Posted on December 00,0000 in Motorcycle Accident

Summer is in full swing and that means more motorcycles on Illinois roadways. Many motorcyclist enthusiasts say it is the feeling of the open road all around them that attracts them to the activity, but it is that openness that also leaves motorcycle riders vulnerable to serious injury or death in the event of a motorcycle crash.

Unlike other motor vehicles, which offer protection to the occupants who are inside, when a motorcycle is involved in a crash, the people on the bike are often thrown off. Even more dangerous, is that once the victims have landed on the ground, there is the additional risk of the motorcycle landing on top of them. According to national statistics, victims of motorcycles crashes are almost 30 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than occupants involved in other types of motor vehicle crashes.

One of the key ways to decrease the number of motorcycle accidents is for both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers to be cognizant of each other and mindful that they are sharing the road.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Brain Injury

According to national statistics, more than 630,000 children are brought to emergency rooms each year because they have sustained some kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that one in 30 children will sustain a brain injury by the time they reach 16 years of age. Young children, in particular, are more susceptible to brain injuries, and about one-third of children with TBIs will suffer from long-lasting or permanent disability from the injury.

There have been multiple studies done which confirm that TBIs in children can have serious side effects on a child’s behavior, cognitive function, and IQ that can last for an extended period of time. Some of these studies reveal that recovery from brain injuries can go on for years and that there are certain factors – including whether the child has certain genes or the home environment the child lives in – which can affect recovery.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Wrongful Death

Starting a career is one of the biggest milestones in a person’s life. Depending on the type of job that a person may accept, he or she may have to go through several physical examinations to be cleared for that job opportunity. Some medical problems may go undetected, or machinery may not work correctly, therefore potentially costing an employee his or her life. There are many ways to prevent such atrocities, and enhanced technology has assisted with keeping such numbers lower.

Fatal Work Injuries from 2006-2015

In Illinois, there was a total of 172 fatal work injuries in 2015. There were 164 fatal work injuries from the prior year. Across the country, there were 4,836 fatal work injuries that were documented in 2015. In 2014, there were 4,821 professional fatalities.

The state of Illinois recorded over 200 fatal work injuries in 2006 and 2010. More than 150 professional fatalities occurred in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Lastly, a little over 150 fatal work injuries occurred in 2009, and less than 150 fatal work injuries in 2012.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Medical Malpractice

Medical doctors are almost always very good at identifying key medical problems and getting them resolved as quickly as possible. These doctors have studied for decades to perfect this art. In order to be a good doctor, one has to take all coursework very seriously. There have been far too many cases in which doctors may have misdiagnosed medical problems or even prescribed the wrong medication to their patients, therefore causing unwanted results, including serious injury and death.

What to Do if Affected by Medical Malpractice

When addressed in court, the person affected will likely need to confirm his or her personal information, including full name, any previous names, current residence address, and date of birth.

The affected person will also need to describe the acts of the medical doctor, including specific diagnosis, procedures, tests, and treatments claimed to have caused the injuries. He or she will need to provide the dates of such acts, name and address of each witness, name and address of each knowing individual, and location of hospital and other medical records reflecting such acts.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

The best feeling in the world is when a person gets his or her driver's license after countless hours of studying just to take the test. However, in order to have the best driving record possible, it is imperative that the person who just received his or her driver's license understand the basic concepts of mandatory state auto insurance and required liability limits. If the person with the newly received driver's license does not meet the state requirements for liability limits, then he or she may face some very serious consequences.

What Are the State Liability Limits?

In the state of Illinois, the mandatory car insurance liability limits are as follows:

• $25,000 bodily injury or death of one person in a car accident;
• $50,000 bodily injury or death of two people or more in a car accident; and
• $25,000 property damage of another person, such as a car.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Dog Bites

Having a dog can be the most exciting milestone in a family’s life. Being able to play fetch and walk the dog is almost always what a family looks forward to when adopting a dog. Like all other animals, there are requirements and responsibilities on how to take care of the dog, including making sure that its vaccinations are up to date, feeding it, and keeping it from damaging other people’s property.

Rabies Vaccination and Dog Bites

Any dog that has been with its owner for at least four months should be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian with a valid license. Within one year of the first round of rabies vaccinations, the dog should be vaccinated again. All other vaccinations for the dog must be compliant with USDA licenses of vaccines administered. If a bite occurs by a dog that is exempt from a vaccination for health reasons, it will be treated as a dog that was not vaccinated, re-examined by a veterinarian will a valid license, and vaccinated against rabies if the dog’s health improves.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Slip and Fall Accidents

In cartoons, when one character slips on a banana and falls on the ground, we are all supposed to laugh at the character’s ignorance and somewhat hilarious consequences that follow. For over fifty years, this type of slapstick comedy was a common way to get audiences to laugh and have a carefree time. Unfortunately, the reality is nothing like cartoons. In fact, when a person slips and falls, he or she may suffer some very serious injuries and may even die, depending on the level of complications that follow the slip and fall.

Slip and Fall Injury Statistics

Slip and fall injuries can be very serious if not treated right away. More women than men will experience a slip and fall accident in their lives, and of the more serious slip and fall injuries is a bone fracture.

• Over eight million emergency room visits are because of a slip and fall injury.
• Five percent of people who fall will experience a bone fracture, and they may even lose several weeks of work, depending on the severity of the injuries from the slip and fall accident.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

Most people will be involved in at least one car accident in their life. Some accidents may be minor, such as a fender bender, and others may be so serious that there are deaths involved. However serious the accident is, everyone wants to make sure they avoid being involved in one altogether. If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, there are some steps that you need to take to successfully handle the situation.

Check for Injuries

The first thing that the person involved in a car accident must do is check for injuries. Someone in the car must call 911 if there are any injuries. If the person was seriously injured, he or she must try hard not to move and wait for emergency personnel to arrive. If there was anyone else in the car at the time of the accident, the other passengers must check themselves for injuries.

Get to a Safe Area

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Workplace Accident

We are now about to end our first week of December, and we are starting to get more stressed out about the holidays. During the holiday season, more temporary and seasonal employees are hired in the retail industry. Many businesses flourish during this period of time since most people wait until the last minute to get their shopping done. When working in retail during this busy time, it is best to familiarize yourself with safety rules in the workplace, so you can avoid getting involved in a potentially serious accident at work.

Best Ways for Employers to Enforce Safety Rules in the Workplace

In retail, particularly, employees are expected to implement strict rules on safety for employees. Some very simple ways that employers can enforce safety precautions include on-the-job training on the first day, clear and concise safety policies, and a safe environment. Employees who are working temporarily should feel comfortable enough approaching their managers and supervisors with any questions or concerns.

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 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

We are at the end of November, and we may have some snow in the Chicago and Cook County areas in the upcoming months. During the winter, there are far too many people who do not plan ahead and therefore end up in the hospital after a bad encounter with ice on the roads.  Pedestrian accidents often occur when roads are treacherous, and cars are unable to stop on the ice. Considering all of this, it is best to prepare for the colder and snowier months, and here are some ways to keep yourself safe and away from the emergency room because of an accident.

Wear Appropriate Clothes

To prevent any slip and fall accidents due to icy sidewalks, it is best to wear proper footwear and clothes that can be easily seen. Invest in shoes with heavy treading and flat bottoms, so that the whole foot is on the ground’s surface. When snow is bad, sunglasses and bright clothing are appropriate. People driving cars will be more likely to see pedestrians who wear bright clothes and therefore prevent a car accident involving pedestrians.

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