Health care providers should be the safest people to entrust a loved one’s care to. When a doctor or nurse makes a serious mistake that leads to the death of a patient, he or she can be held financially responsible for that mistake in a wrongful death lawsuit. However, wrongful death cases based on medical malpractice can be challenging to prove. In some cases, the surviving family initially has very little information about how their close relative died. It may not be clear whether this was a medical error, an inevitable death caused by a medical condition or injury, or
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When a Work Accident Affects Your Earning Capacity
When a worker is left permanently and totally disabled after a workplace accident, workers’ compensation can often replace the worker’s entire paycheck. However, a lot of workers who have sustained permanent and life-altering injuries are no longer able to do the job they had before but are still able to do some work. For example, a factory worker who lost an arm and cannot keep working on the assembly line might be able to find work as a crossing guard or a cashier. However, this job is likely to pay less. In these cases, workers’ compensation can often make up…
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Halloween and Pedestrian Accidents in Residential Areas
Halloween is widely considered one of the most fun holidays by children and adults alike. Children get to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Adults are more likely to celebrate by heading out to the bars or to house parties, possibly also in costumes. Unfortunately, this means that there is a higher-than-average number of drunk drivers out on the one night of the year when children flood the street just after dark. This creates a very dangerous situation for everyone involved. If you are injured by a drunk driver this Halloween, an experienced DuPage County, IL pedestrian accident lawyer…
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Workers' Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury
Any workplace injury can have serious short-term effects. Most injured workers will need some time off and might need assistance with the normal activities of daily living while they are healing. Something as simple as a broken finger can prevent you from doing your job for weeks. Other injuries are permanent, life-altering, and devastating to deal with. After a workplace injury leaves you permanently disabled, finding purpose and meaning in life again can take time. If you suffered a catastrophic injury while at work, you may be entitled to significant compensation that can replace your lost wages and more.
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Why Should I Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer?
You have probably seen ads urging you to call a personal injury attorney after you are injured in an accident and wondered why you need a lawyer to file your claim. You do not have to hire an attorney; you can handle your claim alone. However, there are several reasons why it is usually a good idea to choose a skilled law firm that focuses on personal injury law. Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC explains.
How Do Personal Injury Claims Work?
Most personal injury claims are based on negligence, which means failing to behave like a reasonable person would in…
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What To Do If My Boss Retaliates for My Workers’ Comp Claim?
Illinois laws require most employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees, which pays specific benefits if they are injured while at work or develop a work-related illness. These laws also prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who file workers’ comp claims. Unfortunately, some employers ignore that prohibition and do penalize workers. Employees may hesitate to file a claim because they fear being fired or harassed.
Whether you need assistance filing your workers’ comp claim, help with a denied claim, are fighting to get full benefits, or your employer is retaliating because you filed a claim, an experienced…
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Do Pregnant Women Get More Money in Car Crash Claims? | IL
In 2022, there were almost 300,000 motor vehicle accidents in Illinois, injuring nearly 84,000 people and causing almost 1,300 fatalities. Sadly, some of those accident victims were pregnant.
Do pregnant women get higher settlement amounts in car accident cases? What kinds of compensation are available? The knowledgeable lawyers at Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC explain.
Collision Risks for Pregnant Women and Unborn Children
Although careful vehicle design provides some protection, the human body is vulnerable during collisions. Particularly in advanced stages of pregnancy, the mother and fetus can both sustain injuries due to:
- Deploying airbags
- The steering wheel or other
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What Is the Exclusive Remedy Rule in Workers’ Comp Cases?
If you sustain a work-related injury or become ill due to your employment, you can receive workers’ compensation benefits that cover your medical expenses and part of your lost wages. You may also qualify for disability benefits, and eligible survivors of workers who lose their lives may be able to obtain survivor benefits. However, these cases have restrictions, notably the exclusive remedy rule.
Workers’ comp claims in Illinois can be complex. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer from Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC can help you overcome potential challenges to reach a successful resolution to your claim.
What Is the…
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Slip and Fall Accidents at an Illinois Business
Slip and fall accidents might not seem like a big deal at first, but these accidents can have catastrophic impacts for victims. People who are injured in a slip and fall accident may experience traumatic head injuries and spinal cord injuries, among many other difficulties.
If you have experienced a slip and fall accident at a business, that business may be responsible for your injuries. An experienced Illinois slip and fall accident lawyer can help you determine if you have a case.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur when a person encounters a…
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How Does Workers’ Compensation in Illinois Work?
Experiencing an injury on the job or losing a loved one due to a fatal accident on the job can be traumatic. Workers’ compensation in Illinois aims to provide benefits for those who have been injured while working, though injured parties need to file a claim in order to receive benefits.
While you can navigate the Illinois workers’ compensation system alone, you do not have to. You are more likely to get positive results if you have the help of a knowledgeable Illinois workers’ compensation attorney who can advocate for your rights and interests during the claim process.
The Basics…
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Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Considered Catastrophic?
Traumatic brain injuries are often severe, and the victims of these injuries often deal with expensive medical bills, long-term recoveries, and a changed way of life. For many people, a traumatic brain injury stops them from working in the future or enjoying life the way they did before the injury occurred.
If you or someone you love has experienced an accident that led to a traumatic brain injury, it is important to contact a skilled Illinois personal injury attorney. With the help of a lawyer experienced in this kind of injury, you can pursue a claim for the compensation…
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What Happens if I Do Not Report a Work Accident?
Workplace accidents and injuries must be reported accurately and in a timely fashion to an employer if you want a chance at a successful workers’ compensation claim. Failure to report your accident or reporting your incident outside of the time limits set by the state of Illinois can cause issues with getting your claim approved.
If you are having trouble with workers’ compensation claim denials or understanding your workers’ compensation rights, it is vital to contact an Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer who can help you.
Failure to Report Can Lead to Claim Denial
After a workplace accident occurs, it can…
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Are Distracted Driving Accident Claims Complex?
Distracted driving accidents have been increasing over recent years, partly due to the availability of distractions for drivers to engage in while operating their motor vehicles. Texting and driving is one of the biggest distractions, though any action or behavior that takes a driver’s eyes off the road and the safe operations of his or her vehicle may be considered distracted driving.
Pursuing a claim for a distracted driving accident can be complex, as you will need to prove that the distracted actions of the driver caused your accident and your injuries. A skilled distracted driving accident lawyer can help…
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Does an Amputation Qualify for Long-Term Workers’ Compensation?
Losing a limb after a work accident severely impacts a person’s life and any ability he or she has to work in the future. Workers’ compensation may apply in situations where a victim of a workplace accident suffers from such a catastrophic injury, though you will need to qualify for long-term workers’ compensation, which is known as permanent and total disability.
An experienced Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer can advocate for your rights and the workers’ compensation payments you deserve after an amputation or other qualifying injury.
Qualifications for Permanent and Total Disability
Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act,…
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What Is Illinois Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice in Illinois occurs when a medical professional fails to perform their duty of care to a patient. This may include acting negligently or recklessly during the diagnosis, treatment, or recovery process. Medical malpractice often results in further injuries, illness, or catastrophic impact on the patient.
If you suspect medical malpractice has happened to you or a loved one, contacting a skilled Illinois medical malpractice lawyer is essential to advocate for your rights.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice and Their Consequences
Medical malpractice can occur across a variety of fields and during diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures, or the recovery…
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What Are the Most Common Types of Factory Accidents?
Though many steps and workplace safety regulations are in place to reduce the occurrence of factory accidents, the unfortunate reality is that factories are still dangerous places and accidents do occur. Receiving an injury in a factory accident can be catastrophic, and it is important to pursue a claim for the compensation you deserve while you recover from your injuries. An Illinois workers’ compensation lawyer can help guide you through this process.
Common Factory Accidents and Injuries
Factory accidents can occur in many different ways even despite proper safety regulations and precautions due to the somewhat hazardous conditions…
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