Posted on December 10, 2024 in Wrongful Death

Losing your spouse can be one of the most devastating experiences you face. If the death was caused by someone else, whether intentionally or through their negligence, your distress can be compounded by anger and a desire to make sure justice is served. 

Although no amount of money can replace your spouse, holding the at-fault party fully accountable can give you a sense of closure and the funds to compensate for your losses. If you believe your spouse died a wrongful death, speak with an experienced Rockford, IL personal injury lawyer who can aggressively pursue the maximum amount of compensation available.

What Is Negligence in Wrongful Death Cases?

Drivers, physicians, property owners, employers, and other parties typically have a legal duty to use reasonable care to reduce the likelihood of accidents, incidents, and injuries. Negligence is when a party behaves carelessly in a way that endangers someone else. As it is the basis for many wrongful death and personal injury claims, victims generally need to demonstrate that the guilty party was negligent by proving the following:

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 Posted on November 26, 2024 in Burns

Walking and cycling can be enjoyable, whether for exercise or simply to get where you are going. However, both pedestrians and cyclists are incredibly vulnerable when involved in car accidents. Even low-speed impact can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries. Victims can experience excruciating pain and find their lives altered permanently. Their families also face multiple challenges. If your pedestrian or bicycle accident resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may qualify for compensation.

What are the long-term effects of bicycle or pedestrian accident injuries? Do you need a lawyer to get compensation? One of our experienced Rockford, IL attorneys from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can answer your questions during a free consultation, so call now.

The Dynamics of Pedestrian Accidents

When a motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian, there are three distinct impacts that are each capable of creating injuries and exacerbating previously existing conditions. Variables like vehicle and pedestrian height determine where the initial impact hits the person, but on average a pedestrian is hit around the hips and upper leg. The force of that impact typically throws the pedestrian onto the car’s hood and windshield, which can often cause head and facial injuries. Finally, the pedestrian will probably be thrown to the ground. Bicycle accidents produce similar impacts.

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 Posted on November 11, 2024 in Personal Injury

The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits involve the concept of negligence. When a negligent party’s carelessness causes another person to be injured or killed, the negligent party is liable for the damages caused by the injury or death. Proving that the defendant acted negligently is often the most complicated and challenging part of a personal injury lawsuit.

In some cases, however, a defendant in a personal injury case is automatically presumed to have been negligent. The legal concept of "negligence per se" can help if another person’s recklessness injured you or a loved one. A knowledgeable Illinois lawyer from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can help you establish negligence and liability and then work to help you get the full compensation you deserve.

Main Elements of a Negligence Claim

Typically, there are four elements to establishing negligence in a personal injury case. First, you and your lawyer must prove that the defendant owed you a "duty of care." Duty of care simply means that the defendant was obligated to act in a way that would not put the plaintiff at an unreasonable risk of harm. For example, a property owner who invites guests onto his property has a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises that do not include environmental hazards like broken stairs.

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 Posted on October 31, 2024 in Medical Malpractice

Although some expectant mothers experience minor issues such as morning sickness and heartburn, some develop severe conditions that endanger both mother and child. Preeclampsia, also called toxemia, is such a condition. Failing to diagnose and treat preeclampsia promptly can lead to devastating consequences. Although this condition is somewhat rare, any obstetrician or midwife should be well aware of its symptoms and potential risks.

If you, your spouse, or your child suffered harm because your healthcare provider failed to diagnose preeclampsia, you could be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice or wrongful death claim. A trusted Illinois birth injuries attorney from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can assess your situation, gather supporting evidence, and fight to help you obtain all eligible damages.

What Is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a condition that typically affects expectant mothers after their 20th week of pregnancy. Symptoms include:

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 Posted on October 14, 2024 in Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause significant vehicle damage and catastrophic injuries. When someone else is responsible for causing one, they are likely responsible for paying your damages. Many crashes involve only two vehicles, making it somewhat easier to establish fault. Unfortunately, multiple cars can collide in a chain reaction, increasing the severity of injuries and complicating liability.

If you are injured in a multiple-vehicle crash, who is responsible for paying you? Are these claims complicated? The knowledgeable attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can give you answers during your free consultation.

How Is Fault Determined in Multiple-Vehicle Pileups?

Fault must be determined to allow you the opportunity to file one or more car accident insurance claims. In Illinois, you are likely eligible for compensation if you are less than 51 percent responsible for causing your crash. However, your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

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 Posted on October 07, 2024 in Medical Malpractice

When you hear of someone having breast cancer, you probably automatically assume it is a woman. Did you know that men and children can also develop breast cancer? Although rare, physicians should be aware of these possibilities to allow for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, breast cancer in these uncommon groups is often misdiagnosed.

You may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice claim if you suffer harm due to a breast cancer misdiagnosis. These cases are often complex, but the knowledgeable attorneys from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, thrive on complicated cases and know how to get you the compensation you deserve.

How Does Breast Cancer Affect Men and Children?

Childhood or male breast cancer is often not caught at earlier stages because these patients do not usually undergo routine screening mammograms as women do. This rare cancer typically affects men who are at least 60 years old, with symptoms including:

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 Posted on September 27, 2024 in Medical Malpractice

Anyone can make a mistake, even doctors. However, some mistakes are so shocking that they should never happen. Termed "never events" in 2001, these medical errors are usually avoidable. Victims can face severe consequences, and the at-fault medical professionals should pay for their negligence.

What is a never event? What options do you have if one happens to you? The stalwart attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can help you get the maximum available compensation through a medical malpractice or wrongful death claim and hold the responsible parties accountable.

What is a Never Event?

These adverse medical events are typically preventable, clearly measurable, and cause significant harm or even death. The National Quality Forum maintains a list of never events, categorized by type. These include:

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 Posted on September 23, 2024 in Wrongful Death

Catastrophic injuries, like spinal cord damage, severe burns, and traumatic brain injuries, often leave victims fighting for their lives. They may experience significant pain during medical treatment, only to eventually lose their fight, dying as a result of their injuries. Although you do not want to see anyone in that situation, it is more devastating when it is your young child.

If someone else caused your child’s catastrophic injuries, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death action. How do you know if you are eligible? What damages could you receive? The compassionate attorneys from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, invite you to discuss your concerns with us during your free consultation.

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 Posted on September 12, 2024 in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

The Illinois Nursing Home Care Act obligates nursing homes and other long-term care facilities to meet multiple care standards to safeguard patients. Cleanliness, assistance with personal hygiene, and prompt medical treatment are among the many responsibilities these facilities have. Most nursing home patients are elderly and have a higher susceptibility to infections.

Proper medical care to treat infections that arise usually prevents severe consequences. Untreated infections are capable of causing life-threatening conditions that may require surgical intervention, additional treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring. If your parent’s condition worsened due to nursing home neglect, a dedicated lawyer from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can hold the responsible parties accountable and help you get a settlement amount that covers all your parent’s damages.

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 Posted on September 05, 2024 in Catastrophic Injuries

A traffic light pole that was apparently rusted recently fell at the intersection of Morgan and Washington in Chicago’s West Loop. Although no one was injured in that incident, the government agency responsible for maintaining that pole would likely have been liable if someone had been hit when it fell.

Suppose you sustained a catastrophic spinal cord injury because a defective traffic light fell on you as you were walking through an intersection. Would you be able to get compensation through a personal injury claim? What kinds of damages would you be eligible to receive? Call for your free consultation with an experienced attorney from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, to discuss your case.

Why Are Spinal Cord Injuries Considered Catastrophic?

Catastrophic injuries are more severe than others, with the physical wounds frequently producing long-term consequences that can permanently impact the victim’s quality of life. If you have spinal cord damage, you may be temporarily or permanently paralyzed. In some cases, you might retain some limited functions while others are impaired. This disability can affect you financially, mentally, and emotionally. You may have to adjust to a new way of life.

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