Due to Chicago’s population and proximity to Lake Michigan, the city tends to have car accidents, slip and fall injuries, and other types of personal injuries. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the common causes of personal injuries in Chicago. Also, learn why you should consult Lerner and Rowe if you are injured in Chicago.
Common Causes of Chicago Motor Vehicle Accidents
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reported that 1,213 people died in crashes through 2023. In Chicago, an average of five people are injured each day in a car accident. (Chicago Department of Transportation). If you are injured in a car accident, there are several medical conditions that you could face:
- A head, neck, or spine injury (fairly common) that requires recuperation time.
- An inability to work, either temporarily or permanently.
- The inability to pay for your medical expenses or bills.
- Dealing with the other party’s insurance company.
A personal injury lawyer in Chicago, like one from Lerner and Rowe, will know how to discover liability and determine fault. Under the Illinois comparative negligence law, you may or may not be held liable for your accident-related injuries. For example, if you were speeding, but someone else ran a stop sign, you might be held partially at fault and could have your claim settlement reduced. Or, if you were a pedestrian and were hit, your actions (such as ignoring a no-walking light) could be factored into the case.
Chicago Workplace Injury Causes
Workplace injuries are fairly common in Chicago. Common workplace accidents include slip-and-fall accidents, overexertion, repetitive motion injuries, equipment-related injuries, and encounters with dangerous objects. In Illinois, the nature of the claim determines whether a case is deferred to worker’s compensation or if an individual can pursue a case.
Here are some situations where a case can exit the worker’s compensation system into a legal claim:
- When a third party was liable for someone’s injury.
- Intentional harm or misconduct by the employer.
- No worker’s compensation insurance coverage by the employer.
Generally speaking, a workplace injury can escalate to a claim when the employer has not done their due diligence to create a safe workplace. For personal injuries in the workplace, a personal injury lawyer in Chicago from Lerner and Rowe can help.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Chicago
Another common type of personal injury in Chicago and elsewhere is slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents generally land in the realm of premises law. These accidents are also one of the major causes of personal injuries in Chicago, especially when icy or wet conditions are prevalent.
The law simply says that property owners must ensure that guests are safe on their property. Of course, if someone gets injured while trespassing on that property, they may not be eligible to file an injury claim. Store managers, for example, must inspect, find, and remedy anything that could hurt a guest within a reasonable amount of time. The stakes are different for store vendors and people who work for the store. On private property, owners must make sure that their property is safe for people who have a reasonable expectation of being there.
If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident in Chicago, consider hiring Lerner and Rowe to represent your best interests.
Chicago Medical Malpractice Injury Causes
Medical malpractice is a leading cause of personal injuries in Chicago and across Illinois. The severity of these cases can be seen across the state as evidenced by $125 million in medical malpractice payouts awarded statewide in 2019. Medical malpractice is a broad term that covers many types of negligence by physicians and healthcare professionals, such as misdiagnoses, errors during surgery, or incorrect treatment.
Medical malpractice is difficult for a patient. People are trained to trust their doctors and other healthcare professionals, but accidents do happen. Sometimes, doctors will conceal the malpractice to protect their practice and career.
In Illinois, there is a two-year statute to file a lawsuit from the date of the malpractice. And an absolute four-year statute (this means that, when you find out about the injury, you have four years to react from the date the malpractice occurred). This timeline can vary depending on the age of the injured individual.
Product Liability and Defective Product Injuries
Product liability cases are instances where something injures you. Such defects are yet another common cause of personal injuries Chicago consumers encounter. In Illinois, you have two years to file a case from the date of injury. The absolute statute is either ten years from the first use of the product or twelve years from the date of purchase.
Additionally, in Illinois, the plaintiff can sue based upon design defects, manufacturer defects, and marketing defects. Let’s say that a product lacked an important safety warning. That would be an example of a marketing defect. Design defects are inherent flaws based on how a product was designed. Manufacturing defects happen when a product leaves the manufacturer with something faulty that causes an injury.
There is also the issue of comparative negligence that gives manufacturers an advantage. Let’s say that you were not aware of a defect in a product, but you were using the product incorrectly. If the defect in the product caused your injury, but you were using the product in a way not intended, the manufacturer can use that as a defense to reduce their liability in the case, reducing your claim.
Why Work with a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer at Lerner and Rowe
When you connect with a Lerner and Rowe Chicago personal injury lawyer, you can expect a compassionate ear, wise counsel, and a fierce advocate. Our legal team will do everything possible to recover the most compensation possible after you’ve suffered from a commonly caused injury. You can feel confident that we will take care of all your legal needs so that you can recuperate with peace of mind.
Contact Lerner and Rowe 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our LiveChat and online form offer convenient ways of connecting through the Internet. You can also call us at 708-222-2222 or visit us in person. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.