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Recent Blog Posts
Understanding the Deadlines for a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Employees who sustain on-the-job injuries may suffer short-term and long-term effects. In some cases, it is possible for these injuries to affect individuals for the rest of their lives. When a work-related injury causes life-changing damage, whether that be physically, emotionally, financially, or all of the above, the employee can pursue a workers’ compensation claim through their employer. A skilled attorney can assist injured employees in recovering maximum benefits to help the victim adequately recover and protect their legal rights.
Common Injuries Associated With Workers’ Compensation
When employees suffer injury, illness, disease or other harm from their job or workplace environment, it may be an option for them to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. There are several commonly seen causes of non-fatal job-related injuries, some of which include slip and falls, vehicle collisions, exposure to harmful substances, and workplace violence.
Were Your Injuries Caused By Improper Truck Maintenance?
Though passenger cars and semi-trucks differ substantially in weight, driver field of vision, and stopping distance, they are still expected to safely share the road every day. Unfortunately, when these two contrasting vehicles collide, the crash can lead to devastating outcomes. Oftentimes, truck wrecks are preventable and are the result of negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or death due to the negligence of a truck driver, the truck company, or other involved parties, a personal injury attorney can help you hold them accountable.
Inadequate Maintenance Can Lead to Large Truck Accidents
Commercial trucking accidents are not only caused by the actions or inactions of the driver while they are on the road. In some cases, these accidents are the result of the driver, the trucking company, and other individuals failing to complete proper inspections and repairs to the truck in a timely manner. Even if the trucking company properly inspects and cares for their vehicles, a truck may still have been manufactured with defective brakes, lights, tires, or other parts.
Essential Stages of an Illinois Criminal Trial
When considering what to expect in a criminal trial, the average person likely thinks of the court proceedings they have seen in movies or television shows. While that may provide the most basic understanding of a trial, there are many smaller pieces that often get left out. This blog will briefly go over each step of the trial process that a criminal defendant can expect. It is important to note that there are many ways a trial may veer from this path, but if you are facing a criminal trial, it is highly recommended that you find a criminal defense attorney who can help prepare you for the following stages.
Jury Selection
In the United States, criminal defendants have the right to be tried by an impartial jury. The court and attorneys have the responsibility to appropriately and thoroughly examine the jurors prior to trial. The examination is meant to remove any jurors who demonstrate any bias, opinion, or prejudice that could impact their decision-making ability in regard to the crime at hand.
What Should Underage Drivers Know About the Illinois Zero Tolerance Law?
Drunk driving can lead to very dangerous situations, and Illinois has laws in place to curb drunk driving as much as possible. The rules regarding DUIs for underaged drivers are especially strict, and it is important to be aware of the possible consequences if an officer has probable cause to suspect you have been drinking. Even if you are below the legal limit for the typical DUI requirements, you may still face severe punishments as an underage driver.
The Illinois Zero Tolerance Law
Unfortunately, many alcohol-related car accidents involve underage drivers, and Illinois has implemented a Zero Tolerance Law in an effort to minimize the risk. The Zero Tolerance Law states that a driver under the age of 21 who is caught with any trace of alcohol in their system can have their driver’s license suspended. If the officer has probable cause to suspect the driver has consumed alcohol, the law requires the underage driver to consent to chemical testing. If the driver is found to have a BAC of more than 0.00, their license will be suspended for three months for a first offense. If an underage driver refuses to be tested, their driving privileges will be suspended for six months for a first offense.
Thinking of Using a Fake COVID-19 Vaccine Card? You Could Face Federal Charges if Caught
The COVID-19 pandemic not only changed the way Americans live their lives, but it also created many opportunities for committing fraud. Many of these schemes involved the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged hundreds of defendants with crimes that were based on these schemes.
The FBI recently announced a new fraudulent scheme they are cracking down on - counterfeit COVID-19 vaccine cards. The agency has also declared that anyone who is charged and convicted of this crime faces harsh penalties. And as we approach the weekend of Chicago’s annual four-day Lollapalooza music festival, Illinois lawmakers are also warning people that it is not only illegal to make counterfeit COVID-19 vaccine cards, but also to use them.
Illinois Eliminates Cash Bail
Illinois has become the first state in the country to eliminate cash bail for defendants who are arrested for a crime under the Illinois Pretrial Fairness Act, which was part of the state’s larger criminal justice reform bill. The new law is being lauded by defendant advocacy groups, who say that cash bail requirements penalize poorer defendants but benefit wealthy ones. Law enforcement officials have been vocal in their stance against the act, saying that it will ultimately put the general public at risk because of criminals being allowed to remain free pending trial.
Illinois Cash Bail System
When a person is arrested and charged with a crime, a judge determines how much bail a defendant will need to post in order to be released while awaiting trial. In Illinois, the current system is a cash bail system. This means that the defendant is required to pay a certain percentage of the amount of bail the judge sets in order to be released. In most cases in Illinois, the bond amount that needs to be posted is usually 10 percent of the bail amount the judge set. For example, if the judge sets bail at $10,000, the defendant would have to post $1,000 cash to be released.
Chicago Announces Rewards for Illegal Gun Tips
Gun violence in the city of Chicago has reached almost epidemic proportions. The issue is not only well known throughout Illinois but continues to consistently appear in national headlines, as well. Last year, Chicago had more than 3,200 shootings, a 50 percent increase from the previous year. Homicides also increased by 50 percent from 2019. And while there has been a slight decrease so far this year, the numbers of shootings are still high.
Chicago Mayor Announces New Gun Program
So far in 2021, Chicago police have confiscated more than 6,300 illegal firearms and anticipate that they will collect more than 12,000 illegal guns by the end of the year, even more than last year’s record-breaker of 11,000 seizures. In an effort to combat these numbers, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced a $1 million rewards program to get illegal guns off the street. In her announcement of the program, the mayor said the number of illegal guns seized in Chicago is more than double the illegal firearms confiscated in both L.A. and New York City combined.
Illinois Revenge Porn Laws: How an Irrational or Impulsive Act Could Result in a Felony Charge
Years ago, when a person wanted to take a photo, they needed to have a camera with film. They then had to take or send that film somewhere to be developed into hard copy prints. Today, smartphones, electronic devices, social media, text messaging, and emails have all changed the way we take and share photos. This also includes photos and videos that could be considered “racy” or inappropriate for public viewing. This has led to materials that were meant to be private shared without the subject’s permission by another party whose intention is to cause harm. This has become such a problem that it has resulted in many states, including Illinois, to pass revenge porn laws.
Revenge Porn
Revenge porn is a type of digital abuse where one party distributes intimate material of another party without their consent. It often occurs between couples who break up – hence the “revenge” description – but can also be involved in blackmail attempts.
Who Is Responsible for My Child’s Playground Injuries?
Each year, more than 220,000 children end up at emergency rooms with playground-related injuries. These injuries range from fractures to internal bleeding to head injuries. In fact, more than 20,000 children sustain some form of traumatic brain injury in playground accidents every year. After a year of pandemic restrictions, children are more eager than ever to play with friends at parks, playgrounds, and summer camps and there is a concern that there may be a spike in the number of children injured. How can parents protect their children from these injuries and who is liable when they occur?
Playground Injuries
National data collected on playground accidents and injuries show that the most common cause of injuries to children are falls, resulting in about 45 percent of all emergency room visits. The most common injury that sends parents rushing to the ER is bone fractures, followed by cuts, bruises, sprains, and injuries to internal organs.
Illinois Stops All License Suspensions for Unpaid Traffic Violation Fines
While traffic violation fines can be a nuisance, they can also mean losing your license if those fines are unpaid. Under current Illinois law, if a driver has five or more unpaid camera tickets, their license can be suspended. If a driver has just one unpaid traffic ticket, the state can put a hold on their license that stops the driver from being able to renew it. But a new Illinois law about to go into effect July 1 will put an end to all that.
Illinois SAFE-T Act
Several months ago, Illinois lawmakers approved a massive criminal justice reform omnibus, the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity – Today (SAFE-T) Act. Included among the many issues the bill addressed were:
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All Illinois police officers will be required to use body-worn cameras by January 1, 2025.
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