Duragesic patches have been used by patients who suffer from ongoing, chronic pain. Unfortunately, the use of these patches has also led to numerous life-threatening illnesses and even death. If you have suffered a severe side effect from using Duragesic patches, you should consult with a Chicago injury lawyer.Duragesic patches contain a narcotic drug that has been linked to severe injuries and fatalities. While the patches were approved by the FDA in 1990, since then numerous warnings and recalls have been issued. Additionally, many lawsuits have been settled with some still pending.Some of the serious side effects from using Duragesic patches have included cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. Numerous other side effects, including withdrawal symptoms, have also been experienced.Injuries that are a result of taking dangerous prescription drugs can lead to an Illinois product liability claim. Anyone who is involved in the making and selling of dangerous prescription drugs could potentially be held liable for damages.You may be entitled to file an Illinois product liability claim in the quest for compensation for your injuries after using Duragesic patches. By talking to a lawyer who has experience in these types of cases, you will have a better understanding of whether you have grounds for legal recourse. Hiring a Chicago Injury LawyerThe 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 taken anemia drugs to treat kidney disease and have developed heart problems, you may be entitled to file a dangerous drug claim. A Chicago product liability attorney will take the time to evaluate your case and provide you with information about all the legal options that may be available.With the help of a Chicago product liability attorney who understands the complexities of dangerous drug claims, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for your injuries and seek damages for your injuries and lost wages.While anemia drugs are used to treat individuals who are anemic, they are also used to help treat kidney disease.

Unfortunately, anemia drugs have also been linked to heart problems, stroke, blood clots and even death.  The most common types of anemia drugs that are used to treat kidney disease and have been found to increase the risk of heart problems are Procrit, Epogen and Aranesp. These are brand names for darbepoetin and epoetin alfa injections used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease.These particular anemia drugs could lead to a blood clot in the vascular access, the part of the body where blood is removed and returned during dialysis. Additionally, these anemia drugs could also cause tumors in cancer patients to grow or return. They may also lead to cancer death.When anemia drugs cause a serious illness or health condition, like heart problems, a dangerous drug claim may be filed. A Chicago product liability attorney will work on your behalf to help protect your legal rights. 

When to Hire a Chicago Product Liability Attorney

A Chicago product liability 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 dangerous drug claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you have suffered broken bones in an accident in Illinois that was caused by the negligence of another, a Chicago personal injury attorney can advise you on pursuing a personal injury claim.Broken bones, or fractures, can sometimes result in more complicated injuries. The healing process will depend on certain factors such as the force of the break and the strength of the bone. Sometimes, bones take a long time to heal. This is known as delayed union. In some circumstances, a bone may never properly heal, which is called nonunion. This presents a new set of challenges for the injured party, including additional treatment for complications.When multiple broken bones occur, such as to the shoulder, arm, legs or feet, this can make the recovery time prolonged. Because you will need to take time off from work, you may be able to recover damages for lost wages.Additionally, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, therapy and rehabilitation. A Chicago personal injury attorney will work hard to compile the necessary evidence to prove your case.Consulting with a Chicago personal injury attorney should be your next step if you have suffered broken bones and fractures in an Illinois accident. An attorney will guide you in the filing of your Illinois personal injury claim. 

When to Hire a Chicago Personal Injury AttorneyA Chicago personal injury 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 personal injury claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

One type of common injury that can occur in a car accident is a neck injury. However a neck injury can also affect the back and spinal cord. When there is damage to the discs or you suffer spinal stenosis, neck surgery such as neck fusion may be necessary. If you have been injured in a Chicago car accident that was someone else’s fault, then damages related to your injuries may be recoverable through an Illinois personal injury claim.The most common symptom experienced in this type of neck injury is pain. When the pain cannot be managed non-surgically, neck surgery may become necessary. Or if there are other areas of the body that are damaged, neck fusion may be required.

Neck fusion can be done a number of different ways but no matter how it’s accomplished, it will result in medical expenses and a significant recovery time. If you are unable to work for a period of time pre- or post surgery, your lost income in addition to your medical expenses may also be recoverable through an Illinois personal injury claim.

A Chicago car crash lawyer will consider all potential damages in your claim and any future treatment or lost income that may apply. When neck fusion becomes necessary after a Chicago car accident, your legal options available are best pursued with the help of a Chicago car crash lawyer.

When to Hire a Chicago Car Crash Lawyer

A Chicago car crash 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 personal injury claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Debra Hersman, the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, addressed the National Sleep Foundation last week and encouraged them to continue to research causes and cures of fatigue, including sleep apnea.  It is well established that fatigue is a major cause of accidents in the transportation industry and has been a cause of many serious truck accidents in recent years.Currently, federal regulations limit the number of hours a driver can be working and actually operating a tractor trailer due to the adverse effects that fatigue has on driver performance.  However, more recent studies have shown that sleep apnea is a widespread problem with truck drivers and is largely untreated.  This means that even when a truck driver limits his hours in service to that which is allowed under the regulations, he may still be suffering the effects of fatigue due to poor quality rest.  There are no regulations at present addressing this emerging issue in the trucking industry.

One of the most common causes of Illinois truck accidents is that the truck driver was too fatigued or otherwise impaired to react quickly enough to a dangerous situation. In 2008 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that 37% of fatal truck accidents were caused by driver-related factors.Commercial truck drivers have federal laws governing the amount of time they may legally operate their truck before having to take a required amount of off-duty time. Because of the nature of their job, many drivers neglect to follow these guidelines and push their physical limits of sleep and rest. When a driver is deprived of sleep, their reaction time slows, causing more accidents.Aggressive driving is also a large issue in the cause of truck accidents. Truck drivers who are negligent in keeping their cool with adverse traffic experiences can often become distracted and cause more hazards on the road.Intoxication by alcohol or other substances is another issue which can adversely affect any driver. Many truck drivers have been found to abuse stimulant drugs such as caffeine pills, amphetamines, and even serious drugs like MDMA/Ecstacy. This is done to combat the fatigue experienced on long hauls, instead of safer alternatives like sleep or frequent breaks.When you are involved in a serious Illinois truck accident, you need to be aware of the types of truck driver negligence that may affect your claim. When filing a personal injury claim to recover damages for your Illinois truck accident, the negligence of both drivers will be called into question, so you must be able to prove the truck driver’s negligence caused your accident. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. knows there is a crucial window to be able to obtain the driver records when you are involved in a truck accident. For help in making sure your Illinois truck accident claim is filed as quickly as possible, contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

People who suffer from trip and fall accidents often sustain serious rotator cuff injuries. Many times, these injuries are so severe that surgery is required to fix them. But now there is a new technique to surgically repair rotator cuff injuries that may be superior to traditional methods.The Net BridgeThe procedure is called a Net Bridge, and it was developed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.Traditional rotator cuff surgery involves reconnecting torn muscles and tendons to the bones from where they originally detached. Unfortunately, about 15% of patients who have this procedure are forced to undergo additional surgery because the attachments do not hold. The Net Bridge method operates under a different concept: providing a more even distribution of attachment points over a given area.How the Net Bridge Procedure Works A surgeon performing the Net Bridge operation inserts several tiny anchors in the bone. Then a special fiber tape is attached to each of these anchors. The other end of the tape, which acts as a compression net, is placed over the injured tendon.The Net Bridge procedure has produced hopeful results so far. Dr. ElAttrache claims that the operation reduces the risk of reinjuring the rotator cuff when compared to traditional surgical methods. And he says that athletes are usually able to resume their activities within 6 weeks.If you have sustained a rotator cuff injury, consider seeking medical attention as soon as possible. If you suffered the injury in a trip and fall accident, you may want to contact a qualified personal injury attorney.For more information on rotator cuff injuries, read our article on Trip and Fall Injuries and Rotator Cuff Injuries.Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury AttorneyAfter a serious 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 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.

Burn injuries are all too common in the United States, and are a frequent result of accidents, including car accidents. You would think that because burn injuries occur so frequently, there would be no confusion as to how to treat them. Unfortunately, some myths persist about how to properly address burn injuries.The Right Way to Treat Burn InjuriesIf you or a loved one suffers a minor burn, here are the correct steps to take. 

• Place the affected area under cool running water for 5 to 15 minutes. You can also immerse the skin in cool water if you choose.
• Bandage the area with loose-fitting gauze.
• Take over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce pain and discomfort. 

If the burn causes severe blistering, you should seek immediate medical attention.Common Burn Injury MythsChalk it up to the persistence of “old wives’ tales,” but several long-standing myths about the treatment of burn injuries may actually do more harm than good: 

• Applying ice to a burn. Ice is so cold that it can actually “burn” or further damage the wound.
• Applying butter or oil to a burn. These substances actually trap heat in the skin instead of cooling it, which could lead to infection.
• Breaking burn blisters. This does not speed healing to the burned area; rather, it leaves the skin more vulnerable to infection. 

Doctors May Believe the MythsYou might think that medical personnel are well-versed in proper burn injury treatments, but that isn’t always the case. According to a recent survey of physicians, one in three doctors believed that ice was indeed a proper treatment for burns.If you believe that your burn injury was not treated properly by medical personnel, you may wish to contact a Chicago burn injury lawyer. For more information about burn injuries and how they occur, visit our library. Hiring 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.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall for the Hitachi Koki nail gun.  The reason for the recall is that there is a fault feeder device for the nails.  The nail gun product defect could cause nails to be ejected from the gun sideways, posing a risk of harm to users and bystanders.There have been 37 reports of nails being ejected sideways with 15 reports of injuries, including 5 cases where there was partial blindness as a result of the accident.It is important to keep in mind that most nail guns are used commercially, which means that injured workers would also be entitled to seek Illinois worker’s compensation benefits from their employer, in addition to the third party product defect liability suit against the manufacturer of the nail gun.  However, it is important to keep in mind that the relationship between the worker’s compensation case and the third party liability suit is quite complex, so anyone injured at work due to a defect in an industrial product should be certain to promptly retain the services of an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer and to take steps to retain the remains of the product.

Before you get back on your motorcycle and head out on Illinois’ roads this spring, especially after a long winter without use, you need to ensure your motorcycle is in proper working order.The best way to go about doing this is to create a motorcycle safety checklist.(The following motorcycle safety checklist is a modification of a list created by Nationwide Insurance.)Tires -make sure your tires are in proper working order, such as looking for weather cracking, tread depth (in more than one spot), and tire pressure.Wheels – look at your wheels for any signs of loose spokes or bent rims.Lights – check the condition of your lenses for signs of cracking or condensation as well as testing your headlamp, turn signals, brake lights and tail lights, then replacing any bulbs that need it.Battery – you won’t get very far with a dead or nearly dead battery, so make sure your battery is fully charged, or replace an old battery if the case is bulging.Fluids – always check your fluid levels before getting on your motorcycle, this includes engine oil, brake fluid, hydraulic fluid, your coolant, and of course fuel. If your bike has been in storage all winter, chances are you will need an oil change and a new filter.Controls – this refers to your throttles, cables and hoses. Check your throttles to ensure they twist freely and snap back in the off position. Additionally, look at your cables and hoses for any signs of damage and that they are not interfering with suspension and steering.Brakes – even though you’ve already checked your brake fluid, you still need to inspect your brake pads and liners.Tools – every biker needs to keep a tool kit, first aid kit, and ideally a tire repair kit on their bike at all times in case emergencies happen on the road. If you haven’t looked at your kits for a while, make sure all the parts are still in working order and replace any expired medications that may be in you first aid kit.Gear – motorcycle safety doesn’t stop at your bike, it also applies to your motorcycle gear. Make sure your helmets, jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and goggles are all in good working order and still fit you properly.By making sure your motorcycle is road safe you can decrease the chances of being in an Illinois motorcycle accident. While many motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers, especially those in larger vehicles like cars or trucks, making sure that you are doing everything you can to protect yourself will allow you to fully enjoy your riding experience.If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident, a Chicago motorcycle accident attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will listen to your case and let you know what legal options are available. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080.

A motorcyclist is vulnerable to drivers in other vehicles on the road, which is the leading cause of motorcycle crashes. Injuries from a motorcycle accident can be life altering and debilitating. The lack of protection a motorcyclist has puts them at great risk for serious injuries or even death as the result of a serious motorcycle accident.Some of the injuries that can result from a motorcycle crash include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – TBI’s include a wide variety of brain injuries including closed head injuries. Closed head injuries are those that occur when there is no outside visible wound or laceration, however, the brain has still been damaged. Every year there are over 570,000 cases of closed head injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Some are mild injuries, however, other spinal injuries can lead to paralysis.
• Orthopedic Injuries – Fractures or broken bones, torn ligaments or tendons, and sprained or strained muscles.

Not always given much consideration are traumatic emotional injuries that can occur as a result of a motorcycle accident. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may happen to motorcyclists who have been involved in a motorcycle crash and can become debilitating without treatment.  To learn more about the most common causes of motorcycle accidents, visit our article library If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle crash in Illinois, contact a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight for your rights.

Contacting a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

A motorcycle is usually no match for a larger vehicle. Therefore, most Illinois motorcycle accidents will result in the rider sustaining serious and sometimes fatal injuries.  At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys will examine all aspects of your accident, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you for any injuries or loss you may have suffered as a result of your motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Motorcycle defects can pose serious risks to motorcyclists and other motorists. If a defective part or design flaw causes a motorcycle accident, then the manufacturer may be held completely liable.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will investigate all cases of defective motorcycle parts and malfunctions and then order a recall if necessary. Visit our article library to read more about motorcycle manufacturer defects.  Because the outcome of a motorcycle accident can be so severe, it is important that you do regular maintenance checks on your motorcycle. A small defect may result in long periods in the hospital and expensive medical bills. If you think your motorcycle might have a defect you should report it to your local dealer or the manufacturer’s main office. Motorcyclists may make reports about defective motorcycles directly to the NHTSA.The NHTSA conducts its investigation in 4 stages:  

• Screening – reports submitted by motorcyclists are reviewed along with other related information to determine whether an investigation is needed;
• Petition Analysis – the administration will review all the petitions made regarding the need for a defective motorcycle recall and/or safety hazards;
• Investigation – This is done in two parts: a preliminary evaluation and engineering analysis;
• Recall Management – after a recall is ordered, the process is monitored to track the recall rate, the effectiveness of the solutions, etc. 

The NHTSA functions in the best interest of motorcyclists and provides measures to ensure safety at all time. If you were injured due to your own reckless riding or negligence, however, your claim may be dismissed without consideration.Injuries that result from motorcycle accidents are often more severe than automobile accidents. If you have suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident due to a manufacturer’s defects, then a Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you with your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080.

Surgical errors can lead to a serious injury or illness. While surgical errors can occur with any type of surgery, there are some procedures that are especially likely to involve instances of medical malpractice.  Listed below are the most common surgeries that can result in medical malpractice: 

• Gastric bypass;
• Bariatric;
• Laparoscopic procedures;
• Plastic/cosmetic surgery;
• Angioplasty;
• Appendectomy;
• Endoscopy;
• Gallbladder;
• Repair to hernia;
• Colonoscopy;
• Back;
• Neck;
• Spinal;
• Aortic dissection;
• Kidney;
• Breast;
• Cataract;
• Lasik;
• Heart bypass;
• Replacement of aortic valve;
• Cholecystectomy;
• Dilation/Curettage; and
• Ear, nose and throat. 

Every surgery carries its own share of risks. However there is a difference between inherent risks and surgical errors. Injuries that are a result of medical negligence or surgical errors may be considered medical malpractice.If you or someone you love has undergone surgery and it has resulted in an injury or illness, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who will work on your behalf to help you recover any damages that you may be entitled to because of a doctor or hospital’s medical negligence.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 the victim of a failure to diagnose a serious medical condition, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim. If a doctor fails to diagnose your medical issue, you are not only facing further physical damages but financial as well. A medical malpractice claim can help you recover these damages.Anytime a doctor misses a medical condition it is a frightening thought to a patient, however, some medical conditions are more dangerous to miss than others.For example, not only is a heart attack a dangerous medical condition on its own, but it also falls under one of the more common types of medical conditions that a doctor fails to diagnose. Here are is list of other dangerous medical conditions that doctors may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose:

• Colon cancer
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Appendicitis 

The resulting injuries and the risk of death make these medical conditions among the most dangerous for a doctor miss.If you have suffered injuries because of a doctor’s failure to diagnose your medical condition, contact an Aurora medical malpractice attorney. They can help determine if you should file a medical malpractice lawsuit.Contacting an Aurora Medical Malpractice Attorney   At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Aurora 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.

Injuries from a defective or dangerous toy may result in a product liability claim. The toy’s manufacturer, distributor, designer or retailer could be liable for your child’s injuries.If your child has been seriously injured by a defective or dangerous toy, an experienced Chicago defective product lawyer could evaluate your case and determine whether negligence played a part. They can also determine who may be liable for your child’s injuries, and help you to file your Chicago product liability claim.Some of the most dangerous types of children’s toys include: 

• toys made of cheap materials;
• magnetic toys;
• toy guns and other weapons;
• toys that project objects;
• jewelry;
• toys with small parts;
• ride-on toys and bikes;
• rechargeable toys (batteries can overheat); and
• second-hand or hand-me-down toys (it is illegal to sell recalled toys). 

If your child has been seriously injured by a defective or dangerous toy, you should immediately contact a Chicago defective product lawyer. A Chicago defective product lawyer can seek compensation for your child to cover medical bills, any ongoing medical assistance, as well as pain and suffering. Contacting a Chicago Defective Product LawyerThe Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and know the best ways to express the degree of fault to the court. For a no-cost case evaluation and help in preparing your evidence contact us today – 312-263-1080.

Every year in the United States, it is estimated that more than 1 million patients suffer from medication errors. This type of error can have devastating consequences, leaving a patient seriously injured or ill. In some cases, a medication error can even lead to death.The most common reasons for medication errors include: 

• administering the wrong medication;
• administering the wrong dosage of medication; and
• failing to take note of interactions that can occur with other medications. 

One type of medication error that can occur is when an IV pump malfunctions. This can be caused by defective equipment or human error. The importance of an IV pump functioning properly cannot be overstated, as the IV pump controls the amount of medication going into a patient.If an IV pump malfunctions, it can cause a patient to be administered too much or too little medication. While medical personnel may rely on these pumps to carry out this task accurately, they still have a duty to oversee the proper functioning of an IV pump.If you have experienced a medication error because of an IV pump error or any other type of hospital equipment failure, you should contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer. A Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can talk to you about your options for legal recourse. 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.

How many times have you sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic only to find that the slow-down was caused by drivers on your side of the road slowing to gawk at an accident that happened on the OTHER side of the highway? Not only is this a frustrating occurrence, but it also often leads to more accidents caused by drivers distracted by staring at the accident.Roadside events can distract drivers from keeping their eyes and attention on the road. It’s not always other accidents, but even disabled vehicles, traffic stops, signs, or even businesses that employ “eye catching” advertising on roadsides that can cause major distractions. Basically anything that causes a driver to take their attention off the road increases the potential of a car accident.Many highways have banned certain types of billboards or road signage to try and cut down on driver distractions. The biggest hazard is that drivers love to stare at whatever’s going on at the scene of an accident or anything involving flashing lights (police, ambulance, tow-truck). If you notice a roadside event, be prepared for other drivers to slow down and ogle at the scene.The reason that roadside gawking causes so many accidents is that drivers slow down to look, sometimes swerve as they’re staring off to the side or the road, or neglect to notice that the drivers in front of them may have stopped to do the same. It’s not uncommon to see smaller accidents occurring after a severe accident, just because drivers are looking at the aftermath of another accident.Our article covers many of the other types of common car accidents caused by distracted drivers. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious car accident because of a distracted driver, you should contact a Chicago car accident attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in a car accident claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you have been involved in an accident with a large commercial truck, you will soon realize that these large-scale trucks bring large-scale complications, including serious injuries and complicated insurance negotiations and injury claims. Truck Accidents: A High-Stakes CollisionBeing involved in an accident with a commercial truck isn’t the same thing as being involved in an accident with a privately owned passenger vehicle. The truck involved in your collision is likely a limb of a corporation. This truck is representative of the $330 billion, highly-competitive trucking industry.The primary concern of the representative corporation is to move past this “setback” and to get the truck and driver back on the road before too much money is lost.The corporation will take any and all possible measures to prevent major losses. On average, a truck accident will cost the corporation $100,000 or more along with $100 per lost hour on the road.For this reason, the company will dispatch a representative to the site of your Chicago truck accident. The job of this representative is to: 

• Control the accident narrative;
• Provide a story on behalf of the company; and
• Place the fault on you rather than the company driver. 

It is thus imperative that you say as little as possible. You should not risk an accidental self-implication.Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury LawyerYou should be able to recover from your injuries without worrying about confusing court documents and filing paperwork. While you recover after a Chicago truck accident, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury 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.

In an effort to lose a significant amount of weight, individuals may seek various weight loss options. Surgical procedures such as gastric bypass surgery carry its own set of risks and complications; however other types of weight loss procedures, such as liposuction, also has its own set of risks and complications. Some of the complications that can occur from liposuction include: 

• allergic Reaction – Some patients experience an allergic reaction to the anesthesia or medication;
• blood Clots – If they move to the lungs, it can be fatal;
• infection;
• loss of Fluid – Can cause shock and may even be fatal;
• accumulation of Fluid;
• nerve damage;
• friction burns;
• damage to organs;
• cardiac arrest;
• seizures; and
• excessive bleeding 

Before undergoing liposuction, the surgeon should make sure the patient is well informed of the risks and possible complications. In addition, they have a duty of care to the patient to make sure they are properly monitored in the event a complication arises.If you have experienced a complication during or after a surgical procedure that could have been avoided, you should contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who can help you determine if your case would qualify for a medical malpractice claim.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.

Forklifts are commonly involved in loading dock accidents. According to the National Institute of Health and Safety, almost 100 people are killed and about 20,000 people are seriously hurt every year in the United States as a result of forklift accidents. About one-quarter of all of the deaths result from forklifts turning over.Forklift Accidents & Forklift Safety Many forklift accidents are preventable with the proper safety precautions. Among the causes of forklift accidents are:  

• Ÿ allowing unlicensed drivers operate forklifts;
• Ÿ allowing unauthorized personnel to ride forklifts;
• Ÿ loading forklifts improperly;
• Ÿ driving forklifts with loads at improper heights;
• Ÿ overloading forklifts;
• Ÿ driving too quickly;
• Ÿ improper safety training; and
• Ÿ ignoring safety training. 

Avoiding Loading Dock Accidents with Forklifts When working in loading dock areas, forklift drivers should always:  

• Ÿ Slow down if the loading dock is wet or slippery;
• Ÿ Know if there are any pedestrians nearby;
• Ÿ Be aware of the yellow warning line that tells the drivers that they are close to the edge of the dock;
• Ÿ Know exactly where the trailer is;
• Ÿ Communicate effectively with the truck driver;
• Ÿ Wear seat belts or other appropriate restraining equipment;
• Ÿ Make sure that the floor of a trailer is strong enough to carry both the weight of the forklift and the merchandise that the forklift is carrying;
• Ÿ Make sure that the forklift and load will clear the door of the trailer;
• Ÿ Sound the forklift’s horn when going into or going out of the trailer to warn any pedestrians nearby; and
• Ÿ Follow the appropriate safety measures for your forklift if it tips.  

For more information on loading dock accidents, visit our article library. When to Hire a Chicago Worksite Accident LawyerYou should consult with a qualified Chicago worksite accident lawyer as soon as you are able. A qualified attorney can help you identify any third-parties that may be liable for your loading dock accident and help you file a claim to recover compensation. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and understand the complexities of worksite injury cases. For a free evaluation of your case contact us today – 312-263-1080

Loading dock accidents are an alarmingly frequent occurrence. If you have been injured or you have lost a loved one as a result of a loading dock accident, you may be entitled to benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act. The amount of time that you have to file for Workers’ Compensation and personal injury lawsuits is limited by Illinois statute of limitation laws.Workers’ Compensation & Third Party Lawsuits Illinois Workers’ Compensation is a type of no-fault insurance that your employer is required to carry. Under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, you will not be able to sue your employer for damages beyond the benefits that you receive from Workers’ Compensation. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to collect additional damages. A qualified Chicago worksite accident lawyer will be able to advise you about whether you can file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party based on your case.Loading Dock Accidents & Illinois Statute of Limitations In order to qualify for Workers’ Compensation, you must notify your employer of your accident within 45 days of the occurrence. You must have missed at least 3 days work as a result of your loading dock accident in order to collect Workers’ Compensation.The statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits is longer than the time limit established for filing for Workers’ Compensation. Under Illinois law, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within 2 years of the date of the accident. The statute of limitations for product liability-if your Chicago construction accident attorney has helped you come to the conclusion that a product may be at least partially responsible for your accident-is also 2 years. In the event that you have lost a loved one as a result of a loading dock accident, you will have 2 years from the date that your family member passed away to file a wrongful death lawsuit.For more information on loading dock accidents, visit our article library. When to Hire a Chicago Worksite Accident LawyerYou should consult with a qualified Chicago worksite accident lawyer as soon as you are able. A qualified attorney can help you identify any third parties that may be liable for your loading dock accident and help you file a claim to recover compensation. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and understand the complexities of worksite injury cases. For a free evaluation of your case contact us today – 312-263-1080

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of the log slitter machines manufactured by the Brave Products company of Streator, Illinois.  Brave has previously issued two other recalls for this machine.  The current recall involves a product defect in the rod retention system.  The defect can result in  the rapid deployment of the splitting wedge, which poses an amputation hazard.  One user of the product has suffered an amputation of his hand due to this product defect.  In addition to the one serious injury which has resulted  from this product, there have been several other reports of failures of the product.Anyone with questions regarding the recall of the Brave Products log splitter is urged to contact the company.

The logbook of a commercial truck driver is designed for the driver to record when they are actively driving, on break, at a rest stop or check point, or off-duty. While the main function of these records is for trucking companies to keep tabs on driver statistics related to pay and hour reporting, these records may also be used to show evidence of driver fatigue.There are federal regulations that set guidelines for how many consecutive hours a commercial truck driver may drive before having to take a mandatory break. Unfortunately, many drivers neglect to follow these rules and push on, resulting in a higher chance of driver fatigue. The danger of driver fatigue is that it can cause slowed reaction time and may cause truck accidents.Driver logbooks are unfortunately easily altered or miscalculated, and the use of electronic on-board recording devices has recently helped combat these inconsistencies. The data from these two components of a truck driver’s reporting requirements is often used to determine the factors leading to a truck accident. If it is noted that the driver was traveling for inappropriate amounts of time and likely to be more fatigued, that can become evidence for your claim.If you are seeking to file an insurance claim for a trucking accident, you should know what kind of evidence you need for your claim. Trucking companies are often reluctant to part with potential evidence, and our article can help you become familiar with obtaining evidence against a truck driver or company. Not all truck accident claims are filed against the driver alone; in many cases your claim will involve their employing company as well. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will be able to help you obtain the proper evidence for your claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation: 312-263-1080.

A recent decision of the Illinois Appellate Court has upheld the enforceability of an arbitration clause in a nursing home admissions contract.  Incoming nursing home residents and their families should expect to be presented with contracts containing these agreements going forward, and current residents and their families may be confronted by nursing home staff members requesting that they sign an amendment to the existing nursing home contract.  This is bad for holding nursing homes accountable for poor care that leads to falls, bed sores, and other preventable injuries to nursing home residents.Until this decision, the law in Illinois had been that these kinds of “agreements” were not enforceable and could not be used to curtail the rights of a nursing home resident to seek justice for abuse and neglect under the Nursing Home Care Act.  However, the decision from the Appellate Court was that the Federal Arbitration Act preempted the provisions of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act which made them unenforceable.  Nursing home residents and their lawyers in other states have devoted many hours and huge amounts of resources to avoid being forced to arbitrate personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits for injuries resulting from poor nursing home care.What is arbitration and why should nursing home residents and their families want to avoid it?Essentially arbitration is a system of resolving disputes outside the court system, using a neutral decision maker known as an arbitrator.  In many ways, the arbitrator takes on the function of a judge and jury.  To most people, that sounds like a pretty reasonable way to resolve things — and after all, no one really wants to go to court and for the most part, trust and rely on the nursing home to care for their parents, spouse, or other loved ones properly.From the persepctive of the family of a nursing home resident trying to recover for injuries such as from falls, bed sores, or other forms of nursing home abuse and neglect, there are lots of reasons why arbitration is a poor substitute for the civil justice system.  Here are a few:

• The cost of initiating the case and actually prosecuting the case is much higher in an arbitration setting, as you must pay the arbitrator fees for the work he does on the case, plus adminstrative fees to the company that organizes the arbitrations, without corresponding reductions in the cost of prosecuting the case;
• The rules for pretrial discovery are more favorable to the nursing home in that a legitimate ground for refusing to participate in discovery is that the discovery sought is not “unduly burdensome or expensive” — this sounds like a reasonable limitation, but in the hands of aggressive defense lawyers, it means that every request will be greeted with a costly hearing before the arbitrator.  No such limitation exists in the court system;
• When doing pre-trial questioning of a witness known as a deposition, you must advise the nursing home of the scope of the deposition.  This gives the nursing home ample opportunity to prepare the witness on how to testify favorably to the nursing home and unfavorably to you.  No such requirement exists in the court system.

There is little if any benefit to arbitration from the perspective of a family admitting a loved one to a nursing home and hoping that he or she will not suffer from bed sores, falls, or other types of nursing home abuse and neglect.Please watch this web site for additional information about this important development in the law.

Anything related to medical expenses can be a financial strain to your budget.  Accumulating enough money to pay for your surgery can take time and planning. However, you don’t always expect that there will be a resulting complication that requires additional medical attention. Unfortunately, in some instances a wrong-site surgery may occur and you may need another surgery to correct it.Wrong-site surgery usually results from the negligence of a medical professional. Anyone from an individual doctor or nurse, to an entire operating team may be responsible for your medical error. Hospitals may also be held liable for your injuries if its staff failed to exercise extreme care while conducting your surgical operation.

Pre-surgery personnel could be liable as well if their instructions, documentation and actions directly influenced the wrong-site surgery. Unlike some surgical errors that may be caused by miscommunication between the patient and the doctor, wrong-site surgery is usually the sole fault of the surgical team, medical personnel and/or hospital facility, not the victimized patient.  When to Contact a Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney Under Illinois medical malpractice laws, you may be eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages for injuries sustained as a result of wrong-site surgery. If you have had a wrong-site surgery in Illinois, then a Chicago medical malpractice attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. may be able to help you file a medical malpractice claim. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.