People who suffer injuries on the job can be entitled to workers’ compensation, and workers’ compensation benefits are usually paid regardless of fault. When an employer’s own negligence is the cause of a devastating accident, then people may want to pursue additional legal options beyond just workers’ compensation.

When Third Parties Are Liable for Workplace Accidents

If a person is involved in an accident while they are working, such as another person causing a motor vehicle accident while doing something for work, that person can recover workers’ compensation benefits that will help pay bills. The problem is that the employer is paying for those benefits and the employer did not cause the accident, the negligent driver did.

A third-party claim is a separate lawsuit a person files in addition to seeking workers’ compensation benefits. Virtually every claim will involve negligence and require a person to prove that another party had a duty of care, they breached that duty of care, that breach caused injuries, and those injuries have resulted in damages.

A crash involving two tractor-trailers last month closed a portion of southbound Interstate 55 (I-55) near the Interstate 80 (I-80) interchange in Will County near Joliet. Closures were expected to last at least three hours because of the truck accident.

The crash led to soybeans and water bottles covering all lanes of I-55, and the accident is a good reminder of the chaotic scene that can unfold following truck accidents. Major commercial trucks are usually hauling a variety of goods, and collisions can lead to various items being strewn across roadways.

Possible Damages in a Truck Accident Case

When it comes to most commercial truck accident cases, the people who suffer injuries in wrecks are right to wonder what kind of damages they may be entitled to. In most cases that go to trial, a jury award is for compensatory damages that can include both economic damages and noneconomic damages.

A 53-year-old Joliet man landed in the Will County Jail after Joliet police said he was pulled over for improper lane usage. The man had a revoked driver’s license for previous DUI arrests. When you are facing possible repeat DUI charges in Illinois, you absolutely must invest in retaining legal counsel as soon as possible.

Prosecutors handling repeat DUI cases are seeking convictions and want to ensure that alleged offenders will be punished accordingly. You will need proven legal help in defending yourself against what are, in many cases, felony charges.

Repeat DUI Penalties in Illinois

The good news is that, so long as a case does not involve any aggravating factors, first and second DUI convictions in Illinois are usually Class A misdemeanors punishable by fines of up to $2,500 and/or up to one year in jail. The problem becomes that a third or fourth DUI offense is a Class 2 felony, a fifth offense is a Class 1 felony, and a sixth or subsequent offense is a Class X felony.

Will County is very friendly towards dogs, and the Forest Preserve District of Will County has six dog parks in the county. As much fun as people can have with their dogs, there are cases in which dogs can defy expectations, act aggressively, and bite innocent people.

Dog bites can be incredibly frightening for people to deal with, and it can be very confusing for victims to know how to recover financial compensation for their medical bills and other costs stemming from dog bites. Even if it is difficult, it is important to take certain steps to protect your legal rights following any dog bite.

Proper Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

When you are bitten by a dog, you will need to first focus on your own medical care. Do not hesitate to visit a hospital so you can be confident that you are getting any wound properly treated. In general, try to wash your wound, slow the bleeding with a clean cloth, wrap the wound, and be mindful of signs of infection. 

Halloween can be an incredibly fun holiday. Parties are happening everywhere, filled with adults and children alike in costumes they have picked out or made themselves. Wearing a costume can allow a person to assume a sort of alter-ego for the evening. It can be said that the holiday itself invites trouble. Unfortunately, some individuals take the fun too far and find themselves in jail. It is generally true that certain crimes become more common than usual in the time period surrounding Halloween. Property crimes and drunk driving tend to spike during this time period.

It is easy for people celebrating the holiday to be peer-pressured or goaded into doing something that is against the law, especially where alcohol and other substances are involved. If you are among the crowd arrested this Halloween, it is important that you take the situation very seriously. Criminal charges do not go away when the Halloween season ends, and a record could follow you for the rest of your life. 

Crimes Commonly Committed Around Halloween

If you plan to go out and celebrate this Halloween, it is wise to be cautious about who you spend time with and what you get involved with. A spur-of-the-moment decision could leave you with a criminal record that will far, far outlast the fun of causing mischief. Common crimes people are charged with around Halloween include: