Posted on April 15, 2024 in Truck Accidents

Like all vehicle crashes, truck accidents can be the result of several different factors: a part malfunction, speeding, drunk driving, road conditions, and more. One factor that is quite common in truck accidents is known as driver fatigue. People whose job it is to deliver goods to various locations and are paid based on the number of deliveries they make have an interest in making as many deliveries as possible. It can encourage a lack of sufficient self-care and a failure to sleep enough to be safely well-rested on the roads. There are federal rules and regulations in place to limit the number of hours a truck driver is legally allowed to drive before a required break, based on the understanding that such breaks are necessary for safe driving. If you were hit by a truck, an experienced Bloomington, IL personal injury lawyer can review the case and investigate whether driver fatigue may have played a role.

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 Posted on April 04, 2024 in Wrongful Death

Reports about shootings are unfortunately becoming more commonplace. Whether you know someone who was specifically targeted or they were in the wrong place at the wrong time when a shooting that had nothing to do with them took place, the death of a loved one in a fatal shooting can be extremely difficult to deal with.

In some cases, a shooting victim’s family wants to see the shooter penalized for his act of violence. In other cases, the family thinks this is in vain since it will not bring their relatives back to life. Sometimes, the family will pursue a wrongful death suit, which could at least provide them with financial compensation for any damages and costs resulting from the shooting. Regardless of the circumstances, if a gunshot wound led to the death of your loved one, you should speak with a Champaigne, IL personal injury lawyer to understand what recourse might be available to you.

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 Posted on March 28, 2024 in Car Accidents

Many cities in Illinois are situated right next to farmland. Farm animals are a common sight along Illinois’s roads, and unfortunately, they sometimes cause serious car crashes if they manage to get out of their enclosures. If you were in a car accident caused by a farm animal, speak with a qualified Springfield, IL, personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options.

Car Accidents Caused by Livestock

Accidents in which animals are involved happen more often than you might think, and Illinois ranks 11th in the country for car accidents with animals. Proper fencing is very important for anyone who has livestock on their property. Otherwise, strong animals like pigs, horses, and cows can mistakenly wander into areas where they should not be, including roads. If you are driving and suddenly see an animal on the road, you might swerve to avoid hitting it, which could cause a collision with another car or something else on the road. You might also only notice the animal once it is too late for you to do anything about it. Head-on collisions with large farm animals can result in personal injury, significant car damage, or even death.

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 Posted on March 20, 2024 in Personal Injury

When people suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligence, they can begin working on a personal injury claim. These are incidents that are very common and can happen at all times, like car accidents, slip and falls, construction site accidents, accidents due to improperly secured cargo or equipment, and many more. While personal injury suits are quite common, there is not a great deal of general knowledge about what is involved in such claims. This article will include a glossary of terms commonly used in such cases, but a knowledgeable Decatur, IL personal injury attorney can offer more detailed explanations.

Duty of Care

Depending on your relationship with the person you believe was responsible for your injury, you might be able to prove that they had a duty of care - an obligation to take reasonable action to avoid causing damage or injury to someone else. Duty of care includes driving safely, providing good medical care, and keeping premises safe.

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 Posted on March 13, 2024 in Personal Injury

If someone gets injured due to the actions or negligence of someone else, they likely have a personal injury claim. Accident-related injuries can be devastating and could take a lot of time and money to get past. If someone else was at fault, they should cover those costs. However, personal injury cases can be complicated to navigate. This article will discuss some pitfalls to avoid. Of course, a knowledgeable Bloomington, IL, personal injury attorney can provide much more detail tailored to your specific case.

Putting off Dealing with Medical Issues

The moment you are injured in an accident, it is critical that you immediately seek medical care. First, this is an important step to take for your health and safety. Second, it will help prove your point that you were injured and needed medical treatment to recover. The responsible party’s insurance company may try to downplay your claims, but medical records will help you argue your case.

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 Posted on March 03, 2024 in Personal Injury

Although tractor accidents are less common than those between two passenger vehicles, they pose a risk of serious injury and damage. If you were in an accident with a tractor, it is important that you understand your rights. Whether you were operating the tractor, driving in another vehicle, or a pedestrian, a knowledgeable Bloomington, IL personal injury attorney can review your case and offer you reliable legal advice on how you should proceed.

Am I Entitled to Any Rights if I Was Injured by a Tractor?

Tractor accidents can be handled similarly to other kinds of traffic accidents, and more specifically, to truck accidents because tractors are often owned by a person or entity who was not operating it when the accident occurred. As tractors are commonly used by farms and other businesses, there is generally an employer who is indirectly liable for any accidents that the tractor gets into. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you navigate whether you should file a claim against the person who was operating the tractor at the time of the accident or the company that employed that person, depending on the specific circumstances of your accident.

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 Posted on February 28, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness in Illinois that impacts your ability to work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. These can include temporary partial disability (TPD) payments if you can work but in a reduced capacity. Determining if and when to pursue TPD can be confusing. An Illinois lawyer can help you determine when you should consider filing a TPD claim.

What is Temporary Partial Disability?

Temporary partial disability refers to when an injury or illness prevents you from earning your full wages for a limited period. For example, your income will be temporarily reduced if you normally work 40 hours per week but can now only work 15 hours due to medical restrictions.

TPD provides wage replacement to offset some of those lost earnings. The amount you receive depends on the difference between what you earned before versus after the injury or illness.

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 Posted on February 22, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

If you have been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), you may be wondering if you can file a workers' compensation claim to help pay for treatment. The answer depends on your specific situation. An Illinois lawyer can help you understand the workers' comp system and outline what you may need to prove to get benefits for CTS.

Proving Your CTS Is Work-Related

To receive workers' compensation for CTS treatment in IL, you must show that your job duties directly caused or aggravated your condition. Common work factors leading to CTS include:

• Repetitive hand and wrist motions, especially forceful grasping or pinching
• Use of vibrating power tools that strain the hands and wrists
• Maintaining awkward hand postures for long periods
• Work requiring extended wrist flexion or extension

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 Posted on February 19, 2024 in Car Accidents

Getting hit by a train often leads to extensive property damage and sometimes even injuries. While no amount of money can undo what happened, understanding your legal rights and options can help you secure fair restitution. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help you with some key areas where you may be able to seek damages after a train accident.

Assessing Vehicle Damage

If a train collides with your car, there is sure to be significant damage. The sheer size and weight of a train often leave vehicles mangled beyond repair. Typical vehicle damage could include:

• Totaling of the car
• Body damage like dents, cracks, and misshaping
• Mechanical and computer issues
• Damage to windows, lights, mirrors, or similar
• Damage from being pushed into other objects

You can seek damages to cover the cash value of your now-totaled vehicle, the cost to rent a replacement vehicle, and any repair-related expenses not covered by insurance. Save documentation like repair estimates and rental receipts.

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 Posted on February 09, 2024 in Workers' Compensation

If you suffered an injury at work that worsened an existing medical condition, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. This type of injury is known as an aggravation or exacerbation of a preexisting condition. An Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer can help you understand what you need to know about making this type of claim.

Establish Your Preexisting Condition

The first step is to show documentation that you had a medical condition prior to the workplace injury. This can include medical records, testimony from your doctor, and medical bills that predate the injury. Some examples of preexisting conditions that could be aggravated by a work accident include:

• Arthritis
• Prior back injury
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Asthma

Prove the Work Injury Aggravated Your Condition

Next, you must prove that the work accident directly caused your preexisting condition to become worse. Your treating physician will need to clearly link the changes in your condition to the workplace incident. Make sure you give your doctor an accurate history of how the injury occurred and point out when your symptoms got markedly worse. Diagnostic test results can also demonstrate an objective worsening of your preexisting condition.

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