Posted on September 15, 2025 in Premises Liability

As the weather cools in Illinois, backyard bonfires, cookouts, and fall gatherings with friends and neighbors are picking up. These events can be a great way to celebrate the season, but they also bring certain risks. Fires, uneven yards, and even crowded spaces can lead to serious accidents. When someone is hurt on private property, and the owner could have prevented it, there may be cause for a premises liability claim. In these situations, a Chicago, IL premises liability lawyer can help explain your rights and pursue fair compensation.

Understanding Illinois Premises Liability Law

In Illinois, property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for people they invite onto their property. The Illinois Premises Liability Act, under 740 ILCS 130, sets the rules for when an owner can be held responsible if someone gets hurt. Courts look at whether the owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and whether they acted reasonably under the circumstances.

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 Posted on September 05, 2025 in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists in Illinois face unique risks on busy streets and highways. When a crash happens, the severity of injuries often depends on whether protective gear was used, and riding without a helmet can influence how insurance companies and courts view your case. A Chicago, IL personal injury attorney can explain how helmet use may affect your claim and help protect your right to fair compensation.

Does Illinois Law Require Motorcycle Helmets?

Unlike most states, Illinois does not require motorcycle riders or passengers to wear helmets. The Illinois Vehicle Code, under 625 ILCS 5/11-1404, requires riders to have protective eyewear, but it does not impose a helmet law.

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 Posted on August 30, 2025 in Bus/Train Accidents

Public buses are part of daily life in Chicago, with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) carrying thousands of riders every day. Unfortunately, accidents involving CTA buses can result in serious injuries to passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. When this happens, you need to know who to hold responsible for your injuries and losses. An experienced Chicago, IL personal injury attorney can explain how liability works in these cases.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Liability for Auto Accidents?

Illinois law holds drivers accountable when their negligence causes harm. The Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, requires all motorists, including CTA bus operators, to use due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians and other road users. If you are involved in an accident, you may be able to recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

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 Posted on August 22, 2025 in Car Accidents

The myth that rear-end car accidents are always the fault of the driver in the back is widespread. However, a front driver can share blame or even be primarily responsible, depending on how the crash happened. If you were involved in a rear-end crash, speaking with a Chicago, IL auto accident attorney can help you understand your role in the accident and protect your right to compensation.

Understanding Fault for Rear-End Accidents in Illinois

Illinois applies general negligence rules to rear-end collision cases. Every driver must use reasonable care and follow traffic laws. The Illinois Vehicle Code prohibits following too closely, under 625 ILCS 5/11-710, and requires safe speed and control, under 625 ILCS 5/11-601. When someone violates a safety rule and that violation contributes to a crash, a court or insurer may assign fault to that driver. Liability depends on conduct, not vehicle position. 

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 Posted on August 14, 2025 in Nursing Home Abuse/Neglect

When you place a loved one in the care of a nursing home, sexual abuse might be the furthest thing from your mind. Unfortunately, it happens more often than you would think, and abusers will go to great lengths to cover it up. Knowing the signs and how to respond can help protect vulnerable people. If you suspect your loved one is being sexually abused in a nursing home, our Chicago, IL personal injury attorneys can provide guidance and help you fight for the compensation your family deserves.

People Most at Risk for Nursing Home Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse in nursing homes often targets those who are vulnerable due to age or disability. Residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may not be able to speak up or understand what is happening to them. Those who have limited mobility or communication difficulties are also at higher risk. Women tend to be more frequently targeted, but men can be victims as well.

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 Posted on August 07, 2025 in Medical Malpractice

When fetal distress goes unnoticed or untreated, the consequences can be devastating. In one of our cases, we secured a $2.75 million settlement for a 29-year-old woman whose baby was stillborn due to a nurse’s failure to properly read a fetal monitor. This is one of the largest prenatal death settlements recorded in Cook County, and it highlights just how serious the failure to diagnose fetal distress can be. If your family has been affected by a similar situation, our Chicago, IL medical malpractice attorneys can help you understand your rights and take legal action.

How Can Fetal Distress Lead to Birth Injuries?

Fetal distress usually means that the baby is not getting enough oxygen during labor and delivery. This condition, also called hypoxia, can cause serious injuries to the baby's brain and other organs. If doctors or nurses fail to act quickly, the baby may suffer permanent harm, including cerebral palsy, seizures, or developmental delays.

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 Posted on July 31, 2025 in Car Accidents

When a car and a bicycle collide, the injuries can be particularly severe for the cyclist. Determining who is at fault is not always simple. Illinois law requires all road users, including drivers and cyclists, to follow traffic rules. Whether you were hit while riding your bike or while driving your vehicle, it is important to understand how fault is determined. A skilled Chicago, IL bicycle accident attorney can help guide you through your rights and options.

How Does Illinois Law Govern Auto Accidents?

Illinois law treats bicycles as vehicles when they are operated on public roads. According to 625 ILCS 5/11-1502, cyclists are subject to the same rights and duties that apply to drivers. This includes obeying traffic signals, yielding when required, and riding in the same direction as vehicle traffic.

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 Posted on July 23, 2025 in Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one due to another person’s negligence is devastating. In Illinois, families may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim, a survival action, or both. While both involve the death of a person caused by another party, they serve different purposes under the law. Understanding the difference can help families pursue the appropriate legal remedies. For guidance in this process, you should speak with an experienced Chicago, IL wrongful death lawyer.

How Does Illinois Law Define Survival Action and Wrongful Death?

The Illinois Wrongful Death Act defines a wrongful death as when someone dies due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another person or party. The purpose of a wrongful death claim is to compensate the surviving family members for the harm they personally suffered due to the loss of their loved one. This includes financial support the deceased would have provided, as well as emotional loss and grief.

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 Posted on July 14, 2025 in Medical Malpractice

When medical care goes wrong, the consequences can be life-altering. From surgical mistakes to misdiagnoses, medical errors can lead to serious injuries, long-term health problems, or even death. If you believe you have a claim, you should speak with a Chicago, IL medical malpractice attorney. These cases are more complicated than other personal injury claims. Trying to handle one alone could leave you without the compensation that you need and deserve.

Proving Liability in a Medical Malpractice Case

Medical malpractice cases are different from many other injury claims. It is not enough to simply show that you were hurt while receiving medical treatment. Instead, you have to prove that a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other healthcare provider failed to follow the standard of care expected of them. Then, you must show that their failure caused your injury. "Standard of care" can be somewhat subjective. It depends on what a reasonably careful medical professional would have done under similar circumstances.

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 Posted on July 06, 2025 in Car Accidents

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are not commonly awarded in car accident cases. However, under the right circumstances, a drunk driving case may warrant an additional financial award. If you suffered severe injuries in an accident caused by a drunk or drugged driver, a Chicago, IL car accident lawyer can help you determine whether requesting punitive damages is right for you.

What Is the Purpose of Punitive Damages in Illinois?

Punitive damages serve a different purpose than compensatory damages in Illinois. While compensatory damages reimburse you for losses like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party in your case for conduct deemed especially reckless or malicious. 

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05, punitive damages are also designed to deter the defendant and others from similar behavior. Courts require clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s actions showed an evil motive or a reckless indifference to the rights and safety of others. For a car accident case, this means the other driver’s actions must go beyond simple negligence. Drunk driving often qualifies. 

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