sizes are typically found in scooters and off-road bikes. The second class is for cycles with engines larger than 150 cubic centimeters.
The problem, proponents of a third license class say, is that motorcycle manufactures keep designing bikes with larger and larger engines, with enough power to hit speeds of up to 140 miles per hour. A novice rider, who passed their licensing test riding a smaller engine motorcycle, goes and purchases one of these more powerful bikes and ends up not being able to handle them. This often leads to accidents–and too often those accidents are deadly.
Car Accidents vs. Trucking Accidents: How They Differ
The number of motor vehicle accidents that occur each year has reached the millions. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2009, over 13 million passenger accidents have occurred in the past decade, half a million which involved large trucks.
All motor vehicle accidents share a few similarities, but a collision involving a commercial truck differs from that involving an automobile based on a variety of factors. Both can be traumatic to all parties involved and result in:
- Personal injuries;
- Damage to the vehicle or vehicles;
- Medical costs; and
- Post-accident stress and follow-up care.
However, financial liability and driver responsibility when comparing trucking and car accidents are not the same. A motorist involved in a car accident with one or more cars exchanges insurance information between drivers to file a claim. When a trucking accident occurs, both the commercial driver and the trucking company may be held liable for damages. In either case, pertinent data must be collected including:
Who Is Liable for Injuries Caused by a Defective Product Bought Online?
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted people all over the world, including the United States. Over the course of the last year, we have adjusted to a new normal. In Illinois, many schools, offices, stores, restaurants, and bars temporarily closed to stop the spread of the virus. As a result, many people purchased gifts online this holiday season. Almost anything can be bought through online shopping, such as clothing, makeup, books, appliances, furniture, or electronics. Most manufacturers have quality control processes intended to identify manufacturing defects before their products are released to the public. However, mistakes made during this process can lead to defective goods being distributed to retailers and sold to unsuspecting consumers. In these situations, a user could be at risk of suffering a serious injury due to a flaw in design or production.
How a Faulty Product Can Harm Users
Since you can buy practically anything on the Internet these days, it can be difficult to determine the quality of these products if you cannot see them or try them in person. Although clothes cannot really cause you harm, other types of products can be dangerous if they do not work properly. For example, improper wiring may lead to an electronic or motorized toy or device to malfunction and catch fire, causing the individual who is using it to suffer first-, second-, or third-degree skin burns. Similarly, a faulty device could electrocute a person in some cases if it does not include adequate directions or warning labels. In other cases, missing or broken parts make them dangerous for users.
How Common Are Repetitive Motion Injuries in the Workplace?
There are many different kinds of injuries that an employee can experience while on the job. The severity of an injury often depends on the type of industry. In some cases, injuries are apparent and require immediate medical attention. With these types of injuries, it may be easy to prove that the workplace was the direct cause of the accident. However, certain work-related injuries can take weeks or months to present symptoms or fully manifest, making it more difficult for an individual to seek benefits. An example of this type of injury carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a common repetitive motion injury that affects a person’s hands and wrists. Most Illinois companies are required to carry workers’ compensation benefits for their employees in the event of a workplace accident. A skilled attorney can explain your options for seeking benefits by filing a workers’ compensation claim for this type of injury, whether you work in an office, a warehouse, or at a construction site.
Is a Misdiagnosis Considered Medical Malpractice in Illinois?
Many people put their trust in healthcare professionals to treat an injury or a specific medical condition. However, mistakes can and do occur, unfortunately. Often considered the most common, most costly, and most dangerous of medical errors, a missed or delayed diagnosis prevents a patient from receiving appropriate medical treatment to prevent his or her ailment from worsening. A misdiagnosis is only considered medical malpractice when a physician acted negligently and took action that another doctor would not have taken given the same circumstances. This can be difficult to prove, but an experienced personal injury attorney can help uncover evidence of this negligence.
Reasons for a Missed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
There are several ways that a medical mistake can happen, and although most are unintentional, they can have profound effects on a patient. In some cases, a missed or misdiagnosis can leave someone in worse health than they were before visiting the doctor or hospital. In addition, the timing of it can be critical depending on his or her condition. For example, the timely diagnosis for advanced diseases such as cancer is crucial to provide the necessary treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, which can stop a malignant tumor from growing or spreading to other body parts.
What Are Common Causes of an Illinois Parking Lot Car Accident?
Whenever someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, there is a risk of being involved in a car accident. In many cases, they are caused by motorists engaging in reckless behavior by going over the posted speed limit on our nation’s highways. However, accident reports show that a large number of collisions actually occur in parking lots. Various factors can cause parking lot crashes, but the majority are due to driver error. Although most people may not think they could be that serious, a parking lot car accident can result in serious to life-threatening and even fatal injuries depending on the circumstances. If you or your loved one were hurt in an auto accident, regardless of where it occurred, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine who is at fault and hold the negligent party responsible.
Can I Pursue Damages After an Electric Scooter Accident in Illinois?
Electric scooters or “e-scooters” as they are commonly known are a popular mode of transportation these days. Ideal for sightseeing in big cities like Chicago, they can also be used for commuters who want a way to get to the office without the hassle of traffic. Chicago’s 2020 E-Scooter Share Pilot program is allowing three e-scooter companies to operate in the city: Bird, Lime, and Spin. The 2020 pilot program runs from August to December, and it has been updated based on recommendations from users of the 2019 program. New regulations aim to enhance the safety of riders as well as nearby pedestrians or bicyclists. However, as with any motorized vehicle, there is a chance of being involved in an accident. Even if you own an e-scooter and you suffer an injury while riding it, you may be entitled to compensation depending on the circumstances. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you determine who is liable and hold them accountable so you can recover.