A personal injury lawsuit is a means of pursuing financial compensation for harm caused by another party’s negligence. The plaintiff, or the individual who was injured, brings the lawsuit against the party who was responsible for his or her injury, called the defendant. The defendant may be a negligent driver, an insurance company, a property owner, a business, or even a government entity.

A crucial aspect of a personal injury lawsuit is discovery. During the discovery process, the defendant and the plaintiff gather information about the facts of the case using various legal tools. The information gathered during discovery may help the parties negotiate a settlement and avoid taking the case to trial. If no settlement is reached and the case does go to trial, the information gathered during discovery will be used as evidence in court.

Information-Gathering Strategies Used in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Discovery exists so that both sides of a lawsuit have all of the information and can build their cases effectively. Depositions are sometimes used in personal injury lawsuits to gather oral testimony from parties who are placed under oath. A deposition is a formal meeting that takes place in front of a court reporter who will record everything the parties and their attorneys say.

Severe and catastrophic burn injuries can occur in a car accident, equipment-related accident, fire, workplace accident, farm accident, or a number of other situations. Suffering a severe burn injury is a life-changing experience. Not only are burns extremely painful, but they also often lead to permanent disfigurement. Furthermore, the psychological trauma associated with a severe burn may plague the burn victim for years or decades.

When a burn injury is caused by another party's recklessness, carelessness, intentional wrongdoing, or negligence, the victim may be able to take legal action against that party. A personal injury claim can be used to pursue monetary damages as well as justice for the terrible event.

Legal Rights of Burn Injury Victims in Illinois

Illinois law allows an injured person to file a civil claim for damages against the party who caused his or her injury. The party responsible for a severe burn may be a negligent driver, property owner, contractor at a construction site, product manufacturer, or numerous other parties.

Work-related injuries can lead to physical, emotional, and financial hardship for workers and their families. In Illinois, injured workers will be eligible for workers' compensation benefits, as long as an injury occurred while they were working or arose out of their employment. Workers' comp benefits address medical expenses related to a work injury, and they also provide wage replacement for those who experience disabilities. In some cases, a person may be totally disabled, meaning that the injuries they suffered prevent them from returning to work and earning an income. In these situations, it is important to understand the total disability benefits that will be available through workers' compensation.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD)

Depending on the severity of an injury, a person may be unable to work while they are recovering. For example, a back injury may prevent a person from walking, standing in place for extended periods of time, bending over, lifting objects, or performing other work-related tasks. Especially serious injuries may even require a person to remain in bed or a seated position throughout the day, making it impossible for them to perform any work. For those who are unable to work at all during a period of recovery, TTD benefits will help cover some of the income they would have been able to earn during that time. A person may also receive these benefits if they have been approved for light-duty work by their doctor, but their employer is unable to accommodate them and provide them with a temporary position with duties that fit their limitations.

Temporary total disability benefits will be available when an employee is unable to return to work for more than three days. At this point, the employee may begin receiving benefits, and the amount they receive will be calculated as two thirds (66 2/3 percent) of the average weekly wages they earned over the 52 weeks immediately preceding their injury. These benefits will continue to be paid until the employee can return to the position they held prior to their injury or until a doctor determines that their condition has improved as much as possible (known as "maximum medical improvement" or MMI).

Car accidents and truck accidents are very dramatic with regard to severity. Some accident victims are able to walk away from the crash relatively unscathed. They may have a few bumps and bruises, but the crash does not have a lasting impact on their quality of life or ability to work. For others, the accident represents one of the most significant life events they ever experience.

Crashes resulting in dismemberment or requiring surgical amputation of a limb are rare. However, they do occur. If you or a loved one suffered an amputation injury as a result of a car accident, it is crucial that you understand your legal rights and options.

Legal Options After a Car Crash Resulting in Amputation

Illinois law gives crash victims the option to bring a personal injury claim against the party who caused the accident. In many cases, the at-fault party is another driver. Distracted driving, intoxicated driving, speeding, failure to yield, and other forms of negligent driving are common causes of accidents in Illinois. The liable party could also be a commercial trucking company, manufacturer or designer of vehicle parts, or several other parties.

Many people swear by chiropractic care, believing it can help relieve back pain and other ailments. However, chiropractic treatments can cause serious injuries if not done correctly. If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of chiropractic adjustments or other treatments, you may be wondering: Can I sue a chiropractor for an injury?

Chiropractors and the Duty of Care

Like all medical professionals, chiropractors are required to maintain a professional standard of care when providing treatment. This means that they must adhere to certain protocols, such as obtaining a full patient history, following accepted medical practices, and getting informed consent from their patients. If the chiropractor fails to meet this standard of care, then they may be considered negligent and, therefore, liable for damages.

Chiropractors can make mistakes during adjustments that seriously injure patients. For example, a chiropractor can misapply force to an area of the body that is not meant to be manipulated, causing damage or tissue tears. In extreme cases, improper chiropractic treatments can lead to pinched nerves, herniated discs, or even broken bones. Tragically, in rare cases, chiropractor malpractice is fatal. Vertebral artery dissection caused by improper chiropractic care can lead to ischemic stroke, thrombus formation, paralysis, or death.