Chicago Personal Injury Cases: Not Just Slip & Falls

There are various types of personal injury cases beyond the typical “slip and fall” accident seen on TV commercials, despite popular belief. In fact, personal injury lawsuits are part of our everyday American life. Generally, the most common types of personal injury result from the negligence of another, faulty equipment, or unforeseen circumstances. If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of any of the aforementioned reasons, the first thing to do is seek medical attention; next, an experienced Rockford personal injury attorney should be contacted to under your legal rights and responsibilities under Illinois law.

Types of Personal Injury Cases

After appropriate medical care has been sought, it is important to learn about your potential options for recovery after a personal injury. These may include medical expenses, lost wages as well as pain and suffering. Because each case is as unique as the parties involved, however, the following list are the most common personal injury cases that occur:

• Slip and fall: the most commonly known of all personal injury cases, these can occur anywhere – from a commercial business to a private home.
• Job-related injuries: generally caused by the negligence of another, these cases may or may not involve workers’ compensation, depending on the facts of the situation.
• Auto accidents: as our roads become crowded with more vehicles, the potential for injury increases; the introduction of technology into our daily lives, particularly cell phones, make for distracted drivers and, consequently, increased claims.
• Wrongful death: the most tragic of personal injury cases, these suits are complex because they involve more than one of the laws to obtain resolution such as probate.
• Toxic exposure: more rare than typical job-related injuries, these occur when a worker is exposed to a substance through the work environment that is hazardous and is adversely affecting his or her health.

Other types of personal injury cases exist such as those involving defective products, known as product liability.

Damages Available in Illinois Personal Injury Cases

Generally, personal injury cases are solved by awarding damages to the victim injured if the negligence is proven. Monetary damages are a legal remedy aimed at “making the person whole” by providing the means by which the victim can be compensated for losses, which may include:

• Lost wages (past and future);
• Medical bills (non-hospital related);
• Expenses for medications;
• Hospital bills;
• Rehabilitation costs; and
• Pain and suffering.

Other non-monetary damages available that may be awarded by a court include an order requiring the defendant to take actions to change behavior that caused the damages. For instance, a court may order a manufacturing company to change a defective design or may suspend the driver’s license of a drunk driver.

Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal injury cases can be stressful. Beyond the physical and/or property damage involved, there is pain and suffering, and financial stressors. Pursuing legal action can be complicated and it may take a long time to get the case resolved. Don’t try to navigate this process alone. If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of another’s negligence, contact a Rockford personal injury attorney today. The attorneys at the Brassfield & Krueger, Ltd. will zealously advocate for you and guide you every step of the way. Click here or call (815) 315-9845 today to schedule your initial free consultation.