Every wrongful death lawsuit will have damages with regard to the wrongful death action. These damages are the basic foundation of the lawsuit’s purpose and intend to compensate the family of the deceased for the loss of their loved one.In your wrongful death case you are entitled to seek damages for the loss of society, which is the social difficulties you will face now that the member of your family is no longer with you. Another loss you can seek damages for is the loss of financial support, especially important if the loved one was a head of household whose income was integral to the support of the family.Grief is an emotional aspect of losing a loved one and you are also able to seek damages related to this factor. Periods of mourning are typical with the unexpected loss of a loved one and they may affect your ability to work and enjoy life for quite some time. Grief damages seek to compensate for this.All of these damages are paid to the next of kin in a wrongful death action, rather than the estate as with survival action. This is because these damages relate to the absence of the deceased in the lives of the next of kin, therefore they are the ones to benefit from this portion of the settlement.There is a lot more to know in regarding the impact a wrongful death action has on your wrongful death settlement distribution. Knowing the differences between survival action and wrongful death action is important when claiming damages. You shouldn’t have to deal with the hassle of a wrongful death claim alone. Let an experienced Chicago wrongful death lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. help you compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

When a person is the victim of a wrongful death, their surviving family will generally want to file an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for their unexpected loss. In most cases, the person (known as the administrator of the estate) who files the lawsuit and acts on behalf of the deceased will be the surviving spouse.If there is no spouse, or the spouse is not able, next in line would be the children, if of appropriate age. Next would be the parents of the deceased. In some cases, the responsibility of administrator would fall to the deceased’s siblings or aunt/uncle. In the event no family was present, the court may entertain other related parties such as roommates or girlfriends/boyfriends if the circumstances warranted it so.The best determination of who holds power of administrator of estate is when it is set forth in the will of the deceased. This documentation is especially useful when family members fight over the rights to the appointment, or if the deceased has no family to rely on. In the will, a non-human entity such as a bank or trust company may be named as administrator. There’s a lot more to learn about eligibility to file an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit and what the process entails. Our article touches on the basics, but for more comprehensive help, you should consult with an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. When handling any sort of trial procedures, it’s best to have the advice and guidance of someone who has been through the Illinois wrongful death lawsuit process before. A Chicago wrongful death attorney from The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you through your claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

Determining fault in a slip and fall injury is not a simple task. To do so, a court will ask questions such as: 

• Did a dangerous condition on someone else’s property contribute to your personal injury?
• Does the property owner safely and regularly maintain the premises?
• Did a poorly placed object create a dangerous condition?
• Could some sort of warning have been given to prevent the slip and fall? 

You and your lawyer will need to prove that the answers to those questions are “Yes” if you are going to recover compensation. But there is also a chance that you may be the one who is found to have been at fault. For instance, if: 

• You did not have a legitimate reason to be in the dangerous area;
• You did not act carefully or responsibly; or
• You ignored warnings that there was a dangerous condition. 

Then a court may determine that you were the one who caused the slip and fall. And in some cases, a court may determine that both parties were partially responsible. In these cases, which are known as “comparative negligence”, you may receive a percentage of damages that correlate to your degree fault.If you have recently been injured in a slip and fall, you may want to know whether you can receive financial compensation. To learn more you can read our article Proving Fault in Slip & Fall Accidents. Hiring a Chicago Slip and Fall LawyerAfter a serious slip and fall accident, you should be able to recover from your injuries without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injury, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury lawsuit alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago slip and fall lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080

If you have been bitten by a dog, and the wounds are deep and bled, then it is likely that that bite will leave a scar. These scars may fade with time or they may be permanent, disfiguring and/or painful. Some wounds may even produce keloid scars, which is when scar tissue grows out of control and ends up raised above the skin.While small scars may fade away over time, others may never go away. But there are various treatments to reduce scars after a dog bite. These treatments include: 

• Dermabrasion, which entails sanding down the scar
• Pressure scar modification
• Surgical excursion of the scar
•  Make-up to cover up the scarred area 

If the dog bite was unprovoked, and you were acting within the law at the time of the attack, then the dog’s owner may be held liable for your damages. To find out if you are eligible for compensation in a Chicago dog bite claim, you can get the professional advice of a Chicago dog bite lawyer.You can learn more about common types of dog injuries by visiting our article library. Hiring an Chicago Dog Bite LawyerYou should be able to recover from your injuries without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injuries, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an injury alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago dog bite lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080

If you have experienced the death of a loved one as the result of a reckless and preventable accident, you may be wondering if a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against those responsible. What qualifies an accident as a “wrongful death” is when a person’s death was the direct result of someone else’s negligence or other improper conduct.In a wrongful death lawsuit the negligent party or entity would be sued for damages, which would then be awarded to the victim’s next of kin.  These damages are awarded in order to compensate the victim’s family for their loss and to deter others from acting in such a way that it would result in someone’s death.There are 4 factors taken into account for a wrongful death lawsuit:

• The death must have been the result of a defendant’s conduct, whether in part or whole;
• The defendant must have been either negligent or liable for the death;
• There must be surviving members, such as a spouse or children, or other beneficiaries; and
• There must be monetary damages that are a result of the loved one’s death.

To learn more about how to file a wrongful death lawsuit, visit our article library. If you have lost a loved one and believe that you have a wrongful death case, contact a Chicago wrongful death lawyer who will help you determine negligence.

Hiring a Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer

A Chicago wrongful death lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can talk to you about the types of compensation that you and your family might be entitled to after the loss of a loved one. If you are coping with the loss of a spouse or family member after an Illinois accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080

A motorcycle accident in Chicago can be very dangerous, which means precautions should be taken to decrease or completely avoid the risks. However, part of your duty as a motorist, is to perform regular maintenance checks on your motorcycle to make sure it is in good shape and free of defects. Sometimes, a motorcycle defect may be related to the manufacturer’s design. In this case, the manufacturer may be completely responsible for repairing, replacing or refunding your money.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle manufacturers are required to notify the public of recall through appropriate means, and solve the problem at no cost to motorcycle owners.There are grave risks of riding defective motorcycles, which include bodily injuries, injuries to other motorists, and damages to your motorcycle. Common defective parts on motorcycles include: 

• handle bar;
• rear tire;  and
• fuel tanks.  

Depending on the defective part of the motorcycle, instability, wobbling or even a fire may begin while riding. If you have sustained injuries as a result of riding a defective motorcycle, the manufacturer may be sued in a personal injury lawsuit.It is important that you report all defects to your local dealer, the manufacturer’s main office, or the NHTSA in order to prevent motorcycle accidents in Chicago. The NHTSA has a system in place to conduct investigations of motorcycle defect reports, and the administration will order the manufacturer to schedule a recall when a defect is confirmed. Visit our article library to learn more about motorcycle manufacturer defects. Injuries that result from motorcycle accidents are often more severe than automobile accidents. If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident due to manufacturer’s defects, then a Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you with your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080.

If you’ve just been injured in a car accident in Illinois, your first priority is to ensure everyone’s safety. Everyone should be out of the line of traffic and away from the vehicles, especially if gasoline is present. You should not move any of the vehicles unless it is safe to do so and the position of the vehicle is posing a hazard to other drivers.A call to police should be your next step, as medical treatment is likely necessary and you will want a police report generated to document your accident. Illinois state laws require you to report any car accident resulting in personal injury or death. This is not only for your own personal benefit, but also to create an important piece of documentation that will aid in building your car accident claim.If your injuries aren’t severe and you are able to function safely at the scene, you should take pictures of the damage to your vehicle and any surrounding property, making notes of the condition of the road (heavy traffic, debris, slippery, etc.). Hopefully, any witnesses to your car accident have also stopped and you can obtain their names and contact information for further evidence.You can gather a lot of critical information for your Illinois personal injury claim from the first few minutes following a car accident. What you do with this information afterwards is what can make or break your insurance claim. Read our article on the first steps after your car accident for more information.Contact an Illinois personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. for more complete information about building a successful personal injury claim after a car accident in Illinois. – (312) 263-0153

If you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice in Chicago, you have the right to seek compensation. Sometimes a gynecologist’s mistake is very obvious and manifests immediately, while in other instances it takes time to surface.If you’re suffering and suspect it is from a gynecologist mistake, you should research your condition and the treatments you received. This will give you an idea of the usual course of treatment for your condition, and the normal side effects.If your research indicates you’re suffering because of a gynecologist mistake, you should gather evidence to that effect. You have a right to receive a copy of your medical file from your healthcare practitioner. It will contain all the details of your condition and the treatment you received. This will help prove whether your illness or injury resulted from a gynecologist mistake. While you may be angry with your OB/GYN, you should first get the immediate medical help you need to correct the error, and then seek the counsel of a Chicago medical malpractice attorney. It’s essential to take legal action as soon as possible following a gynecologist mistake. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney can make sure that you file your Chicago medical malpractice claim within Illinois statute of limitations, and can make it easier to prove your case. Contacting a Medical Malpractice AttorneyMedical malpractice can have serious and long-lasting effects on your life. You need someone who will listen, understand and give you valuable legal support. At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your case, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full compensation due you for any injuries or loss suffered as a result of a doctor’s error. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If an Illinois accident has left you with a serious facial injury, you may require surgical treatment. While minor cuts to the face can be treated with topical creams and bandages, serious injuries to the face may require stitches or even surgery.Surgery for a facial injury can be uncomfortable and painful. The treatment and recovery process may be lengthy, depending on the extent of damage to the face. Once the surgery has been performed, patients are given a list of instructions, which will include the proper way to care for the incisions.With any incision, there is the risk for infection, so patients may also be put on antibiotics as part of their treatment. After surgery, the injury site may appear more traumatized than before the procedure was done. Eventually, the incision marks will fade. In some cases, though, you may have permanent scarring or disfigurement.The days following surgery will be important in your recovery process and there are a few steps you can take to facilitate a smooth recovery, from making sure your face is elevated during sleep to avoiding movements that require you to bend down.While undergoing treatment, you may be wonder if there is any recourse for your suffering. A Chicago personal injury lawyer will evaluate your case to determine if you should file an Illinois personal injury claim.A successful claim may provide you with compensation for your medical treatment, as well as for the pain and emotional turmoil with which you’ve had to deal. Consulting with a Chicago personal injury lawyer should be your next step to protect your legal rights after suffering a serious facial injury in an Illinois accident. When to Hire a Chicago Personal Injury LawyerA Chicago personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in an Illinois personal injury claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

While the state of Illinois has set forth minimum limits for car insurance coverage, in the face of serious injury or wrongful death in a car accident, these limits may not be enough to cover the damages and loss you have experienced. In the event the other driver does not carry a high enough car insurance coverage limit, you will need to rely on your own underinsured motorist coverage to make up the difference.The amount you establish for your underinsured motorist coverage on your car insurance policy is the limit up to which you can be compensated when the other driver’s insurance limit runs out. The higher your underinsured motorist coverage limit is, the more protection you have against high medical expenses.For example, you are in an accident with a driver whose bodily injury liability coverage was only the minimum $20,000 limit. You sustain injuries totaling $50,000 worth of medical bills and lost wages. You carry underinsured motorist coverage limits of $50,000. The other driver’s insurance would pay the maximum of $20,000 and your own car insurance would pay the excess $30,000.Underinsured motorist coverage claims can be difficult and there’s a lot more to know about underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. Hiring an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the more complicated aspects of car insurance claims. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you file your car accident claim and help with recovering compensation for your wage loss, medical bills and more, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

When you need to seek compensation in an Illinois medical malpractice claim, there are some important things you should know before you decide to hire a Chicago medical malpractice attorney.Having the right attorney can make all the difference in the type and amount of settlement that you receive. When you face serious bodily harm, pain and overwhelming bills, your potential compensation is not something to be taken lightly.The following are just some things you should know before hiring your Chicago medical malpractice attorney: 

• whether the attorney has knowledge of medical law and medicine in general;
• whether the attorney has addressed specific medical malpractice issues that relate to your case;
• the potential worth of your case;
• the highest settlement amount the attorney has negotiated for a medical malpractice case;
• how long has the attorney worked in the field of medical malpractice; and
• how many cases the attorney has won, lost or settled out of court. 

Since an Illinois medical malpractice claim can be complicated, knowing the attorney’s specific experience can be helpful. When you’re looking to hire a Chicago medical malpractice attorney, there are a number of questions to ask that can aid in your decision.

When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney

A Chicago medical malpractice attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in a medical malpractice claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Illinois motorists are required to have a minimum of insurance coverage. This is in order to protect you and any other victims after an Illinois car accident. If you are injured in an accident, or if you injure someone else, your insurance will cover the medical expenses that were suffered as a result of the accident. It will also cover a limited amount of damage to the vehicles.Illinois minimum insurance requirement are actually very low. State laws call for coverage in the amounts of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident, with $15,000 coverage for property damage. This means that after an accident which you have caused, your insurer may pay up to $20,000 in damages to any one person who was injured in the accident, up to $15,000 for property damage, and a maximum of $40,000 in total.The $40,000 total is regardless of the number of people who were involved in the accident. Therefore, if there were 3 people injured, and your insurance company awards them the maximum amount of damages, then those 3 people will have to split the $40,000 between them.To learn more about the requirements for Illinois minimum insurance coverage and what that means for your accident settlement, you can get the professional help of a Chicago personal injury attorney.If you need to purchase insurance coverage that will protect you in an Illinois car accident, you can visit our article Illinois Motorists Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements to learn more. Getting the advice of a Chicago Personal Injury LawyerIf you have recently been injured in a Chicago car accident and you have questions about your insurance policy, you should contact a professional who can guide you through this often tricky process. When you have the help of a trusted Chicago personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long-term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080

You may be wondering what to do if you are involved in an indoor slip and fall accident. You can read about certain conditions that can lead to an indoor slip and fall accident in our article library. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents are all too common. Although not all injuries resulting from slip and falls are severe, these types of accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and permanent disability in some victims. If there is an injury to the spinal cord or brain, the resulting injuries can be life changing.Additionally, some slip and fall accidents will have immediate and obvious injuries. Other injuries, including some head injuries and soft tissue damage, may appear days or weeks following the initial fall. You should always seek immediate medical attention to determine what your injuries are after a slip and fall.Besides seeking medical attention, you or a family member should take pictures of the accident site. If you don’t do this immediately, the property owner may get rid of any evidence that indicates their liability which can seriously damage your ability to recover compensation.You will also want to make sure that you report your slip and fall accident. Report the accident to the owner or manager immediately. You can also file a police report concerning your slip and fall accident.If there were any witnesses to your slip and fall, make sure that you get their contact information. They can play an important role in proving liability.While all of these actions are important, consulting with a Chicago personal injury lawyer is another important step. They can help you determine liability, gather critical evidence, and fight for your rights after a slip and fall accident.

Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury Attorney

During this time, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago personal injury attorney can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you have undergone an unnecessary surgery as a result of medical negligence, your doctor may be held liable through an Illinois medical malpractice claim.A Chicago medical malpractice attorney will take the time to carefully evaluate your case and determine whether there is adequate evidence to prove that your surgery was not needed and that it was the result of a doctor’s medical negligence. Your attorney is also familiar with the several types of surgeries that are performed unnecessarily.The most common types of unnecessary surgery include: 

• C-sections;
• hysterectomies;
• gall bladder surgeries;
• coronary bypasses;
• pacemaker implantations;
• angioplasties;
• balloon angioplasties;
• back surgeries; and
• breast cancer surgeries (because of a false positive).

Women tend to be at a greater risk of unnecessary surgery because of the invasive medical procedures that are geared toward them (such with as c-sections and hysterectomies). No matter who has been the victim of an unnecessary surgery; however, it can result in devastating consequences.When a misdiagnosis or a failure to use other treatment options leads to unnecessary surgery, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through an Illinois medical malpractice claim. Consulting with a Chicago medical malpractice attorney should be your next step to determine your legal options.

When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney

A Chicago medical malpractice attorney at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. has dealt with similar cases to yours and knows the best course of action for your claim. To improve your chances at a fair settlement and take the burden out of all the paperwork involved in a medical malpractice claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Chicago motorcycle accident, then you may want to claim damages through an Illinois personal injury claim. But in the state of Illinois, your claim will be affected by your own degree of fault. This is known as the law of comparative fault. It means that in a personal injury lawsuit due to an accident, you will be held legally responsible for your own percentage of fault.For instance, if you are driving your motorcycle through Chicago at night without the use of a headlight, and you are sideswiped by a vehicle that crosses into your lane, then you may be determined to have been at fault for your failure to use a headlight. In such a case, an insurance claims adjusted will determine your percentage of fault. If you are found to have been 20% negligent, and the overall settlement is $1,000, then 20% will be deducted from the $1,000 settlement, and in the end you will receive $800 in damages.If you have recently been in a motorcycle accident in Illinois, then you may want to know how comparative fault may affect a personal injury settlement. To learn more, read our article When You’re Partially At Fault for a Motorcycle Accident If you want to file a Chicago motorcycle injury claim, you can get the help of a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer.Contacting a Chicago Motorcycle Accident LawyerA motorcycle is usually no match for a larger vehicle. Therefore, most Illinois motorcycle accidents will result in the rider sustaining serious and sometimes fatal injuries. At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago motorcycle accident attorneys will examine all aspects of your accident, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you for any injuries or loss you may have suffered as a result of your motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

While most of us don’t think much about dentists being medically negligent, it does happen. Medical negligence involving dental work can lead to further injuries and time off from work, as well as with pain and suffering.Here are some examples of medical malpractice involving dentistry: 

• Nerve Injuries (can result in permanent numbness to tongue, resulting in an ability to taste)
• Extraction of Teeth (either unnecessarily removing them or removing the wrong ones)
• Failure to Diagnose (oral cancer, periodontal disease or other oral diseases)
• Past Medical History (failure to take into consideration a patient’s medical history which could lead to medical complications)
• Incorrect Procedure (either a procedure is done incorrectly or the incorrect procedure is performed) 

Dental malpractice can lead to devastating results. If you feel you have a medical malpractice claim involving dentistry, contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who can look at the specifics of your case and help you determine if negligence was a factor in your injuries.You can learn more about medical malpractice claim in Illinois by visiting our article library.  Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Trucking companies are responsible for the safety and security of their vehicles. They must maintain their trucks, secure their loads, and ensure the responsibility of their drivers. The failure to do so can result in a potentially devastating or deadly accident. If safety regulations are not met, then both the trucking company and their driver(s) may be found guilty of trucking company negligence.What constitutes trucking company negligence?Some common causes of trucking company negligence include: 

• Failing to provide the proper safety equipment, such as brakes, windshield wipers, underride protection and horn;
• Failing to adequately maintain a vehicle;
• Failing to properly secure a load;
• Sending drivers on schedules that exceed federal regulations; and
• Failing to train and discipline personnel. 

If you have been injured in a trucking accident that was caused by any of these negligent acts, you may be able to receive compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.What are the federal regulations regarding trucking schedules? Under federal law, truck companies may not schedule deliveries that require the driver to exceed the speed limit. Nor may a driver exceed the maximum amount of driving time allowed. In order to monitor such activity, drivers are required to keep a detailed log book of their activity.This log book can provide useful evidence in a trucking negligence lawsuit.If you have been in a truck accident in Illinois, you may want to know if trucking company negligence was a factor in your crash. To learn more, you can visit our article Types of Trucking Company Negligence. Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury AttorneyYou should be able to recover from your trucking accident without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your injury, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury lawsuit alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago personal injury attorney from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Pharmacists can make mistakes when dispensing medication that could result in serious injuries. If you have been injured because of a pharmacist, you may be eligible to file a pharmacist malpractice lawsuit.  The most common types of pharmacist mistakes include: 

• Giving the wrong medication;
• Giving the wrong medication dosage; and
• Failing to provide the correct instructions.

If the nature of these mistakes is alarming to you, you may have cause to wonder; what leads to pharmacist mistakes?Listed below are some of the circumstances that could result in a serious pharmacist mistake: 

• Shortage of pharmacists;
• Not enough time to fill prescriptions;
• Pharmacist distraction;
• Inability to read physician’s handwriting;
• Interruptions;
• Heavy workload requirements;
• Inadequate assistance from technicians; and
• No system in place to verify medications are correct. 

Although these may be “logical” reasons for a pharmacist mistake to happen, the end result is the same: a patient injury. For this reason, you can open a pharmacist medical malpractice case.If you have been injured because of a pharmacist’s mistake, contact a medical malpractice attorney in Chicago. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney will use their expertise to fight for your rights and advocate that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.

Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice Attorney

At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life that are the result of medical malpractice. Contact us today for no cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Timing is everything when filing a personal injury claim. While you need to first pay attention to getting your medical needs met, you also must start thinking about filing a personal injury claim. If you don’t act on your case quickly enough, you’re only hurting yourself and your case. A delay in filing your claim could result in: 

• loss of evidence
• inaccurate statements from yourself or witnesses, caused by forgetfulness
• skepticism of judge or jury over severity of claim
• expiration of statute of limitations

 The expiration of statute of limitations is the most urgent matter when trying to file a personal injury claim. In Illinois, you have 2 years to file a personal injury claim. The longer you wait, the more hurdles you’ll encounter. A Chicago personal injury lawyer may help you address some of there troubles, but many lawyers will refuse a personal injury claim that is too close to the expiration.Our article on the Illinois statute of limitations explains what the laws are and how they impact your case. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you understand the nuances of the laws and how they relate specifically to your personal injury claim.A Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is ready to help you file your personal injury claim in a timely manner, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

A few Illinois auto accident attorneys are reporting that clients of theirs have been given materials from hospital employees about a company called Claim Assist after they have gotten care for injuries in car accidents.  Hospital employees have left the clients with the strong impression that involving Claim Assist in their car accident case would be strongly beneficial to them, even when they have health insurance to cover their bills.  There is nothing that could be farther from the truth.Here are what one lawyer in the Chicago area had to say:

I just got off the phone with a client to discuss ClaimsAssist.  She says when she was at the hospital she was told by the hospital personnel that ClaimsAssist could assist her in getting insurance to pay her bills.  She had med pay and health insurance.  She says it was made very clear that they were there to help her.

She did not use them, but now they have placed a lien on her PI-auto case on behalf of the hospital, after the hospital accepted money from auto and health insurance and took a health insurance adjustment.  ClaimsAssist ?claims? that the hospital can accept the health insurance money, make an adjustment, and then later, if we obtain money on the PI case, pay back health insurance, undo the adjustment, and claim full payment on its lien.

This is what a lawyer in far southern Illinois had to say:A new client of mine was given a pamphlet at the hospital with very aggressive urging to register immediately with “Claim Assist”. I have never heard of them before, but I looked it up and they appear to be an outsourced bill collection system to maximize recovery for the health care provider. One thing that I have seen more of in the last few years in handling car accident cases is that hospitals are refusing to bill a patient’s health insurance for a car accident and instead waiting to be paid the full amount of their bill out of the settlement of the case.  It is great business for the health care provider, but not so good for the injury victim.In short, they are saying “We’ll Bill The Accident,” and these are four words you never want to hear your health care provider — whether a hospital, doctor, or therapist — say when it comes to payment of medical expenses after a car accident.  Letting that happen can cost you thousands of dollars.See our article for how to pay medical bills from an accident for information about how to protect your interests, not the hospitals.As an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer, I would say to stay away from these people and not get near them with a 10 foot pole.

If a healthcare provider has failed to properly diagnose your medical condition and it led to serious injuries, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice claims require substantial evidence to prove medical neglect and will likely be met with a team of lawyers who are not interested in settling your claim for a fair amount.That is why you should consult with an experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who can help defend your best interests during the malpractice claims process.Under Diagnosed Conditions Due to Lack of Awareness  Some medical conditions may be difficult for a physician to diagnose. This may be because of a lack of information available or that a doctor is not familiar with certain medical conditions.Some of the conditions that are under diagnosed due to a lack of awareness include: 

• asthma;
• depression;
• sleep disorders;
• infectious diarrhea;
• lactose intolerance;
• fecal incontinence; and
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  

How a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can HelpWith the help of an experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer, you can determine if you have a valid Illinois medical malpractice claim. Your attorney can also inform you of any challenges your claim may face and walk you through each step of the process.Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerIf you have been injured because a doctor has under diagnosed your condition, you should immediately contact an experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer to learn more about your legal options for filing an Illinois medical malpractice claim. At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice lawyer team will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life that are the result of medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you have been seriously injured because a healthcare provider has failed to diagnose your condition, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim.Bringing a lawsuit against a medical facility or healthcare provider may sound intimidating. You may feel like you are no match against a large insurance company that is ready to fight against your claim. However, this shouldn’t prevent you from seeking the compensation that you deserve when you’ve been injured by medical negligence.Conditions Under Diagnosed Due to Vague or Absent Symptoms There are some medical conditions that doctors find difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are either vague or absent. While this may be the case, it still remains the doctor’s duty to prevent further injuries to a patient.Some of the conditions that are under diagnosed due to vague or absent symptoms include: 

• glaucoma;
• impaired glucose intolerance;
• type 2 diabetes;
• hypothyroidism;
• high cholesterol;
• chronic kidney disease;
• hypertension;
• hemochromatosis;
• osteoporosis; and
• certain sexually transmitted diseases.  

How a Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can HelpWith the help of an experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer, you can determine the validity of your malpractice claim and whether you are entitled to receive compensation. Your Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can also help gather evidence that would be difficult or impossible for you to obtain on your own as well as consult with other medical professionals to support your claim.Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerIf you have been injured because a doctor has under diagnosed your condition, you should immediately contact an experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer to learn more about your legal options for filing an Illinois medical malpractice claim. At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice lawyer team will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life that are a result of medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Illinois state law requires every driver to carry a minimum of $20,000/$40,000 of underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage is in place to compensate car accident victims for their injuries in the event the at-fault driver was not carrying sufficient bodily injury liability insurance.If the at-fault driver in your car accident only had the basic coverage for BIL, your injuries will only be covered up to $20,000. After this, it’s up to your own underinsured motorist coverage limits to make up the difference. If you also chose a basic policy, your total coverage by the insurance companies will not exceed $40,000 for injuries.If you sustained serious injury in your car accident and need to seek compensation for expenses beyond what the car insurance offers, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. A Chicago car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you examine your coverage and file your claims.We offer more information on the 4 types of car insurance every Illinois driver must have in our article library. Take the time to review your own car insurance policy before hitting the road again. Having good underinsured motorist coverage limits may save you headaches down the road if you’re involved in a serious car accident. An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you file your car accident claim if you need to recover compensation for your wage losses, medical bills and more, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

If you have driven on a highway, you have no doubt seen a semi. These giant trucks are beyond conspicuous; they are among the most prominent features on the highway. This begs the question, how is it possible that so many truck accidents are underride collisions? It would seem impossible that a car could drive into and under such large vehicle? The Blinding Effect of Light and ShadowEvery driver’s education program across the country will emphasize the relative dangers of driving at night; becoming the 19th wheel of a semi, however, remains absent from those warnings. There are many forces working to blind the average motorist to the presence of a semi trailer. The forces include: 

• The truck’s headlights;
• Inadequately marked trailers;
• Backlighting; and, of course
• Darkness. 

You may expect the truck’s headlights to aid you in seeing the semi, instead you should imagine this scenario; if a truck is jackknifing and you are coming towards it in the opposite lane, the headlights, apparently in the appropriate lane, will create a light wall, blocking the presence of the truck’s trailer in your lane until it is too late.Similarly, backlighting should aid you in seeing an oncoming trailer. But backlighting, by definition, creates a silhouette or a dark outline against the light; and how strange is it to see a dark spot before you at night?Hiring a Chicago Wrongful Death LawyerYour family should be able to mourn the loss of your loved one without worrying about court documents and filing paperwork. While you adjust to life after your loss, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit alone.When you have the help of a trusted Chicago wrongful death lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your family’s long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

If you have been involved in a Chicago truck accident, you may now be dealing with the complicated world of insurance companies. This aspect of accident recovery is difficult enough when it involves 2 or more passenger vehicles, but when a crash involves a commercial truck, such as a semi truck or tractor trailer, the process becomes even more complex.There may be several insurance companies for one commercial truck. This is because a truck and its contents can have several owners: 

• The owner of the tractor;
• The owner of the trailer;
• The owner of the cargo; and
• The owner of the truck company. 

Factor in your own insurance company and the potential insurer for the truck driver and it’s easy to see how things could spin out of control very quickly. Your Chicago truck accident lawyer can (and should) handle communications with each and every insurance company to ensure that your claim is handled correctly and fairly. If your injuries permit you to, after your accident, take a survey of the accident scene and make a note of the condition of tires, safety equipment, lights, and reflectors. If any of these are absent, make a note of this as well. Your Chicago truck accident lawyer may be able to use this information when determining who was liable for the accident-the truck driver? The trucking company? Both?-and which insurance company will be responsible for your settlement.Federal law dictates that trucking companies carry more insurance than the standard automobile and this could have a significant impact on your level of compensation after a Chicago truck accident.Hiring a Chicago Truck Accident LawyerWhile you recover from serious injuries after a Chicago truck accident, you can take comfort in knowing you don’t have to handle an Illinois personal injury alone. When you have the help of a trusted Chicago personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. you’ll get expert legal advice and guidance concerning your long term needs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080