Latest from Flaherty Law Blog - Page 2

If you are employed as a package delivery driver for a company like UPS or FedEx, you are likely entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits if you get hurt doing your job. Injuries are fairly common in this line of work for many reasons. People who spend their days lifting packages, entering people’s property to drop items off, and driving around are far more likely to get hurt than those who mainly work at a desk. Workers’ Compensation can often cover all of your medical expenses as well as any wages you lose while you cannot work due to your
Continue Reading Common Work Injuries for Delivery Drivers in Illinois

Ridesharing services have become a common method of transportation that is used by people in large cities, such as Chicago, suburban areas such as Will County, and many other locations. While these services offer convenience and accessibility, the ever-increasing number of rideshare vehicles on the road has led to an increase in car accidents involving rideshare drivers. 
People who are injured in these accidents, including rideshare passengers, drivers or passengers of other vehicles involved in collisions, or pedestrians who are struck by negligent rideshare drivers, may be uncertain about the causes of these accidents. They may be unsure about whether
Continue Reading 5 Common Causes of Car Accidents Involving Rideshare Drivers

There are many situations where people may act negligently and put others at risk, and in some cases, these actions may lead to dangerous accidents that result in fatalities. When a fatal accident takes place, a victim’s surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit and recover financial compensation for their loss. An attorney who has experience representing grieving family members can ensure that a wrongful death claim will be handled correctly.
Negligence and Wrongful Death
In order to receive compensation for a wrongful death, certain elements must be proven:

  • Duty of care: The party who


Continue Reading When Is a Fatal Accident Considered a Wrongful Death?

Accidents can happen anywhere, and the workplace is no exception. Every day, workers in various industries are injured on the job due to a variety of reasons. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious conditions that require extensive medical treatment. If you have been injured at work, it is important to understand your options for receiving workers’ compensation benefits. An experienced attorney can provide representation when filing claims related to work injuries, ensuring that you will be able to receive the benefits you deserve.
Some injuries that commonly occur in workplaces in Illinois include:
1.
Continue Reading 5 Common Types of Workplace Injuries

Winter driving can be treacherous, with icy roads, reduced visibility, and unpredictable weather conditions. While it may seem like accidents during the winter can sometimes be unavoidable due to these factors, the truth is that many winter car accidents are the result of negligence. When drivers fail to take proper precautions or drive recklessly in winter conditions, they put themselves and others at risk. By understanding the ways people can cause car accidents in the winter and working with an attorney who has experience in these types of cases, drivers, passengers, or others who are injured in car crashes can
Continue Reading When Can Negligence Lead to Winter Car Accidents?

Many families entrust nursing homes with the care of their elderly loved ones. However, there are some cases where a nursing home may seem to be clean and organized, and a facility may seem to be run well, but there are still issues that may affect residents’ safety. One growing concern is elopement, which occurs when nursing home residents wander away from a facility and encounter safety risks while in public. Numerous incidents have been documented across the United States in which nursing home patients have left facilities without supervision and been seriously injured or killed.
When a nursing home
Continue Reading Why Is Elopement a Dangerous Issue in Nursing Homes?

In recent years, the United States has seen a troubling rise in fatal car accidents. Despite advancements in vehicle safety technology and increased awareness campaigns, the number of deaths on American roads continues to climb. There are several factors that have contributed to this alarming trend. Following a car accident, people who have been injured or family members of a person who was wrongfully killed will need to understand their legal options, and they can do so with the help of an experienced attorney.
The Impact of Smartphone Use
The most significant increase in fatal car accidents involves
Continue Reading Why Are Fatal Car Accidents Increasing in the United States?

During Thanksgiving, many people enjoy gathering with family and friends, preparing and enjoying food, and reflecting on the things they are grateful for. However, Thanksgiving is also one of the busiest times of the year on roads throughout the United States. Many people travel to visit their families, take vacations, or drive around town to take advantage of holiday sales. As the number of cars on the roads increases, so does the likelihood of car accidents
A serious injury in a motor vehicle collision will not only affect a family’s ability to enjoy the holidays, but it can also lead
Continue Reading 3 Reasons Car Accidents Can Occur Over Thanksgiving

Truck accidents can be devastating. Because 18-wheelers, big rigs, and other commercial vehicles are so much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, they can inflict severe injuries and even fatalities in a collision. One factor that can significantly increase the risk of a truck accident is overloading. When trucks are overloaded with cargo, it puts additional strain on the vehicle’s components, affecting the truck’s overall stability and maneuverability. If you have been in an accident with a truck that had exceeded the allowed weight limits, an experienced attorney can help you ensure that this issue will be addressed correctly as
Continue Reading Are Overloaded Trucks More Likely to Be Involved in Accidents?

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft offer the ability to receive transportation quickly and easily. However, with this convenience comes certain risks, including the possibility of being involved in a car accident while riding as a passenger or sharing the road with these drivers. In these situations, people who have been injured will need to understand their options. With the help of an attorney, they can determine who was responsible for causing an accident and which parties may be held liable for the damages they have suffered.
Understanding Liability for Rideshare Accidents
In any car accident case, determining liability
Continue Reading Who Is Liable for a Car Accident With an Uber or Lyft Driver?

While most drivers try to stay safe while they are on the road, they may still become involved in car accidents through no fault of their own. While accidents can happen for many reasons, traffic violations are some of the most common causes. When drivers disobey the rules of the road, they put themselves and others at risk of being injured in accidents. If you have been involved in a collision that was caused by a driver who violated traffic laws, a skilled attorney can help you understand your options.
Some of the most common violations that lead to car
Continue Reading 7 Common Traffic Violations That Can Lead to Car Accidents

When an employee is injured on the job, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are typically available in any situation where an employee suffers a work-related injury, regardless of who was at fault. Workers’ comp may address injuries in workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and injuries that arose out of the work a person performed, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or other repetitive stress injuries. 
In addition to covering the costs of medical treatment for a work injury, workers’ compensation provides disability benefits. These benefits are designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to
Continue Reading How Long Will Temporary Workers’ Comp Disability Benefits Last?

Nursing homes are meant to provide a safe and comfortable environment for elderly individuals who require assistance with daily tasks. However, instances of negligence in nursing homes can put residents at risk of developing infections. Viral or bacterial infections can spread rapidly within these facilities due to various factors, and for patients who are vulnerable to harm, these diseases can be life-threatening. For families who have loved ones who have experienced dangerous infections in nursing homes, it is important to understand the forms of negligence that may have put their family members at risk.
Poor Hygiene Practices
One of the
Continue Reading How Can Nursing Home Negligence Lead to the Spread of Infections?

Now that the weather in Plainfield has warmed up, many people are taking their motorcycles out of the garage and enjoying the Illinois roads. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are at a much higher risk of severe and fatal injuries in a crash than drivers of passenger vehicles.
For many injured motorcyclists, the process of recovering financial compensation for crash-related damages is also an uphill battle. At-fault drivers and their insurance companies are expected to compensate accident victims for their damages. However, successfully recovering compensation is often far easier said than done. One issue many motorcyclists run into is that of proving
Continue Reading Proving Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Case: How a Lawyer Can Help

As the weather warms up, more and more children will ride their bicycles, walk to friends’ houses, and play outside. Unfortunately, this means that there is an increased chance of an accident involving a child.Motorists have an ethical responsibility and a legal obligation to follow traffic laws and be watchful for child pedestrians. This is especially important in school zones, parks, and other places where children play. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents involving children can be catastrophic, often leaving a child with life-long medical complications. Tragically, many pedestrian accidents involving children are fatal.
If your child was hurt in a pedestrian
Continue Reading Pedestrian Accident Injuries Involving Children: Your Rights as a Parent

Few would argue that operating a commercial truck such as a semi-truck or flatbed is a challenging job. Drivers drive long hours and must cope with adverse weather, poor road conditions, and other hazards. However, truck drivers have a legal duty and an ethical responsibly to drive safely and follow all local, state, and federal laws – including Hours of Service rules.
Hours of Service rules are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The rules limit when and for how long a commercial driver may drive without taking a rest break. Sleepiness behind the wheel has been
Continue Reading Hours of Service Violations Can Lead to Catastrophic Truck Accidents