When people hear the words burglary and robbery, they may think they are the same crime. Although similar in nature, there are differences that make them separate in terms of penalties. Whether or not a weapon was involved in committing the act also factors into the legal consequences. Burglary is when a person illegally enters a building in order to commit a crime while inside. Robbery involves taking money or property from a person without permission by force or intimidation with the intent to keep the property permanently.
In Illinois, both burglary and robbery convictions are serious crimes and…
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During a DUI traffic stop or after an arrest, police may use several tests to gauge a driver’s level of impairment. Naturally, many people worry that performing badly on one of these tests means a conviction is certain. However, this is not always the case. A skilled Will County, IL DUI defense lawyer can review police procedures and potentially highlight issues in the testing methods.
As a mid-size law firm with over 150 years of combined experience, our attorneys are ready to provide you with aggressive representation in a DUI case. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we can go over…
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A car accident is an overwhelming experience for most people. Many accident victims struggle to think clearly in the moments after a crash and may continue to feel frustrated for days or even weeks afterward. However, taking immediate action can make a difference in a personal injury case. That means the decisions you make can mean the difference between being compensated for your medical costs and being required to pay for them on your own. If your injuries are so severe that you are unable to complete any of the suggested tasks, your attorney can rush to the scene to…
Continue Reading Why It Is Important to Take Pictures After a Car Accident

Accidents happen, and if you have been injured or fallen ill at work, you have to consider how you will pay all your medical bills. If your injury or work-related illness keeps you from working, your situation can become even worse. You might also have some reasonable fears about bills piling up. Fortunately, you may qualify for workers’ compensation. However, in order to receive these benefits, you must follow the proper procedures.
At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, our Will County, IL workers’ comp attorneys can help you seek payment for injuries suffered on the job. With over 150 years…
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The most important person to speak to after you have been hurt in a personal injury accident is your doctor. For many reasons, seeking and obtaining the appropriate medical treatment should be of paramount importance after you have been injured. However, if your injuries have been caused by another person, that person’s insurance company will try to take your statement (usually recorded) as soon as possible. This initial communication can determine how much of your health or other expenses the company will cover. 
You should think twice before speaking to the adjuster immediately after your accident. A Joliet, IL personal…
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Accidents can and do occur at companies and job sites, even if every safety precaution is taken. In Illinois, workers’ compensation benefits can help cover medical expenses and lost wages if a worker is hurt while on the job. The majority of workplace injuries involve an employee eventually returning to work after healing. In certain accidents, however, a worker may sustain injuries so severe that they cause permanent restrictions or disability.
If you are permanently disabled as a result of a catastrophic work injury, our Joliet, IL workers’ compensation lawyers can help you seek financial relief. At McNamara Phelan McSteen,…
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When you envision a “standard” DUI charge, the image that comes to most people’s minds is someone who had one too many drinks before operating a vehicle. However, this is not the only circumstance in which you can be charged with DUI. If a prescription medication impacts your ability to drive, it could lead to a DUI charge in Illinois.
Getting arrested for a DUI after taking legally prescribed medication can be distressing. At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, our Joliet, IL criminal defense attorneys are here to help. Our attorneys have over 150 years of combined experience, so when you…
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People tend to think of pets as family. However, it’s easy to forget that dogs are still animals, and sometimes, they lash out without warning. When a dog bite results in a serious injury, you may wonder what legal recourse you have, if any. In Illinois, you can absolutely sue a dog’s owner or handler for a bite resulting in injury. A Joliet, IL personal injury lawyer can help you explore your options.
At McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC, we provide victims of dog bites with aggressive representation in injury claims. In the past, we have secured significant payouts for animal…
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A DUI conviction in Illinois can affect much more than a court case. It can limit your ability to drive. It can also raise your insurance costs for years. These consequences often begin quickly and continue long after fines are paid or probation ends.
People are often surprised to learn that license penalties can begin before a DUI case is even finished in court. If you are facing DUI charges, contact our Joliet, IL DUI defense lawyers as quickly as possible.
How Does a DUI Conviction Affect Your Driver’s License in Illinois?
A DUI arrest can trigger two separate legal…
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Following a personal injury accident, there are generally two types of damages—economic and non-economic (sometimes known as special and general). Economic damages are straightforward, covering medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of future income. These are damages that have a specific number attached to them.
Non-economic damages (735 ILCS 5/2-1115.2) are usually called “pain and suffering,” and are subjective, intangible losses like pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Non-economic damages are often more difficult to quantify and may rely on expert testimony. Illinois law allows injury victims recovery for pain and suffering caused by…
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Suppose you are driving home after a long day at work when you see flashing lights appear behind you. The officer approaches, asks a couple of questions, then says, “Mind if I take a look inside your car?” Before you have a chance to respond, the officer begins searching your car, even with no evidence of a criminal offense.  
These moments can escalate quickly, and many drivers are unaware of their constitutional protections that limit when and how police can search a vehicle without the owner’s express permission. When an Illinois police officer begins looking through your car without…
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If you are injured at work, you may be shocked and dismayed to find that your employer is trying to avoid responsibility for the accident by claiming it was your fault. Although Illinois is known for its no-fault workers’ compensation system, certain types of employee misconduct can bar recovery. But if you slipped while rushing or made a simple mistake, this cannot be held against you under Illinois workers’ compensation laws.
In most cases, even if your own error led to your accident, you will still be entitled to medical and wage benefits under workers’ compensation. However, there are some…
Continue Reading Does Fault Matter in a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

As if a car accident is not stressful enough, imagine finding out that the driver who hit you is uninsured. Despite the mandatory auto insurance laws in Illinois, many drivers continue to drive without coverage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, as of 2023, about 15.2 percent of Illinois drivers were uninsured, ranking the state at number 17 for uninsured drivers across the nation.
Depending on your own insurance coverage, you may have other options for recovery following an accident with an uninsured driver. Other potential options include a civil lawsuit (although a driver who cannot afford car insurance is…
Continue Reading What to Do After an Illinois Crash with an Uninsured Driver