Posted on December 06, 2021 in Car Accidents

Originally published: October 24, 2018 -- Updated: December 6, 2021

UPDATE: While punitive damages, as described below, may be available in some cases, these types of damages are generally only awarded in situations where a person committed an egregious violation of the law or knowingly acted in a way that put others at risk of serious harm. While punitive damages may be available in some car accident cases involving distracted driving, they may also be awarded in cases where a drunk driver caused injuries to others, since all drivers should be aware of the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

Punitive damages may apply in certain types of situations, but other types of damages are available in most car accidents that were caused by a negligent driver or other parties who were at fault for a collision. These usually include economic damages that address the financial losses that a person experienced because of their injuries, including medical expenses, income they lost due to an inability to work while recovering from an accident, and physical or mental disabilities that have affected their future income-earning ability and career prospects. Non-economic damages may also be awarded, and these may address the ways a victim and their loved ones have been personally affected, such as the physical pain and suffering they have experienced and the emotional trauma that has affected their overall well-being.

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 Posted on November 29, 2021 in Product Liability

Patients who undergo medical procedures put a significant amount of trust in their surgeon and medical facility. When unexpected, severe, and even fatal injuries occur during these procedures, patients and their families suffer devastating consequences. In some cases, these injuries are caused by defective devices utilized during the medical procedure

To better understand how to pursue a claim to hold the at-fault parties accountable and recover damages, contact an attorney proficient in handling defective medical device injury cases

Defective Medical Devices and Common Injuries

Though not all defective medical devices cause injury, those that do can have catastrophic consequences. Defects can be present across various surgical instruments that are often used in critical procedures, including implants, pacemakers, and prosthetic devices. There are certain medical devices that feature defects more frequently than others, some of which include:

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 Posted on November 17, 2021 in Premises Liability

Terrible accidents that occur due to poor property management often seem altogether preventable and unnecessary. When visitors suffer an injury due to unsafe environments that the landowner should have addressed, premises liability law holds property owners accountable for the sustained harm. If you have been injured due to the negligent actions of a property owner, it is vital to understand what legal options may be available.

Different Types of Premises Liability Cases

Accidents that involve premises liability can arise in many different instances, therefore it is critical for property owners to remain vigilant for safety hazards within their property. These types of injuries can occur at nearly any location, including restaurants or stores, the workplace, daycare, or a neighbor’s yard.

Slip and fall accidents may be the most common premises liability danger. Luckily, most slip and fall accidents are fairly minimal and do not result in serious accidents. However, slip and fall accidents can also be extremely dangerous and lead to devastating injuries. Wet floors, unmarked obstacles, and snowy or icy pathways are common factors in slip and fall accidents. Any of these conditions have the potential to cause the victim catastrophic head, neck, or other bodily injuries

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 Posted on November 11, 2021 in Medical Malpractice

In Illinois and across the country, nursing homes are seeing a rising number of residents suffer injuries and health problems due to medication errors. Families who cannot properly care for their elderly loved ones on their own often rely on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to properly and compassionately attend to them instead. When their loved one’s health fails due to negligent or abusive care, it is critical to work with legal professionals who can represent your loved one’s case

What Are The Dangers of Medication Errors?

It is very common for nursing home residents to take prescription medication. Unfortunately, nursing homes are notoriously understaffed, and this is a leading cause of medication errors in long-term care facilities. Commonly occurring errors include providing the resident with expired medications, administering the wrong dosage of medication, and neglecting to monitor the resident following administration.

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 Posted on November 05, 2021 in Car Accidents

 Spinal cord injuries can be detrimental to a victim and their family. Depending on the severity of the injury, the victim may suffer lifelong disability accompanied by continuous treatment and medical bills. Victims should not have to face these challenges alone. A knowledgeable attorney can help injured victims understand their options and help to hold the responsible parties accountable. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney can also help the victim understand what caused their injury and what types of symptoms they may experience.

What Are The Most Frequently Seen Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Damage to the spinal canal nerves or spinal cord can permanently change an injured individual’s life. A severe spinal cord injury arises when the spinal cord itself or the vertebrae, discs, or ligaments within the spinal column are damaged. The most commonly seen cause of a spinal cord injury is a serious motor vehicle accident. However, there are many other events that may result in this type of catastrophic injury, including:

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 Posted on October 29, 2021 in Personal Injury

Few parents have the pleasure of being able to stay at home to care for and raise their children. In most cases, parents must return to work shortly after the child is born so that they can adequately provide for their family. When this time comes, it is common for parents to pick out a daycare. Trusting a facility with that responsibility is a major step in a parent’s life, and unfortunately, sometimes that trust is broken by negligent facilities and their staff. If your child has sustained serious injuries due to the actions or inactions of their daycare, you may want to work with an experienced daycare injury lawyer. 

Did Your Child Suffer Injuries at  Daycare?

Children of all ages come home with scrapes and small bruises after a day away from home. This is not all that uncommon or necessarily concerning. Accidents certainly happen, especially with small children. However, many injuries are entirely preventable and in some cases, would have been avoided had the daycare acted more responsibly. 

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 Posted on October 22, 2021 in Premises Liability

When most people imagine themselves experiencing a slip, trip, or fall at work, they likely envision an embarrassing moment in front of co-workers, resulting in injuries that may require an ice pack or bandage. Unfortunately, some slip and fall accidents can be much more serious. While it is not entirely uncommon to experience a minor slip, trip, or fall on the job, severe accidents may lead to significant injuries, long durations of time away from work, and considerable medical expenses. 

Employees who suffer a serious workplace accident may find it helpful to seek legal guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney.

Common Situations that Lead to On-The-Job Slip and Fall Accidents

Construction workers are the most susceptible employees to face dangerous, even fatal falls. However, even workers who spend most of their workday in a cubicle or other office space can experience a serious slip and fall accident. 

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 Posted on October 18, 2021 in Personal Injury

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019 there were 61,000 deaths in the United States related to a traumatic brain injury. This equates to 166 traumatic brain injury fatalities on a daily basis. After an accident, injured victims should take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and look after their overall health. Additionally, the victims and their families should understand the unique challenges they may face after suffering this type of injury

When a brain injury is caused by another party’s negligent or illegal actions, the victim may be entitled to monetary damages. The brain injury sufferer may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, pain and suffering, and more

Three Important Elements to Consider After Suffering a Brain Injury 

1.) Symptoms are not always apparent

Depending on the severity of a brain injury, symptoms can vary and not all symptoms will be immediately obvious following an accident. When symptoms do arise, it is possible they may only last for a few days. However, some individuals experience life-long health problems after suffering a brain injury. Unfortunately, untreated brain trauma can lead to permanent disability and even death.

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 Posted on October 08, 2021 in Personal Injury

Construction workers are exposed to hazardous environments every day at their job. When employers and contractors do not uphold expectations to follow regulations and properly train their employees, workers are put at even greater risk of harm. When workers are not prepared to face these dangers, they may not be able to effectively recover compensation for their injuries. However, an experienced attorney can help workers to follow the necessary steps to start their recovery after a construction accident.

Immediately Seek Medical Attention

When dangerous accidents occur on a construction site, employees are vulnerable to suffering catastrophic injuries such as imputation of an appendage, broken bones, severe burns, lacerations, eye injuries, and even death. However, some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spine injuries are not accompanied by instantaneous symptoms. Therefore, it is critical for anyone involved in a construction site accident to seek medical care after the event immediately

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 Posted on September 28, 2021 in Car Accidents

New and used vehicles are purchased every day. Drivers rely on their vehicles to get them safely from place to place. When vehicle manufacturers and sellers fail to uphold safety expectations, auto defects in the products may lead to catastrophic accidents and exacerbate any sustained injuries.

Honda Seat Belt Defects Lead to Substantial Settlements for Victims

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., better known simply as Honda, has faced significant ridicule and court challenges regarding seatbelt defects seen in their vehicles in recent years

In 2015, a 27-year old woman was riding as a passenger in a Honda Odyssey when the vehicle was struck by a pickup truck. She suffered a broken spinal column. The woman, now a quadriplegic, was awarded a settlement of $37.6 million.

In a separate accident involving Honda’s defective seatbelts, a rollover accident resulted in a Pennsylvania man’s paralysis. Honda was ordered to pay $55.3 million.

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