The death of a loved one is a terrible shock. In addition to the grief survivors suffer, plans for the future must be completely recalibrated; for example, when the deceased individual is the primary breadwinner for a family, children are deprived both of a parent and that parent’s crucial financial support. In cases like these, a wrongful death lawsuit can be a lifeline for suffering families. If you recently lost a loved one and are wondering whether you can take legal action, read on. 

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Lawsuit? 

Illinois law allows a person’s next of kin to recover damages for wrongful death. “Next of kin” is generally the decedent’s spouse and children. If the decedent is not married, children and sometimes even parents can file a lawsuit. For example, if an infant is killed during childbirth because of a medical mistake, the parents may be able to sue the doctor responsible for the error. 

If the person who died is not married and has no children, the people who may be considered “next of kin” may broaden to apply to other relatives like grandchildren or grandparents. Friends and fiancés are generally not considered next of kin.

People can be seriously injured when they slip, trip, or fall, and the hazards of poorly tended surfaces are heightened for elderly and disabled individuals. Accidentally falling is one of the leading causes of unintentional deaths in America, and millions of people are treated in the hospital for injuries sustained in falls. It is important to understand your rights in Illinois if you are injured when you slip and fall. You may be eligible to receive compensation from the responsible party for your injuries, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. 

How Does Illinois Premises Liability Law Work? 

The Illinois Premises Liability Act is intended to hold property owners and managers responsible if someone who has a right to be on the property is hurt because of carelessness or negligence on the part of the property owner. In some cases, property owners may be liable for injuries that occurred even when someone was trespassing. 

This is because property owners and managers have a responsibility, or a legal “duty,” to make sure people on the property are safe from injury. This involves keeping the property safely maintained and removing or alerting visitors about dangerous conditions as soon as they are known. 

One of the best parts of summer is enjoying the warm weather by the side of a swimming pool. Kids stay busy and parents enjoy having the kids out of the house and tuckered out at the end of the day. However, pools also come with serious injury risks, as thousands of people, both children and adults, are injured in swimming pools every year in America. 

Many of the children who are injured will face a long, uphill battle toward recovery. Their parents will likewise struggle with the healing process as they face expensive medical and rehabilitative treatment for their child, as well as the emotional burden of helping their child recover from their injuries. If you or your child are injured in a preventable Illinois swimming pool accident this summer, it may be helpful to know the basics of Illinois premises liability law and have the help of an experienced swimming pool injury attorney. 

When Is a Pool Owner Responsible for an Injury? 

The law in Illinois requires swimming pool owners to maintain their property, provide appropriate security around the pool, and keep the pool and the surrounding area free from safety hazards. This is true whether the pool is in a private backyard, an apartment complex, or a public swimming pool. 

As the Fourth of July approaches, experts are urging families and individuals who plan to use fireworks to use extreme caution when handling these dangerous products. While fireworks may seem harmless, every year tens of thousands of Americans are injured by even the smallest fireworks, including sparklers and snaps or poppers. Practice firework safety this summer season, and if you do sustain an injury because of someone else’s reckless actions, speak with an Illinois personal injury attorney to see if you can take action. 

Common Firework Injuries

There are gruesome videos online demonstrating the explosive force of fireworks on human dummies, allowing skeptics can see just how powerful and dangerous fireworks can be. People frequently sustain serious injuries from fireworks, including: 

• Burns
• Lacerations and cuts
• Open wounds and hemorrhaging 
• Injured facial bones
• Reproductive tissue injuries, especially for males
• Vision and hearing loss
• Concussions and brain injuries 

When Can Someone Recover Damages for a Firework Injury? 

If the person using the firework was negligent or reckless, and their behavior causes you an injury that results in damages, you may be able to bring a legal claim against them. People frequently recover compensation for physical pain and suffering, lost wages, lost quality of life, and medical bills. 

Illinois highways are some of the most trafficked roads in the nation, full of semi-trucks, heavy farm equipment, flatbed truck trailers, and more. Not only does Illinois have a large and thriving economy of its own, but it is at the heart of America and handles much of the interstate traffic as goods are moved from place to place. 

While Illinois has its fair share of truck accidents and car crashes, every so often an accident happens on Illinois roadways that is almost too strange to believe. Last month, for example, a truck driver with a load of cattle in a large cattle-hauling truck was driving under the influence and crashed into a parked semi on the side of I-80 in Joliet. Several cattle were thrown out of the truck and killed, while others were freed, wandered away from the scene of the accident, and had to be wrangled up by professional cowboys. The truck driver, who was charged with a DUI, was seriously injured and taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. 

Truckers, DUIs, and Serious Crashes 

Truck drivers are responsible for vehicles that weigh many tons and which often are filled with flammable or toxic chemicals. Even under the best circumstances, driving trucks is dangerous and the smallest mistake can have catastrophic consequences. When you add the influence of drugs or alcohol to the mix, the results can be disastrous.