Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

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.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

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.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

A car accident can happen in the blink of an eye, and it can result in life-altering consequences. From vehicle damage to serious injuries, a collision may result in significant expenses. In some cases, a driver may not be the only person in the automobile at the time. He or she may have passengers, some of whom may be other adults or minors under the age of 18. Children who are involved in a car crash can sustain major damage, with some injuries even proving fatal in certain situations. Although Illinois has strict laws on seat belt use and car seat safety, younger occupants may be more likely to get hurt in an auto accident.

Child Occupant Safety

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States. Sadly, many of these deaths can be prevented. A large percentage of the fatalities occur when a child is not properly restrained in a car seat or with a seat belt. However, injuries can still occur even when passengers are buckled. Airbags can cause bruising and fractures depending on the force of impact when they are deployed. Because children have a smaller body mass than adults, colliding with any object in the vehicle can cause significant injuries. In some situations, children can suffer broken bones or spinal cord damage. Shattered windows can send glass flying, resulting in lacerations and severe blood loss.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

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.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Class Action

Legionnaire’s disease is a bacterial infection that is not spread from person to person but rather through mist that is inhaled and contains bacteria.  Common causes of the disease include cooling towers, showers and air conditioning units.  Symptoms usually consist of chills, coughing, and a fever but can lead to a deadly form of pneumonia.  The disease itself is so deadly that between five to thirty percent of those who contract the disease die.  It is also a pretty rare disease with only 25 cases reported in DuPage County this year.

Two men from DuPage County were infected by the upper respiratory infection in October of this year.  Luckily they are in stable condition at area hospitals.  While it can be deadly, the recovery process can take up to four months.  That is why health officials from the County Health Department have acted so quickly to determine the cause of this recent outbreak and stop it from causing more damage.

The officials were able to narrow down the possible causes of the outbreak to a hot tub at a gym in Naperville.  At the LA Fitness on Freedom Drive, the hot tub has been closed for cleaning while the rest of the gym remains open.  The other areas of the facility were all tested and found to be free of the deadly bacteria.  While LA Fitness cooperated with the investigation, it seems like they didn't tell their members about the issue.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Cook County personal injury lawyer

It might come as a surprise to some people, but slip and fall accidents are incredibly dangerous.  The National Floor Safety Institute estimates that falling accidents account for 21.3 percent of visits to hospital emergency rooms or around eight million, which is the leading cause of visits.  Slip and falls are responsible for one million trips to the ER.  The injuries can vary from fatal or merely nuisances such as a sprained ankle.

The possible causes are all around you.  Most accidents occur due to one of the following situations:

• stairways that are damaged, narrow or damaged
• handrails in need of repair
• flooring that is uneven or wet
• cluttered floors with cords, hoses, wires, floor mats and boxes

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Cook County personal injury lawyer

Recently, Governor Quinn signed Public Act 098-0548 into law, officially amending the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure. The amendment generated a statutory section regarding settlements and liens for civil cases. If you believe you have the grounds for a personal injury case that may be influenced by the new civil settlement requirements, you should discuss the specifics and potential impacts with your personal injury attorney.

The statute, 735 ILCS 5/2-2301, puts into place explicit deadlines regarding the exchange of settlement documents and payments once a civil case has reached settlement. For victims of personal injury who are receiving payments for their damages and suffering, these payments are of critical assistance in helping them to pay off bills and close the gap with missed work time. The new statute puts penalties on defendants (inclusive of entry of judgment and associated costs) if the settlement draft is not provided by the defendant within 30 days of settlement document receipt.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Cook County personal injury lawyer

OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is responsible for keeping workers safe at their jobs.  They regulate businesses by setting safety guidelines that should be followed.  They are also responsible for enforcing penalties for lapses in safety.

Recently in Illinois, the Arlington Metals Corp was reviewed by OSHA investigators for possible violations.  The administration was alerted to the breaches in health standards by the United Steel Workers Union.  They issued a complaint to OSHA that the metal strip and coiling plant was hazardous to the health of the employees.

OSHA investigators investigated the company on multiple occasions looking for safety violations.  Seventeen violations were found to be serious, which means that the violations can cause serious or even death.  A serious violation is also considered one that the employer should have been aware of and addressed to ensure workplace safety.  For example, the Arlington Metals Corp had not trained their staff in fire protection, written a respiratory protection program, and there were no guardrails on dangerous machining equipment.  The company was also cited for some other-than serious violations.  These types are safety issues which put employees at risk for injury but not death or severe harm.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Cook County personal injury lawyer

Students often have disagreements or small fights at school, but what happens when a small fight turns into someone getting seriously injured or a violent threat is thrown out in the tussle? What happens is the victim may need serious medical treatment that his or parents cannot pay for. A personal injury attorney can help.

There has always been violence in schools, but it seems to be on a steady rise right along with teen gun violence. In two academic years in the early 2000s alone, “…85 young people died violently in U.S. schools. Seventy-five percent of these incidents involved firearms,” as reported by the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

An increase in students’ accessibility to firearms may be a cause to the increase of violence at schools. Forty-two percent of students interviewed in a National Institute of Health study said that they could get a gun if they wanted to.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Cook County personal injury lawyer

Although the weather has not quite warmed up yet this spring, many people are eager to head outside, whether it’s to play at the park, work in the garden, drive with the windows down, or to go out on a motorcycle. This is the time to prepare  yourself for the open road and dangers of riding on a motorcycle so that you can avoid an accident on your motorcycle in the unpredictable spring and summer weather.

1. Before hopping on your bike, take a motorcycle safety course. Many states require a skills test to be taken before issuing a motorcycle license and many also require the driver to go through a safety course. If your state does not require it, you should still consider taking the class. You will learn how to respond to an emergency situation, certain motorcycle laws for your state, how to avoid dangerous situations, and other helpful tips.

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