A Utah physician specializing in treatment of victims of carbon monoxide poisoning has published an article in  the prestigious New Engald Journal of Medicine showing that victims of carbon monoxide who do not receive treatment with hyperbaric oxygen within 24 hours of injury tend to have worse manifestations of the brain damage following exposure.  The brain damage from carbon monoxide poisoning does not typically result in an actual loss of IQ points, but instead shows itself through depression, short-term memory issues, loss of balance, and headaches.While prompt treatment helps with the long-term outcome, the researcher also found that many victims of carbon monoxide poisoning still have long-term deficits that impait their overall level of function.Because many of the signs of carbon monoxide injury are subtle, one of the things that an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer can do for victims of carbon monoxide poisoning is put the injured person in touch with physcians who have the background in treating these kinds of injuries.  This will make a substantial difference to the victim in his or her physical recovery as well as in his ability to demonstrate his or her injuries to a skeptical insurance company or jury.

Nearly every public place, property owner and company has a duty to keep you safe from harm on their property or while using their products. A store accepts this fact when they require customers to access their property in order to purchase their goods or services. Likewise, a neighbor accepts this duty when they invite friends for a pool party at their house.If you were injured on another’s property or by a defective product, the owner of the property or manufacturer of the product has committed a breach of their duty to keep you safe. As long as you can provide evidence that your injuries were a result of a violation of the duty owed to you by the other party, you can claim negligence against them.Ultimately, it is up to the court to determine whether or not your relationship with the defendant includes their duty to your safety in relation to your injuries. Trespassing is one of the most common reasons negligence claims are denied, as you were not permitted to be on the property where you were injured and therefore the owner has no duty to keep you from harm.There are other types of negligence factors that may come into play when dealing with a negligence case. Learn more the elements of an Illinois negligence case by visiting our library. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you identify the parties responsible for your injuries, compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080

Responsibility for actions is a critical part of a negligence case when it comes to determining if a defendant’s actions caused your injuries. Proximate cause is the scope of a defendant’s responsibility in a negligence case. Whether or not the defendant should have foreseen the likelihood that their actions caused your injury is left to interpretation by the court.An example of a reasonably obvious case of cause in fact is when a business owner is aware of a drainage problem on their property. Runoff from a roof that is known to freeze on the walkway and cause ice patches should be obvious that it creates a hazard. If you slipped and fell on this ice, you could claim that the business owner’s neglect in fixing their drainage problem in fact caused your injury.The injuries you sustain must have been directly caused by the negligence of the other party. In most claim investigations, past medical records may be examined to ensure that the injuries are recent and not pre-existing conditions.Providing evidence that your injuries were caused directly by the actions of another party can be difficult depending on the nature of the accident and presence of witnesses. You should keep careful records of all events, reports and statements involving your accident and be prepared to submit these to help prove your claim.There are other types of negligence factors that may come into play when dealing with a negligence case. Learn more about the elements of an Illinois negligence case by visiting our library. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you identify the parties responsible for your injuries, compile your case and take it to court. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

If you plan to file for compensation through a Chicago motorcycle injury claim, then your percentage of fault in causing your motorcycle accident will affect your potential compensation. This is because when your damages are awarded, a court will reduce the total amount by your percentage of comparative negligence.To determine your negligence, a court will rely on assessments made by an insurance claims adjuster. To make their assessment, an insurance adjuster will investigate the evidence and circumstances that lead up to your accident. After conducting their investigation, the adjuster will assign a percentage of negligence. For instance, it may be determined that you are 40% responsible for causing your motorcycle accident. If that is the case, then when your settlement is awarded, the total amount will be reduced by 40%.However, you can negotiate your percentage of negligence with the insurance claims adjuster. To do so, you should get the help of a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer. A lawyer can investigate your case, and try to negotiate an acceptable percentage of negligence. If an agreement cannot be reached, then you may have to let a court decide the percentages of negligence involved.Furthermore, in the state of Illinois, if your comparative negligence is determined to be 51% or more, then you won’t be eligible for compensation in a personal injury claim.If you have recently been in a motorcycle accident in Illinois, then you may want to know how comparative fault may affect your personal injury settlement. To learn more, read our article When You’re Partially At Fault for a Motorcycle Accident 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.

If your loved one has suffered from abuse in a nursing home or managed care facility, it is only natural that you would want to take legal action to address this betrayal.Filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit in Illinois can be a long and exhausting battle, but one that may be well worth the effort in terms of bringing the abuser to justice and helping to address a serious violation of trust.Generally, the length of time a case will take depends on the details of your particular claim. If the nursing home chooses to defend against your claim, the case may take months, or even years. A lawsuit will require an investigation, preparations, depositions from doctors and nursing home staff, and testimony from various experts. Your Chicago nursing home abuse attorney will have their work cut out for them as they seek to build a winning argument for your side.In some cases, if the evidence of abuse or neglect is substantial, the nursing home may choose to settle out of court. This means that you won’t have to go to trial, and your claim may be settled much more quickly. If this is the case, your Chicago nursing home abuse attorney can help you negotiate an acceptable settlement.To learn more about filing a nursing home abuse claim in Illinois and the types of compensation available in a nursing home abuse claim, visit our article library.  When to Hire a Chicago Nursing Home Abuse AttorneyIf you have even the slightest suspicion of nursing home abuse, it is in the best interest of your loved one that you take immediate action to stop this atrocity from continuing. With a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer on your side, you have a better chance of bringing the abusers to justice.The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. understand that nothing is more important to you than protecting the health and safety of your loved ones as they age. We take charges of nursing home abuse very seriously. For a free case evaluation and help preparing your claim, contact us today – 312-263-1080

It used to be that apothecaries were the medicine experts who worked in establishments to procure, prepare, and mix the drug properties found in plants to create healing products for various ailments.Today, large pharmaceutical companies spend billions to research and produce drugs on a massive scale. They rely upon the pharmacist to dispense their drugs to the consumer. Most pharmacists, in turn, work in pharmacies belonging to larger retailer chains.Prescription errors occur every day in the U.S. and can happen anywhere along the supply and distribution channels consisting of the drug company, physician’s practice, hospital, and pharmacy.Prescription errors are one of the leading causes of medical malpractice. The consequences of prescription errors can mean serious personal injury or even death for the consumer.From the time a drug is distributed, prescribed, and dispensed, any number of prescription errors are prone to happen. They include: 

• Poor marketing by the drug maker – Drug manufacturers are notorious for giving new drugs names that are similar to existing ones. This allows for greater chance of wrong medication errors because many of these same-sounding name drugs also look alike. 
• Illegible doctor handwriting – Many physicians and physician assistants have rushed and messy handwriting on their prescription orders. If the pharmacy fails to contact the doctor for clarification, a pharmacist error can occur. 
• Mistyping of dosage instructions and/or warning labels – It is the pharmacist’s professional duty to accurately fill your prescription and fully explain the indications, side effects, and dangerous drug interactions to you before dispensing. Failure to do so constitutes negligence. 
• Other causes – Pharmacist error and wrong drug malpractice can happen in a number of other ways. 

To learn more about prescription errors, visit our article library.  Contacting an Aurora Prescription Error LawyerIf you or a family member have been seriously injured by pharmacist error, you have the legal right to hold the pharmacy accountable for the physical and emotional damages you suffered.The Aurora prescription error lawyers at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. understand the complex legalities of medical malpractice cases in the Chicago area. Let us help defend your legal rights to seek just compensation for your pain and suffering caused by your pharmacist error injury. We can build a strong pharmacist error medical malpractice case and give you a voice against the vast resources of a pharmacy corporation or malpractice insurance company.Contact us today for a FREE case evaluation on your pharmacist error medical malpractice claim: 1-312-263-1080.

The first thing your insurance adjuster will do when they contact you about your car accident injury claim is to try and establish a friendly relationship. While this makes for a more pleasant experience when having to deal with all the paperwork and hassle of reaching a settlement, it’s a tactic used to lull you into a comfort zone.Once you’re talking freely to your new insurance adjuster “friend,” they will be looking for ways to get you to damage your car accident injury claim. What may just feel like casual phone chat as they work on inputting case notes could later come back to haunt you as a typed statement of record.Insurance adjusters want to settle your case as quickly as possible for the least amount out of their company’s pocket. To do this, they often prey on your immediate need of funding for medical bills, or the knowledge that customers get easily frustrated with lengthy paperwork searches and documentation needs.They may offer you a settlement that only addresses your current medical expenses while presenting it as a solution to all of your problems. Another common tactic is to send you on a scavenger hunt for documentation of wages, employer verification, medical records, and other paperwork they demand to verify the numbers in your claim.There’s a lot to know when dealing with insurance adjusters after being injured in a car accident and our article covers the dos and don’ts of talking to insurance companies. A Chicago car accident lawyer is a tremendous asset when it comes to avoiding these common tricks. 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 and help with recovering compensation for your wage losses, medical bills and more, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080

If you are considering filing an Illinois medical malpractice claim, it is important for you to understand the importance of proving medical negligence. An Aurora medical malpractice attorney can go over your case to help you determine any challenges your specific case may present in this area.When you are treated by a hospital or a doctor you expect to receive a certain standard of care. When doctors fail to provide that standard level of care, negligence may be involved; however, medical malpractice claims cannot be filed unless this negligence can be proven.In order to pursue a medical malpractice claim against a doctor or hospital you must be able to prove the following:

• Hospital or doctor’s duty to patient was expected
• Hospital or doctor failed to provide that duty
• The patient was injured
• The patient’s injury was a direct result of the failure to provide the expected duty

In other words, an individual must have been injured by a hospital or doctor and it must have been the result of negligence. For example, just because a particular surgery did not result in the desired outcome does not mean negligence necessarily took place. However, if there were serious medical complications after your surgery because a surgeon left a sponge or medical instrument inside your body, that may constitute the level of negligence necessary to warrant  a medical malpractice claim.You can learn more about medical malpractice claims 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.

A study by the Insurance Information Institute shows that dog bite insurance claims cost the insurance industry $356.2 million in 2007.  Some of those claims involved serious injuries caused by certain breeds of dogs that tend to cause more serious injuries.  These breeds include: wolf hybrids, Akitas, American Bandogge Mastiffs, Boerboels, Chow-Chows, Doberman pinschers, Rotweillers, and Pit Bull breeds.  Because of the expense of the claims associated with dog bite attacks by these breeds, some homeowner’s insurance policies have begun to exclude injuries caused by those dog breeds (including mixed breeds) from coverage.  That means that if you own a dog that is one of those breeds or a mix of those breeds (such as a pit bull-lab mix) and your dog bites someone, you have no insurance coverage for the resulting injuries.All dog owners should take a few steps to make sure that they have coverage:

• Review their homeowner’s policy for any breed-specific exclusion;
• Watch carefully for any notices of changes in policy terms;
• Disclose to your homeowner’s carrier that you have a dog and the breed of dog;
• Consult with your agent to make sure that you are covered for injuries caused by your dog; and
• If your dog is excluded from coverage, switch carriers.  Dog bite settlements can be quite substantial and you do not want to be without coverage.

In the days following your Illinois truck accident you’re most likely focused on recovering from your injuries, medical treatments, and keeping your family in order. The last thing you need to worry about is confusing legal paperwork and talking to insurance adjusters.To help take the hassle out of filing a claim for damages resulting from your truck accident, you have the option of hiring a Chicago truck accident lawyer with the experience and knowledge to handle your claim for you. A good lawyer will have tried many other cases similar to yours and have the experience necessary to help you make the best decisions for your needs.In many truck accident claims, the trucker’s insurance company will try to place blame on everyone except the trucker or their company. Many claims end up involving third parties, including equipment manufacturers, logistics companies, inspection organizations, and all sorts of other entities. With this many parties involved, the process can become even more complicated.As with most accident claims, the insurance companies are always out to secure their own bottom line. Their adjusters may seem sympathetic, but they’re ultimately interested in keeping their company from paying out any money. It has been shown that truck accident claims that are tried by an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer most often result in higher settlements and quicker resolution.The process of filing an Illinois truck accident claim can be difficult, long and tedious, but made easier on you when a lawyer can be there to help. Our article explains some of the basics of the claim process for an Illinois truck accident, but a Chicago truck accident lawyer can give you real legal assistance. An experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. can help you with the Illinois truck accident claim process and work for a fair settlement. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080

If you can prove you are completely not at fault for your Illinois car accident then you will receive the full settlement amount in your claim. However, if the judge or jury in your case finds you to be partially at fault for your Illinois car accident, your final settlement amount will be reduced according to your degree of fault.For example, you fail to stop at a stop sign at a 4-way stop and are hit by a speeding driver who also ran their stop sign. Had you properly stopped at the intersection and then continued to where the accident occurred, you would have been completely not at fault. However, since you also ran the stop sign, the judge or jury will most likely find you to be partially at fault for the accident.In a case such as this, the other driver was also at fault, and more so than you, because not only were they found to have run the stop sign, but they were also speeding at the same time. In this claim, you would likely be found to be partially at fault, such as 40%, while the other driver would be 60% at fault. There is no mathematical system to determine fault, it’s purely up to the judge or jury.If your case results in you being found 40% at fault and your settlement is for $100,000, you would then be entitled to recover $60,000 in damages. Your degree of fault reduces the amount of the settlement you can receive by that percentage.For more information on how the degree of fault affects your Illinois car accident claim when you are found to be partially at fault, visit our article library. Your claim isn’t over until a judge rules it so, or you receive a settlement, and a Chicago car accident lawyer can help you manage your case.An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is there to help you with all aspects of your Illinois car accident claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. 312-263-1080.

Because of the nature of the vehicles involved, Illinois motorcycle accidents are vastly different than car accidents or any other type of collision involving an enclosed passenger vehicle.One of the biggest differences between a motorcycle and car accident is the significance of injuries that can be sustained. Serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries or even death, are more likely to occur with a motorcyclist than with the driver of an automobile. This is owed to the fact that motorcyclists do not have the protection of a vehicle surrounding them in the event of impact.Another difference comes with how the public perceives motorcyclists. People tend to misconstrue motorcyclists as “dare devils” and therefore, believe that any crash involving a motorcycle driver must have been their fault. This rush to judgment rarely exists for victims of passenger vehicle accidents, and the reality is that many crashes occur because of the fault of the other driver. Many motorcycle accidents involve drivers of other vehicles who fail to see the motorcycle. This can result in a driver cutting off a motorcyclist. Because motorcycles are smaller, they can easily get “lost” in a driver’s blind spot. An inattentive driver may change lanes or make turns without carefully checking first for oncoming motorcycles.In many motorcycle accidents, there exists a failure to give the right of way to motorcyclists. Not all drivers of automobiles share the road safely with motorcycles. In some cases, motorcyclists are not given the same respect concerning the rules of the road as drivers of other vehicles.If you have been injured in a Chicago motorcycle crash, visit our article library for tips on what to do after a motorcycle accident in Illinois. Contacting a Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

When trying to receive compensation for an accident in which you were injured as a result of the other driver’s negligence, it is always preferable to have an experienced Chicago accident lawyer on your side.Many of the arguments and evidence involved in determining fault and negligence are complicated and may be difficult or impossible for you to gather on your own. Additionally, navigating the legal framework can be frustrating for those without extensive knowledge of Illinois negligence laws and how to build a solid personal injury claim.When choosing a Chicago personal injury lawyer, it’s important to find someone you’re comfortable working with, since a negligence case may take some time to resolve. Look for someone you can talk with openly about everything that happened in the case and anything in your background that might affect your claim.Your total honesty is crucial in a negligence case-even if you were partially at fault, your attorney may still be able to help you recover compensation. They can only do this if they know in advance of any obstacles that may affect your claim.  Negligence cases have many things in common with one another, and your Chicago personal injury lawyer should have experience with cases similar to your own, giving them a wealth of past cases to draw on when arguing your case.The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will fight for a settlement that is fair and will help you to move on from your injuries and regain control of your life.  Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080For more information on driver negligence, read our article on actions that constitute negligent driving.

May 14, 2010 – A Chicago teenager was killed, and several others were injured, in a hit-and-run accident on Chicago’s West Side. According to reports at ChicagoBreakingNews.com, a 19-year-old man was killed when the car he was riding in was hit by another vehicle. Four other teenagers driving in the same car were injured, some seriously. The fatal accident occurred around midnight on Wednesday night.Police say the male victim was a passenger in a car that was passing through the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Keeler Avenue when it was hit by another car. The force of the collision propelled the victim’s car into a nearby utility pole. The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene after the accident. the victim was pronounced dead an hour later at Mount Sinai Hospital.Four other teenagers in the car suffered personal injuries, and two are believed to have serious, life-threatening injuries. Their identities have not yet been released. Police are still investigating this fatal car accident and they have not released any details about the hit-and-run vehicle.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is caused by a common strain of bacteria found on human skin or nasal passages. When Staphylococcus aureus (a bacterium) does not respond to antibiotics it becomes MSRA.Unsanitary hospital conditions can lead to development of MRSA. The bacteria enter the body through a catheter, breathing tube, sore or cut. Minor infections create a pimple-like bump on the skin. More serious cases of MRSA can affect bones, blood or the heart.The people at highest risk of acquiring MRSA are those with weakened immune systems. Many hospital patients have weakened immune systems that raise their chance of developing MRSA. Patients going through kidney dialysis are also at risk of developing this hospital infection.Healthcare-related MRSA occurs to hospitalized – or recently hospitalized – patients, especially at an unsanitary hospital. Many MRSA cases can be prevented with proper hygiene and sterilization. Medical personnel who improperly wash their hands or handle unclean equipment can cause a hospital infection such as MRSA. When a hospital infection occurs in Chicago area hospitals, it’s typically a sign of medical negligence, and can open up the organization to a Chicago medical malpractice claim.If you have been a patient at an unsanitary hospital in the Chicago area and acquired a serious hospital infection such as MRSA, you should contact a Chicago medical malpractice attorney to learn more about your options for seeking compensation related to your injuries. Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys will examine every aspect of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue full compensation for you or your loved one, for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

While blood transfusion mistakes may not frequently occur, they are still a risk factor for anyone facing a medical procedure or surgery. Patients trust that doctors and other medical professional will do their job without causing further injury.Unfortunately, blood transfusion mistakes can happen and when they do, they often lead to devastating consequences.Hepatitis C is the most common blood transfusion mistake. Hepatitis C is a serious disease as it can lead to the need for a liver transplant. Unfortunately, an individual who has this disease may not even know it. It can sometimes take decades before Hepatitis C turns into liver disease. Statistics show that the chances of developing Hepatitis C in the United States from a blood transfusion are 1 in 121,000. While that number may not be particularly high, the risk is still too great to ignore. If someone who does not know they have Hepatitis C donates their blood, the chance of that blood being used in a blood transfusion is 1 in 103,000.Hepatitis C is a serious disease. If you have acquired Hepatitis C or any other type of disease because of a blood transfusion mistake, you should immediately contact an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer. Medical negligence can lead to serious injuries or death. If you have are the victim of a blood transfusion error, you should speak with an Aurora medical malpractice attorney. They will work on you behalf to help you recover damages that you may be entitled to for your injuries Contacting an Aurora Medical Malpractice LawyerAt the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Aurora medical malpractice lawyers 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 as the result of medical malpractice. Contact us today for a no-cost case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

Fisher-Price has issued a voluntary recall of a high chair which was sold exclusively through Target stores.  The 3-in-1 High Chair poses a fall risk to children if the release is activated with the child still in the booster seat, or if the child is placed into the booster seat without the release properly secured.One injury has been reported where a child suffered a skull fracture after falling backwards.

The Sun-Times ran an article today that hits a point that I am always making with clients I am representing in Chicago car accident suits: that you should go to traffic court for the hearing on the ticket that the other driver received.  Many people I speak to on the phone tell me that they are pretty sure that since the other guy got the ticket, they are going to win their case.  The truth is that it’s a good start, but is not the whole ball game.The law in Illinois is that the mere fact that someone got a traffic ticket following a car accident does not come into evidence in a later civil suit arising from the same car accident unless the person receiving the ticket pleads guilty to the charges.  Unless that happens, the jury in the civil case does not get to hear that a ticket was issued, even if the other driver is convicted of the charges in traffic court.Showing up in traffic court does not guarantee that the other driver will plead guilty, but it greatly increases the odds that this will happen.  If you do not go to traffic court, the ticket will probably be dismissed, and a jury in your personal injury case will never hear about it.  If you are too hurt after a serious car accident to go to traffic court and have not yet hired an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer, then you should send a friend or family member to court to tell the prosecutor assigned to that court room that you would like to come to court, but could not come because of your injuries.  The prosecutor should be able to get the case continued for another date when you would be well enough to come to court.Teaching point:  if you want to help yourself in your civil personal injury suit for a car accident, go to the traffic court hearing for the other guy’s traffic tickets.

Car accidents happen every day and can result in great financial loss from lost wages, medical bills, or inadequate auto insurance. In every car accident case, someone is legally liable. Unfortunately, sometimes the liable party has no liability insurance. The state of Illinois requires insurance policies to automatically include uninsured motorist coverage with the purchase of the state-required Mandatory Vehicle Insurance. But costs from a Chicago car accident can far exceed the minimal amount of coverage included in your insurance plan. It is important that you understand the limits provided by your uninsured motorist coverage on your insurance policy.For instance, imagine you are in an accident with a motorist who runs a red light and crashes into your car, causing physical damage to your car and lacerations to your face and arms. You are unable to work for two weeks. In addition to medical bills totaling $26,000, you have no sick leave at work and lose $2,000 in lost wages for a total financial loss of $28,000.This driver was uninsured and so you turn to your insurance policy. In this instance, if your policy provided coverage at the state mandated minimum of $20,000, you will be responsible for the $8,000 of financial loss you have suffered above and beyond the $20,000.Check in with your insurance agent yearly. Make sure your policy provides adequate coverage for all situations. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist a Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you work through any complications arising as a result of inadequate coverage of involved parties.  Learn more about Illinois’ mandatory insurance law by visiting our article library. The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. understands the complexities of car accident cases, including those with uninsured motorists. For a free case evaluation and help preparing your uninsured motorist claim contact us today – 312-263-1080

A recent news story featured the use of a headlight modulator as a possible safety device to help prevent motorcycle accidents.  The device alternates the headlight of the motorcycle between normal and bright lights.  Proponents of the device claim that it draws attention from otherwise inattentive car drivers who may have otherwise pulled in front of oncoming motorcycles.Considering the number of times we have written about wrongful death motorcycle accidents caused by the failure of drivers to yield the right of way to a motorcycle, anything that can help draw the attention of a car driver is probably a good thing.

For individuals who are severely obese and need to lose a significant amount of weight, gastric bypass surgery or gastric banding may be the best option. However with any type of surgery there are risks involved.Complications from gastric bypass surgery and gastric banding are possible but can many times be prevented.Some of the complications that can occur from gastric banding include: 

• Blood clot – Doctor should provide options such as compression stockings, compression pumps, and blood-thinning injections to help prevent a blood clot from forming in the leg, which could be life-threatening if it leads to a lung blockage.
• Organ Damage – A doctor could accidentally damage other organs in the body while performing the procedure.
• Infection – Doctors should make sure patients receive antibiotics to ward off infections from their wounds.
• Gastric Band Problems – A doctor should carefully monitor that the gastric band is positioned correctly otherwise it can break or slip out of place, requiring additional surgery.
• Gallstones – A doctor may choose to remove the gallbladder because of the risk of gallstones developing during rapid weight loss. If gallstones are not detected, this could lead to further health problems.  

Doctors have a duty of care to their patients. It is important that they discuss with patients ahead of time the risks involved in surgery.You can learn more about gastric bypass surgery complications 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.

Fosamax, a prescription drug used to treat bone loss, is just one bisphosphonate drug on the market currently under investigation for its link to femur fractures. An expert panel has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include special warnings on these medications.The recommendations ask the FDA to include a warning which states the risk of femur fractures on these medications. The panel has also requested that the FDA develop diagnostic codes that can aid in reporting new cases of femur fracture. In addition, the panel would like an international registry of patients put in place to track future cases and provide important data for further research.While the femur fractures appear to be rare, they are still a risk and just one of many serious Fosamax side effects that the manufacturer, Merck & Company, is addressing.Fosamax has been proven to help patients with osteoporosis but a number of other severe medical conditions can result from taking the potentially dangerous prescription drug. If you have suffered serious injuries as a result of taking Fosamax, then you may be eligible for compensation in an Illinois dangerous prescription drug claim. A Chicago product liability lawyer can help collect evidence to prove how the dangerous side effects of Fosamax led to your condition, and can represent you in legal proceedings while you focus on recovery. Contacting a Chicago Product Liability LawyerThe Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and know the best ways to express your degree of fault to the court. For a no-cost case evaluation and help preparing your evidence, contact us today – 312-263-1080.

If you have experienced serious side effects from taking Fosamax, a prescription drug used to treat osteoporosis, you may be eligible to file an Illinois dangerous prescription drug claim against the makers of Fosamax.An experienced Chicago product liability attorney can evaluate the facts in your case and determine if your injuries are related to taking Fosamax. Your attorney can also help gather the medical evidence necessary to prove your injuries and help you file your Illinois dangerous drug claim.Fosamax Side Effects Fosamax is considered a dangerous prescription drug because of the serious side effects that can occur to those who use the medication.Some of the more severe Fosamax side effects include: 

• Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) – a bone disease of the jaw where the jaw bone’s tissue dies, which can eventually lead to a complete collapse of the bone if it is left untreated or undetected.
• GI Tract – a number of problems with the GI tract can occur, which may include obstipation (severe constipation), cancer of the esophagus and severe abdominal cramping.
• Stevens – Johnson syndrome (SJS) – a potentially fatal condition in which the layers of skin separate and die.  

If you have suffered serious injuries as a result of taking Fosamax, then you may be eligible for compensation in an Illinois dangerous prescription drug claim. You can learn more about the dangerous side effects of Fosamax by visiting our article library.  Contacting a Chicago Product Liability AttorneyThe Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and know the best ways to express your degree of fault to the court. For a no-cost case evaluation and help preparing your evidence, contact us today – 312-263-1080.

Trucking accidents can be expensive and deadly. One way to prevent such tragedies is to make sure that all tractor trailers in the U.S. are properly registered and insured. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).The FMCSA was established in 2000 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The agency was born out of the Federal Highway Administration, and its primary purpose is to prevent injuries and fatalities involving tractor trailers. It strives to accomplish its mission by: 

• Enforcing safety regulations;
• Focusing on high-risk truck drivers and companies;
• Advancing safety information programs;
• Improving tractor trailer equipment, technology, and standards; and
• Raising safety awareness. 

The FMCSA works closely with local, state, and other federal enforcement agencies to monitor trucking activity across the U.S. Some of its activities include: 

• Enforcing regulations pertaining to commercial transportation of dangerous and hazardous materials;
• Testing and licensing commercial truck drivers;
• Collecting and distributing information and data about trucking safety;
• Overseeing programs to eliminate high-risk drivers from U.S. highways;
• Giving financial assistance to states for roadside inspections and other truck safety initiatives;
• Supporting standardized trucking procedures for the continent; and
• Allocating resources to improve and maintain trucking safety. 

If you have questions about regulations or requirements faced by truck drivers, you can contact the FMCSA. If you have been injured in an Illinois truck accident, you should consult a Chicago truck accident attorney about your legal options.For more information on trucking safety and financial responsibility, read our article on Truck Company Financial Responsibility.Hiring a Chicago Truck Accident AttorneyWith serious medical issues such as truck accident injuries, it’s always best to consult a medical professional to help with diagnosis and treatment. 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 truck accident attorney can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.The Chicago truck accident 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.

The recently concluded Child Passenger Safety Week shone a spotlight on the need to reduce the risk of child injuries related to car seats and restraints, something that is critical all year round. Parents need to make sure that their child’s car seat and seat belts are free from defects before properly securing their children in them.A defective child car seat can result in serious injuries or even death. If your child has been injured from a child car restraint, a product liability lawyer can help gather evidence to substantiate a product liability lawsuit.Safety Measures to Protect Children in Car Seats and RestraintsSome safety measures that can help protect children in car seats and restraints include: 

• Children 12 and under should always ride in the back.
• Infants should be secured in a rear-facing child seat (until at least one-year-old and 20 pounds).
• Children who outgrow an infant seat should be secured in a forward-facing child seat (until at least age 4 and 40 pounds).
• Children who outgrow a forward-facing child seat should be secured in a booster seat (until at least age 8 and 4’9” high).
• Children who outgrow a booster seat should be secured with an adult seat belt.

Even when safety measures are carefully followed, accidents and child car seat defects may still occur. If your child has been seriously injured because of a defective or dangerous car seat, you should immediately contact a Chicago product liability lawyer. Contacting a Chicago Product Liability Lawyer  The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and know the best ways to express the degree of fault to the court. For a no-cost case evaluation and help preparing your evidence, contact us today – 312-263-1080.