Drunk driving suspects are usually asked to blow into a breath testing device often called a “breathalyzer.” The device measures the alcohol in the person’s breath which can be used to assess their intoxication level. Per Illinois law, anyone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of over 0.08 percent or more is considered to be intoxicated. The results of breath tests heavily influence a driving under the influence (DUI) case.
Many people are unaware that there are two different types of breath tests used in Illinois. It is important to know how these breath tests can affect a DUI case
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Can I File a Workers’ Comp Claim and a Personal Injury Claim?
Navigating a workers’ compensation claim can be confusing and frustrating. Many people are unsure of what their rights are after a work injury. Can I get compensation for my medical bills? What about future medical expenses such as physical therapy? Do I get compensation for my lost wages? Are non-economic damages like pain and suffering compensable after a work injury? Can I file a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim simultaneously?
The answers to these questions depend heavily on the specific circumstances of the case, so it is important to receive personalized advice from a lawyer.
Illinois Law…
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What Type of Damages Can I Get for a Serious Injury in Illinois?
If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a car crash or other type of accident, you may be interested in filing a personal injury claim and pursuing damages. Most people know very little about personal injury law, so it can be overwhelming to think about pursuing an injury claim. One question many people ask when considering legal action after an injury is, “How much compensation can I get?” While there is no way to predict in advance exactly how much an injury claim is worth, there are several factors that can help you estimate the potential value…
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What Property Do I Get to Keep If I Get Divorced in McHenry County?
Many people have heard horror stories about divorcing spouses who are left with virtually nothing after the split. Their spouse took the house, the car, and even the dog in the divorce. While most divorce cases are not nearly as dramatic as these exaggerated stories would lead one to believe, protecting property rights is a crucial element of any divorce case.
If you are getting divorced, it is important to understand and assert your rights with regard to household items, real estate, retirement accounts, cash, and other property.
Negotiated Settlements Versus Divorce Trials
Illinois courts will generally uphold any…
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Top Causes of Workers’ Compensation Claims in the Healthcare Industry
Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and other healthcare workers spend their days keeping others safe, so it may come as a surprise to learn that healthcare workers report more workplace illnesses and injuries than workers in any other industry. Medical workers often work long hours doing physically demanding jobs like lifting and transferring patients. Many regularly work around hazardous biological materials and dangerous chemicals.
Healthcare workers who are harmed as a result of their job are typically entitled to workers’ compensation. They can receive financial compensation for their medical expenses and part of their lost income. If you…
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What is “Court Supervision” in an Illinois Criminal Case?
When someone is convicted of a criminal offense, they may face many different consequences. The penalties associated with a criminal conviction vary based on the type of offense, the defendant’s criminal history, and whether anyone was injured or killed as a result of the offense. In some cases, a criminal defendant may be sentenced to court supervision in lieu of jail time or other harsh penalties.
McHenry County Court Supervision
If you or a loved one were charged with a nonviolent misdemeanor criminal offense in Illinois, court supervision may be an option. Court supervision involves a deferred dismissal of…
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Bicycle Accident Liability in McHenry County, Illinois
Riding a bike is a healthy, cost-effective, eco-friendly means of travel. Unfortunately, bicyclists are also very vulnerable when sharing the road with cars. Motorists are expected to drive safely and be vigilant for bicyclists and pedestrians. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to take this responsibility seriously. If you or a loved one were involved in a collision while riding a bike, you may be able to take legal action against the driver.
Holding a Negligent Driver Responsible for a Bike Collision
Bicycle accidents that happen in the blink of an eye can change the rider’s life forever. Distracted driving, intoxicated…
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Can a Husband Receive Alimony in Illinois?
Alimony, spousal support, and spousal maintenance are all terms that describe financial support an ex-spouse pays to another ex-spouse. Traditionally, spousal support was paid to wives after a divorce. Women commonly spent their marriages caring for their families and maintaining the home. They often did not have the education or work experience needed to get a job and become financially independent from their husbands. However, times have changed, and many women are now the breadwinners of their families.
If you are getting divorced, you may be curious about your rights and responsibilities regarding spousal maintenance. Spousal support or maintenance…
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Legal Help for Injured Construction Workers in McHenry County
Construction workers have a vital role in our modern society. Building, repairing, and demolishing structures and roads is no easy task, and dangerous hazards are around every corner. Although many rules and safety requirements are put in place to reduce the chances of construction site injuries and deaths, construction remains an industry with a high rate of worker injuries. If you or a loved one were seriously hurt on a construction site job, contact a work injury lawyer for help.
Getting Compensation for Your Medical Bills and Lost Wages
Construction site injuries can occur for countless reasons. Falling off…
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Need to Know Information about Field Sobriety Tests in Crystal Lake
Being pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving is never a fun experience. Typically, police officers ask a series of questions to drivers suspected of driving under the influence, including “Have you had anything to drink tonight?” Regardless of the answer, the officer may ask the subject to perform a series of field sobriety tests. These tests are supposed to assess a person’s intoxication level. However, medical problems, injuries, and even obesity can prevent a person from completing field sobriety tests accurately.
What is a Field Sobriety Test?
Field sobriety tests are physical actions that a person suspected of…
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How to Modify Your Child Support Order in Crystal Lake
If you are a divorced parent, the state of Illinois requires both you and your former spouse to contribute to your children’s financial needs. Every three years, the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) will invite you to review and possibly modify your existing child support order. But what if a child’s needs or your financial situation change substantially before then? In that case, you can petition the court to have the child support order modified.
What Qualifies as a Substantial Change?
You may be a good candidate for a child support modification in these circumstances:
- Your child’s needs have
…
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When Is Permanent Total Disability Available in Crystal Lake?
A sudden workplace accident like a fall, fire, or car crash can cause life-altering injuries. The injured worker may not even be able to live the type of life he or she lived before the injury. Workers’ compensation is often available to employees who are hurt on the job. Unfortunately, recovering the full workers’ compensation benefits an injured person is entitled to is often an uphill battle.
If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury at work, you may have questions about your entitlement to workers compensation. Can I get permanent total disability (PTD) benefits in Illinois? How…
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My Lawyer Said I Do Not Have a Valid Injury Case. Now What?
When you have been injured by another person’s carelessness or negligence, you might decide to take your case to a personal injury lawyer. After reviewing the details of your case, the attorney could tell you that you do not have a valid case. That lawyer might suggest that, based on the facts, you will not be able to win the case, or imply that even if you won the case, what you will gain from the win will not make the cost of legal representation worth it to you. Be wary of this, particularly if this is the first…
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What Are My Legal Options if My Child Was Bitten by a Dog?
Many dogs are gentle companions. However, dogs are also animals with sharp teeth and claws capable of inflicting severe damage. Puncture wounds, nerve damage, broken bones, and face lacerations are just some of the serious injuries that a young victim may sustain in a dog attack. Approximately 4.5 million people suffer from dog bites every year. About half of dog bite victims are children.
If your child was attacked by a dog, you may be able to seek justice for your child and compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim.
Illinois Law Regarding Dog-Related Injuries
Liability…
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What is Parental Alienation and How Can it Impact Child Custody?
It goes without saying that many divorced or separated parents are not especially fond of each other. Parents who do not see eye-to-eye can struggle to co-parent effectively. Some disagree about their child’s education or church involvement. Others differ with regard to household rules or discipline.
Some parents hold onto anger from their marriage and let this anger influence the way they parent their children. They may talk badly about the other parent or even discourage the child from having a close relationship with the other parent.
In some cases, the situation escalates into parental alienation. Parental alienation occurs when…
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Can The Workers Compensation Insurance Company Spy on Me?
Employees who suffer work-related injuries and illnesses may be entitled to financial compensation through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurer. They may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses such as hospital care and medication as well as part of their lost income. Unfortunately, recovering compensation through workers’ comp is not always straightforward. Many different issues may complicate the process. Employers and workers comp insurance companies may attempt to reduce or eliminate the employee’s workers’ compensation benefits. Sometimes, workers’ compensation insurance companies even conduct surveillance on injured employees, hoping to prove that the employee is not as injured as he or…
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