Negligence is an important part of any personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, and can be defined as not acting in a way that a reasonable person would under the same circumstances. In order to file an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit, you and your Chicago wrongful death lawyer must prove that the person you are filing the claim against was directly at fault for the accident that resulted in the death of your loved one.Comparative Negligence in Wrongful Death CasesIn Illinois, liability after an accident is assigned using a modified comparative negligence system. Under the Illinois version of comparative negligence, a percentage of the blame for an accident can be divided between the party that brought the lawsuit (the plaintiff), and the party who is being sued (the defendant). If the plaintiff is assigned 51% or more of the blame (meaning the accident was 51% their fault), the defendant is found “not guilty” and the plaintiff cannot collect any compensation.This also means that your award can be reduced according to how much the defendant was at fault in causing the accident. For example, if you were awarded $200,000 after the death of your loved one but the court determined that your loved one was actually 25% at fault for their fatal accident, your final award would be $150,000 or 75% of the total.Your Chicago wrongful death lawyer will be able to provide an in-depth explanation of negligence. In addition, your lawyer will also discuss whether comparative negligence is likely to be applied to your case.Hiring a Chicago Wrongful Death LawyerLosing a loved one to a tragic and preventable accident carries with it an emotional toll that can quickly become overwhelming when funeral costs and medical bills, come pouring in, especially if your family relied on the income of the deceased as your main financial support. If you have lost a spouse, parent, or other family member because of neglect, you may be entitled to receive compensation from those responsible.With so much going on during this time emotionally and financially, it’s best to have the help of an experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have been helping the families of accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve to move on with their lives. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 1-312-263-1080

People who are victimized in an auto accident are suddenly forced to deal with a host of troublesome issues. First and foremost, they have to seek medical attention for their injuries. Then they may have to contact their employer to inform their supervisor that they might be missing work in the near future. They also have to get their vehicle repaired, arrange for alternate transportation during that time, and file a claim with their medical insurance company.

So it’s completely understandable if they don’t engage the services of an auto accident attorney right away. However, crash victims shouldn’t relegate this task to the back burner indefinitely. There’s a limited time period during which a victim can file a personal injury lawsuit after being hurt in a motor vehicle collision.

This window of time is known in legal circles as the statute of limitations. Simply put, this is the amount of time that victims have after the accident occurs to file suit against those responsible for injuring them. If victims do not file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out, then the law prohibits them from receiving any damages or compensation from the offending party.

So exactly how long is that statute of limitations? Well, it varies depending on the type of lawsuit. But usually, the statute of limitations is:

• 2 years from the accident date in the majority of auto accident cases• 1 year from the accident date for lawsuits against local government entities• 1 year from the accident date for Dram Act lawsuits (for instance, when an establishment that serves alcohol is sued by the victim of an accident caused by a drunk driver)• The 20th birthday of an auto accident victim (or the 19th birthday if the suit involves a local government agency) when minors are injured

To some people, one or two years can seem like plenty of time to hire an attorney after an auto accident. But filing a personal injury lawsuit isn’t like writing a paper in school where you can sometimes get away with waiting until the last minute to complete it. There are certain measures which much be taken by a lawyer before filing a formal lawsuit. (In fact, our firm routinely turns away clients who wait until the statute of limitations is about to run out before contacting our office.)

Plus, the longer an accident victim waits to engage the services of an attorney, the weaker the case can become. Evidence of the accident scene can get destroyed or misplaced. Witnesses can forget what they saw. And the potential defendants may leave town (or go out of business) and become virtually unreachable. In addition, attorneys can often negotiate settlements with insurance companies and/or other defendants before a lawsuit is ever filed – if they have the case in their hands well before the statute of limitations expires.

So remember – even though your world may be turned upside down after an auto accident, the clock is ticking toward the deadline for seeking legal action. Don’t let the statute of limitations run out on your lawsuit. Make it a priority to contact a qualified auto accident attorney as soon as you can.

Those who are injured in construction site accidents are typically compensated through Illinois Workers’ Compensation. The Workers’ Compensation Act usually prevents accident victims from suing their employers or any fellow employees who might have caused the accident. Unfortunately, Workers’ Compensation alone may not be enough to help cover your expenses and you may have other legal options for recovering compensation. An experienced Chicago construction accident lawyer can help you determine if a third party is responsible for your accident. You may then be able to file an Illinois personal injury lawsuit.Illinois Construction Accidents & Third PartiesThird parties that might have contributed to your construction site accident could include: 

• Ÿ A subcontractor on the construction site;
• Ÿ The general contractor (under certain circumstances);
• Ÿ A manufacturer whose equipment failed as a result of a manufacturing defect; and
• Ÿ A manufacturer that shipped equipment that failed as a result of a design flaw. 

Common Construction Accidents & Filing a LawsuitYou have a limited period of time in which to file lawsuits. This time period is called a statute of limitations. If you and your Chicago construction accident lawyer find that you have grounds for an Illinois personal injury case, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you have determined that a product may have contributed to your construction accident, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a product liability lawsuit. If you have lost a loved one as a result of a construction accident, you have 2 years from the date that your family member passed away to file a wrongful death lawsuit.For more information on common construction site accidents, visit our article library. When to Hire a Chicago Construction Accident LawyerIt’s important to contact a qualified Chicago construction accident lawyer as soon as you are able. Even though Workers’ Compensation is available for victims of construction site accidents, this alone may not be enough to cover all of your expenses. A Chicago construction accident lawyer can help you explore all available avenues of compensation for your injuries. 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

If you have witnessed an Illinois construction accident, you know how badly people can be hurt. If you have been in a construction site accident, you need to understand what type of compensation that you might receive for your injuries. One of the avenues you may have available to you is to receive benefits from Illinois Workers’ Compensation.Filing for Workers’ CompensationIn order to file for Workers’ Compensation, you need to notify your employer of the accident within 45 days of the incident. Most people notify their employers right away. Your employer or your employer’s insurance company will file paperwork for Workers’ Compensation if you miss 3 or more days of work as a result of the accident.Illinois Workers’ Compensation BenefitsYou may be entitled to the following benefits under the Workers’ Compensation Act: 

• Ÿ Payments for hospitalization;
• Ÿ Payments for surgery;
• Ÿ Payments for visiting your physician;
• Ÿ Payments for physical therapy;
• Ÿ Compensation for vocational re-training;
• Ÿ Compensation for temporary partial disability;
• Ÿ Compensation for permanent partial disability;
• Ÿ Compensation for temporary total disability; and
• Ÿ Compensation for permanent total disability. 

Benefits are subject to maximums and minimums.Illinois Workers’ Compensation Death BenefitsPeople who have lost loved ones in Illinois construction accidents may be entitled to death benefits. Workers’ Compensation will contribute towards burial costs. In addition, Workers’ Compensation will pay the spouse and/or children a percentage of the person’s average weekly salary for 25 years or up to $500,000. If the person did not leave a spouse or any children, other relatives may be able to claim this benefit.Despite the best of intentions, Workers’ Compensation benefits may not be enough for dealing with serious or permanent injuries. For this reason it is important to speak to a qualified Chicago construction accident lawyer who can help you explore all possible areas of compensation including third-party claims.For more information on common construction site accidents, visit our article library. When to Hire a Chicago Construction Accident LawyerIt’s important to contact a qualified Chicago construction accident lawyer as soon as you are able. Even though Workers’ Compensation is available for victims of construction site accidents, this alone may not be enough to cover all of your expenses. A Chicago construction accident lawyer can help you explore all available avenues of compensation for your injuries. 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

Illinois has strict laws regarding unprovoked dog attacks. If a dog bites someone in the state of Illinois, and that person was neither provoking the dog nor breaking the law at the time, the owner of the dog may be held responsible for the damages to the victim.  The Illinois law that reflects this is statute 510 ILCS 5/16 Section 16, which states:”If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in a place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby.”Damages that the victim may be compensated for include medical expenses, cosmetic surgery, and any mental anguish that they experienced. To recover such damages, the victim must prove to a court that the dog bite was the cause of these damages.When a Chicago dog bite case is strong enough-for instance, the evidence shows that an unleashed dangerous dog entered the yard of the victim where it then attacked a child unprovoked-the owner of the dog may choose to settle the case before it goes to court. To negotiate a settlement, or to file a Chicago dog bite lawsuit, you can get the professional help of a Chicago dog bite lawyer.If you have been bitten by someone else’s dog in Chicago or the surrounding areas, you may wish to claim compensation in an Illinois dog bite lawsuit. To learn more about damages in a dog bite claim, visit our article library. Hiring a Chicago Dog Bite LawyerYou should be able to recover from your injuries without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injuries, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an injury alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago dog bite 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

Motorcyclists in Illinois should know what the state laws are concerning motorcycle use. These motorcycle laws are meant to help protect motorcyclists if they are involved in a motorcycle crash. In the state of Illinois a motorcyclist is not required to wear a helmet. Although it is not required, it is safer for you to wear a motorcycle helmet, as is may prevent serious or fatal head injuries in the event of the motorcycle accident.While Illinois does not require motorcycle helmets, state law does include other safety requirements for motorcyclists on Illinois roads, including:

• Eye Protection – Required, unless motorcycle has windscreen;
• Daytime Use of Headlight – Required (modulating headlight permitted);
• Passenger Seat/Footrest – Required if a passenger is riding;
• Mirror – only 1 mirror (right or left) is required;
• State Insurance Requirements – Must carry Compulsory Liability and
• Handlebar Height – Handgrips must be below shoulder height.

If you have been injured in an Illinois motorcycle accident, you should contact a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer. An attorney can work on your behalf to determine if there was negligence and help you recover damages that you may be entitled to.  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.

When an individual suffers serious illness because they took a potentially dangerous drug or dietary supplement that was mass-marketed to the public, they may be eligible to receive compensation for their injuries. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can work with a victim to determine if liability exists in injury cases involving a popular dietary supplement, such as Hydroxycut.Additionally, a Chicago personal injury lawyer can guide you in proceeding with an Illinois product liability claim if it is determined that liability exists. An attorney with experience in this type of practice area will understand what type of evidence is necessary to prove negligence of a manufacturer or other party that may be involved in the making of a dangerous drug or dietary supplement. Hydroxycut is a popular dietary supplement that is used to help individuals lose weight. However, it has also been linked to a number of health problems.Some Hydroxycut side effects include: 

• kidney problems;
• arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat);
• seizures;
• heart problems;
• jaundice;
• headaches;
• dizziness;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• abdominal pain;
• restlessness;
• anxiety;
• excessive fatigue;
• liver damage/failure; and
• death.  

These serious and potentially life-threatening Hydroxycut side effects may entitle a victim to pursue damages through an Illinois product liability 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 Utah physician specializing in treatment of victims of carbon monoxide poisoning has published an article in  the prestigious New Engald Journal of Medicine showing that victims of carbon monoxide who do not receive treatment with hyperbaric oxygen within 24 hours of injury tend to have worse manifestations of the brain damage following exposure.  The brain damage from carbon monoxide poisoning does not typically result in an actual loss of IQ points, but instead shows itself through depression, short-term memory issues, loss of balance, and headaches.While prompt treatment helps with the long-term outcome, the researcher also found that many victims of carbon monoxide poisoning still have long-term deficits that impait their overall level of function.Because many of the signs of carbon monoxide injury are subtle, one of the things that an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer can do for victims of carbon monoxide poisoning is put the injured person in touch with physcians who have the background in treating these kinds of injuries.  This will make a substantial difference to the victim in his or her physical recovery as well as in his ability to demonstrate his or her injuries to a skeptical insurance company or jury.

Nearly every public place, property owner and company has a duty to keep you safe from harm on their property or while using their products. A store accepts this fact when they require customers to access their property in order to purchase their goods or services. Likewise, a neighbor accepts this duty when they invite friends for a pool party at their house.If you were injured on another’s property or by a defective product, the owner of the property or manufacturer of the product has committed a breach of their duty to keep you safe. As long as you can provide evidence that your injuries were a result of a violation of the duty owed to you by the other party, you can claim negligence against them.Ultimately, it is up to the court to determine whether or not your relationship with the defendant includes their duty to your safety in relation to your injuries. Trespassing is one of the most common reasons negligence claims are denied, as you were not permitted to be on the property where you were injured and therefore the owner has no duty to keep you from harm.There are other types of negligence factors that may come into play when dealing with a negligence case. Learn more the elements of an Illinois negligence case by visiting our library. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you identify the parties responsible for your injuries, compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080

Responsibility for actions is a critical part of a negligence case when it comes to determining if a defendant’s actions caused your injuries. Proximate cause is the scope of a defendant’s responsibility in a negligence case. Whether or not the defendant should have foreseen the likelihood that their actions caused your injury is left to interpretation by the court.An example of a reasonably obvious case of cause in fact is when a business owner is aware of a drainage problem on their property. Runoff from a roof that is known to freeze on the walkway and cause ice patches should be obvious that it creates a hazard. If you slipped and fell on this ice, you could claim that the business owner’s neglect in fixing their drainage problem in fact caused your injury.The injuries you sustain must have been directly caused by the negligence of the other party. In most claim investigations, past medical records may be examined to ensure that the injuries are recent and not pre-existing conditions.Providing evidence that your injuries were caused directly by the actions of another party can be difficult depending on the nature of the accident and presence of witnesses. You should keep careful records of all events, reports and statements involving your accident and be prepared to submit these to help prove your claim.There are other types of negligence factors that may come into play when dealing with a negligence case. Learn more about the elements of an Illinois negligence case by visiting our library. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you identify the parties responsible for your injuries, compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

If you plan to file for compensation through a Chicago motorcycle injury claim, then your percentage of fault in causing your motorcycle accident will affect your potential compensation. This is because when your damages are awarded, a court will reduce the total amount by your percentage of comparative negligence.To determine your negligence, a court will rely on assessments made by an insurance claims adjuster. To make their assessment, an insurance adjuster will investigate the evidence and circumstances that lead up to your accident. After conducting their investigation, the adjuster will assign a percentage of negligence. For instance, it may be determined that you are 40% responsible for causing your motorcycle accident. If that is the case, then when your settlement is awarded, the total amount will be reduced by 40%.However, you can negotiate your percentage of negligence with the insurance claims adjuster. To do so, you should get the help of a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer. A lawyer can investigate your case, and try to negotiate an acceptable percentage of negligence. If an agreement cannot be reached, then you may have to let a court decide the percentages of negligence involved.Furthermore, in the state of Illinois, if your comparative negligence is determined to be 51% or more, then you won’t be eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim.If you have recently been in a motorcycle accident in Illinois, then you may want to know how comparative fault may affect your personal injury settlement. To learn more, read our article When You’re Partially At Fault for a Motorcycle Accident Contacting a Chicago Motorcycle Accident LawyerA 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.

If your loved one has suffered from abuse in a nursing home or managed care facility, it is only natural that you would want to take legal action to address this betrayal.Filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit in Illinois can be a long and exhausting battle, but one that may be well worth the effort in terms of bringing the abuser to justice and helping to address a serious violation of trust.Generally, the length of time a case will take depends on the details of your particular claim. If the nursing home chooses to defend against your claim, the case may take months, or even years. A lawsuit will require an investigation, preparations, depositions from doctors and nursing home staff, and testimony from various experts. Your Chicago nursing home abuse attorney will have their work cut out for them as they seek to build a winning argument for your side.In some cases, if the evidence of abuse or neglect is substantial, the nursing home may choose to settle out of court. This means that you won’t have to go to trial, and your claim may be settled much more quickly. If this is the case, your Chicago nursing home abuse attorney can help you negotiate an acceptable settlement.To learn more about filing a nursing home abuse claim in Illinois and the types of compensation available in a nursing home abuse claim, visit our article library.  When to Hire a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse AttorneyIf you have even the slightest suspicion of nursing home abuse, it is in the best interest of your loved one that you take immediate action to stop this atrocity from continuing. With a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer on your side, you have a better chance of bringing the abusers to justice.The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. understand that nothing is more important to you than protecting the health and safety of your loved ones as they age. We take charges of nursing home abuse very seriously. For a free case evaluation and help preparing your claim, contact us today – 312-263-1080

It used to be that apothecaries were the medicine experts who worked in establishments to procure, prepare, and mix the drug properties found in plants to create healing products for various ailments.Today, large pharmaceutical companies spend billions to research and produce drugs on a massive scale. They rely upon the pharmacist to dispense their drugs to the consumer. Most pharmacists, in turn, work in pharmacies belonging to larger retailer chains.Prescription errors occur every day in the U.S. and can happen anywhere along the supply and distribution channels consisting of the drug company, physician’s practice, hospital, and pharmacy.Prescription errors are one of the leading causes of medical malpractice. The consequences of prescription errors can mean serious personal injury or even death for the consumer.From the time a drug is distributed, prescribed, and dispensed, any number of prescription errors are prone to happen. They include: 

• Poor marketing by the drug maker – Drug manufacturers are notorious for giving new drugs names that are similar to existing ones. This allows for greater chance of wrong medication errors because many of these same-sounding name drugs also look alike. 
• Illegible doctor handwriting – Many physicians and physician assistants have rushed and messy handwriting on their prescription orders. If the pharmacy fails to contact the doctor for clarification, a pharmacist error can occur. 
• Mistyping of dosage instructions and/or warning labels – It is the pharmacist’s professional duty to accurately fill your prescription and fully explain the indications, side effects, and dangerous drug interactions to you before dispensing. Failure to do so constitutes negligence. 
• Other causes – Pharmacist error and wrong drug malpractice can happen in a number of other ways. 

To learn more about prescription errors, visit our article library.  Contacting an Aurora Prescription Error LawyerIf you or a family member have been seriously injured by pharmacist error, you have the legal right to hold the pharmacy accountable for the physical and emotional damages you suffered.The Aurora prescription error lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. understand the complex legalities of medical malpractice cases in the Chicago area. Let us help defend your legal rights to seek just compensation for your pain and suffering caused by your pharmacist error injury. We can build a strong pharmacist error medical malpractice case and give you a voice against the vast resources of a pharmacy corporation or malpractice insurance company.Contact us today for a FREE case evaluation on your pharmacist error medical malpractice claim: 1-312-263-1080.

The first thing your insurance adjuster will do when they contact you about your car accident injury claim is to try and establish a friendly relationship. While this makes for a more pleasant experience when having to deal with all the paperwork and hassle of reaching a settlement, it’s a tactic used to lull you into a comfort zone.Once you’re talking freely to your new insurance adjuster “friend,” they will be looking for ways to get you to damage your car accident injury claim. What may just feel like casual phone chat as they work on inputting case notes could later come back to haunt you as a typed statement of record.Insurance adjusters want to settle your case as quickly as possible for the least amount out of their company’s pocket. To do this, they often prey on your immediate need of funding for medical bills, or the knowledge that customers get easily frustrated with lengthy paperwork searches and documentation needs.They may offer you a settlement that only addresses your current medical expenses while presenting it as a solution to all of your problems. Another common tactic is to send you on a scavenger hunt for documentation of wages, employer verification, medical records, and other paperwork they demand to verify the numbers in your claim.There’s a lot to know when dealing with insurance adjusters after being injured in a car accident and our article covers the dos and don’ts of talking to insurance companies. A Chicago car accident lawyer is a tremendous asset when it comes to avoiding these common tricks. An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you file your car accident claim and help with recovering compensation for your wage losses, medical bills and more, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

If you are considering filing an Illinois medical malpractice claim, it is important for you to understand the importance of proving medical negligence. An Aurora medical malpractice attorney can go over your case to help you determine any challenges your specific case may present in this area.When you are treated by a hospital or a doctor you expect to receive a certain standard of care. When doctors fail to provide that standard level of care, negligence may be involved; however, medical malpractice claims cannot be filed unless this negligence can be proven.In order to pursue a medical malpractice claim against a doctor or hospital you must be able to prove the following:

• Hospital or doctor’s duty to patient was expected
• Hospital or doctor failed to provide that duty
• The patient was injured
• The patient’s injury was a direct result of the failure to provide the expected duty

In other words, an individual must have been injured by a hospital or doctor and it must have been the result of negligence. For example, just because a particular surgery did not result in the desired outcome does not mean negligence necessarily took place. However, if there were serious medical complications after your surgery because a surgeon left a sponge or medical instrument inside your body, that may constitute the level of negligence necessary to warrant  a medical malpractice claim.You can learn more about medical malpractice claims in Illinois 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.

A study by the Insurance Information Institute shows that dog bite insurance claims cost the insurance industry $356.2 million in 2007.  Some of those claims involved serious injuries caused by certain breeds of dogs that tend to cause more serious injuries.  These breeds include: wolf hybrids, Akitas, American Bandogge Mastiffs, Boerboels, Chow-Chows, Doberman pinschers, Rotweillers, and Pit Bull breeds.  Because of the expense of the claims associated with dog bite attacks by these breeds, some homeowner’s insurance policies have begun to exclude injuries caused by those dog breeds (including mixed breeds) from coverage.  That means that if you own a dog that is one of those breeds or a mix of those breeds (such as a pit bull-lab mix) and your dog bites someone, you have no insurance coverage for the resulting injuries.All dog owners should take a few steps to make sure that they have coverage:

• Review their homeowner’s policy for any breed-specific exclusion;
• Watch carefully for any notices of changes in policy terms;
• Disclose to your homeowner’s carrier that you have a dog and the breed of dog;
• Consult with your agent to make sure that you are covered for injuries caused by your dog; and
• If your dog is excluded from coverage, switch carriers.  Dog bite settlements can be quite substantial and you do not want to be without coverage.

In the days following your Illinois truck accident you’re most likely focused on recovering from your injuries, medical treatments, and keeping your family in order. The last thing you need to worry about is confusing legal paperwork and talking to insurance adjusters.To help take the hassle out of filing a claim for damages resulting from your truck accident, you have the option of hiring a Chicago truck accident lawyer with the experience and knowledge to handle your claim for you. A good lawyer will have tried many other cases similar to yours and have the experience necessary to help you make the best decisions for your needs.In many truck accident claims, the trucker’s insurance company will try to place blame on everyone except the trucker or their company. Many claims end up involving third parties, including equipment manufacturers, logistics companies, inspection organizations, and all sorts of other entities. With this many parties involved, the process can become even more complicated.As with most accident claims, the insurance companies are always out to secure their own bottom line. Their adjusters may seem sympathetic, but they’re ultimately interested in keeping their company from paying out any money. It has been shown that truck accident claims that are tried by an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer most often result in higher settlements and quicker resolution.The process of filing an Illinois truck accident claim can be difficult, long and tedious, but made easier on you when a lawyer can be there to help. Our article explains some of the basics of the claim process for an Illinois truck accident, but a Chicago truck accident lawyer can give you real legal assistance. 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

If you can prove you are completely not at fault for your Illinois car accident then you will receive the full settlement amount in your claim. However, if the judge or jury in your case finds you to be partially at fault for your Illinois car accident, your final settlement amount will be reduced according to your degree of fault.For example, you fail to stop at a stop sign at a 4-way stop and are hit by a speeding driver who also ran their stop sign. Had you properly stopped at the intersection and then continued to where the accident occurred, you would have been completely not at fault. However, since you also ran the stop sign, the judge or jury will most likely find you to be partially at fault for the accident.In a case such as this, the other driver was also at fault, and more so than you, because not only were they found to have run the stop sign, but they were also speeding at the same time. In this claim, you would likely be found to be partially at fault, such as 40%, while the other driver would be 60% at fault. There is no mathematical system to determine fault, it’s purely up to the judge or jury.If your case results in you being found 40% at fault and your settlement is for $100,000, you would then be entitled to recover $60,000 in damages. Your degree of fault reduces the amount of the settlement you can receive by that percentage.For more information on how the degree of fault affects your Illinois car accident claim when you are found to be partially at fault, visit our article library. Your claim isn’t over until a judge rules it so, or you receive a settlement, and a Chicago car accident lawyer can help you manage your case.An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is there to help you with all aspects of your Illinois car accident claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

Because of the nature of the vehicles involved, Illinois motorcycle accidents are vastly different than car accidents or any other type of collision involving an enclosed passenger vehicle.One of the biggest differences between a motorcycle and car accident is the significance of injuries that can be sustained. Serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries or even death, are more likely to occur with a motorcyclist than with the driver of an automobile. This is owed to the fact that motorcyclists do not have the protection of a vehicle surrounding them in the event of impact.Another difference comes with how the public perceives motorcyclists. People tend to misconstrue motorcyclists as “dare devils” and therefore, believe that any crash involving a motorcycle driver must have been their fault. This rush to judgment rarely exists for victims of passenger vehicle accidents, and the reality is that many crashes occur because of the fault of the other driver. Many motorcycle accidents involve drivers of other vehicles who fail to see the motorcycle. This can result in a driver cutting off a motorcyclist. Because motorcycles are smaller, they can easily get “lost” in a driver’s blind spot. An inattentive driver may change lanes or make turns without carefully checking first for oncoming motorcycles.In many motorcycle accidents, there exists a failure to give the right of way to motorcyclists. Not all drivers of automobiles share the road safely with motorcycles. In some cases, motorcyclists are not given the same respect concerning the rules of the road as drivers of other vehicles.If you have been injured in a Chicago motorcycle crash, visit our article library for tips on what to do after a motorcycle accident in Illinois. Contacting a Illinois Motorcycle Accident LawyerA 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 Illinois 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 Illinois motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

When trying to receive compensation for an accident in which you were injured as a result of the other driver’s negligence, it is always preferable to have an experienced Chicago accident lawyer on your side.Many of the arguments and evidence involved in determining fault and negligence are complicated and may be difficult or impossible for you to gather on your own. Additionally, navigating the legal framework can be frustrating for those without extensive knowledge of Illinois negligence laws and how to build a solid personal injury claim.When choosing a Chicago personal injury lawyer, it’s important to find someone you’re comfortable working with, since a negligence case may take some time to resolve. Look for someone you can talk with openly about everything that happened in the case and anything in your background that might affect your claim.Your total honesty is crucial in a negligence case-even if you were partially at fault, your attorney may still be able to help you recover compensation. They can only do this if they know in advance of any obstacles that may affect your claim.  Negligence cases have many things in common with one another, and your Chicago personal injury lawyer should have experience with cases similar to your own, giving them a wealth of past cases to draw on when arguing your case.The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will fight for a settlement that is fair and will help you to move on from your injuries and regain control of your life.  Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080For more information on driver negligence, read our article on actions that constitute negligent driving.

May 14, 2010 – A Chicago teenager was killed, and several others were injured, in a hit-and-run accident on Chicago’s West Side. According to reports at ChicagoBreakingNews.com, a 19-year-old man was killed when the car he was riding in was hit by another vehicle. Four other teenagers driving in the same car were injured, some seriously. The fatal accident occurred around midnight on Wednesday night.Police say the male victim was a passenger in a car that was passing through the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Keeler Avenue when it was hit by another car. The force of the collision propelled the victim’s car into a nearby utility pole. The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene after the accident. the victim was pronounced dead an hour later at Mount Sinai Hospital.Four other teenagers in the car suffered personal injuries, and two are believed to have serious, life-threatening injuries. Their identities have not yet been released. Police are still investigating this fatal car accident and they have not released any details about the hit-and-run vehicle.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is caused by a common strain of bacteria found on human skin or nasal passages. When Staphylococcus aureus (a bacterium) does not respond to antibiotics it becomes MSRA.Unsanitary hospital conditions can lead to development of MRSA. The bacteria enter the body through a catheter, breathing tube, sore or cut. Minor infections create a pimple-like bump on the skin. More serious cases of MRSA can affect bones, blood or the heart.The people at highest risk of acquiring MRSA are those with weakened immune systems. Many hospital patients have weakened immune systems that raise their chance of developing MRSA. Patients going through kidney dialysis are also at risk of developing this hospital infection.Healthcare-related MRSA occurs to hospitalized – or recently hospitalized – patients, especially at an unsanitary hospital. Many MRSA cases can be prevented with proper hygiene and sterilization. Medical personnel who improperly wash their hands or handle unclean equipment can cause a hospital infection such as MRSA. When a hospital infection occurs in Chicago area hospitals, it’s typically a sign of medical negligence, and can open up the organization to a Chicago medical malpractice claim.If you have been a patient at an unsanitary hospital in the Chicago area and acquired a serious hospital infection such as MRSA, you should contact a Chicago medical malpractice attorney to learn more about your options for seeking compensation related to your injuries. Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine every aspect of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue full compensation for you or your loved one, for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

While blood transfusion mistakes may not frequently occur, they are still a risk factor for anyone facing a medical procedure or surgery. Patients trust that doctors and other medical professional will do their job without causing further injury.Unfortunately, blood transfusion mistakes can happen and when they do, they often lead to devastating consequences.Hepatitis C is the most common blood transfusion mistake. Hepatitis C is a serious disease as it can lead to the need for a liver transplant. Unfortunately, an individual who has this disease may not even know it. It can sometimes take decades before Hepatitis C turns into liver disease. Statistics show that the chances of developing Hepatitis C in the United States from a blood transfusion are 1 in 121,000. While that number may not be particularly high, the risk is still too great to ignore. If someone who does not know they have Hepatitis C donates their blood, the chance of that blood being used in a blood transfusion is 1 in 103,000.Hepatitis C is a serious disease. If you have acquired Hepatitis C or any other type of disease because of a blood transfusion mistake, you should immediately contact an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer. Medical negligence can lead to serious injuries or death. If you have are the victim of a blood transfusion error, you should speak with an Aurora medical malpractice attorney. They will work on you behalf to help you recover damages that you may be entitled to for your injuries Contacting an Aurora Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Aurora medical malpractice lawyers 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 as the result of medical malpractice. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Fisher-Price has issued a voluntary recall of a high chair which was sold exclusively through Target stores.  The 3-in-1 High Chair poses a fall risk to children if the release is activated with the child still in the booster seat, or if the child is placed into the booster seat without the release properly secured.One injury has been reported where a child suffered a skull fracture after falling backwards.

The Sun-Times ran an article today that hits a point that I am always making with clients I am representing in Chicago car accident suits: that you should go to traffic court for the hearing on the ticket that the other driver received.  Many people I speak to on the phone tell me that they are pretty sure that since the other guy got the ticket, they are going to win their case.  The truth is that it’s a good start, but is not the whole ball game.The law in Illinois is that the mere fact that someone got a traffic ticket following a car accident does not come into evidence in a later civil suit arising from the same car accident unless the person receiving the ticket pleads guilty to the charges.  Unless that happens, the jury in the civil case does not get to hear that a ticket was issued, even if the other driver is convicted of the charges in traffic court.Showing up in traffic court does not guarantee that the other driver will plead guilty, but it greatly increases the odds that this will happen.  If you do not go to traffic court, the ticket will probably be dismissed, and a jury in your personal injury case will never hear about it.  If you are too hurt after a serious car accident to go to traffic court and have not yet hired an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer, then you should send a friend or family member to court to tell the prosecutor assigned to that court room that you would like to come to court, but could not come because of your injuries.  The prosecutor should be able to get the case continued for another date when you would be well enough to come to court.Teaching point:  if you want to help yourself in your civil personal injury suit for a car accident, go to the traffic court hearing for the other guy’s traffic tickets.