Posted on December 00, 0000 in Dog Bites

As the Midwest begins to warm up in the spring, people in the Chicagoland area take advantage of every nice day they can. Comfortable temperatures mean it is the perfect time for dog owners to take their beloved pets on a walk and parents to take their kids to play outside. With more animals outside in warmer weather, the likelihood of a dog bite increases.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Dogs are a popular pet, and over 36% of American households own at least one. They are considered “man’s best friend” but it is important to remember that no matter how friendly a dog is, they are still an animal that acts independently. Even a well-trained dog may bite when threatened. In most cases, a dog bites in reaction to something. They might be startled, or defending territory like food. If a dog is scared or approached by an unfamiliar stressor, a bite may be a form of self-defense. A sick dog may bite if they would prefer to be left alone.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough, but what happens when there is an uninsured driver involved? Every car owner is required by law to have a certain coverage of liability insurance, however, one out of every eight drivers attempts to avoid responsibility. They may go unnoticed on the road until they are pulled over, or get into a car accident. An uninsured driver may have even had the proper insurance at one time, but canceled due to financial reasons. But, no matter the reasons, it is still possible to get into an accident with an uninsured driver.

What Are the Insurance Requirements in Illinois?

Every state has his or her requirements for the amount of coverage an insurance policy has. Illinois has the following minimum requirements:

• Property damage: $20,000
• Death or injury of one person: $25,000
• Death or injury of more than one person: $50,000

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

It is impossible to get through life without getting injured at some point. An injury may be mild and solved with a band-aid, but on the other hand, a serious injury can put a person out of work for a significant amount of time. Due to the size and force of automobiles, a car accident could put a victim in this situation. The good news is, when a person is significantly injured by someone else, they have been eligible for compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Personal injury has a wide umbrella of circumstances behind it. A patient who is injured by their doctor may be eligible, or a consumer who got hurt because of a faulty product. The key, in any case, is proving negligence. This is when an individual or company is liable because of their actions. Regarding car accidents, a person who was drinking under the influence, speeding, or otherwise driving recklessly, may be considered negligent in the event of a crash.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Dog Bites

Dogs can provide comfort as pets, and some have additional professional duties such as being a service animal for a disabled person. It is easy to forget that dogs are animals with their thoughts and feelings, and that is when dog bites happen. The average dog can exert 269 pounds of pressure with a single bite, so when a dog is provoked, the physical damage can be serious.

Children are especially susceptible to dog bites. A young child may not be aware of the warning a dog gives off, and may not understand personal boundaries. Because children are smaller, an injury from a dog can be more severe, and they are at a higher risk of infection. Children should always be supervised with animals, even ones they are familiar with. Half of all dog bites occur from a familiar dog or family pet.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Slip and Fall Accidents

It is easy to mistake footing and trip, but what happens if a slip and fall is caused by property owners’ negligence? Property owners have a responsibility to keep their home or business safe for other invited occupants. A slip and fall may not sound like a big deal, but they can leave permanent damage, or even death, to a victim. If trauma is caused to an individual because of negligence, they may be eligible for compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

What Is Negligence?

In regards to property, negligence is knowing about or ignoring an issue, that caused a person to get hurt. Property owners, both private and businesses, are expected to keep reasonable maintenance of a property for the safety of invited parties. A personal injury case relies on the plaintiff being able to prove negligence. For example, if a person slips in a grocery store and sustains a head injury, they may have a case for negligence if there was no wet floor warning. Who is allowed on the property is also a contributing factor in whether someone can call negligence. If someone trespasses in an abandoned barn and the floor collapses, and the trespasser obtains a head injury, the property owner would not likely be held liable because the injured person was breaking the law.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle ownership has many benefits compared to relying on a car for transportation. They are lighter, cost-effective in fuel, and often require less financial investment upfront than a car. However, many people avoid motorcycle use due to the associated dangers behind it, and the fear of getting in a motorcycle accident.

Despite the benefits of motorcycle ownership, they do provide less protection to drivers and riders than a standard car. Cars have a full external shell as well as added safety precautions such as airbags. To combat this, responsible motorcycle riders often wear safety gear. Helmets are not required in Illinois for adult riders but are one of the most impactful steps a motorcycle driver can take in regards to safety. A helmet may not completely prevent a head injury in the event of a crash, but it could keep a person alive. Heavy-duty jackets, boots, and gloves will also help protect a rider.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Medical Malpractice

No matter how sick a patient is, they expect their doctor to listen to their concerns and then prescribe a treatment or course of action. When a doctor or other medical professional makes a mistake that causes harm to the patient it is medical malpractice. When administering care, physicians, nurses, and hospitals have a standard of care to maintain with a patient. The key to a medical malpractice personal injury case is to prove negligence, and that negligence had a negative effect on the patient’s life.

In 2018, Illinois had over $300 Million in payouts having to do with medical malpractice. That averages out to $23.50 per capita and is an 11.49% increase from 2016. Of all paid out claims, 30% resulted in the death of a patient across the United States. Learn to recognize the potential signs of medical malpractice before it is too late.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Workers Comp

From office workers to construction workers, it is possible for any person at work to become injured on the job. Some of the reasons people need to file for workers’ compensation overlap despite being in different industries. Luckily, no matter how dangerous a job can be, most employees are covered by workers’ compensation.

What Is Workers’ Compensation?

No matter how large or small a business is, most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This provides protection to employees in the event they are injured as a result of conditions at work. Every employee is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if they qualify for it. For example, an employee falling off a ladder and obtaining an injury that prevents them from working for a short period would likely qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. An employee who was recklessly engaged in drugs or alcohol while at work, and fell off a ladder, would likely not qualify for workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation pays for missed wages as well as medical care as a result of a workplace accident.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Criminal Law

By:  Kal Issa

With the passing of House Bill 1438, which allows for the legal possession of Cannabis, many individuals who have had criminal records based on the mere possession of certain amounts of marijuana will have the opportunity to have their criminal record wiped clean. That is because the bill will provide those individuals the ability to have their arrests, cases, and convictions expunged, making it as if it never happened at all.

House Bill 1438, known as The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, amends the Criminal Identification Act, which addresses the sealing and or expunging of certain criminal offenses. Sealing allows a record to be hidden from public view, while still being accessible to certain entities. Expungement, on the other hand, allows for the complete obliteration of a criminal record, essentially wiping the past away.

The new law allows previous “minor Cannabis offenses” to be completely removed from an individual’s history so long as the arrest, charge or disposition was for a Cannabis related offense involving less than 30 grams. This includes not only mere possession of Cannabis but even Possession with Intent to Deliver, Delivery of Cannabis or Manufacturing Cannabis. However, the prior offense must not be for delivering (or intending to deliver) to a minor nor can the offense have been associated with a violent crime.

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 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Even while taking safety precautions as a pedestrian, it is still possible to get hit by a car or truck. In the United States, there were just under 6,000 pedestrian deaths in 2017. Although this was a decrease from the years prior, it is estimated that a pedestrian died every 88 minutes as a result of a pedestrian accident in the same year. Many more have been injured as a result of getting hit by a car. A pedestrian has little outward protection from a vehicle hitting them on the road. Head trauma, broken bones, or spinal damage are possible injuries a pedestrian can face. When faced with an auto-pedestrian accident, it is important to know your rights.

Getting hit by a car can be a traumatic experience. After a pedestrian accident, it is important to make your safety a priority. If possible, remove yourself from immediate danger such as in the middle of the road. If your injuries are too severe, try to get assistance in order to move or have a safety warning until authorities arrive. Once safe, call 911 to report the accident. This will alert the police to come to the scene of the accident to begin an accident report. Statements will be taken from yourself and the driver. If you are able, take photographs of the scene, including your injuries. The more information you can gather, the more it can help your case when filing an insurance claim.

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