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.

Some products possess design flaws that make them dangerous for consumers even when they are manufactured properly and used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. For instance, cell phones with batteries that ignite and explode, space heaters that catch fire, and tires with poor materials that make them lose traction. Some of the most serious injuries a consumer can suffer from using a faulty product include:

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.

Repeated Strain on Body Parts

Some injuries occur immediately upon impact, such as a broken leg or arm after falling from a ladder or scaffolding or being crushed by a machine. Others can gradually appear over an extended period of time. A repetitive motion injury (RMI), also known as a repetitive strain injury (RSI) is one that is caused by using the same body parts over and over again. The damage inflicted can affect an individual’s joints, nerves, tendons, or muscles. Studies from the Pain Relief Institute show that repetitive stress injuries account for up to 75 percent of all workplace injuries in the United States.

A few of the typical activities that can cause these repetitive injuries include:

Physicians prescribe medication to patients all the time for various reasons. Certain medicines can help alleviate pain and symptoms for injured and sick patients when correctly prescribed and used. They can also heal and cure injuries and illnesses if used properly. However, they also have the potential to cause permanent damage or even death if they are used incorrectly. If you or your loved one has suffered as a result of a prescription drug mistake, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine liability for your damages. Responsible parties may include a doctor, pharmacist, or anesthesiologist.

Common Forms of Medication Mistakes

Unlike over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, prescription medication must be prescribed by a doctor and are usually dispensed by a pharmacist at a hospital or a pharmacy. This is because these types of drugs could be potentially addictive or lethal if not taken properly. Names of some medications may at first glance look or sound similar, which means they can be easily confused with each other. In other cases, ingesting too much or too little of a drug can affect a patient’s health and well-being.

A few of the main types of medication mistakes include:

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.

Impaired Driving During the Holidays

The increase in traffic fatalities around the holidays is nothing new. According to National Safety Council (NSC) data, the percentage of traffic fatalities related to alcohol has been higher over the Thanksgiving holiday compared to the rest of the year for almost every year during the past few decades. Even during this unprecedented year of 2020, the NSC estimates that nearly 500 people will lose their lives between Wednesday evening and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend in the United States. In an effort to prevent vehicle collisions, the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies will be engaging in increased patrols. These heightened patrols will likely lead to a significant number of DUI arrests.

In addition, drivers can also face DUI charges when using other controlled substances besides alcohol, such as marijuana or prescription medication. The legal limit for THC is 5 nanograms per milliliter of blood or 10 nanograms per milliliter of other bodily fluids, such as urine or saliva. In some cases, the combination of taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs with alcohol greatly impairs a motorist’s ability to operate his or her vehicle safely.

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.

Common Injuries Among Minor Passengers

It is important to seek medical attention immediately following an accident to properly assess the damage. In addition to possibly saving a life, prompt treatment from a doctor can prevent long-term effects of an injury, such as paralysis or disfigurement. In addition, records related to medical treatment are often critical when building a case against an at-fault driver. X-rays, scans, and photographs taken right after the accident can show the full extent of a child passenger’s injuries, which may include: