Posted on July 29, 2019 in Personal Injury

Like most states, auto insurance is a requirement for all motorists in Illinois. Not only will this help protect the driver, but it also protects others on the road if the driver is at fault for a car accident. According to the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois’ mandatory auto insurance is one of the most significant consumer protection measures in the country.

What Are the Illinois Laws for Auto Insurance Coverage?

Illinois law requires drivers to carry their insurance card in their vehicle at all times, showing it to law enforcement officers upon request. Because this is a legal requirement, the consequences are fairly steep if someone drives without proof of insurance. For motorists who are stopped for a traffic violation or involved in a collision without the ability to provide evidence of their insurance, an officer may suspend the driver’s license plates and charge a minimum fine of $500 for driving uninsured. For those people driving with suspended license plates for a previous insurance violation who are convicted for a second time, their fine increases to a minimum of $1,000.

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 Posted on July 26, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice or negligence occurs when a medical professional makes an error that negatively impacts the patient. This can happen in all fields of medicine, and these types of mistakes can be extremely dangerous for the affected patient. According to a report from MDLinx, approximately 50 percent of physicians aged 55 or older have been sued at least once in their careers. This number is fairly staggering and can leave patients wondering, “Is my doctor making a mistake?”

What Are the Top Reasons for Lawsuits?

There are certain areas of medical malpractice that are more common than others. While these mistakes are typically a product of human error, the severity of the results can leave patients with life-altering injuries. Some common types of medical negligence include:

1. Misdiagnosis or Missed Diagnosis: This is the most common type of medical malpractice due to its complete reliance on a physician’s opinion. These terms refer to an incorrect diagnosis, or the failure to properly diagnose a patient's condition. When making a diagnosis, a physician relies primarily on their own interpretation of the patient’s symptoms. One misinterpretation or mistake can lead to a lifelong injury for a patient.

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 Posted on July 19, 2019 in Personal Injury

Electric scooter companies have been all over the news throughout the last year as e-scooters have flooded city streets and college campuses, becoming one of the latest versions of “ridesharing.” Much like Uber and the branch companies that followed suit, Bird started the e-scooter craze and inspired many others to follow in their footsteps. Their e-scooters are known as “Birds” and first debuted in Santa Monica in 2017. The devices lay along the road, with no docking system, to allow consumers to easily hop on a Bird, ride it to the location of their liking, and leave it anywhere in the city. A free app allows individuals to pay for the distance they travel. The convenience of the device and enjoyment of the ride draw people to this alternative form of transportation. Since Bird’s success, other companies such as Lime have joined the streets, further growing the e-scooter business. However, people should be aware of the potential for injuries when using these devices.

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 Posted on July 15, 2019 in Workers' Compensation

Workers’ compensation coverage is required by law in Illinois. That means that all employers must have workers’ compensation insurance that covers any employee who is injured while on the job. The amount of insurance premiums paid in the United States has seen close to a $10 million increase since 2011, changing from $35,664,230 in 2011 to $45,047,380 in 2017. This makes one wonder, are jobs getting more dangerous, or are more people being encouraged to seek compensation? According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfatal occupational injuries and illness incidence rates have been decreasing each year since 2003. Since the number of accidents have not increased, there must be another reason for the surge of net premium payments. Whether or not the increase can be attributed to educational efforts or improved knowledge of employees, it is important to know the different types of benefits offered in case of a workplace accident.

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 Posted on July 03, 2019 in Personal Injury

Drunk driving is illegal in all 50 states. In Illinois, a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) cannot exceed 0.08 percent. According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 47 percent of Illinois motor vehicle fatalities involve alcohol. Due to the risks that come with drunk driving, people who commit the offense of driving while under the influence (DUI) may face criminal penalties, and they may be held responsible for injuries caused to other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. In some situations, other parties may also be liable for injuries in drunk driving accidents.

Dangers of Drinking and Driving

Everyone has heard that drinking and driving is a dangerous combination; however, many people would not be able to give accurate information on how alcohol consumption can affect driving abilities. Response time and coordination are both affected as alcohol is added into the mix. A driver's reaction time becomes slower, making it difficult to engage the brakes quickly to avoid hitting another vehicle or pedestrian. With a lack of coordination, drivers can put everyone at risk. A motorist needs sharp motor skills, such as eye, hand, and foot coordination to properly react to unexpected instances. Excessive drinking can greatly impair an individual's vision. Whether the road ahead is slightly blurry or appears to be spinning, a person cannot adequately drive without clear vision.

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 Posted on June 27, 2019 in Personal Injury

Everyone has seen the medicine commercials that read off the laundry list of negative side effects that prescription drugs can have on those who take them. While it is unlikely for a drug to have zero side effects, these potentially dangerous effects should be recognized and mitigated before the drugs are released to the public. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the completion of clinical trials on new drugs to keep individuals from falling victim to dangerous side effects. However, some pharmaceutical companies have failed to provide the public with the truth about the drugs they manufacture. Defective drugs can cause emotional, physical, and/or psychological injury.

Common Types of Drugs Found to Be Defective

If a drug’s side effects are not properly conveyed to the public, the drug is considered defective. The following are common medications whose negative side effects have deemed them defective on many occasions, resulting in court proceedings for the injured parties:

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 Posted on June 24, 2019 in Personal Injury

Many people suffer from foodborne illnesses, also referred to as food poisoning, each year. Whether it is caused by food purchased at the grocery store or meals prepared at a restaurant, foodborne illnesses can have health consequences that are more serious than just an upset stomach. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and chills. These symptoms can be easily managed by those with strong immune systems, but children, pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with other diseases can have difficulty fighting these types of illnesses. According to the CDC, 48 million people get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 individuals die from foodborne illnesses each year.

Three Common Causes of Foodborne Illnesses

1. Viruses: Foodborne illnesses caused by viruses can be directly attributed to those who are already infected. If proper hygiene is not used by those preparing food, viruses can be spread through the food. "Employees must wash hands" signs in restaurant bathrooms are present to remind employees that waste residue can give customers foodborne illnesses. Contaminated water used during the preparation process is another common cause of such illnesses.

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 Posted on June 17, 2019 in Car Accident

It is no surprise that many teens will be involved in a car accident at one point or another; however, these accidents are often more than just a fender bender. According to the CDC, 2,433 U.S. teens (aged 16-19) were killed in 2016 and 292,742 were treated in ERs across the nation for injuries caused by car crashes. Driver education classes are required by schools in an effort to reduce such injuries and fatalities. Despite this curriculum, young adults remain six times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than adults. In many cases, these accidents occur because of lapses in judgment that can be attributed to decisions made without much driving experience. A young driver’s inexperience can often lead to serious car accidents, resulting in significant injuries or even death.

Common Risk Areas

There are a few safety measures that young drivers tend to ignore:

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 Posted on June 11, 2019 in Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents

Riding a bicycle is often seen as a nice way to spend the day, especially in the summer. Some see it as their daily workout, while others ride leisurely to enjoy the scenery. Although riding bicycles can be a fun family activity, it can also be extremely dangerous. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 777 bicyclists were killed in accidents with motor vehicles in 2017 throughout the United States. Illinois has taken action to try to make riding a bike safer, with separate lanes reserved for cyclists and trails set apart from the cars and trucks on the roadway. Unfortunately, bicyclists continue to get hurt.

Types of Accidents and Safety Tips

Bicyclists can encounter numerous dangerous situations, especially when riding on busy roadways in Chicago. The following are common scenarios that bike riders may run into:

1. Dooring: Most bike lanes are set on the side of the road in an attempt to protect cyclists from being placed in the center of traffic. However, riding next to parked cars can be equally dangerous. As people open their doors to exit their vehicles, the suddenness of the action can cause bicyclists to run right into the car door. This will hurt both the cyclist and the driver in addition to damaging the car door. The best way to avoid this collision is to ride farther away from the parked vehicles. While you may be closer to oncoming traffic, moving drivers will be able to see you better than those who are parked.

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 Posted on June 10, 2019 in Medical Malpractice

Cerebral palsy is a disorder of muscle tone, movement, or posture that can be caused by damage to a child's immature, developing brain. This can occur before birth or during labor. Symptoms are often not recognized at the time of birth, and the severity of the disorder varies from person to person. Some children cannot walk, have intellectual disabilities, or experience epilepsy. Blindness and deafness are also fairly common with those who have cerebral palsy.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

There are various reasons a child may suffer from cerebral palsy, all of which affect the child's brain development. Some causes are circumstantial and cannot be avoided, while others are a result of medical professionals’ errors. Below are some of the causes of cerebral palsy:

• Gene mutations leading to abnormal brain development

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