Posted on April 03, 2020 in Car Accident

Parents of new teen drivers will want to warn their teenagers of engaging in risky driving behaviors that cause car accidents and injuries. However, it is just as important to make them aware of others around them who may be driving recklessly. Instead of assuming teens are the only ones driving dangerously, a concerted effort should be made to help them observe other drivers. In addition, they should be aware of the passengers in their own vehicles. These tactics will all help them learn to drive defensively and to be a positive influence among their peers while traveling on the roadways.

Hazardous Behavior and Conditions

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over 2,500 teen fatalities in the year 2017. This does not count the numbers of crashes and fatalities that affected others due to teen drivers' reckless behaviors behind the wheel. Ensure that your teen driver understands that his or her decisions as a new driver impact others by discussing the following top three dangers on the road:

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 Posted on March 24, 2020 in Car Accident

More than 300,000 car accidents were reported to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in 2017. Nearly a quarter of them resulted in injuries, and just under one percent involved fatalities. Every affected party has the right to pursue full compensation for their losses, but far too many have their claim denied or reduced because of actions or inactions that took place after the crash. In order to prevent yourself from becoming just another collision victim who lost out on potential compensation for pain and suffering, it is important to understand how you can increase your chances of receiving everything you may be entitled to. This starts with familiarizing yourself with some common misconceptions about filing a claim after a vehicle crash.

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 Posted on March 13, 2020 in Personal Injury

A common cause for personal injury cases and medical negligence lawsuits, Legionnaires’ disease, originally discovered back in 1976, still continues to cause health problems nationwide due to building maintenance negligence and misdiagnosis within the healthcare community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 out of 10 people who contract Legionnaires' dies from the disease, and health departments recorded approximately 10,000 cases in the United States in the year 2018 alone. While these numbers represent official cases, experts say these statistics are not entirely accurate, as many new cases remain undiagnosed. If you fear you or your loved one has recently been exposed to the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, it is important to understand how the disease is transmitted and how your health may be affected.

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 Posted on March 11, 2020 in Personal Injury

First discovered following a 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, Legionnaires’ disease left affected attendees with serious lung infections -- a type of pneumonia -- caused by bacteria known as Legionella. Research has shown that this bacteria grows in poorly managed water systems, often due to negligence on behalf of a building’s owner, such as those who own a nursing home facility that houses a complex water system. When mist from this infected water is inhaled, through showers or hot tubs, for example, residents can contract Legionnaires’ disease, posing grave risks to their health. The same bacteria that causes this disease was also responsible for cases of Pontiac fever that occurred in Michigan during the 1960s. 

The Prevalence of Legionnaires’ Cases Today

Although the disease earned its name back in the 1970s, cases of Legionnaires’ disease are still very prevalent today. The number of cases has fluctuated over time, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported there were nearly 10,000 cases in the United States in 2018. The CDC has also stated that this number is likely a misrepresentation of the actual number of people affected by the disease, as many cases are undiagnosed. 

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 Posted on March 05, 2020 in Personal Injury Attorney

Named after a 1976 outbreak at an American Legion meeting, Legionnaires’ disease is a type of bacterial pneumonia brought on by inhaling mist in the air that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria. This bacteria is typically carried through water systems and air conditioning ventilation systems, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is deadly to 1 in 10 people who contract the disease. Diagnosis sometimes emerges following medical malpractice or due to building maintenance negligence by the property owner, especially in hotels, resorts, and long-term-care facility settings, which are common environments for outbreaks.

Modes of Transmission and Diagnosis

Unlike some conditions, Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted from person to person, so it cannot be contracted from interacting with someone who carries the bacteria. However, the circumstances surrounding how you picked up the bacteria and how or when you were diagnosed can all make a significant difference in your case when it comes to pursuing compensation for the damage to your health and the expenses you incurred because of the disease.

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 Posted on February 28, 2020 in Medical Malpractice

If you believe you have suffered in some way due to the negligence of a medical professional, you might want to consider filing a medical malpractice claim. While these cases might be complex, especially depending on which types of accusations are being levied, the actual elements of a medical malpractice claim—the parties, the proof, and the process—are relatively straightforward. Below is a brief summary of each component.

The Parties

The parties involved in a medical practice claim and the terms used to describe these parties are as follows:

• Plaintiff—This is the person bringing the medical malpractice claim against the defendant in court. In general, this could be:

• The affected patient

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 Posted on February 24, 2020 in Personal Injury

Although many people may have heard of Legionnaires' disease, they may not know that it is a severe form of pneumonia. In many cases, it is possible that the disease could have been prevented. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with the condition, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. In some cases, the misdiagnosis of this disease may even be the result of medical malpractice. Typically contracted through the inhalation of contaminated mist, the condition can be fatal, especially in those with compromised immune systems or certain lung conditions. Victims and their families may be able to pursue compensation for a Legionnaires' disease infection through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. 

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 Posted on February 18, 2020 in Personal Injury Attorney

Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common injuries that can occur in car accidents. If you have been the victim of a vehicle collision, it is important to not ignore sprains and strains or dismiss them as minor injuries. Additionally, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with how to increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for any losses that you or your loved ones have experienced in a crash caused by a negligent driver.

What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?

Soft tissue injuries are caused by a sudden, uncontrolled overextension of muscles. Such injuries typically occur in crashes because of the jarring motion of a collision or because a part of the body became entrapped. Injuries like these are classified as either sprains or strains. Strains are injuries to the ligaments, while sprains are injuries to either the tendons or the muscles themselves.

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 Posted on February 14, 2020 in Car Accident

Although a wide range of injuries may occur in an auto accident, some are more common than others. Several factors can impact the severity of these injuries, including the speed at the time of impact, seatbelt use, and deployment of airbags. Read on to gain a better understanding of these injuries, their estimated healing time, and how to obtain fair compensation for the pain and suffering they have caused you and your family. 

1. Head Injuries - Damage to the head can vary from lacerations and contusions to major concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Victims may bump their heads on the door or suffer cuts from loose objects in the vehicle, or their brains may suffer a strong jarring upon impact. The healing time for these injuries can vary significantly, ranging anywhere from a few days to several years. In some cases, the effects of an injury may be permanent, and they may include memory loss, seizures, or mood disorders.

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 Posted on February 07, 2020 in Car Accident

Side-impact crashes, otherwise known as T-bone or broadside car accidents, can be devastating for a vehicle's driver and passengers. In fact, researchers from the Monash University Accident Research Center determined that these crashes were more likely to result in death, killing between 8,000 and 10,000 people annually. Even more alarming is the fact that severe or fatal injuries can occur at speeds as slow as 30 miles per hour. For those who have been injured or whose relatives have been killed in a T-bone crash, it is important to understand the importance of filing a personal injury claim, as it may increase the odds of a fair and favorable settlement.

The Potential Aftermath of a Side-Impact Crash

In a front or rear crash, vehicle’s seat belts and airbags usually minimize the impact for any front-seat passengers. Unless the vehicle is equipped with side airbags, this is rarely the case in a T-bone crash. Victims may be thrown against the door of their vehicle, which can result in head injuries and fractures. The vehicle door may also crush in toward the victim, which can cause fractures, compartment syndrome, lacerations, and other serious injuries. 

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