2012 March Archive

Burn injuries, frequently recognized as one of the more dangerous injuries a person can suffer from, are an all too common occurrence. According to the American Burn Association, each year there are one million burn injuries in the U.S. and an estimated 45,000 hospitalizations from the injuries. An estimated half of these hospitalizations are admitted to the 125 specialized burn treatment centers across the country. Child burn injury victims alarmingly comprise one-third of these cases.

In order to prevent a serious burn injury, it is important for Illinois residents to be aware of the common causes of this type of injury. Burnsurvivor.com offers the following information:

• Defective products – Many products are recalled each year because they pose a threat of burn-related injuries to consumers.
• Flammable and hot liquids – Scalds from hot liquid, which are particularly dangerous for children, are responsible for thousands of emergency room visits each year. Flammable liquids, such as gasoline or solvents, can be a serious source of burn injury as well.
• Building fires – Annually, fires kill more Americans than all natural disasters combined, and workplace fires also contribute to a large number of fatalities, making building fires a genuine threat.
• Gas explosions – Gas, fire, and explosion cases may result from numerous causes, but a person is much more likely to be injured or involved in an explosion when using propane gas rather than natural gas.
• Chemical and thermal burns – Thermal burns are the most common type of burn resulting from exposure to steam, flames, hot surfaces, or liquids. Chemical burns occur when the skin is in contact with strong acids or alkalids; severity of the injury will depend on how long the skin is exposed.
• Motor vehicle fires – Often not recognized as a part of the national fire problem, every one out of five fires involves a motor vehicle.

A burn injury can be extremely painful for the victim and may require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. If you have suffered from a burn injury caused by the negligence of another party, the burn injury lawyers in Illinois with the Bradley Law Firm will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve. Call (312) 252-1488 to schedule a free consultation.

A 52-year-old man struck by a Red Line train has sadly succumbed to his injuries, according to The Chicago Tribune. The Chicago resident was struck by a CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) train after he fell onto the train tracks at the Bryn Mawr station on the North Side of Chicago at approximately 4:45 p.m. on March 26. Firefighters removed the man from the tracks and he was immediately transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment of his critical injuries. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office reports, however, that the 52-year-old man was later pronounced dead at 7:21 p.m.

Presently, it is unknown whether the victim jumped or fell onto the train tracks. Power was temporarily shut off in both directions as emergency crews dealt with the situation following the Chicago train accident.

Train accidents, though they do not occur as frequently as other types of accidents, are very serious and can result in life-threatening injuries. Approximately every 115 minutes, a person or a vehicle is hit by a train. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) shows there are 5,800 vehicle-train collisions that happen each year in the U.S., resulting in 600 fatalities and 2,300 injuries. A majority of these train accidents occur at railroad crossings. It is imperative Illinois residents exercise caution when near any railroad or train tracks to avoid a serious accident.

The Illinois train accident attorneys of the Bradley Law Firm are dedicated to helping train accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve when the collision was caused by another’s negligence. Our firm has years of experience helping accident victims, and we will work tirelessly to ensure any at-fault parties are held accountable. For a consultation regarding your accident claim, please call (312) 252-1488.

The different types of Illinois medical malpractice cases often relate to negligence and can occur in a number of different ways, such as amputating the wrong limb or dispensing an incorrect medication to a patient. Another form of medical malpractice that some may not be aware of is patient neglect, which can concern individuals receiving care at nursing homes, hospitals, or their personal home. With thousands of IL residents having to go to hospitals for medical treatment every year, neglect that takes place in hospitals is an important issue for potential patients to understand and be aware of.

In the state of Illinois, anyone who feels they have suffered injury or health problems due to not receiving adequate care from hospital staff must commence legal action within two years following “reasonable discovery of injuries and negligence,” according to the state’s statute of limitations. Also, a medical negligence complaint and legal action regarding hospital patient neglect requires an affidavit of merit from a medical expert certifying the validity of the person’s claims within 90 days.

In order to recover damages in a hospital patient neglect/medical malpractice claim, a patient must prove select legal elements, first and foremost that the doctor-patient relationship existed. Other elements also include a patient proving that the care received was beneath the duty of care owed per the doctor-patient relationship and that the negligence was the proximate cause of injury. Lastly, a patient must prove and document viable damages.

In neglect cases, economic, non-economic, and punitive damages are likely to be awarded, but may be subject to a cap limiting the maximum amount possible as per Illinois state guidelines.

Millions of people across the U.S. each year entrust their care to medical professionals, but when neglect occurs and a patient isn’t given the level of care he or she deserves, a patient’s health and well-being may be at risk. If you or a loved one feels they may be the victim of hospital patient neglect, the medical malpractice lawyers in Chicago of the Bradley Law Firm can aid you in seeking compensation from any negligent parties. To speak with us regarding your potential claim, call (312) 252-1488.

When visiting an exotic or beautifully scenic place, seeing the sights in a helicopter can offer visitors an unmatched and thrilling experience. Helicopters are distinctive vessels with unique abilities that can easily reach remote areas and fly very low because of their maneuverability. These vessels can also perform extreme operations due to their size. However, similar to any aircraft in the blue skies, the possibility still exists that something may go wrong, such as a mechanical malfunction, which can lead to a serious accident.

Helicopters are complex and require a high degree of skill not only to operate, but to construct and maintain as well. These types of accidents, therefore, may occur for a number of reasons, such as pilot error, poor design, or improper maintenance.

Helicopter flight has been referred to by some as the most dangerous form of air travel, and passengers and crew members are injured or killed in helicopter accidents almost every day. A study completed in 2002 by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of helicopter accidents that occurred between 1990 and 2000 reveals that there were a total of 2,211 crashes. Though this may seem low considering it is a ten year period, these types of accidents are often deadly and can result in life-threatening injuries, such as head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, neck injuries, or fractures of the spine.

When a person is injured in a helicopter accident due to no fault of their own, he or she has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit to obtain compensation for their losses, but these types of cases can be difficult to win and require substantial evidence. In order to determine fault, a significant team of legal and engineering experts may be needed, as well as investigators to interview witnesses, gather evidence, and review the facts of the case.

The helicopter accident attorneys in Chicago of the Bradley Law Firm have the skills and experience necessary to win a successful settlement in a helicopter crash case. Our legal team will work to get the compensation needed to recover from a serious aircraft accident. For a no-cost consultation regarding your accident claim, call (312) 252-1488.

Celebrated in March, Brain Injury Awareness Month seeks to increase awareness about the dangers of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 1.7 million Americans suffer from each year. Also, 3.1 million people live with life-long disabling effects that were a direct result of a TBI, including physical, cognitive, and behavioral changes. In order to improve a TBI patient’s quality of life, the Brain Association of America believes the key is equal and adequate access to healthcare. With proper medical care, TBI patients are less likely to experience medical problems and permanent disability.

A traumatic brain injury is either a closed or penetrating injury, which is caused by a hit, strike, or blow to the head that stops the normal function of brain activity. There are a number of types of accidents that can cause this serious injury, which can certainly happen when a person least expects it, and as such, the theme of this year’s Brain Injury Awareness Month is “Brain Injury: Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone – Brain injuries do not discriminate.” The CDC offers these noteworthy statistics regarding some very common causes of TBI:

• 75 percent of TBI’s are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury;
• 35 percent of TBI’s occur from a fall;
• 17.3 percent are caused by traffic accidents, such as motor vehicle crashes;
• 10 percent of these injuries are caused by assaults; and
• 16.5 percent of TBI’s occur when a head is struck by/against something.

A traumatic brain injury can permanently alter the life of a victim and may result in costly treatment and medical bills in order to recover. The brain injury attorneys in Illinois with the Bradley Law Firm can help a brain injury victim obtain compensation when an accident and injury was caused by another party’s negligence. To discuss your potential claim, call our offices at (312) 252-1488.

The St. Patrick’s Day holiday, which originated in Ireland to commemorate Saint Patrick, is now celebrated across the U.S. with green-inspired regalia, festive parades, and traditional food and drink. St. Patrick’s Day festivities will certainly be in full swing all over Illinois, so officials are encouraging partygoers to plan transportation in advance in order to celebrate safe. Thousands of innocent people are killed each year due to impaired drivers, approximately one person every 48 minutes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), so it is imperative that IL residents celebrate safely this St. Patrick’s Day and year-round, as well.

As drinking alcoholic beverages has become part of celebrating this Irish holiday, Mysuburbanlife.com offers these following safety tips for those taking part in the many festivities which will be underway this weekend.

• Make a prevention plan: Create a plan either for yourself or with friends for how to get home after celebrating. Designate a sober driver if anyone plans to take their own wheels, or use public transportation to avoid being in a dangerous DUI accident. It is important to make a plan before going out, as your judgment may be impaired later if you decide to have a few drinks.
• How to get back home: Partygoers can use the Metra Rail System, which has trains going to Chicago suburbs, or the “L” that has scheduled transportation all over the city. Also, simply hailing a cab will get you home safe and sound, but be sure to program the number of your favorite cab company into your phone before heading out.
• Staying safe on the roads: If you see a driver who is driving erratically and may be intoxicated, alert law enforcement immediately. Also, never ride in a vehicle with a person who has been drinking, and try to take the keys of a friend or fellow St. Paddy’s Day partygoer who has been drinking and is trying to drive. Watching out for the safety of others is also key in preventing a DUI accident.

The drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois of the Bradley Law Firm encourage all drivers to celebrate safely by following these tips. However, not all IL motorists may be responsible behind the wheel, which can have disastrous results. If you have been involved in a drunk driving collision caused by the negligence of another person, our skilled legal team will help you hold at-fault parties accountable for their actions. Call (312) 252-1488 for a free consultation.

According to The Examiner, Illinois State Representative Kelly Cassidy has introduced House Bill 5668, a legislative proposal to reduce IL nursing home neglect and encourage nursing home industry reform. An attendee of a recent press conference held to discuss the nursing home reform bill asserts that Illinois has one of the worst records of nursing home abuse in the country, and Cassidy states 35 percent of Chicago nursing home facilities fall below required staffing levels based on estimated care need, a number that is expected to increase by 10 percent in 2013.

The State Representative explains that 18 months after a landmark nursing home law was adopted in Illinois to increase staffing levels at elderly care facilities, the law is largely being ignored and unenforced. In order to push for legislative solutions to protect the elderly population and increase awareness about the state of nursing home care in IL, Cassidy is partnering with state nursing home reform advocates. An AARP Illinois official says the nursing home staff shortage triggers safety issues and undermines the dignity and daily care of residents.

The key elements of this new piece of legislation are:

• Require mandatory and immediate reporting of any incidents of elder abuse, neglect, and death to the state public health department;
• Require nursing home facilities to maintain liability insurance against resident abuse risk for at least $1 million per incident;
• Require changes of ownership of nursing home facilities to require a Certificate of Need, meaning any facility with serious violations will need to detail how they plan to stay in compliance; and
• Have the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program represent long-term care facility residents (including the elderly) and increase their staffing ratios.

With the increasing problem of nursing home care and abuse, entrusting the care of an elderly loved one to others can be a difficult decision. However, it is important to know that if a loved one suffers any kind of abuse in a nursing home facility, he or she has legal right to purse compensation for any injury or losses from at-fault parties. The nursing home abuse attorneys in Chicago with the Bradley Law Firm can use our years of experience to help you and your loved one obtain the compensation you deserve. Call (312) 252-1488 for a no-cost consultation.

Since the state of Illinois implemented a graduated driver licensing program in 2008, many have been left to wonder if the new laws are effective in preventing dangerous auto accidents in Illinois. With introduction of the new licensing program, which has stricter driver’s education requirements and limitations on how often and when a teen can drive, it is now virtually impossible for a driver under the age of 17 to drive independently. In addition to the new teen licensing laws, other factors have helped deter teens from driving early, including the cost of required driver’s education (the cost can be $400 and up at some high schools in Lake County), high insurance rates, and soaring gas prices.

The Vernon Hills Review reports that traffic accidents involving teens are down by 35 percent in the state and teen highway fatalities have decreased by 50 percent since 2008 when the program began. Though teens anxious to get behind the wheel may strongly dislike the more stringent standards of the new graduated driver licensing program, these kinds of statistics are certainly undeniable. This is especially true considering a new study released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) shows teen driver fatalities (16- and 17-year-olds) across the nation increased slightly in the first six months of 2011, which is based on preliminary data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Whether or not Illinois residents feel the stricter teen driver standards are effective, the statistics are great evidence that these programs may be an excellent tool in preventing teen traffic accident deaths. However, it is still up to each IL driver to practice safety while behind the wheel to prevent a dangerous accident. If you have been injured in an auto accident caused by another’s negligence, the Chicago car accident lawyers with the Bradley Law Firm can help. We will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve and need to recover from your injuries. Call (312) 252-1488 for a consultation on your case.