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…
Continue Reading How DUI Convictions Affect Your Driver’s License and Insurance

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

In the state of Illinois, as in all other states, driving is considered a privilege, rather than a right, and those who obtain a driver’s license are bound by implied consent laws. Under implied consent, drivers automatically agree to submit to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) if a law enforcement officer suspects impaired driving. Although you can refuse a chemical test when stopped on suspicion of DUI, there are automatic penalties for doing so.
For a first-offense DUI arrest, refusing a breathalyzer triggers an automatic driver’s license suspension for a minimum of 12 months. This is known as…
Continue Reading DUI Defense: What Happens If I Refuse a Breathalyzer in Illinois?

There are very few certainties in life aside from death and taxes, but slip-and-fall accidents are certainly among them. Therefore, being involved in a slip-and-fall accident may seem relatively insignificant. However, slip-and-fall cases may not be as cut and dry as they appear, depending on the details of your injury.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation if you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident. Firstly, consider consulting with an experienced Joliet, IL slip-and-fall attorney who will work with you to ensure you understand your rights and that a favorable outcome is pursued…
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In the state of Illinois, the line between casual drug sharing with a friend and facing a felony charge for drug distribution may not always be clear. You may think that handing someone you know a joint or offering a few pills at a party is not that big a deal. Unfortunately, prosecutors may see it differently.
Under Illinois law (Illinois Controlled Substances Act 720 ILCS 570/401), sharing illegal drugs can be charged as illegal delivery, even when no money has changed hands. It is important to understand how the state defines drug possession as opposed to drug…
Continue Reading Sharing vs. Dealing: Possession or Distribution in Illinois?

A DUI conviction in Illinois can do more than cost you money, time, and your driver’s license – it can also place your professional license in jeopardy.   The state of Illinois takes DUI offenses (625 ILCS 5/11-501) seriously, as do state licensing boards, even for a first-time DUI offense.
A DUI conviction can trigger an investigation, lead to disciplinary action, or, in some cases, result in a suspension or revocation of the professional license. Licensed professionals in Illinois should speak to an experienced Joliet, IL DUI attorney to discuss the best way to protect their livelihood.
What…
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A Richton Park nursing home was recently found negligent in the death of an elderly resident. After a week spent presenting the case, the jury reached a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in just three hours. The award of $5.5 million ties with another nursing home neglect award in the county for the largest verdict.
The resident missed 13 days of necessary dialysis treatments, which caused toxic waste buildup in his body and led to his death. The 85-year-old man was admitted to the nursing home in late 2020, following a serious fall. According to court testimony, the man…
Continue Reading Nursing Home Kidney Dialysis Negligence: How Common Is It?

If you have been injured at work in the state of Illinois, you may be worried about more than your recovery – you may fear you will lose your job when you file a workers’ compensation claim. Many employees are hesitant to report injuries because they fear retaliation from their employer, or they are unsure of their rights.
Illinois law (820 ILCS 305) does protect workers from being fired for seeking workers’ compensation benefits, but the legal protections are not absolute. It can be extremely helpful to speak to a Joliet, IL workers’ compensation attorney to find out…
Continue Reading Can You Be Fired for Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim?