Recent Blog Posts
Should Illinois Ban the Right on Red Law?
Approximately 50 years ago, Illinois, along with most states in the country, changed its law so drivers could turn right at red lights. However, the law specifically states that a driver could turn right on red only after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. While the right turn on red rule is intended to expedite traffic flow, it poses significant dangers to pedestrians. Pedestrians are vulnerable road users, and the execution of right turns on red can create hazardous situations that compromise their safety. Unfortunately, the high number of pedestrians struck and injured or killed at these locations has resulted in some states and major cities, including Chicago, considering banning right-on-red laws. Anyone injured in a pedestrian accident should speak with an Illinois personal injury lawyer to determine what legal recourse they may have.
OSHA Announces New Safety Protocols for Its Own Employees
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced that it is updating its safety protocols for all agency employees who wear hard hats. Employees will be given safety helmets instead as part of their personal protective equipment (PPE). OSHA urges all employers with employees who use hard hats to take steps to replace them with safety helmets to provide workers with the protection they need. Any worker who has suffered an injury at work should speak to an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer to find out what benefits they may be entitled to.
Safety Helmets vs. Hard Hats
Safety helmets and hard hats are essential pieces of personal protective equipment designed to protect the head from hazards in various work environments. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinctions between safety helmets and hard hats regarding design, materials, and the level of protection they offer.
Why Are Wrist Fractures a Common Car Accident Injury?
One of the most common car accident injuries is wrist fractures. These fractures occur when one or more of the bones in the wrist crack or break. They can range in severity from minor hairline fractures to more complex and severe injuries. While some may believe that a fractured wrist is a minor injury, many of these injuries are painful and can cause long-term medical and financial issues. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can determine the financial compensation the injured person may be entitled to for the losses the wrist fracture causes.
The following is a brief overview of why this is such a common injury.
Impact Forces
Car accidents involve sudden and powerful forces. When a vehicle smashes into another object or comes to a sudden stop, the occupants inside the car may be thrown forward or sideways. This can result in their wrists hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or other hard surfaces with considerable force, leading to wrist fractures.
What Is Late Whiplash Syndrome?
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries that a person can suffer in a crash, and although it is often thought of as a “minor” injury, the truth is that it can be anything but. Research has shown that up to 40 percent of people who sustain a whiplash injury end up dealing with delayed whiplash or late whiplash syndrome. Unfortunately, whiplash injury is also one of the most disputed injuries by insurance companies, who often try to minimize or even deny the injured person’s claim. This is why it is essential to have an Illinois personal injury lawyer advocating for you in any kind of accident claim.
Understanding Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is usually caused by the sudden jerking of the neck, going back and forth, snapping just like the crack of a whip – hence its name. This forceful jerking can damage muscles, nerves, tendons, and even discs in the neck and spinal column. Although many people begin to have symptoms of the injury within 24 hours, there are many cases where the symptoms are delayed for days, weeks, or even months after the accident.
Almost Five Million Blenders Recalled for Fire and Laceration Risks
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced the recall of the BlendJet 2 Portable Blender because of the risks of fire and lacerations. The recall involves approximately 4.8 million blenders. Unfortunately, the number of recalls for dangerous and defective products continues to increase each year. Fortunately, Illinois law allows injured consumers to pursue damages against liable parties. An Illinois personal injury lawyer can help.
Details of the Recall
According to the CPSC’s Dec. 28, 2023 announcement, the manufacturer has received over 320 reports of blades breaking while the blender is in use. The company has also received almost 20 reports of the blenders overheating or catching fire, with property damages claims already reaching nearly $150,000. So far, approximately 50 consumers have reported injuries from either lacerations caused by broken blades or burns from fires.
The Importance of Knowing the Signs of Nursing Home Abuse
The issue of nursing home abuse first gained the public’s attention approximately 50 years ago. Unfortunately, the incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect have continued to increase each year. As the elderly population grows, so too does the number of nursing home abuse survivors. The need for good quality nursing home facilities has been unable to keep up with the ever-increasing elderly demographic. The combination of stressful working conditions, low pay, and shortages of staff have led to the nursing home abuse epidemic the country is facing today. An Illinois personal injury lawyer who specializes in nursing home abuse cases can help families get the financial justice they deserve
Types of Nursing Home Abuse
There are several types of abuse a resident may be exposed to:
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Physical abuse: Physical abuse includes shoving, hitting, pushing, biting, or beating. Physical abuse can also include force-feeding the resident or inappropriate use of drugs.
Common Workers’ Compensation FAQs
Workers' compensation is an insurance program mandated by the state of Illinois that provides financial and medical benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to their job. It is a critical program designed to protect employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. However, many employees injured or diagnosed with an occupational illness often have questions about how it works. The following are some of the most common questions. If you have been injured, it is important to contact an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer for legal help.
How Do I File a Workers' Compensation Claim?
If you suffer a work-related injury or illness, you must report it to your employer as soon as possible. Your company should have a procedure in place for reporting job injuries, and it is important to follow that procedure to protect your claim.
What Is Anesthesia Awareness?
Almost 60,000 patients are put under anesthesia every day in the United States. Although many people think of anesthesia as “sleeping,” in reality, when a person is put under anesthesia, it is similar to being in a reversible coma. Anesthesia slows body functions, which keeps a patient unconscious to prevent him or her from feeling any pain. However, death or injury are possible side effects if any factor in the process goes awry. One dangerous issue that many patients experience is anesthesia awareness. If you or a loved one has suffered an anesthesia error, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer.
Anesthesia Awareness
If an anesthesiologist fails to give the patient enough anesthesia, the patient can be wholly conscious but paralyzed during the procedure. Patients who experience this frequently suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the incident.
Recovering Damages for Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries and devastating consequences for individuals who are struck by motor vehicles. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, it is important to understand your rights and the legal process for recovering damages. The following is a brief overview of that process. Contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer for more detailed information about your situation if you have been injured in an accident.
Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Determining liability, or who is at fault, is a crucial factor in pedestrian accident cases. Under Illinois law, liability is assessed based on negligence, which means the responsible party failed to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person.
Common Causes of Holiday Parking Lot Accidents
The holiday season is a festive time for many people. There are many social gatherings with family, friends, co-workers, and lots of gift-giving and Secret Santas. However, the holiday season is also a time when parking lots at shopping centers, malls, and retail outlets can become perilous places, resulting in increased risk of vehicle and pedestrian accidents. The following are some of the most frequent reasons parking lot accidents happen. Contact an Illinois personal injury attorney for legal assistance if you have been injured in an accident.
Increased Congestion
One of the primary factors contributing to holiday parking lot accidents is the surge in traffic and congestion. As shoppers flock to stores to purchase gifts, parking lots become overcrowded and chaotic. The influx of vehicles and limited parking spaces often leads to impatient and aggressive driving behavior.
