After a long Chicago winter, passionate bikers and casual motorcyclists are all anxious to get back on their bikes and take to the road. With the beginning of motorcycle season also comes an increase in Illinois motorcycle accidents. To make sure your spring rides are fun and safe, take the time to read and practice these motorcycle safety tips.1. Get Your Motorcycle Back in Working OrderDuring the long winter months your motorcycle sat out of use, a lot may have changed. Before you take your bike back out on Illinois’ roads, give it a once over or take it to your local motorcycle mechanic to make sure your tires, brakes, battery, and all the other parts of your motorcycle are ready for the open road.2. Check Your Motorcycle GearJust like your bike, your motorcycle gear can deteriorate in storage. Be sure to check jackets and pants for holes, check motorcycle helmets for cracks, and make sure your gear still fits properly. Gaining or losing weight over the winter months may mean your motorcycle gear no longer fits correctly and ill-fitting gear cannot adequately protect you in the event of an Illinois motorcycle crash.3. Take a Short Test DriveBefore taking your motorcycle on a long road trip or even into heavy Chicago traffic, take a short test drive in a lightly trafficked area to ensure your bike is responding properly and to reacquaint yourself with your bike. If you are feeling unsure about riding after a long hiatus, you can always take a refresher motorcycle safety course.Hiring a Chicago Motorcycle Accident AttorneyAfter a serious motorcycle accident, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.A Chicago motorcycle accident attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080.

A Chicago injury lawyer who guarantees any sort of settlement on your personal injury claim is only using this as a tactic to get your case. In truth, no one can predict or estimate the value of a claim until it’s been offered a settlement.Your medical expenses are a major focal point of your personal injury claim. Somewhere, a lawyer decided to make a “3 times medicals” rule that stemmed from the fact that in the past, simpler cases usually did settle for around that amount. Things have certainly changed, and the fact that many people took this phenomenon as a “rule” in injury settlements has now rendered this value horribly inaccurate.There is no law book on the shelves that will state that your settlement should be 3 times your medical expenses. Settling for this amount is impractical in most cases. For example, if a professional athlete lost a leg in a car accident, the medical expenses for proper suture of the wound, prosthetics, and rehabilitation may amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, even 3 times the basic medical bills wouldn’t compensate that athlete for the lifetime of lost wages and emotional damages resulting from not being able to play their sport.Knowing the factors that go into valuating your injury claim is important when perusing a settlement. While a Chicago injury lawyer can’t tell you what your claim is worth (as far as how much money you’ll definitely receive), they can help you fairly estimate your accident damages and gather evidence to support your claims. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you examine your injury claim and help with recovering compensation for your medical expenses, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

The Chicago Tribune ran an article in today’s magazine section with tips for victims of Chicago dog bite attacks.  It is a pretty good primer for what to do is you or a child is bitten by a dog.As an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer who has handled several dog bite cases, I would emphasize the importance of two points:

• The wound must be cleaned carefully to prevent infection; and
• Animal control should be contacted, even if you know the dog or dog owner.  Not only does this help you get valid information regarding the rabies status of the dog, but the investigation will help develop information that may be useful in a later civil lawsuit.

Medication errors can lead to serious injuries. While patients would like to solely rely upon doctors and pharmacists in making sure they receive the right medication, individuals need to do their part to avoid medication errors.One of the more common medication errors that can occur is to receive the wrong dosage. This can especially be dangerous with babies and young children.Here are some tips to avoid medication errors with children: 

• Always check with a doctor before administering medication to your child
• Know what your baby’s weight is
• Use a measuring device that is accurate and appropriate
• Keep track of the medication you have given and the times
• Stick to the appropriate timeframe that the medicine should be given  

Children are not the only ones at risk of being injured because of a medication error. Here are some tips that may help you avoid a medication error: 

• Understand what medication you are taking and why
• Know how much and at what time a medicine should be taken
• If you have any questions or concerns about taking a particular medication, ask your doctor
• Ask about any possible side effects as well as any foods, other medications, or other considerations that may negatively interact with your medication
• Share your medical history, other medications you may be on and any current medical conditions (such as being pregnant) 

When in doubt it is best to seek a second opinion or ask further questions.You can learn more about common medication errors by visiting our article library. Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you have been seriously injured or suffered a wrongful death from an Illinois truck accident it may not just be a case between you and the truck driver. Lawsuits that indicate the negligence of additional parties in contributing to your accident are known as third-party liability lawsuits. The basic idea of a third-party liability lawsuit is that someone besides the truck driver was negligent in their duties and caused unsafe conditions leading to your accident.Common third parties your Chicago truck accident lawyer may investigate include: 

• The trucking company that employs the driver;
• The repair facility that serviced the truck;
• The manufacturer of the truck and associated equipment; and
• The inspection departments that certified the truck. 

As the cause of your truck accident is determined, one or more of these parties may be found liable for your injuries. Negligence on their behalf will make them eligible to be included in a third-party liability lawsuit.A note of warning when getting involved in a third-party liability lawsuit; you will most likely be going up against large companies with insurance companies that handle hundreds of similar cases a year. You will want the help that an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer has to offer.Our article on common parties at fault in a truck accident explains the role that each party may play in your Illinois truck accident claim. To get the best advice and help with your unique case, you should contact a Chicago truck accident lawyer for personalized legal assistance. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you investigate your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080

Lawsuits for Illinois truck accidents commonly include the trucking company that employs the involved driver. The company can be held just as liable for negligence as the driver, especially if they failed to reprimand the driver for negligence in on-duty time limits, inspection requirements, or safety measures. Truck companies can also be negligent in ordering routine vehicle inspections and maintaining proper insurance coverage.The companies that perform necessary repairs and maintenance on the truck involved in your Illinois truck accident can also be held liable for negligence in their duties. If vehicle records show failure to perform routine maintenance or ignorance of recorded issues, the repair company can be held liable for your truck accident.With all the news of consumer vehicle recalls, know that commercial trucks are no exception to this occurrence. Manufacturers of commercial trucks have also been found to be negligent in reporting vehicle defects or providing safety features to prevent injury or failure. If the truck involved in your accident has a known manufacturer defect, the manufacturing company can become involved in your case as well.Departments that are involved in commercial trucking inspections including weigh stations and cargo inspections may be found negligent if they failed to issue citations for failed inspections. More often than not, the inspection companies are not the negligent ones, but the driver or trucking company that failed to acknowledge the citation and correct the issue.Our article on common parties at fault in a truck accident explains the role that each party may play in your Illinois truck accident claim. To get the best advice and help with your unique case, you should contact a Chicago truck accident lawyer for one-on-one help. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you investigate your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080

Effective January 1, 2010, text messaging and driving is now illegal in Illinois.   Drivers who are caught doing so can now receive a traffic ticket.  Reading a text message or e-mail is also illegal, as is talking on a hand held device in a school zone or road construction zone.The purpose of the new laws is to cut down on the incidence of distracted driving. Even though these acts have now officially been declared illegal, distracted driving was a basis for civil liability for a car accident before the new statutes.  To recover in an Illinois car accident suit, the injured party needed to show that the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care in the operation of his vehicle.  Driving while distracted did not comport to that standard prior to the passage of the new statute.

You or a loved one may have just been involved in a serious accident with a commercial truck, resulting in severe injury, property damages, and perhaps even wrongful death. No one should have to suffer this tragedy and the negligence of the truck driver or associated companies may be to blame for your losses.To obtain compensation for your losses and damages, you will need to file an Illinois truck accident claim. There are 3 main phases of the claim process: filing, adjusting, and settlement. The help of a Chicago truck accident lawyer can reduce the stress of the filing and adjustment phases and help you determine if the settlement is fair or if you need to go to trial for a larger settlement.The filing phase is where you and your lawyer go over the facts of the accident, collect the necessary evidence for use in your claim, and submit this information for review by the insurance company adjusters. The claim then enters the adjustment phase, where the adjusters collect the evidence from both sides, analyze it, question witnesses and both parties, and assign fault values and dollar amounts to the injuries and damages to your property.Once the adjustment phase is complete, the insurance companies offer you an initial settlement based upon their findings. You will be given the opportunity to accept or deny this settlement. Your Chicago truck accident lawyer can help you review this settlement and determine if you should accept or take the case to trial to fight for a higher settlement.Your family should not have to worry about money matters following your Illinois truck accident, and a fair settlement can only be obtained in a well handled truck accident claim. For more information on Illinois truck accident claims, read our article, which gives a basic overview of the entire process, as well as trucking accidents in general. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you with the Illinois truck accident claim process and work for a fair settlement. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

As soon as you are seriously injured in an accident, you should start considering your legal options and needs for a personal injury claim. Quick filing of your personal injury claim, especially with the help of a Chicago personal injury lawyer, will reap many benefits including: 

• faster resolution to a settlement
• details of the accident are still fresh in witnesses’ minds
• critical evidence is easier to collect and preserve
• your Chicago personal injury lawyer has more time to investigate and prepare your claim
• you can avoid having to take your case to court and incurring resultant court/attorney fees

 An ideal personal injury claim is filed quickly, with the support of a good Chicago personal injury lawyer, and is settled out of court. The out-of-court settlement benefits you the most because it lets you avoid costly court fees, lengthy procedures, and does not incur more attorney fees that would be paid out of your settlement.Don’t delay in filing your personal injury claim. Your medical expenses are piling up, you may be out of work because of your injuries, and insurance companies are notorious about dragging things out to delay a settlement. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you work toward a faster settlement as long as you file in a timely manner.You should also know how the Illinois statute of limitations . A Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you make heads or tails of your personal injury claim.An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you file your personal injury claim in a timely manner, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

If you have become seriously ill while taking a dietary supplement or pharmaceutical that is known to be a potentially dangerous drug, you may be eligible to file an Illinois product liability claim to seek compensation for your injuries. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can advise you of your legal rights and assist you with filing the appropriate type of claim.Hydroxycut is a popular weight loss supplement that has been linked to serious side effects. Produced by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., Hydroxycut has been found to cause liver damage. While some side effects of taking Hydroxycut have been mild, such as jaundice, other side effects have led to liver failure and in one case, death.The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall on a number of Hydroxycut products in May 2009 because of the risk of liver injuries, seizures, cardiovascular problems and other serious health risks.These serious side effects mean that Hydroxycut can be considered as a potentially dangerous drug. Evidence of such serious side effects and illness may entitle you to recover damages for injuries you have received after taking it.A Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you determine if you have a valid Illinois product liability claim related to Hydroxycut and will assist you with the process of filing your claim. When to Hire a Chicago Personal Injury LawyerA Chicago personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in an Illinois dangerous drug claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

A crane is one of the most dangerous machines on a city construction site. Cranes have been known to drop loads, hit people who walk within the swing radius and collapse altogether. In fact, hundreds of people are injured or killed in crane accidents every year. If you have been injured in a Chicago crane accident, you may be able to file for compensation in a personal injury claim.Example of a Big City Crane Accident On May 20, 2008, a construction crane collapsed on New York’s Upper East Side, crashing into a neighboring 23-story apartment building, reportedly killing at least two construction workers, and seriously injuring several others. No pedestrian fatalities occurred in the incident, though one passerby was said to have suffered minor injuries.While emergency crews and firefighters pulled construction workers out of the wreckage, one worker, Simeon Alexis, was confirmed to have been taken to a hospital with serious injuries to his chest.Seven fatalities and more than a dozen critical injuries resulted from a similar crane collapse on March 15, when a crane came crashing down upon an apartment building on 51st Street between 1st and 2nd  Avenues.If you were involved in a similar crane accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you sustained. To do so, you can get the professional help of a Chicago personal injury lawyer. To know more about the dangers and implications of a Chicago crane accident, you can visit our article Crane Accidents and Injuries. Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury LawyerAfter a serious construction site accident, you should be able to concentrate on recovering from your injuries without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injury, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury lawsuit alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080

As with any sort of injury, repetition is never a good thing. Repeated damage over an extended period of time can cause permanent damage and worsen symptoms. This is often the case with mild traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions. Many times, the victim won’t even realize they suffered a severe enough head injury to cause alarm.It’s important to be examined by a doctor as soon as any type of head injury occurs. You may think mild headaches are just a side effect from the bruise on your head, but they could be a sign of a traumatic brain injury. If you suffer another head injury soon after, it could increase the severity of your symptoms or cause new problems.Even the mildest of traumatic brain injuries can become severe, or even life-threatening, if you sustain several head injuries within a short period of time. Without adequate time to attempt to recover from the damage, your body cannot keep up with an additional injury.Our article on traumatic brain injuries has more information on causes, symptoms, and treatment of these life-changing accidents.Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury AttorneyInsurance company settlements don’t always take into account the severity of the impact a traumatic brain injury has on your life. They’ll usually try to get away with paying the initial head injury treatment bills and neglect to factor in the future treatments, therapy and lost wages or disability.The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. know the impact traumatic brain injuries can have on your life and want to help you provide for your future. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080

On US construction sites, crane accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries and deaths. This is why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set strict rules for crane regulation. OSHA requires training for crane operators and mechanics, and has established rules of safety that construction workers must abide by at all times. Some of these crane safety rules include: 

• Standard preparations for a load chart, in order to know how much weight a crane can handle;
• Hoist tests for stability and functionality;
• Establishing barriers to prevent anyone from entering within the swing radius; and
• Ensuring the proper set-up, stability, and maintenance of the outriggers.
• Regulations also state that a crane operator must be at least 18 years of age.  

The failure to abide by these safety regulations can result in a fatal crane accident. It may lead to hazards such as rigging failures, overturned cranes, dropped loads, or overall collapses. Operators must also always be careful of high-voltage power lines. To see a full list of OSHA safety regulations regarding crane operation and maintenance, you can view the section on cranes and derricks at the US Department of Labor website.If you have recently been injured in a crane accident, you may want to know what your legal options are. To learn more you can read our article Crane Accidents and Injuries. Hiring a Chicago Construction Accident LawyerAfter serious construction site injuries like those typical of a crane accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injury, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury lawsuit alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago construction accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080

You may be wondering what no-fault means in relation to Workers’ Compensation. In the state of Illinois, employees are covered by Workers’ Compensation, but it is also a no-fault system.This means that no matter who is to blame for your work-related injuries, you are still eligible to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits. If an injury results from an accident occurring on the job, you cannot be denied benefits whether or not you, your employer or co-workers are to blame.However, if another party were involved and found to be responsible for your injuries, then you could file a third-party liability lawsuit. For more information on this type of scenario, read our article on Workers’ Compensation Claims and Personal Injury Claim. The upside to this is that if you are responsible for your injuries, it won’t be held against you. The downside, however, is that if your employer was at fault, they cannot be held responsible. Even if your employer was grossly negligent or failed to abide by safety regulations, they cannot be held responsible other than through Workers’ Compensation benefits. If you receive these benefits, you cannot sue your employer.Because of this, you are entitled to a limited set of benefits. This is known by attorneys as “exclusive remedy rule.” In other words, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act is your sole remedy against your employer for any injuries sustained at work. In addition, this exclusive remedy rule applies to your co-workers as well.If you have been injured at work, contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you learn what your rights are.Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury AttorneyDuring this time, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago personal injury attorney can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080.

Insurance companies take care in hiring their claims adjusters to make sure they are friendly, sympathetic, and persuasive. Adjusters undergo weeks of training to learn the nuances of their job, how to conduct themselves on the phone, and most importantly the right ways to lead conversations.When speaking with an adjuster, their basic job is to interview you for the facts about your truck accident. While their questions may seem simple and innocent, they are often worded to get you to admit more information than you should. For example, the basic question may be “who hit whom” but they may ask it as, “did you make a left turn without properly stopping and were struck by the other car?”If you answered yes to this question, you may think you’re only agreeing that the other car hit you, but you also just agreed that you made an improper left turn. You need to be mindful of the wording used in questions you are asked, and either only agree to completely factual statements or ask for a rephrasing of the question. You can also clarify in your answer, but be careful that you don’t say too much in your response.Insurance companies rely on their claims adjusters to build a happy working relationship with the claimant. This allows them to earn your trust and put you in a lax mindset so you’ll be more apt to reveal damaging information about your claim.Remember that insurance companies are looking out for their best interests first, and our article on dealing with insurance companies following a truck accident will help you understand some of their strategies. If you’re ever unsure about working with an insurance company or talking with a claims adjuster, you don’t have to worry alone. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation: 312-263-1080.

Internal injuries and internal bleeding are commonly seen after a traumatic accident in Chicago. The preferred course of treatment for a victim’s internal injuries will depend on where the damage has occurred and the severity of the injury. Initially, an injured patient is stabilized and doctors work to make sure they can breathe, that the airway is open and that their blood pressure and pulse are normal.Many internal injuries cause internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening. Doctors will identify the source of the internal bleeding and work to stop it, along with repairing any damage to the affected organs. This typically requires surgery.

Surgery to repair internal injuries can mean lost time from work, physical and emotional pain and expensive medical bills. In addition, the damage done to internal organs may mean a long recovery period and life-long effects on your health.When someone else’s negligence causes you to suffer internal injuries from an accident in Chicago, you may be eligible to pursue compensation in an Illinois personal injury claim. A Chicago personal injury lawyer will carefully evaluate the facts in your case to determine if you can proceed with filing a claim.If you have suffered internal injuries because of an accident, a Chicago personal injury lawyer can talk to you about how to seek damages to allow you to move on with your life.

When to Hire a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

A Chicago personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in a personal injury claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Burn injuries can originate from many different sources, including open flames, fireworks, chemicals, and car crashes or industrial accidents. But in the 21st century, more and more burns are being reported from electric stun-guns which are commonly identified by their brand name: Tasers.How Do Tasers Feel?Eric Nein of Springfield, Illinois knows about Taser burns first-hand. The 24-year-old says that police shot him with a 50,000-volt Taser twice in less than a year’s time. Though he freely admits that the officers’ actions were justified, Nein says the Tasers left burns on his head, chest, and side. He also insists that he has experienced lasting effects from his burn injuries, including muscle spasms.Different Opinions on Safety of TasersTaser International, the makers of the handheld stun-gun devices, insists that the weapons are safe and effective when used properly. But the U.S. Justice Department hasn’t yet given its stamp of approval on the use of Tasers. The DOJ says it is concerned because there hasn’t been enough research conducted on the effects of extended use of Tasers.Calls For Outlawing Taser UsageSome lawmakers are calling for an end to Taser use in Illinois. In 2005, Illinois State Representative Monique Davis authored a bill to completely outlaw Taser usage, even by law enforcement personnel. But Davis, who represents a district in Chicago, says the bill was tabled the following year because of a lack of support. She said she still believes that Tasers are dangerous.If you suffer from burn injuries or other afflictions as a result of being shocked by a Taser, you may want to consult with a Chicago burn injury attorney who can talk to you about your legal options. For more information about the various types of burn injuries and how they can impact your life, visit our article library. Contacting a Chicago Burn Injury AttorneyWith serious medical issues such as burn injuries, it’s always best to consult a medical professional to help with diagnosis and treatment. During this time, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago burn injury attorney can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.A Chicago burn injury attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080.

If you’ve suffered because of a doctor’s failure to diagnose an underlying or associated illness, you might be eligible for compensation through a Chicago medical malpractice claim. To find out if you have a case, consult a Chicago medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.Each state has its own statute of limitations on medical malpractice. It is essential that you file your Chicago medical malpractice claim within the allotted period of time.In Illinois, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is 2 years. The official starting point may vary, depending on the circumstances of the case.It is generally considered to have begun when the patient realized (or reasonably should have realized) that the doctor’s mistake occurred. When the doctor’s mistake is failure to diagnose an underlying or associated illness, the timeline can vary quite a bit. It may take some time before the doctor’s mistake is realized. Some victims of Chicago medical malpractice are unaware of the statute of limitations on malpractice cases in Illinois. This may cause them to file a Chicago medical malpractice claim too late.Remaining within the statute of limitations is a vital part of your Chicago medical malpractice claim. Because of all the legal details, your best course of action is to consult a Chicago medical malpractice attorney as soon as you suspect your doctor made a mistake. From there, your Chicago medical malpractice attorney can investigate your case, and even file your Chicago medical malpractice claim. When it comes to settlement negotiations or courtroom proceedings, your Chicago medical malpractice attorney will represent you, so you can focus on recovery.Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice AttorneyMedical malpractice can have serious and long-lasting effects on your life. You need someone who will listen, understand and give you valuable legal support. At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your case, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due you for any injuries or loss suffered as a result of a doctor’s error. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Medical malpractice lawsuits can be filed if injuries or death has resulted due to medical negligence of a medical professional or a hospital. It is important to know what the statute of limitations is with regard to medical malpractice claims in the state of Illinois. The time frame to file a medical malpractice lawsuit varies in every state, but in general the time frame is short. Therefore, it is best to seek the counsel of a medical malpractice attorney immediately.From the time of the injury, you have 2 years to file a medical malpractice claim in Illinois. For example, if you were injured on March 1, 2009 then you would have until March 1, 2011 to file your claim.However, sometimes you may not immediately discover your injury. In that case, you must file your medical malpractice lawsuit within 4 years from the date the action which led to your injury occurred.If the injured party is under the age of 18, then the limitation period for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit extends to 8 years from the date of the action that led to the injury. However, a lawsuit cannot be filed after an injured party has reached 22 years old, even if it is within the 8 year limit. Additionally, if the victim of medical malpractice is mentally incompetent, the time limit for filing a medical malpractice claim does not begin until the disability has been removed.Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

There are a few things that every worker should know about getting medical care after a work accident in Illinois:

• Your employer or their worker’s compensation carrier is responsible for payment of all related medical expenses.
• It does not matter whether you have health insurance or not.  If you do not have health insurance, your bills are paid through worker’s compensation insurance, which is a different kind of insurance than worker’s compensation insurance.  Every employer in the State of Illinois is required to either have insurance or a certificate of self-insurance.
• Your health insurance will not cover work-related injuries.  “Putting it through health insurance” may make your employer feel better about not having to make a claim on his worker’s comp coverage, but every health insurance policy I have seen excludes work injuries from coverage.  Health insurers known that your employer has to pay for a work injury, so they exclude it from coverage.
• You have a right to see your own doctor and receive care from your own doctor.  You have a right to physician choice in Illinois worker’s compensation cases up to two times. 
• Any time you choose a doctor and he refers you to another doctor, that still counts as a single choice.
• You cannot be required to receive care at the company clinic or from the company doctor, but you may be required to see the company doctor for an “independent medical examination.”  Most often, “independent medical examinations” are nothing but a pretext for cutting off worker’s compensation benefits.  Being sent for an “IME” is a sign of bad things to come, and is one of the times that we suggest that you should be hiring an experienced Chicago worker’s compensation lawyer.

The final decision in a slip-and-fall accident claim is in the hands of the insurance company, and later the jury if you proceed with a full personal injury lawsuit. One of the most common hazards for a slip-and-fall injury in Illinois is the presence of snow or ice on walkways. The factors of these sorts of slip-and-fall accidents are often left to the interpretation of victims, witnesses, property owners and ultimately the insurance company or jury.Most snow and ice slip-and-fall accidents involve determining if there was a natural accumulation of winter weather on the ground or if it was in excess of normal levels. The victim must be able to prove one of several reasons why the hazard was unnatural, such as: 

• Placement – The snow was manually moved into a hazardous area such as near a doorway;
• Removal – The walkway was not properly salted and cleared of ice if the property lease states removal services are provided by management; and/or
• Property hazard – A property feature that knowingly creates hazardous conditions (i.e., a water spout that leaks and forms ice). 

Normal winter weather conditions constitute a natural accumulation of snow/ice. If the basis of your case is that the normal snow/ice was not properly shoveled/salted, there is no liability for the property owner. Likewise, snow that was tamped down by traffic, forming ice, is also considered natural. Puddles of water inside buildings from the melting snow tracked in by pedestrians are also natural.Slip-and-fall accidents can be difficult claims to prove because of the opinion-based nature of the evidence. Knowing the basics of a slip-and-fall accident claim process is important when reviewing your own situation. For experienced advice in slip-and-fall accident claims and help in proving your case, a Chicago slip-and-fall accident lawyer can help. Since most insurance companies try to understate your settlement offer, or even deny your claim outright, many slip-and-fall accident claims must go to trial for an appropriate settlement. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you compile your case and take it to court, contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

While Duragesic patches are used to treat chronic pain, they can also be considered dangerous prescription drugs. If you have experienced an overdose or suffered any type of injury from using these patches, you may be entitled to seek compensation.Consulting with a Chicago injury lawyer is the most important call you can make after suffering serious injuries from Duragesic patches and seeking appropriate treatment for those injuries. An attorney can evaluate your case to determine whether you should proceed with filing an Illinois product liability claim.

Some of the side effects that patients have experienced after using Duragesic patches include: 

• respiratory difficulties;
• seizures;
• rashes;
• vertigo;
• hypotension;
• arrhythmias;
• bradycardia;
• gastrointestinal problems;
• dental decay; and
• urinary retention.

Patients who have experienced an overdose on Duragesic patches have also faced life-threatening illnesses or died.Additionally, since Duragesic patches are a narcotic, patients have also experienced withdrawal symptoms such as abdominal cramps, sweating, agitation, blurred vision and tremors.If you have been injured after using Duragesic patches a Chicago injury lawyer can talk to you about your potential for filing an Illinois product liability claim. 

Hiring a Chicago Injury Lawyer

The Chicago injury lawyer team at Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has experience handling complex product liability claims involving dangerous prescription drugs. For a free case evaluation and help preparing your evidence contact us today – 312-263-1080.

If you have suffered internal injuries or internal bleeding after an accident in Chicago, you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim. Through an Illinois personal injury claim, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the losses you suffered as a result of your injuries.Internal injuries are not always obvious but there may be signs that indicate damage.Symptoms vary depending on the type of body part that was injured:    

• Joints – loss of range of motion and significant pain.
• Muscles – intense pain, loss of sensation.
• Intra-abdominal – pain, weakness, shortness of breath, shock, low blood pressure.
• Brain – headache, symptoms that are similar to those of a stroke, loss of vision.
• Gastrointestinal – bright red blood in vomit, bloody bowel movements.
• Urinary Tract/kidney – blood in urine.

Significant internal bleeding often occurs with internal injuries and represents a critical health threat that requires additional testing and immediate medical care. If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms after suffering trauma in an accident in Chicago, it is critical that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.When an accident in Chicago results in serious internal injuries, consult with a Chicago personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid personal injury claim to account for your damages.

When to Hire a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

A Chicago personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in a personal injury claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

The spinal cord-while protected by the vertebra of your spine-is a sensitive area that can be easily damaged. While the vertebrae serve as stability and protection, they can also be the cause of the damage. When the vertebrae are fractured, bone fragments can tear or sever the soft tissues of the spinal cord. The discs between vertebra can also damage the cord, causing spinal cord injuries.Car accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. The sudden impact to your vehicle causes the body to tense and be jarred in an unnatural manner. This can at the very least cause bruising of the spinal cord, which leads to swelling and potential paralysis. If you are ejected from the vehicle, the impact with the pavement can also cause fractures and damage to your spine.Impact accidents such as slip-and-falls are also common reasons for spinal cord injuries. Trauma to the vertebra can lead to slipped discs, which can bruise or tear into the spinal cord. When the spine twists in an unnatural way, tearing is more prevalent.You can learn more about spinal cord injuries by visiting our article library. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, a Chicago personal injury attorney can help you determine if you can file an Illinois personal injury claim. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. are ready to help your case with a free evaluation – (312) 263-1080

When you’ve been seriously injured or lost a loved one in an Illinois trucking accident, it’s common for victims to point the blame at the truck driver. What most families don’t realize is that it’s not always just the truck driver to blame when a serious accident occurs. A personal injury attorney will be able to identify all of the possible liable parties in your accident claim.When other parties are suspected of being involved in the occurrence of the truck accident, it becomes known as a third party liability case.

Potential Third Parties Your Attorney Can Identify in Your Claim 

• the trucking company;
• maintenance workers or companies that performed work on the truck;
• federal regulators and inspectors; and
• truck manufacturers.

It’s not always driver negligence that causes trucking accidents. Manufacturer defects, mechanical failure, and improper loading can all add to the frequency of commercial trucking accidents. If another party failed to complete their required inspections or duties to keep the truck running safely, they can be held liable for your injuries as well.Not only can it be confusing to determine if your accident was caused by another party, but it can also be difficult to prove this liability.

An attorney who focuses their practice on Illinois trucking accident claims can help you determine if third party liability factors into your situation and how to deal with settlements.

When to Hire a Joliet, IL Attorney after a Trucking Accident

Hopefully you’ve never had to deal with an Illinois trucking accident claim before, and those that have know how difficult they can be to resolve. You’ll be dealing with not only the truck driver, but also their trucking company, and many other potential third parties.

Even experienced, safe drivers run the risk of being involved in a serious  truck accident. Beyond your initial recovery, injuries in these types of accidents are often serious and result in permanent disability or disfigurement which can cause loss of the ability to work, years of rehabilitation, serious medical bills, and have a significant impact on your life.A  attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in an Illinois trucking accident claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.