Posted on August 30, 2024 in Catastrophic Injuries

Whether walking for exercise, pleasure, or simply to get to their destinations, pedestrians are a common sight in Rockford, IL. When you hear about a pedestrian accident, you probably assume a careless driver was at fault. But did you know that pedestrians may share the blame or be fully responsible for these collisions?

Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to any kind of motor vehicle collision, often sustaining severe or catastrophic injuries. Fatalities are not uncommon. If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation, and the skilled attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can help to maximize your settlement.

How Is Fault Determined in Pedestrian Accidents?

Illinois drivers have several traffic laws to follow, and they are also legally obligated to use reasonable care to avoid harming others. Pedestrians must also follow Illinois laws. Although motorists should usually yield the right of way, pedestrians must yield to cars in some situations.

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 Posted on August 23, 2024 in Premises Liability

When you go shopping or to a restaurant, a public park, a neighbor’s home, or a football game, you rightly expect the property to be safe. However, accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. Suppose you fall on the bleachers at a football game. You may be eligible for compensation through a premises liability claim.

How do you know if your fall qualifies? Who is responsible for paying your damages? Do you need evidence, and if so, how can you prove what happened? A knowledgeable personal injury attorney from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, will discuss your case and can answer those questions during your free consultation.

What Is Premises Liability?

Someone is always responsible for keeping properties safe, whether it is a property owner, business, organization, or government agency. "Premises" can refer to outdoor spaces, businesses, buildings, and other structures, while "liability" translates roughly to "responsibility." For football stadium bleachers, the responsible party might be a government agency for public schools, a private school board of trustees, the stadium owner, or the football team.

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 Posted on August 12, 2024 in Catastrophic Injuries

If you are injured in an accident, any injury can seem devastating. Yet certain kinds of accidents can produce injuries known as catastrophic injuries, which are more severe. Not only are these physical wounds extremely serious, but they can also have a significant effect on a victim’s long-term quality of life.

If the accident that caused your injuries is the result of someone else’s negligence, you likely qualify to receive compensation. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, the damages are usually high. Liable insurance companies do not like paying any claims, especially high-value cases. An effective personal injury lawyer from Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, will help you get the highest possible amount.

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

Although the state of Illinois does not have an official definition of the term, a catastrophic injury is generally considered one that is very severe and has long-lasting effects, such as permanent disability and diminished earning capacity. Examples of common catastrophic injuries caused by accidents include:

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 Posted on August 06, 2024 in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can cause extremely serious injuries and property damage. You probably know you might be able to collect compensation from the responsible party if you are injured in a collision caused by someone else, but what if the accident is partially your fault? Can you still get a settlement?

Large truck collision claims are usually complicated regardless of the circumstances, but adding your fault to the situation makes it even more complex. Fortunately, the personal injury attorneys at Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, can successfully handle complex cases, including investigations and negotiations, for an optimal resolution.

What Is Negligence?

As a legal term, negligence means not doing what a reasonable person would do in the same circumstances. To prove that someone is negligent, you need evidence that shows:

• Someone owed you a duty of care.

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 Posted on July 31, 2024 in Product Liability

Patients who need to rely on medical devices as part of their daily lives put a lot of trust in these critical pieces of equipment, and it can be tragic when these devices prove to be defective. Defective medical devices contribute frequently to severe illness or injury in patients, with the consequences of a defective medical device sometimes resulting in fatalities.

A knowledgeable Illinois defective medical devices attorney can help you explore your options if you have been severely injured due to a defective medical device.

Defective Medical Devices Can Cause Serious Problems

Medical devices and implants are an important part of healthcare for many people, and these devices include things like pacemakers, dialysis filters, stenting, insulin pumps, and hip implants.

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 Posted on July 24, 2024 in Car Accidents

Being injured by a drunk driver can be catastrophic, and victims of drunk driving accidents often feel enraged and confused by a drunk driver’s choice to get behind the wheel. In some cases, the liability is not solely on the drunk driver, with the bar or other establishment that served the drunk driver to the point of intoxication also sharing liability.

An experienced Illinois dram shop liability lawyer can help you investigate your case to assign liability and advocate for the compensation you deserve after a drunk driving accident.

Understanding Illinois Dram Shop Laws

Illinois is a state with dram shop laws, with the term ‘dram shop’ being an old-fashioned term that refers to a bar. These laws allow people injured by a drunk driver to hold the bar or other establishment licensed to sell alcohol accountable for the negligent behavior of over-serving a drunk driver.

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 Posted on July 14, 2024 in Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

When you leave your loved one in a nursing home, you expect him or her to receive quality care throughout his or her time in the facility. However, this does not always happen, and more nursing homes these days are being evaluated for the substandard care they provide residents. One of the most notable ways that nursing home neglect is evident is in the formation of bed sores, also called pressure wounds, on your loved one.

If your family member has experienced bed sores in a nursing home facility, she or he may be suffering from neglectful care. A knowledgeable Illinois nursing home neglect attorney can help you explore your legal options.

What Are Bed Sores?

Bed sores are wounds that form on the body, typically in bony areas where there is less muscle or body tissue to act as a buffer, when consistent pressure is applied to that area of the body. The pressure restricts blood flow, and the skin around the affected area dies. In turn, this causes an open wound and can lead to a number of complications such as infection, pain, amputations, and even fatalities if the bed sore is not treated properly.

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 Posted on July 03, 2024 in Medical Malpractice

Primary care doctors are some of the most trusted physicians in Illinois. In addition to performing routine annual exams, these doctors are often the first to see patients for health concerns. However, when a primary care doctor neglects to properly provide care to his or her patients, he or she may cause serious injuries.

If you have suffered from an injury or illness due to your primary care doctor’s negligent care, you may have a medical malpractice case. An Illinois medical malpractice attorney can help you explore your legal options.

Understanding Primary Care Medical Malpractice

Primary care medical malpractice occurs when a primary care doctor fails to uphold the duty of care to patients. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as being overworked, poorly trained, or simply ignoring important patient information like test results and symptoms.

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 Posted on July 01, 2024 in Personal Injury

Summer is the time when many people are playing sports, taking vacations, and engaging in outdoor activities. However, injuries tend to increase during the summer months due to these activities, and these injuries have the potential to impact victims for the rest of their lives. Boating is one of the most common activities in summer, and it is one that can lead to serious consequences should an accident occur.

If you have been involved in a boating accident, you need to speak with a skilled Illinois catastrophic injury lawyer to learn about your legal options.

Boating Accidents Can Lead to Life-Changing Injuries

Taking a boat out for the day is a fun and relaxing activity. However, boats can be dangerous vehicles, and any individual who operates a boat must complete an Illinois boat safety course. In addition to the safety course, operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal, and all boats must keep proper safety equipment on board.

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 Posted on June 22, 2024 in Catastrophic Injuries

Sending your child away to a summer camp or day camp in Illinois can be stressful, especially if your child is visiting a summer camp for the first time. At summer and day camps, staff are responsible for the safety of the children in their care. However, accidents and injuries do happen, and these incidents can result in serious consequences for your child.

If your child was injured at an Illinois summer camp, you may be able to pursue a claim against the responsible party. Speaking with a knowledgeable Illinois catastrophic injury lawyer is key to understanding your legal options.

Summer Camp Injuries Can Be Catastrophic

At a summer camp, your child is likely to spend lots of time outdoors swimming, hiking, playing sports, and exploring personal interests. While summer and day camps can be a fun way for your child to learn and engage in new experiences, this unfamiliar territory can also lead to risk. These risks are increased when summer camp staff and organizers are negligent in the care of your child.

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