Various parts of Illinois are bustling with pedestrians rushing to get to work or simply enjoying the day. But pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable people on the roads. They have to share the streets with fast-moving cars and big trucks and the obvious disadvantage is that they lack protective equipment when taking a stroll. A recent study shows that pedestrian accidents lead to a high number of knee injuries. Being injured in any type of accident can lead to long-term physical disability and impairment. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we are dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Why is The Knee Such an Easy Target?

A recent study looked at pedestrian accidents and people’s knees. It found that the front bumper in low passenger cars often strikes the knee joint or just below the knee joint. The most vulnerable part of the knee is the MCL ligament and menisci. The severity of the injury often depends on how fast the car was going at the time of impact and exactly what part of the knee was struck. The knee joint is supposed to bend and rotate smoothly as the bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons work in tandem. If you experience knee pain after a car accident, it can certainly be due to one of these areas being injured.

A Closer Look at Knee Injuries

A serious pedestrian accident can cause permanent damage to the knee. In many cases, mobility is often never quite the same. Here is a closer look at the potential knee injuries a pedestrian may sustain if they are hit by a car and why surgery may be required:

The most common injury at birth is a newborn’s fractured collarbone, which can lead to the development of Erb’s palsy (also known as brachial plexus birth palsy), a nerve condition that affects the shoulder and arm. The mere thought of that happening to your newborn is upsetting and painful to parents. Unfortunately, some 12,000 babies are born with Erb’s palsy. If your child suffered a birth injury you could be entitled to financial compensation for medical malpractice.

How Can Childbirth Trigger Erb’s Palsy?

During a difficult vaginal childbirth or a cesarean section, a doctor may have to move the baby’s head if it is in a breech position. This condition is most common in larger babies who may need to be pulled out during delivery. In some cases, the stretching of the nerves causes damage and tears. The injury leads to weakness or loss of muscle function. Medications such as oxytocin or an epidural during labor can also be contributing factors. There are four types of brachial plexus injuries during childbirth:

• Avulsion – nerve tears away from the spine

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Medical errors are a serious public health problem and a leading cause of death in the United States. At least 4,000 surgical mistakes occur each year in the United States, causing catastrophic harm to patients. The Joint Commission, which drives quality improvement and patient safety, acknowledges that surgical errors are preventable. If a surgical error caused you serious harm, you may be entitled to compensation.

What Triggers Surgical Mistakes?

The impact of surgical errors can range from life-altering injuries to loss of life. Surgical mistakes seem to be more common before and after the actual surgery rather than errors made in the operating room. However, there are some errors that occur frequently. Some of the causes of surgical errors include the following:

• Inadequate surgeon training and education

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Getting the news that you will be losing a limb can be devastating, especially after a car accident that is not your fault. Yet traffic accidents are the second leading cause of amputations. Sometimes you may not even have time to digest the horrible news because it happens in a violent car crash. Other times, a doctor may say they need to amputate to save your life. Amputation injuries can have a profound impact on your life and for that reason are considered catastrophic injuries.

Common Amputation Injuries

Trauma caused by car crashes, sports injuries, and workplace accidents accounts for 45 percent of all of the limbs lost each year. While a severed finger, for example, can sometimes be reattached by medical professionals, these procedures are not always successful. If a limb develops an infection or is too damaged it will need to be removed. A physician may also determine that an arm or a leg crushed in a car accident may need to be amputated to save a life. There is a wide range of amputation injuries you can sustain in a vehicle, motorcycle, truck, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents. These are the most commonly reported types of amputations:

• Above the knee – removing part of the toes, foot, leg, or thigh

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Many, if not most, dogs are lovable, loyal companions. However, it is important to remember that dogs are still animals and that animals have the potential to attack and seriously injure a person. Severe dog bite injuries can cause permanent damage and disfigurement or even death. Dog bites can be especially detrimental to children. If your child was bitten by a dog, you may be wondering whether or not the dog’s owner is liable for the attack.

Strict Liability Dog Bite Laws in Illinois

Unlike some other states, Illinois uses the principle of “strict liability” when it comes to dog bites. A dog owner is liable for a dog bite injury even if the owner did not know the dog was aggressive. Even if a dog has never bitten or attacked someone before, the owner is legally responsible for the damages the dog causes in a bite attack. Strict liability also means that the victim does not need to prove that the owner was negligent or allowed the bite to occur.

However, strict liability for dog bites only applies if the victim was in a public place or was in a private place lawfully. This means that if your child was trespassing on the owner’s property and was bitten, the owner is not strictly liable for bite injuries. Similarly, if your child provoked or antagonized the dog into attacking, the owner would not be held liable under this principle. Cases involving child victims of dog bites are often complicated because a child might not be aware that or she is trespassing or provoking a dog. For this reason, among many others, you should speak with a qualified dog bite injury attorney for guidance on how to proceed.