In Ready v. United Goedecke Services, Inc., a case that has gone back and forth between the Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Appellate Court, creating important law along the way, the appellate court recently resurrected a legal defense despised by most experienced personal injury lawyers, namely, the “Empty Chair Defense.” Briefly, Ready involved a… Read More
Common Neck And Back Injuries Sustained In Car Accidents
Severe back pain as the result of a car accident may be a sign of a more severe injury such as a fractured or dislocated spine or a herniated or ruptured disc, which can be permanent and debilitating injuries. One of the most common forms of back injury sustained in a car accident is whiplash…. Read More
Illinois Rejects Motorcycle Helmet Law – Intended To Reduce Catastrophic Motorcycle Accidents
With summer in full swing, motorcycle riders are coming out of the woodwork in Illinois and across the nation. Unfortunately, many of these motorcycle riders do not wear helmets on Illinois roads and highways for one main reason: Illinois remains one of the only states in the country to without a motorcycle helmet law. The… Read More
Fate of Illinois Medical Malpractice Tort Reform Act to be Decided by Supreme Court
As discussed in a previous post, Illinois personal injury lawyers nervously await a ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court, which will decide the fate of the Malpractice Reform Act of 2005 (“Act”). The Act caps jury awards for pain and suffering and other non-liquidated damages in medical malpractice lawsuits at $500,000 against physicians and $1… Read More
Social Host Liability in Illinois for Underage Alcohol-Related Accidents and Injuries
June is a month filled with graduation parties parties, many of which are attended by children under the age of 21. An unfortunate reality is that alcohol is often consumed at such parties, which are too often followed by children getting into a motor vehicle to drive themselves, and their friends, home. The consequences of… Read More
Preserving Jury Trials Through Reform in Illinois
Civil juries have been called the “conscience of the community” at the very “heart of democracy.” This is why it is extremely troubling to see the steady decline in numbers of jury trials over the last half-century. Top Chicago personal injury lawyers, along with others in the legal community, have sought to implement reforms to… Read More
Liability for Car Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers in Illinois
As summer approaches, the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents will begin to rise. As we all know, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can often have catastrophic consequences. Each year, pedestrians, passengers, and drivers of other vehicles are seriously injured or killed by drunk drivers. It becomes critical to speak to a… Read More
What Costs are Recoverable for Prevailing Plaintiffs in Illinois?
In personal injury actions, and in all civil actions in Illinois where damages are awarded, the prevailing plaintiff is entitled to recover “costs”, in addition to the damages awarded. To ensure that his or her client recovers full compensation under the law, top Chicago personal injury lawyers must familiarize themselves with the relevant statutory authority… Read More
Bicycle Accidents – Bike Riding Injuries in Chicago
As summer encroaches in Chicago, many individuals and families are dusting off their bicycles and hitting the paths along the lake front, or riding their bike to work instead of driving or taking the “L.” And as we become more environmentally conscious, and the economy continues to struggle, bicycling makes environmental as well as economic… Read More
Spinal Cord Injuries Caused by Negligence
Spinal cord injuries are often catastrophic personal injuries that severely and permanently reduce the quality of life for the individual. In cases in which the spinal cord injuries are caused by the carelessness or recklessness of another, it is critical to contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer to protect your rights. Frequency of Spinal Cord… Read More