Our law firm understands that those injured have unique losses and concerns. These can range from work restrictions, lost overtime and off-duty assignments, fitness-for-duty and safety concerns, injury aggravation from ordinary work duties, permanent injury, and loss of seniority, retirement, and other benefits. Below are common FAQ's you may have in relation to personal injuries, car accidents and disciplinary hearings.
What qualifies as personal injury?
A personal injury is any physical or mental injury to a person (not to your property) as a result of someone's negligence or harmful act. Sometimes personal injury may be referred to as bodily injury. Personal injuries can occur in a wide variety of ways. The following are some of the most common accidents resulting in personal injury:
Auto Accidents
Dangerous or Defective Product Injuries (Product Liability)
Aviation Disasters
Professional Malpractice
What financial compensation can I get in a Personal Injury claim?
To have a Personal Injury case, you must be able to show liability and damages. You will need to demonstrate that you have been injured. This may be a physical injury or it may be an emotional injury.
You should speak with an attorney at our firm about whether you have a Personal Injury claim. Recovering for an injury done to you is your right, guaranteed to you under Illinois and Federal Law.
How do I know if I may need a personal injury attorney?
If you have been seriously injured or are unsure as to the outcome of your injury, then an experienced personal injury attorney should always be consulted before you give any statements or sign any papers of any kind and as soon after your injury as possible. In a serious injury case, you are better off hiring an attorney as soon as possible. Our firm offers a free consultation with no obligation.
How long do I have to make a claim for Personal Injuries?
There is a statute of limitations that requires you to file suit within a specific period of time, depending upon the circumstances of your case, or else you will be prohibited from obtaining any compensation for your injuries. An attorney will be able to help you keep within the statute of limitations. Every state has specific time limits, called “statutes of limitations,” that govern the period during which you must file a personal injury lawsuit. In some states, for example, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit from an automobile accident. If you miss the statutory deadline for filing a case, your case will not be allowed to move forward.
What are the Statutes of Limitations for Personal Injury Law?
The statutes of limitations are time frames in which you have to file a lawsuit. When the statute of limitations expires on your case, you simply don't have a case anymore. Statutes of limitations differ not only from state to state, but also in regard to the kinds of lawsuits involved. For example, in some states, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice suits against governmental agencies and wrongful death actions are shorter than that for other types of personal injury cases. In general, however, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is from one to three years. The time begins from the date of the accident. There are some exceptions and our experienced lawyers can help you with them.
What is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a fee that is used by lawyers in most personal injury cases. The fee charged is considered “contingent” when the fee is based upon your attorney's successful resolution of your case. It is typically paid as a percentage of your monetary recovery and are usually one third of what you win from the case. Contingency fees do not include out-of-pocket expenses.
If I have a Personal Injury claim, do I have to go to court?
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court between the opposing lawyers or with the insurance company. If a case does go to trial, you most likely will have to appear so that your testimony can be heard.
What do we do when evaluating your car accident case?
Our accident attorneys examine all possible causes of the crash. It can be an issue of vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, driver negligence, excessive speed, alcohol use, tire blowouts, sudden braking, brake failure, unsafe safety systems or warning devices, failure to yield the right of way, tailgating or unsafe road conditions.
What is the purpose of the initial case meeting?
It is to allow the attorney on your case to speak with you and obtain any further information necessary to determine whether our office will agree to represent you on your case. Equally important, it is to provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions about your case or our office. It is helpful for you to bring with you to the meeting any documents, photographs, or other evidence relating to your claim.
Am I obligated to hire your firm if you meet with me to investigate my case?
No. The meeting is purely informational for both you and our office. There is no charge for the meeting. If we accept your case and you wish to retain our office, we would then provide you with our contingency fee agreement for legal services.
What happens if I receive a monetary settlement or verdict in my case?
Whenever there is a settlement or verdict in a Plaintiff's favor there are several people who are usually reimbursed. These parties usually include insurance or hospital providers who have paid medical bills, the client, and the law firm who accomplished that verdict or settlement which the client accepted.
How do we evaluate your car accident case?
Our car accident attorneys examine all possible causes of the crash. It can be an issue of vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, driver negligence, excessive speed, alcohol use, tire blowouts, sudden braking, brake failure, unsafe safety systems or warning devices, failure to yield the right of way, tailgating or unsafe road conditions.
What financial compensation can I get in a car accident injury claim?
Car accident victims are entitled to recover money damages for all losses and expenses they incur as a result of an accident. These damages may include the following:
Medical Bills
Lost Wages, including Overtime
Pain & Suffering
Physical Disability
Disfigurement
Permanent Scars
Emotional Trauma
Mental Anguish
Loss of Enjoyment
Loss of Love & Affection
Embarrassment
Mental Disability
Property Damage
Out of pocket expenses (e.g. transportation charges, house cleaning, grass cutting, and others).
How do I know if I have a claim?
To have a personal injury case for an auto accident, you must be able to show liability and damages. You will need to demonstrate that you have been injured. This may be a physical injury or it may be an emotional injury.
You should speak with an attorney at our firm about whether you have a Personal Injury claim. Recovering for an injury done to you is your right, guaranteed to you under Illinois and Federal Law.
Do I need a car accident attorney?
If you have been seriously injured or are unsure as to the outcome of your injury, then an experienced personal injury attorney with car accident experience should always be consulted before you give any statements or sign any papers of any kind and as soon after your injury as possible. In a serious injury case, you are better off hiring an attorney as soon as possible. Our firm offers a free consultation with no obligation.
What are the Statutes of Limitations for Personal Injury Law?
The statutes of limitations are time frames in which you have to file a lawsuit. When the statute of limitations expires on your case, you simply don't have a case anymore. Statutes of limitations differ not only from state to state, but also in regard to the kinds of lawsuits involved. For example, in some states, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice suits against governmental agencies and wrongful death actions are shorter than that for other types of personal injury cases. In general, however, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is from one to three years. The time begins from the date of the accident. There are some exceptions and our experienced lawyers can help you with them.
What is the purpose of the initial case meeting?
It is to allow the attorney on your case to speak with you and obtain any further information necessary to determine whether our office will agree to represent you on your case. Equally important, it is to provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions about your case or our office. It is helpful for you to bring with you to the meeting any documents, photographs, or other evidence relating to your claim.
What happens if I receive a monetary settlement or verdict in my case?
Whenever there is a settlement or verdict in a Plaintiff's favor there are several people who are usually reimbursed. These parties usually include insurance or hospital providers who have paid medical bills, the client, and the law firm who accomplished that verdict or settlement which the client accepted.
