Posted on April 30, 2020 in Medical Malpractice

For many people, expecting a baby can be a dream come true. A lot of expectant mothers may have healthy, uneventful pregnancies. However, labor and delivery can be difficult, especially when unexpected complications arise. Parents rely on medical professionals to take the necessary precautions to prevent any serious injuries to the mother or baby during childbirth. If a physician or nurse does not properly respond to these problems, the medical facility may be liable for any birth injuries that result. In certain situations, a medical malpractice claim may help cover financial hardship due to ongoing costs for medical treatment.

Complications During Childbirth

Just because a woman had an easy pregnancy does not necessarily mean she will have a smooth delivery. In some cases, a mother may have had a vaginal delivery for her first child, but her second child may require a Cesarean section. Doctors monitor a woman’s progress throughout the pregnancy, and they are also responsible for ensuring a safe delivery. If a medical professional fails to recognize signs of distress in either the mother or baby, this can lead to life-threatening complications.

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 Posted on April 17, 2020 in Workers Comp

Although most companies take steps to prevent workplace accidents, they can still occur regardless of the occupation. Depending on the circumstances, injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 5,250 employees died from a work-related injury in the United States in 2018. Workers’ compensation is a benefits system for workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, paid by their employers.

The Illinois Workers Compensation Commission resolves disputes cases involving work-related injuries and illnesses between employees and employers. In certain scenarios, a worker may have a pre-existing medical ailment that can be aggravated by an injury at work. Pursuing a workers’ comp claim in these cases can be complicated, so it is important to have an experienced attorney assist you in completing the process.

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 Posted on March 31, 2020 in Car Accidents

Obtaining a driver’s license is a milestone in most people’s lives. In Illinois, a motorist must pass a written exam and a behind-the-wheel test before he or she can legally operate a vehicle. As drivers advance in years, they are required to renew their licenses. Depending on their age, this may require a vision screening to test their vision, as well as their capabilities behind the wheel. Although many elderly people still have a valid driver’s license, they may have a greater chance of being involved in or causing a car accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly 5,000 drivers aged 70 or older perished in car accidents in 2018. Even if a crash does not result in a fatality, it can still involve serious injuries.

Illinois Driving Laws

Just as traffic laws are put in place to keep the public safe, so are driving laws. The purpose of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) testing is to identify older drivers who may have become unsafe behind the wheel. In some cases, an aging motorist may simply need a stronger eyeglass prescription. In other instances, driving privileges could be rescinded if they are found to be a danger to themselves or others when operating a motor vehicle.

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 Posted on March 16, 2020 in Truck Accidents

The trucking industry is an integral part of the United States economy. Trucks across the country transport essential products that consumers need, such as food, clothing, medicine, building materials, electronics, and more. In Illinois, a commercial driver's license (CDL) is required to operate these types of vehicles. This specialized license is obtained through education and training necessary for handling such a large vehicle. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) must follow certain regulations governing their driving, which are issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If a trucker does not adhere to proper procedures or protocol, these CDL violations can cause accidents with serious to life-threatening injuries.

What Constitutes a Violation?

Advancements in technology, such as computers, global positioning systems (GPS), satellites, and wireless/BlueTooth communication have been major contributions to the trucking industry. These improvements have significantly enhanced productivity, saving time for drivers and money for trucking companies, since cargo can often be delivered sooner rather than later. Despite the latest technological gadgets to make driving easier, motorists are still obligated to follow the rules of the road as well as any additional guidelines they might have, such as for CDL drivers. A few of the typical actions that can lead to a traffic violation that may endanger others on the road include:

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 Posted on February 28, 2020 in Medical Malpractice

Malpractice can cause pain for any patient, but when a victim is a child, a young person suffers because of the negligence of a medical professional. Children can be harder to diagnose than adults, but they deserve the same level of care of time. Infants are especially challenging because they cannot tell you how they feel. An innocent child should not get sick or die because a doctor did not do their job.

What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice 

Some mistakes happen in medicine, but not all qualify as malpractice. Medical malpractice is when a standard of care is diverted from by any medical professional or institution. There is no exact definition for a medical standard of care, but across different fields, it is compared to how a reasonable professional would act in similar circumstances. For example, if a patient was misdiagnosed and not harmed by the treatment or lack of correct treatment, they likely would not have a case for malpractice.

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 Posted on February 13, 2020 in Car Accidents

It is no secret that poor weather conditions contribute to car and truck accidents, but snowy conditions also affect pedestrian accidents. Illinois is famous for hard winters, so after the snow falls, everyone on the road and sidewalks should be more mindful. Pedestrian accidents continue to rise, and during the winter, conditions become more dangerous.

How Many Pedestrian Accidents Happen Year-Round?

Everyone is a pedestrian at some point, even if a car is their main form of transportation. A pedestrian is anyone outside of a vehicle that moves near traffic. In 2018, 6,283 people died in pedestrian accidents, which is the highest amount since 1990. The year prior it was estimated that a person died every 88 seconds as a result of traffic accidents.

In normal clear weather, pedestrians fall victim to distracted, drunk, or reckless drivers. With lowered vision and slippery streets, driver mistakes become that much more dangerous for pedestrians. A distracted driver will have less time to react to seeing a pedestrian in the street if the visibility is low. If they do see the pedestrian, they will also have a lower chance of stopping in time. A car can easily slip forward on slush or ice, even if the driver slams on the breaks. Drivers sometimes tend to operate their car as they normally would in safe conditions. Speeding and other reckless actions are even more dangerous in the snow. When conditions are poor, drivers should slow down and have their complete focus on the road.

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 Posted on January 28, 2020 in Car Accidents

After getting into a car accident, there are many things a person must do to get their life back to normal. An insurance claim must be filed, their car may be out of service, and time may be required to heal from injuries. Even a car accident with minimal damage and no injuries requires significant efforts, so what happens after a serious car accident where negligent activity makes you a victim?

Has Negligence Increased?

According to the United States Department of Transportation, car accident fatalities overall rose in Illinois last year. In fact, they have been gradually rising over time. Relaxed seat belt regulations and increased speed limits may be partially to blame, but variant degrees of negligence is the most probable cause for a rise in car accidents. Distracted driving has always existed, but technological advancements have created new distractions. Touching a cell-phone while driving in Illinois is illegal, and these distracted drivers can cost someone their life.

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 Posted on January 14, 2020 in Workers Comp

When it comes to work accidents, they are treated (differently) than an injury that occurred at another private property. If a person slips in a grocery store and breaks their leg, they may be able to sue the store for negligence. When an employee is injured, instead of filing a personal injury lawsuit against their employer, workers’ compensation kicks in instead. Whether a workplace accident is caused by an employee or employer, the employee is eligible for benefits and unable to sue the employer. They may, however, sue any third-parties associated with the injury occurrence.

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Provide?

Workers’ compensation is meant to help employees if they are injured on the job and cannot return to work, and/or require medical treatment. Any eligible employee has the right to file for workers’ compensation benefits, but they will not be granted for injuries that a basic first aid kit can cover. Depending on how long the employee needs to restrain from work, and their working abilities after an accident, they will be provided with a replacement wage. For any medical treatment required to heal the injury or illness caused by work, it will be at no cost to the employee.

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 Posted on December 27, 2019 in Car Accidents

We get insurance for a variety of reasons. It is a financial investment toward risk management. People will insure valuables, their health, or even other people for worst-case scenario situations. Not every insurance situation will cover 100% of damages, but they will lessen the financial burden after an illness, death, or stolen item. In Illinois, automobile insurance is required by law. When a car accident happens, it is the party that caused the accident’s responsibility to provide compensation for damaged property, medical bills, or pain and suffering. An insured driver will have assistance with this, but what happens when crashes involve uninsured or underinsured motorists?

What Are the Minimum Insurance Requirements?

There are minimum requirements for all auto drivers in the state of Illinois. All drivers are required to be insured at a minimum of the following:

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 Posted on December 15, 2019 in Car Accidents

While walking to work or going for a run, a person traveling by foot in close proximity to the road is considered a pedestrian. Most destinations require some walking, even if a person drives, so It is almost impossible to avoid being a pedestrian at one time or another. Unfortunately, this health and environmentally conscious form of transportation still has the potential for an accident, and like car and truck accidents, there are common causes.

The United States Department of Transportation reported in 2017 that there were 5,977 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents. Every 88 minutes it is estimated that a pedestrian dies as the result of getting hit by a motor vehicle. According to the same data, a pedestrian accident is most likely to happen in an urban area outside of an intersection at night. The highest percentages of accidents happen after the sun goes down, time depending on the season.

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