When you are in an accident and sustain an injury, you are left with tons of unanswered questions. This includes the length of recovery, costs of damages and medical expenses, and who could bear responsibility for an accident. The law makes negligent parties responsible for the losses they inflict on others through their carelessness. They could be liable to pay compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, and mental suffering.
Deciding to work with a Madison County car accident lawyer is a good move that helps ensure that your accident claim is handled in the way that is most protective of your rights. Bringing a seasoned personal injury attorney onboard early in the process could lead to better results in the long run.
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If you or a loved one was severely hurt because of another party’s reckless or careless actions, consult a Madison County catastrophic injury lawyer. A skilled attorney could help you hold the negligent person accountable and pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
View All Practice AreasIf you were bitten by a dog, consult an experienced personal injury attorney on the legal process of filing a claim for damages. A Madison County dog bite lawyer could tirelessly represent you and fight for the restitution you deserve.
View All Practice AreasIf your health has been affected by a medical error, a Madison County medical malpractice lawyer could help. Medical malpractice lawsuits are a way to hold negligent medical professionals responsible for their harmful actions and obtain financial compensation for the losses you suffered because of their mistakes.
View All Practice AreasIf you or your loved one have been a victim of mistreatment in an assisted living facility, contact a Madison County nursing home abuse lawyer to help get the justice you deserve. A dedicated legal advocate could help you recover from this traumatic ordeal and pursue appropriate compensation for your losses.
View All Practice AreasIf a truck wreck injured you or a loved one has been killed, consult a Madison County truck accident lawyer. If negligence contributed to the incident, the law holds the negligent parties responsible for compensating your losses. Although money cannot restore your health or bring back your loved one, holding negligent parties to account offers some closure and might prevent a similar tragedy in the future. Speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your eligibility to recover compensation for your damages.
View All Practice AreasThe Illinois Workers’ Compensation Program ensures that anyone who suffers a work-related injury receives free medical treatment and a partial wage while they are unable to work. In return for these benefits, the worker cannot sue their employer for damages.
The program can be complicated to navigate without legal help, and not all employers treat their workers fairly when they file a claim. A Madison County workers’ compensation lawyer could ensure you get all the benefits you are entitled to receive, and take your case to arbitration if your employer unfairly limits or denies your benefits.
View All Practice AreasIf your loved one has died due to the negligent actions of another, a Madison County wrongful death lawyer could assist in recovering the available damages. Let an experienced attorney pursue justice for your loved one while you focus on healing from this traumatic ordeal.
View All Practice AreasNegligent parties are responsible for paying for the losses a plaintiff suffers because of the accident. Compensatory damages available in Illinois personal injury actions include economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include the plaintiff’s past and future out-of-pocket expenses related to their injury. These include medical costs, lost income, and the incidental expenses the plaintiff incurred because of the accident. If the plaintiff’s injury will require ongoing care or if they will be unable to resume their former employment, damages could include future medical expenses and diminished earnings opportunities.
Non-economic damages are payments to acknowledge that the injury had an emotional impact on the plaintiff and might have diminished their quality of life. Elements of non-economic damages could include scarring and disfigurement, physical pain, humiliation, emotional anguish, and lost enjoyment of life.
Compensatory damages will be the only damages available in medical malpractice cases and most personal injury actions. However, when a defendant intentionally harmed the plaintiff or when their conduct demonstrated a callous indifference to the safety of others, 735 Illinois Compiled Statutes §5/2-115 allows plaintiffs to seek punitive damages.
Factors that determine whether to award punitive damages include the actual harm the defendant caused, the recklessness or cruelty of the defendant’s conduct, whether the egregious conduct was ongoing, whether the defendant attempted to hide the conduct, among other considerations. A punitive damages award should be large enough to hurt the defendant financially.
Juries award punitive damages at trials, but most personal injury actions settle before a trial. If a capable injury lawyer feels the facts of the client’s situation support a claim for punitive damages, they could incorporate the threat to seek punitive damages into their pre-trial negotiating strategy. This might result in the defendant offering a more reasonable settlement.
Illinois allows injured people two years to bring a lawsuit seeking damages for their losses. However, a potential plaintiff who waits to hire legal representation and begin building a case risks the loss or erosion of important evidence.
Preserve your rights and strengthen your negotiating position by scheduling a consultation with a Madison County personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Working with a strong advocate enhances your chances of receiving a fair and appropriate settlement, so call today.
