You probably see/hear TV/radio ads for personal injury law firms all the time, but what exactly can a personal injury lawyer help you with? Many of these firms in Chicago only specialize in one area, but others specialize in more than one. Here’s a look at six cases in which you may need to hire a personal injury lawyer.
#1: Workers’ Compensation
Injuries occur in the workplace all the time, and they can be anything from a simple paper cut to a life-changing injury that prevents a person from working. All employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees if an employee gets injured on the job (due to no fault of their own) and is unable to work. A workplace injury can result in loss of wages, medical bills, and ongoing care— which is a hard financial hit on that individual and his/her family. A workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago can help make sure you get the compensation you’re entitled to if you’re ever hurt on the job:
#2: Premises Liability
Premises liability refers to being seriously injured on another person’s property. This can be a public place or another person’s property. Injuries sustained on another’s property can include asbestos exposure, dog bites, inadequate security, and slip and fall accidents. These can be hard to prove, and there are a few factors to consider, such as:
- Breach
- Causation
- Damages
- Duty
These factors can vary from state to state, but a Chicago premises liability lawyer will know Illinois premises liability law, so they’ll be able to help you determine if you’re owed compensation for the injuries sustained on someone else’s property.
#3: Nursing Home Abuse
Nursing homes and other assisted living facilities are supposed to provide adequate care for their residents. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case as some nursing home residents in Chicago are often neglected, and in the worst-case scenarios, are abused by the staff and even other residents. Abuse can be verbal or physical, and neglect can show up as bed sores or medication errors.
Because many nursing home residents may be reluctant to speak up and speak out against abuse, it’s important to watch for signs (weight loss, broken bones, bruises, changes in personality, etc.) when visiting your loved one in a nursing home. A Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer can help you and your loved one get the justice you deserve. (1)
#4: Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is when any type of healthcare professional makes a mistake in their services that results in the injury or death of a patient with birth injuries, failure to treat, misdiagnosis, prescription drug errors, and surgical errors being the most common types. The four elements of medical malpractice are:
- Duty
- Direct cause
- Dereliction
- Damages
Many people are unaware of their legal rights as it pertains to medical malpractice. Fortunately, a medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago can help you understand your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
#5: Class Action Lawsuits/Mass Torts
Class action lawsuits and mass torts are specific cases that affect more than one person. A class action lawsuit is made up of multiple victims grouped in one lawsuit, while a mass tort is multiple lawsuits brought up against one defendant. Some of the most popular cases that fall in either one of these categories include:
- Camp Lejeune water contamination
- Drug recalls
- Mesothelioma
- NEC baby formula
- Roundup weed killer
- Uber accidents
Because these cases are so widespread, a Chicago personal injury lawyer will be able to help you get compensation if you’re part of a class action lawsuit or mass tort. (2)
#6: Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are probably what most people think of when they hear “personal injury lawyer”. The majority of personal injury lawyers indeed specialize in motor vehicle accidents because it’s one of the most common types of injuries. However, there are different types of motor vehicle accidents. The good news is that a Chicago car accident lawyer is the same as a Chicago truck accident or motorcycle lawyer, and can help you receive the compensation you deserve if you’re involved in any type of motor vehicle accident.
Any of these cases could also result in the death of the individual, in which the family of that individual can file a wrongful death lawsuit— especially if the family is left with a loss of income and/or left with other financial stressors. You can also contact a Chicago personal injury lawyer if you believe your loved one’s death could have been prevented.
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