The birth of a new baby is an exciting, if not unnerving, experience to go through. Every parent hopes that their baby will be born healthy. Sadly, many parents are devastated to learn that their baby suffered a birth injury before, during, or shortly after delivery. The devastation is compounded when a baby’s injury is preventable.

Brain damage during pregnancy, labor, or delivery is almost always caused by reduced oxygen to the baby’s brain. The causes of infant brain damage are nearly countless, so determining exactly what happened can be a long, complex process. If your baby suffered brain damage due to a birth injury, contact a medical malpractice lawyer experienced in infant injuries and deaths for help taking the next steps.

Oxygen Deprivation During Labor and Delivery

When a baby transitions from life inside the womb to the outside world, he or she takes his or her first breath of air. Any delay or disruption in the birth process can lead to oxygen deprivation. Brain tissue that does not receive enough oxygen begins to die within a few minutes. Consequently, brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation is often permanent.

Nearly three-fourths of the freight shipped across the United States is carried via large commercial trucks. Trucks carry everything from consumer goods to hazardous materials such as combustible liquids and gases. When truck cargo is not secured on or in the truck correctly, the cargo can become loose. Sometimes, freight falls off of the truck and onto the road below. Other times, cargo moves around within the truck’s trailer, causing the truck to tip or veer out of control.  

Auto accidents caused by loose or fallen truck freight are often catastrophic. Severe and fatal injuries are not uncommon – especially if the freight was flammable. If you or a loved one were involved in a truck crash caused by improperly secured cargo, you may be able to file an injury claim against the at-fault party and collect damages.

Negligent Loading and Securement of Cargo Leading to a Crash

Loading cargo in a large commercial truck requires great precision. Trucks that are off balance due to uneven distribution of freight will not handle correctly. The driver will have a much harder time avoiding collisions. Overloaded or overweight trucks are also much more likely to be involved in a crash. The more weight on the truck, the longer it takes for the truck to come to a stop. Overloading a commercial truck can also wear out the tires, brakes, and other truck components much more quickly than would be expected.

Most people are nervous before a surgical procedure, and this anxiety is understandable. While many surgeries are performed successfully, medical mistakes do sometimes occur. One such mistake has been making national headlines because the error is so egregious, it is almost unbelievable.

A 55-year-old woman underwent surgery in June 2021 to have one of her kidneys removed. When pathologists examined the removed organ, they were shocked to discover that the organ was not a kidney. Surgeons had removed the woman’s spleen instead of her kidney by accident.

It is important for victims of a surgical error to know their rights. You may be able to hold the negligent medical provider accountable and recover financial compensation for your damages.

Marijuana products are now commercially available in Illinois and many other states. Adults aged 21 and over are permitted to smoke or otherwise consume marijuana without fear of criminal consequences. However, the right to consume marijuana is not without limits and driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.

Drivers who are intoxicated by cannabis flower or THC products are more likely to make dangerous mistakes behind the wheel. Consequently, “drugged driving” is prohibited by Illinois law.

If you or a loved one were injured in a crash caused by a drugged driver, you may have question about your legal rights. Can I file an injury claim against the driver? Do I have to prove that the driver was intoxicated to recover compensation? How much financial compensation can I receive? Read on to learn more.

As compared to individuals in a passenger vehicle, motorcyclists are significantly more likely to suffer severe and fatal injuries in a crash. Motorcycles do not protect crash victims the way that closed vehicles protect victims. Motorcycles are also smaller and less visible to other drivers, making them more likely to be involved in a collision. For these and other reasons, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to be killed in a crash than other motorists. Sadly, motorcycle crash victims who do survive are often left with catastrophic injuries resulting in long-term disabilities.

Motorcycle Crash Injuries

Even the most responsible motorcyclist can be involved in a crash. Wearing a helmet and other protective gear can reduce the extent of injuries sustained in a crash, but protective equipment does not prevent every injury.

Some of the most common catastrophic injuries sustained in motorcycle wrecks include:

The forces placed on a human body in a severe truck collision often cause catastrophic injuries. Injuries to vital organs can be especially dangerous and are often deadly. Extensive, long-term medical care is usually needed in order for people with vital organ injuries to survive. Those who do survive their injuries may suffer from medical complications and reduced function for the rest of their lives.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury to a vital organ or another catastrophic injury in a commercial truck crash, speak to a truck accident injury attorney to discuss your legal options. You may be able to recover financial compensation.

Injuries to Organs Can Result in Disability or Death

Commercial truck crashes may be caused by driver error, issues with the truck, or almost countless other factors. In an instant, a large truck crash can change the course of a person’s life. Internal organ injuries usually require surgery and substantial follow-up care. Vital organs are those organs that are essential to life. They include:

When having a conversation with someone, we automatically look at the person’s face. Our faces are a crucial aspect of our identity. They allow us to express joy, apprehension, excitement, anger, and other emotions.

Severe injuries to the face are not only painful physically but can also result in deep psychological pain. Many facial injury sufferers struggle with body image issues, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress long after the injury-causing accident. Some suffer permanent vision or hearing loss.

If you or a loved one sustained facial lacerations, puncture wounds, burns, or broken bones in the face, you are probably well aware of how impactful these types of injuries can be. Individuals who suffer face injuries in a car accident, dog attack, or another incident caused by another party’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for damages.

Few things in life are as tragic and heart wrenching as the death of a newborn baby. If you or a loved one suffered the death of an infant recently, you may be evaluating your options. When an infant’s death is caused or contributed to by medical negligence, the parents may be able to sue the doctor, nurse, or medical facility that caused the untimely death.

Liability for a Baby’s Death

Sometimes, the death of a newborn is unavoidable. The baby may have been born with a genetic condition or another health ailment that made him or her unable to survive outside the womb. However, some infant deaths are directly caused by negligent medical care.

Wrongful death of an infant may be caused by:

In a split second, an accident can irreversibly change the course of someone's life. Whether an injury is caused in a car crash, work accident, sudden fall, or another type of accident, it is likely to have a profound impact on the victim. This is especially true of catastrophic injuries that result in permanent disability. Someone who is permanently disabled in an accident may be unable to fulfill the career plans he or she intended.

Individuals who suffer severe injuries that impact their ability to earn a living may be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity. Read on to learn more.

Reduced Earning Capacity Caused by a Catastrophic Injury

Personal injury claims are used to pursue financial reimbursement for damages. Lost income and lost earning capacity are two categories of damages that are common in catastrophic injury cases. Lost income or lost wages refers to the income a person misses out on while he or she is recovering from an injury. Lost earning capacity, on the other hand, refers to the loss of a person's ability to earn an income.

Most people never think about how truly incredible our bodies are. Nerve signals are sent throughout the body at lightning speeds, allowing us to talk, walk, and move. Sadly, some people's lives change forever when they suffer a spinal cord injury in a car crash. Paralysis after a car accident may be temporary or permanent. Some people are able to regain partial or full movement while others are left with loss of function for the rest of their lives.

If you or a loved one were paralyzed because of injuries sustained in a car crash, you may be able to take legal action against the liable party. Financial reimbursement may be available for medical expenses, lost income, and much more.

Car Crash Injuries Resulting in Paralysis

Whether an auto accident is caused by a distracted driver, defective vehicle component, trucking company oversight, or another reason, the results are often profound. While some car accident injuries heal quickly and do not leave the crash victim with permanent damage, others have profound, lasting consequences.

The National Safety Council reports that nearly 5,000 large trucks were involved in fatal auto accidents in 2020. Approximately 147,000 people were injured in truck accidents in the same year. Commercial trucks are much larger than the average vehicle on public roads and consequently, the damage caused in a commercial truck crash is often catastrophic. Personal injury lawsuits for commercial truck accidents often lead to six and seven-figure payouts. Frequently, information from the truck’s event data recorder is a key piece of evidence in a large commercial truck accident investigation.

What Does an Event Data Recorder Do?

Event data recorders (EDRs) sometimes called “black boxes” or electronic control modules may be installed in commercial vehicles or privately owned vehicles. The device records technical vehicle information before, during, and after a collision. This information can be used to understand the events that led to a crash and what happened during the collision.

Event data recorders often record information about:

In the legal realm, the word “negligence” refers to a party’s irresponsible, reckless, or careless action. Negligence may also refer to irresponsible inaction. For example, an apartment landlord who knows a stairwell is unsafe should take action to remedy the problems that make it unsafe for tenants and guests. Negligence may come in the form of unsafe driving, defective design or manufacture of consumer products, failure to maintain a safe property, and more.

If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury such as a brain injury, spine injury, or amputation because another party acted negligently, you may be able to take legal action. You could be compensated not only for your medical bills and other financial losses, but also for your non-financial damages such as pain and suffering.

Financial Reimbursement for a Severe Injury

Catastrophic injuries are injuries that significantly impact the injured person’s life. The injured person may suffer paralysis, loss of functioning, loss of vision or hearing, or other disabling consequences. Money from a personal injury claim cannot make up for catastrophic injuries, but it may help the injured person cover medical costs and other expenses created by the injury.

Riding in a car is statistically one of the most dangerous things the average person does on a daily basis. Fatal crashes caused by distracted driving, intoxicated driving, or simply inattention, are shockingly common. These accidents leave a trail of devastation in their wake and change families’ lives forever.

If you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you may have questions about your legal options. Can you hold the at-fault driver accountable? Will insurance pay for medical and funeral bills? How will you make ends meet without your loved one’s financial support? Is taking legal action worth it? Read on to learn more.

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

When someone dies in a preventable accident, the surviving family often wants answers. They want to know who was responsible for the crash and they want that person to be held accountable. A wrongful death claim is a civil claim used to pursue monetary damages. Illinois law defines wrongful death as a death caused by another party’s negligent or wrongful actions. Negligent driving may include anything from speeding or failure to yield to more egregious actions like drunk driving. The at-fault party could also be a non-individual such as a car parts manufacturer that created a defective auto part.

If you are a parent, you probably can remember the very first time you took your child to daycare. It can be extremely hard to put your child in the care of another party. News stories about poor care or even intentional abuse in daycares, after-school programs, and other childcare facilities only worsen parents’ anxieties. While most childcare businesses are safe and run by caring staff, not every daycare lives up to parents’ expectations. Problems such as understaffing, inadequate staff training, and poor building maintenance can put children in danger. In some cases, children are severely injured or even killed by daycare negligence. If your child was hurt at daycare, read on to learn about your legal options.

Daycare Negligence Can Take Many Forms

We expect daycares to be safe havens for our children when we cannot watch them ourselves. Sadly, some daycares are far from this idealistic image.

Car accidents, falling, and countless other forms of trauma can cause someone to suffer a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can have long-lasting, significant consequences. Physical, mental, and psychological symptoms of TBI can exist for months or years after an injury.  Fortunately, new treatment options may provide brain injury victims the relief they desperately need.

Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a car crash or other incident, you know just how far-reaching the effects can be. Many people are left with painful headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and hearing and vision impairment. Others suffer from cognitive impairments that reduce their ability to concentrate, pay attention, or remember past events. Severe TBIs can cause seizures, slurred speech, constant fatigue, and problems sleeping. Psychological problems, including depression and anxiety, may also be caused or worsened by brain trauma.

Fortunately, experts are constantly looking for better ways to treat TBIs and reduce these symptoms. Surgery may be used to remove hematomas and relieve pressure inside of the skull shortly after a TBI. Medicines including anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants may be used to mitigate convulsions and seizures. Antidepressant medicine and anti-anxiety medicine may help lessen the psychological effects of TBI. Doctors are even testing the use of ADHD medication in TBI sufferers with the hope of combatting fatigue and brain fog.

Finally, spring has arrived to the Chicago area. For many people, spring marks the beginning of motorcycle season. Anyone who has ridden on a motorcycle can understand the appeal of zipping through the streets on a bike. Unfortunately, riding a motorcycle is much more dangerous than traveling in a closed vehicle. Motorcyclists are harder to see, and riders are not protected by the vehicle in the event of a crash. Over 5,000 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in 2019. Individuals on a motorcycle are 29 times more likely than individuals in a passenger car to die in a collision.

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash, you may be able to take legal action and pursue damages. Read on to learn some of the top questions about motorcycle accident claims in Illinois.

Are Motorcyclists Presumed to Be at Fault for a Collision?

Unfortunately, unfounded negative stereotypes about motorcyclists can sometimes color people’s perspectives about fault for a crash. Some people think that motorcyclists are more likely to speed and drive recklessly. They may assume that if a motorcycle and passenger vehicle are involved in a collision, that the motorcyclist is at fault.

When parents of young children purchase toys for their child to play with, they put their trust in the toy manufacturer to provide safe, age-appropriate materials for their child’s use. Tragically, many children choke to death on small pieces of toys that have either broken off, are not properly secured, or did not come with adequate choking hazard warnings. Watching your child choke can be a horrible experience, and even when choking is not lethal, it can cause serious personal injuries. If your child has choked on a toy or other defective product, you may wonder if you can hold the toymaker liable. 

Common Choking Injuries 

Every year, over 200,000 children are estimated to be treated at emergency rooms for injuries related to toys, and many of these cases are related to choking and suffocation. Children under age three are at a particularly high risk for choking on toys because they tend to put things in their mouths constantly. Very young children also have smaller mouths and airways, allowing objects to get stuck more easily. Common choking injuries from children’s toys include: 

• Laceration of the mouth, airways, vocal cords, etc. 

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Using special medication, general anesthesia puts a patient into an unconscious state and allows them to avoid pain and physical movement. While Illinois anesthesiologists are carefully trained to administer anesthesia and monitor a patient’s heart rate and other vital signs during treatment, even relatively minor surgeries can be dangerous when they involve the use of general anesthesia. Most of the time, general anesthesia is used safely, even for high-risk populations; but when an anesthesiologist acts negligently or carelessly, patients can suffer serious injury and even wrongful death. 

Are Certain Patients at Great Risk of Anesthesia Complications? 

Not every injury and death that occurs during the use of general anesthesia can be attributed to medical malpractice. Certain health conditions, habits, and medical histories can place patients at higher risk of adverse events during anesthesia, including: 

• Obesity

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While medical doctors like surgeons and anesthesiologists are most commonly associated with medical malpractice lawsuits, any professional engaging in the practice of the “healing arts” may treat patients in a way that is inconsistent with the standard of care. When this poor treatment rises to the level of negligence, it may be considered malpractice whether the medical professional is a midwife, acupuncturist, dietician, or chiropractor. 

People generally see a chiropractor to help with neuromusculoskeletal issues, such as back pain, neck pain, or joint pain. Chiropractors often use a technique called “adjustment” or “realignment” in which they use their hands or a special instrument to apply a controlled movement to a patient’s spine. While many patients find chiropractic treatment beneficial, a careless practitioner can cause serious injuries when an adjustment is performed incorrectly. If you have been seriously injured by a chiropractor, you may want to consider a lawsuit with the help of an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney. 

What Are Common Injuries From Chiropractic Malpractice? 

Research suggests that spinal manipulation is the most common event during which patients are injured by chiropractors. Overaggressive manipulation, or using too much force, can cause severe and debilitating injuries, including: 

Most people find the prospect of getting major surgery frightening enough even in the best of circumstances. Between the anesthesia, the complexity of the surgery, and the process of recovery, there is good reason to be apprehensive about the risks involved. One odd but particularly dangerous risk is that of an Illinois surgeon who leaves a foreign object inside of a body during surgery. While most surgeons adhere to the standard of care and this does not often happen, when it does, it can have severe and life-threatening implications for the patient. If you have gotten surgery in Illinois and a negligent surgeon has left a surgical tool, sponge, or other items in your body, you may want to take legal action through a medical malpractice lawsuit. 

What is a Never Event? 

An item left inside a human body during surgery is often referred to as a “never event.” A never event is a mistake that is completely preventable by following proper care protocol and that, therefore, should never happen. Yet one study found that foreign objects are left inside bodies nearly 40 times a week in the U.S. When objects are left inside the body, they must first be detected - nearly always after a patient complains of severe pain and is subject to repeated testing - and the removal itself requires more surgery, along with its inherent risks. Common patient complaints include: 

• Vomiting or coughing up blood

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