If you’ve sustained a disfiguring injury in an Illinois accident, you may be considering whether to file an Illinois personal injury claim. If another party caused your accident and resulting injuries, you may be entitled to recover damages for your medical expenses, ongoing treatment, and other accident expenses.A Chicago injury lawyer will carefully evaluate your case, determine the extent of your injuries and how much compensation you may be eligible to recover through an Illinois personal injury claim.When an injury from an Illinois accident leads to disfigurement, it can be traumatic. Disfigurement can affect an individual not only physically but psychologically as well. It can also result in extensive and expensive medical treatment, therapy and recovery. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may also be facing disability due to your disfigurement. A loss of income or earning potential may be recovered through an Illinois personal injury claim. Other recoverable damages related to your disfigurement include pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and emotional distress.When someone else’s negligence causes a serious Illinois accident that changes your life such as in the case of a disfigurement, seek the help of an experienced Chicago injury lawyer to learn more about your legal rights. When to Hire a Chicago Injury LawyerA Chicago 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 a personal injury claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

When a nurse makes a mistake, it can lead to serious injuries or even death. Nurses are responsible for many aspects of patient care including medication dispensing, monitoring vital signs, and communicating patient information to the doctors. Even though a nurse may have many duties, they are still liable for giving you the best care possible.Sadly, most nursing errors are preventable. By understanding some of the common causes for nursing errors, we can see why these mistakes need not happen.The most common causes for nursing errors include: 

• shortage of registered nurses;
• caring for too many patients;
• fatigue;
• inadequate training;
• working long hours;
• inadequate pay;
• nurse aides are unlicensed and/or unregulated;
• miscommunication/failure to communicate;
• failure to follow a doctor’s instructions/can’t read doctor’s notes;
• charts and records are improperly kept;
• distractions; and
• interruptions. 

While these factors may be present in a nursing situation, they are no excuse for a patient to be further harmed by a nursing error. To learn more about how nursing errors can result in devastating consequences to a patient, visit our article library. If you have experienced an injury or illness because of a nurse’s mistake, contact a Chicago medical malpractice attorney who can examine the facts surrounding your case and determine if you have a valid medical malpractice claim. You may be able to recover damages for any injuries you have sustained due to a nursing error.Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice AttorneyAt 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.

There is no doubt that an emergency room can be hectic and busy, which may lead to a patient suffering an emergency room error. However this type of error may have been preventable and could lead an individual to file an Illinois medical malpractice claim based on emergency room negligence.A Chicago medical malpractice lawyer will carefully evaluate the details of your case to determine if you have a valid malpractice claim and whether an emergency room healthcare provider could potentially be held liable for your injuries.Some of the common causes of an emergency room error in Illinois include: 

• staff shortages;
• high number of patients in critical condition;
• lack of experience;
• poor training;
• rushing through patients;
• specialist not available; and
• doctor fatigue. 

There may be other causes that can lead to an emergency room error but if this type of error caused you to sustain further injury, have the right to pursue compensation.If your injuries are the result of emergency room negligence, you should immediately consult with a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who will help determine your legal options. You might be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering and other costs related to your injury.  When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice LawyerA Chicago medical malpractice 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 a medical malpractice claim in Illinois, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

When an individual is injured because of a radiation error, an Illinois medical malpractice claim may help to recover financial, emotional and physical damages as a result of the injuries. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney will carefully evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim.While it may be difficult to understand how a radiation error could occur, there are a number of circumstances where medical negligence is the cause.Some of the common causes of an Illinois radiation error include: 

• missing/defective device;
• devices positioned incorrectly;
• failure to inspect/maintain machines;
• software errors;
• machine malfunction;
• staff shortage;
• inadequate training;
• failure to follow a quality assurance plan;
• faulty calculation in dosage;
• improper administration;
• failure to monitor the patient; and
• failure to test the treatment plan before programming it permanently. 

No matter what has caused your radiation error, the injuries resulting from medical negligence in these cases most likely could have been prevented.If you have suffered a medical injury because of a radiation error, you may be entitled to recover damages through an Illinois medical malpractice claim. You should immediately consult with a Chicago medical malpractice attorney who will determine the options you have available. When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice AttorneyA 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.

ometimes, auto accidents are pretty straightforward in determining which driver is at fault. Then the victim gets compensated for damage to his or her vehicle and health by the person responsible for the accident (who is usually represented by an insurance company).

But other times, the liability issues aren’t quite as clear cut. This is more common when multiple vehicles are involved, or when each driver in a two-vehicle accident believes that the other is to blame. In these complex situations, how do we determine who is at fault in an auto accident?

In almost all cases, we turn to the law for guidance. The Rules of the Road are found in the section of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code which governs what you can and cannot do on Illinois streets and highways. When looking at a wreck, whichever party broke the law is usually the one responsible for causing a collision.

Here are some of the most frequent traffic violations which lead to motor vehicle accidents:

• Speeding or driving too fast for road or weather conditions• Failing to stop at a red light or a stop sign• Following too closely (or failure to properly slow a vehicle to avoid a collision)• Failure to yield the right of way while making a left turn or at a posted yield sign• Failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian• Failure to yield the right of way when exiting a driveway• Failure to stay in a single lane or making an unsafe lane change• Turning or changing lanes without signaling• Attempting an unsafe turn• Loss of control of the vehicle• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

If both drivers commit one or more of these violations, then they both may be held partially liable for the crash. An example is if two vehicles both run a stop sign and collide in an intersection which is regulated by a four-way stop. However, there are certain scenarios where a driver who breaks the law may not be to blame for an accident. For instance, if a car runs a red light through an intersection, but then crashes into a pickup truck which is making an illegal U-turn in the roadway, the fault in the collision may lie solely with the pickup truck driver. That’s because the accident would not have occurred had the driver of the pickup obeyed the law.

A qualified Illinois auto accident attorney can help you determine who is to blame in a given accident scenario. A lawyer can also assist you in gathering evidence, contacting insurance companies, and even filing a personal injury lawsuit if necessary. So don’t hesitate to contact an attorney if you think that you have been victimized in an auto accident by someone else’s negligence.

Truck accidents can lead to severe injuries or death. Drivers of much smaller vehicles who are contending with commercial trucks on the roads are at risk of being involved in a serious accident.Truck drivers and their employers have responsibilities that are meant to ensure safety on our roads. To learn more about truck driver requirements and employer responsibilities, visit our article library. Common causes of truck accidents may include: 

• Drivers who are not qualified or properly trained;
• Drivers who are going over the speed limit in order to stick to a deadline;
• Driver impairment;
• A driver falling asleep at the wheel or being inattentive after driving for a lengthy time;
• Truck is loaded over capacity;
• Heavy loads on truck are not properly secured;
• Failure to inspect truck prior to driving to ensure the safety and security of the vehicle;
• Reckless driving;
• Equipment failure; and
• Weather conditions. 

If you or someone you love has experienced a Chicago truck accident, you should contact an Illinois truck crash attorney. An attorney will help you determine negligence and receive the compensation that you may be due.Hiring a Chicago Truck Accident LawyerEven experienced, safe drivers run the risk of being involved in a serious Illinois truck accident. Beyond your initial recovery, injuries in these types of accidents are often serious and result in permanent disability or disfigurement which can cause loss of the ability to work, years of rehabilitation, serious medical bills, and have a significant impact on your life.A Chicago truck accident 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 truck accident claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080

One of the most common tactics used by the defense in the course of a personal injury lawsuit is attempting to blame you for failing to prevent your injuries. They typically do this by attempting to assert that your negligence contributed to or caused the accident in some way.But what if the plaintiff is a child? In Illinois, the age of the injured child comes into play when the jury is deciding on whether or not the plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to their injury.In Illinois, children younger than 7 years cannot be guilty of negligence. The courts have deemed-and any parent would have to agree-that children do not yet have enough life experience to determine many dangerous situations, and therefore cannot be held to the same standards as an adult.If the child is aged between 7 and 14, their ability to identify potentially dangerous situations is determined by the jury based on their age, history and experiences. A child older than 14 is most often considered to be old enough to be able to exercise judgment for their own personal safety and can be held liable for contributing to their injuries (if that is indeed the case) in an Illinois personal injury claim.Having your child injured in any sort of accident is always emotional. It’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options.Learn more about negligence in personal injury lawsuits by visiting our library.The Chicago personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. are dedicated to defending the best interests of you and your family after you’ve been injured due to the negligence of others. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – (312) 263-1080

If you have been seriously injured because of medical negligence in Chicago, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim against the liable healthcare provider. While the idea of pursuing a Chicago medical malpractice claim might seem daunting, you should not let that stop you from seeking damages for injuries you sustained.Informed Consent in a Chicago Medical Malpractice ClaimDoctors have a duty to warn patients of potential risks when it comes to medical procedures or treatments. This is known as the duty of informed consent. It is the doctor’s duty to inform the patient of all known risks before proceeding with a procedure or treatment.After a patient has been thoroughly informed of the potential risks, they may either consent to or decline the procedure or treatment. Sometimes a patient may sign a consent form that details the risks involved.If a doctor fails to adequately warn a patient about potential risks and the patient is injured, or if the patient would have otherwise opted out of the procedure or treatment had they known the risks, the doctor may be held liable for medical malpractice. If you have been injured as the result of a doctor’s failure to provide informed consent, whether with a procedure or use of a dangerous medical product, you should contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer who is familiar not only with medical negligence but also dangerous medical products such as gadolinium. Contacting a Chicago Medical Malpractice 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.

Medical negligence can take many forms. One particularly devastating type of Chicago medical negligence occurs when there are hospital equipment errors, specifically, anesthesia equipment errors.Anesthesia comes with its own inherent risks and those risks are increased when you face equipment failure. Patients rely on safely being put to sleep and safely being brought out of sleep while undergoing surgery or any other type of invasive medical procedure. Therefore, safety measures must be taken when servicing and maintaining anesthesia equipment. These kinds of medical procedures also require the proper training of anesthesiologists who will operate the equipment.One instance when due diligence can mean the difference between a safe surgery and patient injury is the operation of flow meters. Flow meters regulate the amount of anesthesia going into a patient, so it is critical that they work correctly. While equipment failure can happen because of a defect, more often than not, anesthesia equipment errors are the result of medical professionals’ mistake. Medical professionals who use anesthesia equipment must feel comfortable that they know how to properly operate and use those tools. If not, the results can mean serious injuries to a patient.If you have been injured by anesthesia equipment errors or any other type of hospital equipment failure, you should contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer. A Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can talk to you about your options for seeking compensation in a hospital equipment failure claim. 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.

When an individual has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment, a chemotherapy error could lead to devastating consequences. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case to determine if you should proceed with filing an Illinois medical malpractice claim after a chemotherapy mistake.A chemotherapy error can be deadly if a patient receives an overdose of the toxic medication. The same drug that is meant to kill cancer cells can also act as poison in a patient’s body when too much is given.Whether the chemotherapy mistake is due to a doctor’s failure to properly prescribe or a nurse’s failure to properly administer, when negligence leads to injuries the responsible medical professional can be held liable. A chemotherapy error that results in an overdose could lead an individual to seek compensation through an Illinois medical malpractice claim.Some of the damages that may be recoverable through a claim include: 

• medical expenses;
• lost wages; and
• pain and suffering. 

If a chemotherapy error results in death there may be additional damages available through an Illinois wrongful death.If you have suffered injuries due to a chemotherapy error, such as receiving an overdose, you should consult with a Chicago medical malpractice attorney. An attorney will determine what your legal options are and how best to proceed with your Illinois medical malpractice claim. 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 have been injured due to a chemotherapy mistake, you may be entitled to file an Illinois medical malpractice claim. A Chicago medical malpractice attorney will carefully evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim worth pursuing.A chemotherapy mistake can happen for a number of reasons but one of the most common is a medication error. When a doctor or pharmacist is negligent in prescribing, dispensing or administering medication and it results in injuries, they may be held liable.Chemotherapy mistakes that lead to injuries can take place in a hospital or outpatient clinic. A chemotherapy mistake could also be the result of a pharmacy error. No matter what the setting, this type of error can lead to devastating consequences.A chemotherapy mistake that is the result of a medication error could be due to: 

• a mix-up with patients;
• an overdose;
• the wrong medication being given;
• an underdose; or
• dangerous interactions with other medication.  

Sometimes a chemotherapy mistake that is caused by a medication error is due to a labeling or packaging mistake. An Illinois medical malpractice claim filed after a severe chemotherapy mistake will seek to explore all potential liable parties who may have played a role in the medication error.If you have been injured due to a chemotherapy mistake, you should immediately consult with an experienced Chicago medical malpractice attorney.  When to Hire a Chicago Medical Malpractice AttorneyA 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.

Administering the wrong medication is one of the common medication errors that can occur either in a hospital setting or even at a pharmacy. This type of medical negligence can lead to serious injuries or even death.In 2002 there were about 100,000 individuals in the United States who were given the wrong medication. Those are startling statistics. Even more startling is that 7,000 people were killed because of these medication errors.The good news for patients is that this type of common medication error is the easiest one to track. This can make proving medical negligence easier than other forms of medical malpractice.  Some of the most common causes for the wrong medication being prescribed or administered include: 

• Miscommunication (between doctors and patients, doctors and nurses, doctors and pharmacists, etc.)
• Medications with similar names
• Misdiagnosis
• Personnel unable to read notations or prescriptions
• Understaffing
• Lack of training
• Lack of up-to-date medical information (on patient or on the medication) 

Anyone can be at risk of a serious injury if given the wrong medication. No matter what the cause, most medication errors are preventable and may constitute medical malpractice if such an error resulted in serious further injury.You can learn more about common medication errors and other forms of medical malpractice 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.

I saw a piece in the news recently about a law that is being passed in Minnesota regarding setting indoor air quality standards for ice rinks.  There was an incident there similar to the Glen Ellyn ice rink carbon monoxide poisoning incident of this past winter where a number of youth hockey players were made ill by carbon monoxide poisoning.The source of the carbon monoxide in the Minnesota incident was the Zamboni and other ice grooming equipment.  The new law requires ice rinks to equip the ice making equipment with pollution emissions equipment and the rink with air monitoring equipment.The law is a sensible approach to addressing the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.  We all know that you do not leave the car engine running in a closed garage.  While an ice rink is obviously a much larger building, that only helps diminish the concentration of the carbon monoxide, not eliminate it.

With the arrival of daylight savings time serving as a reminder to check things that we do not always think about, now is a good time to remind ourselves to check that our carbon monoxide detectors have good batteries and are fully functional.  Carbon monoxide poisoning claims several lives each year and leaves many others with serious residual injuries.  Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, there is no real warning that a carbon monoxide poisoning accident has happened or is happening until it is far too late.  Carbon monoxide detectors are the front line defense against these kinds of injuries, so it is worth a few minutes of your times to check to make sure that they are functioning properly.

While it is mandatory in Illinois to have a minimum of motorists insurance, you may want to buy more coverage protection than the state requires. The basic requirements of the state are for a minimum of: 

• $20,000 per person;
• $15,000 for property damage; and
• $40,000 in total. 

This means that the most you can compensate an injured victim for is $20,000, and the most you can compensate any number of victims in $40,000. But this is very little in comparison to the actual costs of medical expenses. And it will not protect you or your family against uninsured (or underinsured) motorists.What is uninsured motorist coverage?Uninsured motorist coverage (UM) is not included in Illinois minimum insurance requirements. But most Chicago personal injury attorneys will recommend that you get it anyway. UM will protect you if an uninsured driver injures you or your family. It doesn’t matter whether the driver never obtained insurance coverage, or whether their policy has expired, UM will pay for the damages, including: 

• Medical expenses;
• Lost wages;
• Pain and suffering;
• Disability; and
• Disfigurement. 

Buying More Than the Required MinimumIn fact, rather than buying the required minimum, you should always purchase as much insurance coverage as your budget will allow. The more you buy, the better you and your family will be protected. The increase in price compared to the increase in coverage is relatively small, and it may make a significant difference in the damages that would be covered.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’ve been injured in a Chicago car accident and you have questions about how your insurance policy will address your financial needs, contact an attorney who can guide you through the settlement 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.

By now, you may have heard about the tainted gasoline that has made its way to gas stations throughout Illinois. In August, BP admitted that it delivered some 4.7 million gallons of misformulated gas to hundreds of locations in the Midwest, including some 300 gas stations in Illinois alone. The tainted gas, which was sold in all grades from regular to premium, was shipped to stations between August 14 and 17. (To see which stations are affected, you can check out BP’s searchable database of affected gas stations.)

Motorists who filled up their vehicles’ gas tanks with this tainted fuel reported hard starts, rough idling, and sudden engine stalling. Many of them were forced to take their vehicles into repair shops to have the fuel systems flushed and cleaned, which can cost several hundred dollars. If you are one of these drivers who has had to seek repairs due to tainted gas, you can contact BP to file a claim.

Even though tainted fuel can cause engine damage, can it also cause an Illinois auto accident?

It’s possible. If you unknowingly filled up your car with misformulated gasoline, and then experienced an engine stall or similar mechanical problem that directly led to an accident, then you may be eligible to obtain relief from BP. Some scenarios where this could happen include:

• being struck by a vehicle while making a left turn after your vehicle stalled in the roadway in the direct path of oncoming traffic
• having your vehicle’s engine stall and shut down just as you accelerate from a stop, and your vehicle subsequently rolls off the roadway and collides with an object
• having your vehicle’s engine stall and shut down while on an upward-sloping road, and your vehicle subsequently rolls backward into another vehicle
• having your vehicle’s engine stall or shut down while trying to merge onto a busy freeway, and getting hit by a car traveling faster than you

If you are injured in this type of auto accident – whether the tainted gas caused the problem in your vehicle or someone else’s – then you may be able to name BP as a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit. While it’s unlikely that the oil refiner will be held fully responsible for any such accident, a jury may determine that BP shares some degree of liability. If you are unsure about whether this situation may apply to you, contact an Illinois auto accident attorney.

The Illinois Supreme Court declared that the 2005 law that placed caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases in Illinois was unconstitutional.  Truthfully, it was not much of a surprise.I have a few thoughts:1.  This is the third time — yes, third — that the Illinois Supreme Court has declared that caps on damages violates the Illinois Constitution.  Seeing as caps had been declared unconstitutional twice before, that is why today’s decision was not much of a surprise.2.  The law was enacted in 2005, and I would be willing to bet that there are at least a handful of cases, if not more, that were settled on a basis that indicated that no one assumed that the caps would be upheld.  None of the lawyers I know were proceeding on the basis that the caps were constitutional.3.  You will probably see things in the press about how the rates for malpractice insurance for doctors went down after the caps went into effect.  Here’s the thing:  when the General Assembly passed the caps, they also passed a number of insurance reforms which were intended to make the markets for insurance in Illinois more competitive.  Those reforms probably account for the drop in insurance rates, not the caps.

You can do everything in your power to be a responsible driver and carry the necessary car insurance coverage, but there are still many drivers out there who neglect to do the same. An uninsured driver is one who: 

• never had valid car insurance at all;
• has an expired insurance policy;
• had their policy canceled because of non-payment of premium; and/or
• was excluded from coverage on the policy. 

If you find yourself in a car accident with a driver who fits any of these criteria, you will need to rely on your uninsured motorist coverage to pay for your damages.Your uninsured motorist coverage also protects you when your car accident is a case of hit-and-run. Because the other driver cannot be contacted, Illinois state law assumes they were uninsured and allows you to recover damages from your own uninsured motorist coverage. Filing this type of claim can be tricky and in some cases, insurance companies will drop claims that did not involve the absent vehicle striking your own.There are many other nuances and factors that go into car accident claims involving underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. To make the most sense out of these claims, you should contact an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. An experienced Chicago injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to assist you in filing 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

With the holiday season just around the corner, many people have begun their Christmas and Hanukkah toy shopping. Stores are already laden with an extravaganza of toys, which can make choosing difficult. When it comes to making choices, parents need to be aware of dangerous children’s toys that could be unsafe because of lead contamination.Many recalls on dangerous children’s toys involve strangulation and choking hazards. Yet another danger that can be linked to unsafe toys is lead contamination. With many products coming from foreign countries that still use lead, such as China, there is the potential risk for your child to be exposed to unhealthy levels of lead. This exposure could result in lead poisoning, which can have long-term, lasting effects.  While consumers may do their part to be aware of unsafe products by checking with agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the reality is that dangerous children’s toys are still out there. If your child was diagnosed with lead poisoning because of a toy with lead contamination, you may be eligible to file an Illinois product liability claim. Contact a Chicago product liability lawyer today to learn more about your options. 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 free case evaluation and help preparing your evidence, contact us today – 312-263-1080.

If your loved one resides in a nursing home and has developed bed sores, this may be a sign of nursing home neglect. Bed sores can lead to serious and even deadly complications. This is because bed sores can cause infections that affect the skin, bones and muscles. Some of the most serious complications that may arise from bed sores include: 

• Joint infections – damage to the cartilage and tissue.
• Bone infections – functioning of joints and limbs may be reduced.
• Cellulitis – infection in the skin’s connective tissue.
• Sepsis – infection that spreads into the bloodstream, which could cause shock and organ failure.
• Meningitis – infection in the fluid and membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. 

Bed sores are a sign of nursing home neglect and should be investigated since they are generally preventable. A nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago can examine the facts in your case to determine if your loved one’s injuries were preventable and who may be held liable. This may include analyzing your loved one’s medical records, notations from nursing home staff, charts and other documentation. If it is found that your loved one was indeed injured as a result of the negligent actions of nursing home staff, a nursing home abuse attorney in Chicago can guide you in filing your nursing home abuse claim.When to Hire a Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in ChicagoAn Illinois nursing home abuse 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 an Illinois nursing home abuse claim, contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.

When a medical device that is meant to save a life causes harm, it can lead an individual to file a dangerous medical device claim. While most recommended implantable defibrillators are safe, some have led to defective product recalls. These defective implantable defibrillators should be removed from a patient and replaced with a safer device.Benefits and Risks of an Implantable Defibrillator If you have received an implantable defibrillator in Illinois, your doctor should have discussed ahead of time with you the benefits and risks of receiving one. When receiving an implantable defibrillator, a patient at risk of suffering cardiac arrest may gain some peace of mind. This medical device can alleviate concerns of fainting spells or sudden death from a heart attack. It also allows many patients to resume normal activities that they otherwise would have been prevented from resuming.Some of the risks of an implantable defibrillator include: 

• risks associated with having surgery;
• life-threatening heart rhythms;
• failure to deliver shocks when needed; and
• deliverance of unnecessary shocks to the heart. 

A defective implantable defibrillator can cause undue injury and harm. If you have suffered serious injuries from a dangerous medical device such as this, a Chicago defective product attorney can talk to you about your options for legal recourse and help determine whether you should file a dangerous medical device claim. Contacting a Chicago Defective Product LawyerThe Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. have tried many cases like yours and understand the intricacies of a product liability claim involving defective medical devices. For a no-cost case evaluation and help preparing your evidence contact us today – 312-263-1080

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Specialized Bicycle Components has announced the voluntary recall.  This company, which manufactures mountain bikes, agreed to the recall after two reports of the handlebars breaking.  Two riders were injured, including one who suffered head trauma, after the handlebars broke during use.

As with any sort of injury claim, you’ll be dealing with insurance companies that would rather keep their money in their pockets than pay out a fair settlement on your claim for a dog bite attack in Illinois. A Wheaton, IL dog bite attorney knows how the dog bite injury claim system works and can give you the insight necessary to obtain a fair claim settlement.You’re already at a disadvantage with the fact that you’ve probably never had to deal with an insurance settlement before. Your attorney will fill that need and bring the experience necessary to seek and secure a fair settlement.Evidence is important to your dog bite case because it shows the 2 important points of a serious injury accident: you suffered serious damages and they were the result of another’s negligence. A handful of pictures and the dog owner’s name isn’t going to be enough to support your claim. Your Wheaton, IL dog bite attorney can help you develop the relevant evidence that shows the severity of your damages.With a well-evidenced injury claim you can seek the full amount of damages you’re entitled to, after a serious dog bite attack in Illinois. There’s a huge difference between the initial settlement you’re offered and a fair settlement you’re entitled to. A Wheaton, IL dog bite attorney can help you seek the compensation needed, to truly recover from a serious dog attack.  When to Hire a Wheaton, IL Dog Bite AttorneyA dog bite attack in Illinois can result in permanent disfigurement and even life-long disability. By filing an injury claim after the attack you not only help your family recover from this tragedy, but you can help prevent future attacks by the dog.At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our 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 dog bite injuries.Before you make any decisions, request a free copy of our accident guide, When You Are Injured – The Insider’s Guide to Illinois Accident Law. When you’re ready to file a claim, we offer a free case evaluation and help preparing your evidence. Contact us today – 312-263-1080.

The moment you begin to discuss your car accident and injuries with another party you could be potentially damaging your chances of a fair settlement in an Illinois injury claim. You can, however, discuss your accident candidly with a Wheaton car accident attorney.Police reports, witnesses, and even your social media accounts can all become evidence in your claim. When you don’t watch what you say to these sources, your words could come back to haunt you.One of the trickiest parts of the Illinois injury claim settlement process is giving a recorded statement to the adjuster. The recorded statement is designed to give you the opportunity to tell your version of how the accident happened. While giving this statement you may not realize you could be saying more than necessary. Before speaking to anyone about your accident, you should consult with a Wheaton car accident attorney. The settling of an Illinois injury claim can become a back-and-forth game of trying to prove the financial need your injuries have created while your insurance company tries to prove just the opposite.While you need to be showing evidence that you deserve a fair settlement, your insurance adjuster will be trying to show your situation doesn’t warrant the full settlement amount. A Wheaton car accident attorney can help you protect your right to compensation. When to Hire a Wheaton Car Accident AttorneyObtaining a fair settlement straight off from the insurance company is a rare occurrence. In most Illinois injury claims you’ll have to fight for your right to fair compensation.If there is even the slightest question that your negligence may have played a part in your injury, you will need to prove otherwise if you want to receive the maximum settlement in your case. Your best chance at proving your degree of fault was low enough to recover damages is to have an experienced Wheaton car accident attorney on your side.The 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. Before making any decisions, request a FREE copy of our guide to Illinois accident law. For a free case evaluation and help preparing evidence for your Illinois injury claim contact us today – 312-263-1080.

The primary 3 factors in determining the value of an injury claim are liability, nature of injury, and damages claimed. These factors are determined through the evidence you provide to the insurance company such as medical bills, accident reports, and witness statements.Other factors that can come into play when determining your injury settlement include but are not limited to: 

• your personal occupational, financial and living situation;
• local laws & statues;
• anticipated expense of prosecuting the case through trial;
• verdicts and settlements in similar cases;
• the insurance companies involved;
• the amount of insurance coverage available;
• the financial condition of the defendant;
• the amount of case file expenses incurred;
• the projected case file expenses in the future;
• how far along the case has progressed;
• the appearance and availability of supporting witnesses; AND
• how supportive the treating physicians are.  

Insurance companies can make you jump through a lot of hoops when they’re working on placing a value on your claim. Their goal is to settle for as little out of their pocket as possible and their adjusters know the tricks to do so.Knowing the factors that go into determining the settlement amount for your injury claim is important. While a Chicago injury lawyer can’t tell you what your claim is worth until you receive a settlement, they can help you work for the fairest possible outcome. An experienced Chicago injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. is available to help you examine your injury claim and help with recovering compensation for your medical expenses, contact us today for a free case evaluation. (312) 263-1080