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. 

One of the most prevalent causes of on-the-job injuries is employee overexertion. Overexertion is seen across all industries ranging from trucking, to construction, and to healthcare. Tasks that often lead to overexertion symptoms include working in awkward positions physically, repetitive motion, and regularly carrying heavy objects. 

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In Illinois and across the country, physicians and other healthcare professionals are expected to provide an adequate level of care to their patients. If a physician’s substandard care results in a patient suffering injury, their negligence could constitute medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is commonly seen in the form of surgical errors, misdiagnosis, or birth injuries. However, a doctor refusing or failing to treat a patient in need of attention can have outcomes that are just as bad.

When Does Patient Abandonment Constitute Medical Malpractice?

When considering medical malpractice, most people likely imagine actions a doctor may take that severely harm a patient. However, an often overlooked form of medical malpractice is patient abandonment. When a physician or other medical professional ends a doctor-patient relationship without giving a reasonable excuse or notice, and at the same time neglects to refer the patient to a qualified replacement, they have abandoned their patient.

Patient abandonment may occur due to a variety of reasons. For example, a physician may refuse to treat a patient because the patient has neglected to pay their medical bill, or fail to respond to a patient in need within a reasonable amount of time. Patient abandonment may also occur when a hospital is understaffed or when medical staff neglect to provide adequate communication between patient and doctor.

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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.

Several truck features may come into play when improper maintenance leads to a devastating truck accident, with defective tires being one of the most prevalent concerns. The root of the tire defect can be difficult to decipher. The tire may have been sold by the manufacturer in a faulty state, allowing for the possibility of a blowout or other malfunction. Alternatively, the defect may have come about due to a lack of care by the truck company. For instance, if a truck company fails to properly inflate their tires, or allows their tires to become worn or damaged, other drivers sharing the road may be put at risk.

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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.

Opening Statements

Once the jury has been selected, the trial can begin, starting with opening statements. The prosecution has the burden of proof and will give their statement first. It is critical for the prosecution to refrain from using any derogatory language when describing the defendant. Once finished, the defense will then have their turn. Both parties will take the opportunity to detail the case, their perspective, and an outline of what they hope to prove.

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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.

Further Consequences for an Underage DUI

In addition to a suspension under the Zero Tolerance Law, underage drivers can also face more severe penalties if they are convicted of DUI. A first-time offender can face a driver’s license revocation for a minimum of two years, which is twice the length of the minimum revocation for a driver who is of legal drinking age. If an underage driver is facing their second DUI conviction, their driving privileges could be revoked for a minimum of five years. Additional punishments for a DUI conviction include possible jail time and heavy fines. If there are any passengers in the vehicle under the age of 16, these penalties will likely increase.

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