If you have been seriously injured because of medical negligence in Chicago, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim against the liable healthcare provider. While the idea of pursuing a Chicago medical malpractice claim might seem daunting, you should not let that stop you from seeking damages for injuries you sustained.Informed Consent in a Chicago Medical Malpractice ClaimDoctors have a duty to warn patients of potential risks when it comes to medical procedures or treatments. This is known as the duty of informed consent. It is the doctor’s duty to inform the patient of all known risks before proceeding with a procedure or treatment.After a patient has been thoroughly informed of the potential risks, they may either consent to or decline the procedure or treatment. Sometimes a patient may sign a consent form that details the risks involved.If a doctor fails to adequately warn a patient about potential risks and the patient is injured, or if the patient would have otherwise opted out of the procedure or treatment had they known the risks, the doctor may be held liable for medical malpractice. If you have been injured as the result of a doctor’s failure to provide informed consent, whether with a procedure or use of a dangerous medical product, you should contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who is familiar not only with medical negligence but also dangerous medical products such as gadolinium. Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerThe Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and know the best ways to express your degree of fault to the court. For a no-cost case evaluation and help preparing your evidence, contact us today – 312-263-1080.

Medical negligence can take many forms. One particularly devastating type of Chicago medical negligence occurs when there are hospital equipment errors, specifically, anesthesia equipment errors.Anesthesia comes with its own inherent risks and those risks are increased when you face equipment failure. Patients rely on safely being put to sleep and safely being brought out of sleep while undergoing surgery or any other type of invasive medical procedure. Therefore, safety measures must be taken when servicing and maintaining anesthesia equipment. These kinds of medical procedures also require the proper training of anesthesiologists who will operate the equipment.One instance when due diligence can mean the difference between a safe surgery and patient injury is the operation of flow meters. Flow meters regulate the amount of anesthesia going into a patient, so it is critical that they work correctly. While equipment failure can happen because of a defect, more often than not, anesthesia equipment errors are the result of medical professionals’ mistake. Medical professionals who use anesthesia equipment must feel comfortable that they know how to properly operate and use those tools. If not, the results can mean serious injuries to a patient.If you have been injured by anesthesia equipment errors 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 seeking compensation in a hospital equipment failure 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.

When an individual has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment, a chemotherapy error could lead to devastating consequences. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case to determine if you should proceed with filing an Illinois medical malpractice claim after a chemotherapy mistake.A chemotherapy error can be deadly if a patient receives an overdose of the toxic medication. The same drug that is meant to kill cancer cells can also act as poison in a patient’s body when too much is given.Whether the chemotherapy mistake is due to a doctor’s failure to properly prescribe or a nurse’s failure to properly administer, when negligence leads to injuries the responsible medical professional can be held liable. A chemotherapy error that results in an overdose could lead an individual to seek compensation through an Illinois medical malpractice claim.Some of the damages that may be recoverable through a claim include: 

• medical expenses;
• lost wages; and
• pain and suffering. 

If a chemotherapy error results in death there may be additional damages available through an Illinois wrongful death.If you have suffered injuries due to a chemotherapy error, such as receiving an overdose, you should consult with a Chicago medical malpractice attorney. An attorney will determine what your legal options are and how best to proceed with your Illinois medical malpractice claim. When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney A Chicago medical malpractice 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 a medical malpractice claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you have been injured due to a chemotherapy mistake, you may be entitled to file an Illinois medical malpractice claim. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney will carefully evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim worth pursuing.A chemotherapy mistake can happen for a number of reasons but one of the most common is a medication error. When a doctor or pharmacist is negligent in prescribing, dispensing or administering medication and it results in injuries, they may be held liable.Chemotherapy mistakes that lead to injuries can take place in a hospital or outpatient clinic. A chemotherapy mistake could also be the result of a pharmacy error. No matter what the setting, this type of error can lead to devastating consequences.A chemotherapy mistake that is the result of a medication error could be due to: 

• a mix-up with patients;
• an overdose;
• the wrong medication being given;
• an underdose; or
• dangerous interactions with other medication.  

Sometimes a chemotherapy mistake that is caused by a medication error is due to a labeling or packaging mistake. An Illinois medical malpractice claim filed after a severe chemotherapy mistake will seek to explore all potential liable parties who may have played a role in the medication error.If you have been injured due to a chemotherapy mistake, you should immediately consult with an experienced Chicago medical malpractice attorney.  When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice AttorneyA Chicago medical malpractice 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 a medical malpractice claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Administering the wrong medication is one of the common medication errors that can occur either in a hospital setting or even at a pharmacy. This type of medical negligence can lead to serious injuries or even death.In 2002 there were about 100,000 individuals in the United States who were given the wrong medication. Those are startling statistics. Even more startling is that 7,000 people were killed because of these medication errors.The good news for patients is that this type of common medication error is the easiest one to track. This can make proving medical negligence easier than other forms of medical malpractice.  Some of the most common causes for the wrong medication being prescribed or administered include: 

• Miscommunication (between doctors and patients, doctors and nurses, doctors and pharmacists, etc.)
• Medications with similar names
• Misdiagnosis
• Personnel unable to read notations or prescriptions
• Understaffing
• Lack of training
• Lack of up-to-date medical information (on patient or on the medication) 

Anyone can be at risk of a serious injury if given the wrong medication. No matter what the cause, most medication errors are preventable and may constitute medical malpractice if such an error resulted in serious further injury.You can learn more about common medication errors and other forms of medical malpractice 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.

I saw a piece in the news recently about a law that is being passed in Minnesota regarding setting indoor air quality standards for ice rinks.  There was an incident there similar to the Glen Ellyn ice rink carbon monoxide poisoning incident of this past winter where a number of youth hockey players were made ill by carbon monoxide poisoning.The source of the carbon monoxide in the Minnesota incident was the Zamboni and other ice grooming equipment.  The new law requires ice rinks to equip the ice making equipment with pollution emissions equipment and the rink with air monitoring equipment.The law is a sensible approach to addressing the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.  We all know that you do not leave the car engine running in a closed garage.  While an ice rink is obviously a much larger building, that only helps diminish the concentration of the carbon monoxide, not eliminate it.

With the arrival of daylight savings time serving as a reminder to check things that we do not always think about, now is a good time to remind ourselves to check that our carbon monoxide detectors have good batteries and are fully functional.  Carbon monoxide poisoning claims several lives each year and leaves many others with serious residual injuries.  Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, there is no real warning that a carbon monoxide poisoning accident has happened or is happening until it is far too late.  Carbon monoxide detectors are the front line defense against these kinds of injuries, so it is worth a few minutes of your times to check to make sure that they are functioning properly.

While it is mandatory in Illinois to have a minimum of motorists insurance, you may want to buy more coverage protection than the state requires. The basic requirements of the state are for a minimum of: 

• $20,000 per person;
• $15,000 for property damage; and
• $40,000 in total. 

This means that the most you can compensate an injured victim for is $20,000, and the most you can compensate any number of victims in $40,000. But this is very little in comparison to the actual costs of medical expenses. And it will not protect you or your family against uninsured (or underinsured) motorists.What is uninsured motorist coverage?Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is not included in Illinois minimum insurance requirements. But most Chicago personal injury attorneys will recommend that you get it anyway. UM will protect you if an uninsured driver injures you or your family. It doesn’t matter whether the driver never obtained insurance coverage, or whether their policy has expired, UM will pay for the damages, including: 

• Medical expenses;
• Lost wages;
• Pain and suffering;
• Disability; and
• Disfigurement. 

Buying More Than the Required MinimumIn fact, rather than buying the required minimum, you should always purchase as much insurance coverage as your budget will allow. The more you buy, the better you and your family will be protected. The increase in price compared to the increase in coverage is relatively small, and it may make a significant difference in the damages that would be covered.If you need to purchase insurance coverage that will protect you in an Illinois car accident, you can visit our article Illinois Motorists Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements to learn more.Getting the Advice of a Chicago Personal Injury LawyerIf you’ve been injured in a Chicago car accident and you have questions about how your insurance policy will address your financial needs, contact an attorney who can guide you through the settlement process. 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.

By now, you may have heard about the tainted gasoline that has made its way to gas stations throughout Illinois. In August, BP admitted that it delivered some 4.7 million gallons of misformulated gas to hundreds of locations in the Midwest, including some 300 gas stations in Illinois alone. The tainted gas, which was sold in all grades from regular to premium, was shipped to stations between August 14 and 17. (To see which stations are affected, you can check out BP’s searchable database of affected gas stations.)

Motorists who filled up their vehicles’ gas tanks with this tainted fuel reported hard starts, rough idling, and sudden engine stalling. Many of them were forced to take their vehicles into repair shops to have the fuel systems flushed and cleaned, which can cost several hundred dollars. If you are one of these drivers who has had to seek repairs due to tainted gas, you can contact BP to file a claim.

Even though tainted fuel can cause engine damage, can it also cause an Illinois auto accident?

It’s possible. If you unknowingly filled up your car with misformulated gasoline, and then experienced an engine stall or similar mechanical problem that directly led to an accident, then you may be eligible to obtain relief from BP. Some scenarios where this could happen include:

• being struck by a vehicle while making a left turn after your vehicle stalled in the roadway in the direct path of oncoming traffic
• having your vehicle’s engine stall and shut down just as you accelerate from a stop, and your vehicle subsequently rolls off the roadway and collides with an object
• having your vehicle’s engine stall and shut down while on an upward-sloping road, and your vehicle subsequently rolls backward into another vehicle
• having your vehicle’s engine stall or shut down while trying to merge onto a busy freeway, and getting hit by a car traveling faster than you

If you are injured in this type of auto accident – whether the tainted gas caused the problem in your vehicle or someone else’s – then you may be able to name BP as a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit. While it’s unlikely that the oil refiner will be held fully responsible for any such accident, a jury may determine that BP shares some degree of liability. If you are unsure about whether this situation may apply to you, contact an Illinois auto accident attorney.

The Illinois Supreme Court declared that the 2005 law that placed caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases in Illinois was unconstitutional.  Truthfully, it was not much of a surprise.I have a few thoughts:1.  This is the third time — yes, third — that the Illinois Supreme Court has declared that caps on damages violates the Illinois Constitution.  Seeing as caps had been declared unconstitutional twice before, that is why today’s decision was not much of a surprise.2.  The law was enacted in 2005, and I would be willing to bet that there are at least a handful of cases, if not more, that were settled on a basis that indicated that no one assumed that the caps would be upheld.  None of the lawyers I know were proceeding on the basis that the caps were constitutional.3.  You will probably see things in the press about how the rates for malpractice insurance for doctors went down after the caps went into effect.  Here’s the thing:  when the General Assembly passed the caps, they also passed a number of insurance reforms which were intended to make the markets for insurance in Illinois more competitive.  Those reforms probably account for the drop in insurance rates, not the caps.

You can do everything in your power to be a responsible driver and carry the necessary car insurance coverage, but there are still many drivers out there who neglect to do the same. An uninsured driver is one who: 

• never had valid car insurance at all;
• has an expired insurance policy;
• had their policy canceled because of non-payment of premium; and/or
• was excluded from coverage on the policy. 

If you find yourself in a car accident with a driver who fits any of these criteria, you will need to rely on your uninsured motorist coverage to pay for your damages.Your uninsured motorist coverage also protects you when your car accident is a case of hit-and-run. Because the other driver cannot be contacted, Illinois state law assumes they were uninsured and allows you to recover damages from your own uninsured motorist coverage. Filing this type of claim can be tricky and in some cases, insurance companies will drop claims that did not involve the absent vehicle striking your own.There are many other nuances and factors that go into car accident claims involving underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. To make the most sense out of these claims, you should contact an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. An experienced Chicago injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to assist you in filing your car accident claim and help with recovering compensation for your wage loss, medical bills and more. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

With the holiday season just around the corner, many people have begun their Christmas and Hanukkah toy shopping. Stores are already laden with an extravaganza of toys, which can make choosing difficult. When it comes to making choices, parents need to be aware of dangerous children’s toys that could be unsafe because of lead contamination.Many recalls on dangerous children’s toys involve strangulation and choking hazards. Yet another danger that can be linked to unsafe toys is lead contamination. With many products coming from foreign countries that still use lead, such as China, there is the potential risk for your child to be exposed to unhealthy levels of lead. This exposure could result in lead poisoning, which can have long-term, lasting effects.  While consumers may do their part to be aware of unsafe products by checking with agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the reality is that dangerous children’s toys are still out there. If your child was diagnosed with lead poisoning because of a toy with lead contamination, you may be eligible to file an Illinois product liability claim. Contact a Chicago product liability lawyer today to learn more about your options. Contacting a Chicago Product Liability LawyerThe Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and know the best ways to express your degree of fault to the court. For a free case evaluation and help preparing your evidence, contact us today – 312-263-1080.

If your loved one resides in a nursing home and has developed bed sores, this may be a sign of nursing home neglect. Bed sores can lead to serious and even deadly complications. This is because bed sores can cause infections that affect the skin, bones and muscles. Some of the most serious complications that may arise from bed sores include: 

• Joint infections – damage to the cartilage and tissue.
• Bone infections – functioning of joints and limbs may be reduced.
• Cellulitis – infection in the skin’s connective tissue.
• Sepsis – infection that spreads into the bloodstream, which could cause shock and organ failure.
• Meningitis – infection in the fluid and membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. 

Bed sores are a sign of nursing home neglect and should be investigated since they are generally preventable. A nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago can examine the facts in your case to determine if your loved one’s injuries were preventable and who may be held liable. This may include analyzing your loved one’s medical records, notations from nursing home staff, charts and other documentation. If it is found that your loved one was indeed injured as a result of the negligent actions of nursing home staff, a nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago can guide you in filing your nursing home abuse claim.When to Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in ChicagoAn Illinois nursing home abuse 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 nursing home abuse claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

When a medical device that is meant to save a life causes harm, it can lead an individual to file a dangerous medical device claim. While most recommended implantable defibrillators are safe, some have led to defective product recalls. These defective implantable defibrillators should be removed from a patient and replaced with a safer device.Benefits and Risks of an Implantable Defibrillator If you have received an implantable defibrillator in Illinois, your doctor should have discussed ahead of time with you the benefits and risks of receiving one. When receiving an implantable defibrillator, a patient at risk of suffering cardiac arrest may gain some peace of mind. This medical device can alleviate concerns of fainting spells or sudden death from a heart attack. It also allows many patients to resume normal activities that they otherwise would have been prevented from resuming.Some of the risks of an implantable defibrillator include: 

• risks associated with having surgery;
• life-threatening heart rhythms;
• failure to deliver shocks when needed; and
• deliverance of unnecessary shocks to the heart. 

A defective implantable defibrillator can cause undue injury and harm. If you have suffered serious injuries from a dangerous medical device such as this, a Chicago defective product attorney can talk to you about your options for legal recourse and help determine whether you should file a dangerous medical device claim. Contacting a Chicago Defective Product LawyerThe Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and understand the intricacies of a product liability claim involving defective medical devices. For a no-cost case evaluation and help preparing your evidence contact us today – 312-263-1080

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Specialized Bicycle Components has announced the voluntary recall.  This company, which manufactures mountain bikes, agreed to the recall after two reports of the handlebars breaking.  Two riders were injured, including one who suffered head trauma, after the handlebars broke during use.

As with any sort of injury claim, you’ll be dealing with insurance companies that would rather keep their money in their pockets than pay out a fair settlement on your claim for a dog bite attack in Illinois. A Wheaton, IL dog bite attorney knows how the dog bite injury claim system works and can give you the insight necessary to obtain a fair claim settlement.You’re already at a disadvantage with the fact that you’ve probably never had to deal with an insurance settlement before. Your attorney will fill that need and bring the experience necessary to seek and secure a fair settlement.Evidence is important to your dog bite case because it shows the 2 important points of a serious injury accident: you suffered serious damages and they were the result of another’s negligence. A handful of pictures and the dog owner’s name isn’t going to be enough to support your claim. Your Wheaton, IL dog bite attorney can help you develop the relevant evidence that shows the severity of your damages.With a well-evidenced injury claim you can seek the full amount of damages you’re entitled to, after a serious dog bite attack in Illinois. There’s a huge difference between the initial settlement you’re offered and a fair settlement you’re entitled to. A Wheaton, IL dog bite attorney can help you seek the compensation needed, to truly recover from a serious dog attack.  When to Hire a Wheaton, IL Dog Bite AttorneyA dog bite attack in Illinois can result in permanent disfigurement and even life-long disability. By filing an injury claim after the attack you not only help your family recover from this tragedy, but you can help prevent future attacks by the dog.At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our 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 dog bite injuries.Before you make any decisions, request a free copy of our accident guide, When You Are Injured – The Insider’s Guide to Illinois Accident Law. When you’re ready to file a claim, we offer a free case evaluation and help preparing your evidence. Contact us today – 312-263-1080.

The moment you begin to discuss your car accident and injuries with another party you could be potentially damaging your chances of a fair settlement in an Illinois injury claim. You can, however, discuss your accident candidly with a Wheaton car accident attorney.Police reports, witnesses, and even your social media accounts can all become evidence in your claim. When you don’t watch what you say to these sources, your words could come back to haunt you.One of the trickiest parts of the Illinois injury claim settlement process is giving a recorded statement to the adjuster. The recorded statement is designed to give you the opportunity to tell your version of how the accident happened. While giving this statement you may not realize you could be saying more than necessary. Before speaking to anyone about your accident, you should consult with a Wheaton car accident attorney. The settling of an Illinois injury claim can become a back-and-forth game of trying to prove the financial need your injuries have created while your insurance company tries to prove just the opposite.While you need to be showing evidence that you deserve a fair settlement, your insurance adjuster will be trying to show your situation doesn’t warrant the full settlement amount. A Wheaton car accident attorney can help you protect your right to compensation. When to Hire a Wheaton Car Accident AttorneyObtaining a fair settlement straight off from the insurance company is a rare occurrence. In most Illinois injury claims you’ll have to fight for your right to fair compensation.If there is even the slightest question that your negligence may have played a part in your injury, you will need to prove otherwise if you want to receive the maximum settlement in your case. Your best chance at proving your degree of fault was low enough to recover damages is to have an experienced Wheaton car accident attorney on your side.The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and know the best ways to express your degree of fault to the court. Before making any decisions, request a FREE copy of our guide to Illinois accident law. For a free case evaluation and help preparing evidence for your Illinois injury claim contact us today – 312-263-1080.

The primary 3 factors in determining the value of an injury claim are liability, nature of injury, and damages claimed. These factors are determined through the evidence you provide to the insurance company such as medical bills, accident reports, and witness statements.Other factors that can come into play when determining your injury settlement include but are not limited to: 

• your personal occupational, financial and living situation;
• local laws & statues;
• anticipated expense of prosecuting the case through trial;
• verdicts and settlements in similar cases;
• the insurance companies involved;
• the amount of insurance coverage available;
• the financial condition of the defendant;
• the amount of case file expenses incurred;
• the projected case file expenses in the future;
• how far along the case has progressed;
• the appearance and availability of supporting witnesses; AND
• how supportive the treating physicians are.  

Insurance companies can make you jump through a lot of hoops when they’re working on placing a value on your claim. Their goal is to settle for as little out of their pocket as possible and their adjusters know the tricks to do so.Knowing the factors that go into determining the settlement amount for your injury claim is important. While a Chicago injury lawyer can’t tell you what your claim is worth until you receive a settlement, they can help you work for the fairest possible outcome. An experienced Chicago injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you examine your injury claim and help with recovering compensation for your medical expenses, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

Illinois gets its share of inclement weather in the wintertime, like yesterday!  Often, that leads to water and snow freezing on roadways, causing ice patches or even a solid layer of ice. Usually, this leads to slippery roads that cause many drivers to lose control of their vehicles and get into auto accidents.

How slippery a road is can be defined by what is known as the coefficient of friction, or the frictional force between the tires and the road that helps stop a vehicle. The coefficient of friction is always a number between 0 and 1; and the lower the value, the more slippery the road is. As an example; dry roads generally have a coefficient of friction of around .9, while rainy roads have a value of about .6. But when snow is added into the equation, the coefficient drops to approximately .2 – and with ice, the value can be just .05.

Thankfully, many modern vehicles have safety features which help a driver control a vehicle on icy surfaces, including:

• Anti-lock brakes – this mechanism will cause the brakes to “pump” repeatedly when the brake pedal is depressed steadily. On icy roads, getting the ABS system to pump about once per second is ideal for optimum braking.
• All-wheel drive – as the name implies, power is directed to all four wheels of a vehicle instead of just two; so if the front wheels lose some traction, the rear wheels can compensate (and vice-versa). However, AWD does nothing to improve braking or cornering in ice or snow.
• Electronic stability control – all vehicles from model year 2012 and on are required by law to be equipped with ESC. This comprehensive system automatically senses when the steering wheel and the vehicle’s direction are out of alignment, and applies more braking to one or two wheels and/or reduces engine power accordingly.

Despite these safety measures, driver behavior is still important when traveling on icy roads. Here are some tips for traveling safely in icy or snowy conditions:

1. Reduce your speed significantly.
2. Do not oversteer if you feel your vehicle start to lose traction.
3. Turn into a skid in order to correct your vehicle’s direction.
4. Make sure your tires have at least 3/16 of an inch of tread before driving in snowpack.
5. Make sure your rear tires are not underinflated.
6. Maximize your visibility by running window defrosters and windshield wipers.
7. Be sure your lights are clear of snow or ice so that other drivers can see you more clearly.
8. Be aware of “black ice” in addition to the ice that is visible.
9. If you don’t have to drive, stay home.

If you are injured in an auto accident on icy roads that was the fault of another driver, contact a qualified auto accident attorney as soon as possible.

Being involved in an auto accident is stressful enough. But being targeted by a group of angry people intent on administering vigilante justice can be absolutely terrifying.

Can this really happen to you? It seems unthinkable in today’s civilized society that an irate mob could form spontaneously and endanger your physical well-being simply because you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. But it happened earlier this month in Springfield on the evening of July 9.

A police officer pulled over a 16-year old driver for running a red light in connection with an auto accident. Upset that he was being ticketed, the teen called some friends on his cell phone. Then several individuals arrived on the scene and attacked the police officer. Fortunately, the officer was not seriously injured and was able to request backup. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the mob attack.

So if a police officer is not safe from mob attacks, it stands to reason that ordinary civilians can be put in danger as well. Chicagoans may remember the deadly mob attack in the summer of 2002. A van crashed into a front porch of a home on the city’s South Side one evening. Three women sitting on the porch were injured. However, a group of angry residents pulled the two occupants out of the van and beat them to death with stones, sticks, and a large brick.

This situation is almost too horrifying to think about. However, if you are involved in an accident where bystanders’ emotions are running high, the ingredients exist for tensions to boil over – and that could put you in grave danger.

Here are some suggestions to help you avoid and/or survive a mob attack after an auto accident.

Be aware of the situation. If the accident occurs in a residential neighborhood, entertainment district, or any other location where lots of people are around, the chances of a mob event occurring are much higher than a wreck on an empty road or a freeway. Watch for warning signs like people suddenly making calls on their cell phones and/or yelling at you or talking angrily about the accident.

Stay calm. Granted, this is easier said than done – but it could mean the difference between the situation resolving itself peacefully or turning violent. Responding to accusations by raising your voice, lashing out, or brandishing a weapon will only inflame tensions. Concentrate on the accident itself and try to remedy the situation.

Focus attention elsewhere. If someone is hurt, tend to their needs and ask bystanders for help in calling an ambulance, getting bandages, or consoling the victim. If a vehicle is stalled in traffic, request assistance in pushing or guiding it out of the road. If bystanders are busy helping out accident victims, they’re less likely to lose their temper and focus their ire on you.

Call 911. If a person is injured, you should do this anyway. But at any moment, if you feel physically threatened or sense that the situation is becoming dangerous, call 911 and request police assistance (even if you have already called once for an ambulance). Speak calmly and quietly into your phone, and be sure to mention your fears that a mob may be forming at the accident site.

Lock yourself in your vehicle. If you think you are in danger, get yourself and all of your passengers into your vehicle, lock all of the doors, and roll up the windows. This will you allow you to speak on the phone with emergency personnel without being assaulted. Stay there until first responders arrive, because leaving the scene of an accident is illegal.

Make noise. If a group begins to gather around your vehicle, sound the horn repeatedly. If your vehicle has an audible alarm system, activate it. This will get the attention of people who are far away from the accident scene – and who are much less likely to be caught up in the emotions of those around your vehicle. These people can also call for help – or perhaps even come to your aid directly. And the mob may even disperse if the individuals do not wish to attract attention to themselves.

Worst case scenario

Though rare, full scale mob attacks on motorists can occur after an auto accident. People may slap or push the vehicle’s exterior, rock the vehicle back and forth, throw debris at the vehicle, or break headlights or hood ornaments. Sometimes, the mayhem will not progress any further before help arrives. However, some mob attacks may turn even more violent if the attackers decide to go after the vehicle’s occupants.

If there comes a point to when you or your passengers are in imminent danger of suffering bodily harm (i.e., when attackers break windshields or windows, throw heavy objects at the vehicle, discharge firearms at the vehicle, or attempt to set the vehicle on fire), then you must choose your safety over a hit-and-run citation and get away from the area.

1. Take the most direct route away from the mob (doing your best not to strike any pedestrians if you can help it) and drive away quickly but safely. 2. Drive to a place far enough away that you are out of danger and then pull into a public place. 3. Then immediately dial 911 and tell the dispatcher exactly what happened. Not only will this alert police officers to your new location, it will create an audio recording explaining why you drove away from the crash site. This recording will help you fight any future charges of fleeing the scene of an accident. If possible, stay on the line with the dispatcher until police arrive.4. If they haven’t already noticed your damaged vehicle, get the attention of bystanders by honking your horn or sounding your alarm. If anyone approaches the vehicle in a friendly and non-threatening manner, tell them what happened and ask them for help if you need it (especially if you or your occupants are injured).5. Stay at that location until police officers arrive. Then explain to them exactly what happened starting from the initial accident (the dispatcher may not have filled them in on your plight). Then follow their instructions – even if it means going with them to the police station.6. Some time after the incident, enlist the services of an attorney to not only argue on behalf of your position, but also to help find those responsible for damaging your vehicle and/or causing injuries to you or your passengers.

Mob attacks happen very infrequently – but they do happen. The key is to recognize the signs of discord, remain calm and focused, and take defensive measures only if necessary.

I saw a piece in the news recently which stated that according to the Insurance Information Institute, for the 2008 calendar, costs for dog bite claims were up 8% over the previous year, totaling $387 million, with an average of $24,461 per claim.One factor that they attributed the increase in claim costs to was the rapid rise of medical costs.  This does not seem accurate to me as an experienced Chicago dog bite lawyer.  In almost every dog bite case I have handled, the medical expenses were usually fairly low — most often consisting of a trip to the emergency room and a few follow up appointments.  Plastic surgery for scar revision is normally done in a plastic surgeon’s office, so even for the clients who have had that happen, the medical expenses have not been as large as is normally the case in many of my other cases.  For my clients, the true cost of the claim is disfigurement resulting from the scarring from the dog bite.  We usually advise clients to take serial photos of the dog bite injury while healing is ongoing to document the truly slow progression of the healing from the dog bites.  Also, we do not even consider settling a case until the healing is complete — a process that takes 6 months to a year.When you wait the true amount of time it takes for healing to be complete, you are left with the true result of the dog bite — often scars that last a lifetime.  Many people settle dog bite claims early on, before the healing is complete, with a notion that they will eventually look the same as they did the day before the were attacked by the dog.  This almost never happens.In truth, that average settlement number should be much higher.  I suspect it isn’t because people accept cheap and early settlements from insurers too often.

One of the most common reasons insurance claims from Illinois truck accidents are denied is because the victim was caught unaware by some of the insurance company’s tricks. Companies employ sympathetic, friendly claims adjusters who lure you into a comfortable relationship. Once you trust them, they work toward getting you to admit fault in the accident, downplay your injuries, or trick you into making other damaging statements.The more evidence the insurance companies can collect against you, the better their chances are of denying the claim or offering a low settlement. Often an insurance company will submit a quick settlement in the hope of catching the victim off guard. They bank on the fact that you are emotionally distressed, facing financial issues, and that you will agree to a low settlement to settle the matter quickly.Be careful of signing any paperwork from any insurance company before it can be reviewed by an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney. There are many instances where fine print and clauses within statements and releases will prevent you from filing further legal actions, or release unnecessary records.When you begin your truck accident insurance claim you should first bring in the skills of a Chicago truck accident attorney to help you manage all the correspondence with the companies. Remember that insurance companies are looking out for their best interests first, and our article on dealing with insurance companies following a truck accident will help you understand some of their strategies. If you’re ever unsure about working with an insurance company or talking with a claims adjuster, you don’t have to worry alone. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation: 312-263-1080.

If you have been injured in a trench collapse accident, you may not think you have additional recourse for compensation as you are not entitled to file a claim against your boss if you receive Workers’ Compensation. However, this is not always the case. Your injury may be the fault of a third party in which case you can file a personal injury claim to recover damages for your injuries and related expenses. Gaining Compensation from a Third Party Construction accidents can usually be blamed on: 

• faulty equipment;
• the employing company;
• you as an employee; or
• the actions of another individual. 

This can be further complicated by the presence of multiple contractors working on a single project, as often happens on modern construction sites. You do not want to make the mistake of failing to take legal action when the company at fault for your trench collapse injuries may be the maker of your equipment or a separate contractor entirely.An experienced Chicago personal injury attorney can aid you in filing for your deserved compensation from the appropriate party. 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 re-adjust to life after a Chicago trench 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.

Even in personal injury cases, most decisions of the court are subject to appeal, a review of the previous judge’s decision by a panel of multiple judges and, when necessary, a new verdict. Either side of the case may file an appeal if they feel there was an error in the previous court proceedings.In an appeal, attorneys do not present witnesses or evidence. The appeal will only include facts that were revealed in the trial court, and are presented as-is. The “jury” in the appeal is a panel of judges. The number of judges on the panel is usually 3, but in some cases the entire appeals court may be called to issue the new verdict.The main documents in an appeal are the appellate briefs. The party that lost the suit files a brief stating how they feel the law was improperly applied and how the verdict was unfair, while the winning side states how the verdict was correct. Because these statements are the bulk of the evidence in the appeal, they need to be properly prepared and supported by documentation.Following the proper stages of an Illinois personal injury case will help avoid an unnecessary appeal after your case has ended. Understanding all the stages of a personal injury claim is important, even when you have the help of a personal injury attorney.To read a brief overview of the basic stages of a personal injury case visit our article library. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have been helping clients like you with every stage of their Illinois personal injury claim for more than 15 years. You have nothing to lose from our free case evaluation, contact us today – (312) 263-1080

Renal & Nephrology News came out with an article recently about steps which can be taken to prevent nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, or NSF, in patients who use gadolinium contrast for MRI scans and CT scans.  It has been fairly-well established that this debilitating disease occurs in patients who have renal insufficiency when the contrast is administered.  The article recommends a number of steps.  First high risk patients should be identified.  Once thos epatients arte identified, a determinatino should be made as to whether use of the contrast is really required, and where it is not, or a safer contrast agent could be used, that route should be taken.  Where gadolinium use is required, the lowest possible dose should be employed, and certain types of gadolinium which have a better safety profile for patients with kidney disease should be used.  Finally, post-procedure dialysis to speed to the removal of the contrast agent has also been recommended.