The long-anticipated wait for legal marijuana in Illinois is over. On January 1, 2020, Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. With any major changes in state laws, it is important that Illinois citizens thoroughly understand every aspect of what is legal and what is not legal. This law did not throw open the floodgates, and there are still restrictions in place.

Understanding Marijuana Laws in Illinois

We want to answer some of the most commonly asked questions related to legal marijuana in Illinois.

Who can buy marijuana in Illinois?

Anyone over the age of 21 is allowed to buy marijuana products from licensed Illinois sellers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional injuries are the leading cause of mortality among children in the US. According to the CDC, approximately 12,000 Children die each year due to unintentional injuries. It is important to understand what an unintentional injury is, statistics of injury by age group, how to prevent these injuries, and what to do when negligence causes an unintentional child injury.

What is an unintentional injury?

The term “unintentional injury” is used to describe an injury that happens that was unplanned. Typically, an unintentional injury:

One of the most popular activities for children to participate in is riding a bicycle. Children all over Illinois ride their bicycles each day. However, bicycle crashes are among the leading causes of unintentional child injuries. Bicycle accidents can lead to serious and disabling injuries for children, and they are often caused by another person's negligence.

How often are children hurt and bicycle accidents?

Unintentional injuries are those that someone did not mean to cause. However, that does not mean that the incident was not caused by negligence. Many children's injuries occur due to the negligence of another person.

Traumatic accidents are the leading cause of child injuries and deaths across the United States. Most traumatic accidents that happen to children are preventable. Home fires are more common than most people realize. Parents, guardians, and caregivers can take steps to keep little ones safe from fire in the home.

Tips for keeping kids safe from burns

1. Teach fire safety to your kids

Education is important, and the earlier kids start to learn about fire hazards, the better. This includes fire prevention and fire survival. Explain to your kids why fire safety is important and that fire is not a toy.

2. Install smoke alarms

Smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have them installed near the kitchen, on each level of the home, and near sleeping areas. Test the batteries every month and replace the batteries once a year. Make sure your kids know what the smoke alarm sounds like and what it means.

No parent wants to see their child injured in a car accident. If that does happen, parents want to do what they can to help their child recover. If the car crash was caused by another person’s negligence, you should be entitled to compensation. It is vital that children injured in a car accident get the coverage they need.

How is an insurance claim different for minors?

Most car accident victims receive the compensation they need through insurance claims, whether through their own or the at-fault driver’s carrier. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor in a crash and they cannot legally file a claim. An individual called a “next friend” will file the claim on the minor’s behalf. Usually, the minor’s parent or guardian is considered the “next friend.”

What if a personal injury lawsuit is necessary?

There are times when a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary for a car accident victim to recover the compensation they deserve. This could be the case if the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier refuses to offer a fair settlement or if a claim is denied. For personal injury lawsuits, it is recommended that a victim and their family work with a car accident attorney.