Auto Accidents
Have Your Been In an Automobile Accident?
Dealing with the emotions experienced following an automobile accident is never easy. Dealing with the costs of fixing your vehicle and medical bills makes things even worse. Knowing how to properly negotiate with insurance companies can be a very difficult task. Let us handle your claim, and if necessary, file a lawsuit on your behalf. Rely on our experience and expertise to achieve maximum compensation for your injuries.
Some of the most common reasons for accidents include:
- Texting and driving
- Driver distraction
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- DUI/DWI
- Reckless driving
- Mechanical failure
- Failure to yield
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Bar Fights
Were You Attacked In a Bar?
Anytime drinking is involved, the chance of a physical altercation occurring increases. The Chicagoland area has countless bars where intoxicated patrons start fights and even brawls. Illinois law protects citizens involved in such incidents, and holds accountable the establishments that sell and profit from the sales of alcohol under the Illinois Dram Shop Act. Your actions following an attack are extremely important-- filing an incident report with the establishment, filing a police report , and documenting your injuries. Rely on our experience and expertise to help navigate the steps to a successful recovery following a bar fight.
Section 6-21 of the Liquor Control Act of 1934 (the Dramshop Act) (235 ILCS 5/6-21 (2000)) creates a cause of action against owners of businesses that sell liquor, and also against lessors or owners of the premises on which the liquor is sold, for physical injury to a person, for injury to tangible property, or for injury to means of support or loss of society, but not both, caused by an intoxicated person.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Construction Injuries
Were You Hurt While Working on a Job Site?
If you were hurt on a construction job site chances are it is because of an unsafe working environment. It is an employer's responsibility to adhere to the strict rules and regulations outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Some of the most common causes of construction site injuries:
- Falls from heights/scaffolding
- Electrocution
- Hit by falling object/debris
- Fires & explosions
- Worker fatigue
- Auto accidents
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
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Dog Bites
Have You Been Bitten or Attacked by a Dog?
If you were bitten by an unrestrained, unsupervised or aggressive dog, you are entitled to compensation. Dog attacks often necessitate medical treatment to prevent infection and to close open wounds with stitches. In some cases, corrective plastic surgery is required to reduce scarring. Despite extensive medical treatment, the victim of a dog attack may be left with permanent physical scars and disfigurement, not to mention emotional damages.
The Illinois Animal Control Act holds all dog owners responsible for the injuries that their dogs cause. This is true whether a dog has a history of violent behavior or whether it is the first dog attack. Dog owners must promptly transport their dogs to a veterinarian when their dogs attack others. A dog owner is required to transport a dog involved in an attack to a veterinarian in order for the dog to be observed and treated for a minimum of 10 days. When a dog bites a human being or causes an injury, the dog must be monitored for rabies and medical professionals will often administer rabies vaccinations to dog bite victims.
It is not just the owner of the dog that is liable for injuries caused by a dog. In Illinois, various individuals in addition to the owners have been found legally responsible for a dog bite attack. In some cases, landlords, veterinarians, and other third party individuals all find themselves responsible for a vicious dog attack that occurs during their care of the dog.
At The Law Offices of Heather A. Widell, we represent clients accused of the following sex charges:
- Emotional distress
- Scarring
- Loss of limb function
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income
- Loss of consortium
If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, let the Law Offices of Heather A. Widell use our experience and expertise to successfully use homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, automobile insurance and/or dog liability insurance to recover a settlement on your behalf.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Medical Malpractice?
Have You Suffered a Serious Injury Due to the Negligence of a Medical Professional?
Medical malpractice can occur in a wide range of circumstances, from a dentist overdrilling resulting in reparative oral surgery, to the loss of a child due to improper fetal monitoring at birth. Medical malpractice litigation is extremely complex and requires extensive resources to handle such litigation.
The main areas of medical malpractice include:
- Surgical errors
- Birth injuries
- Failure to diagnose
If you believe you or someone you love has been a victim of medical malpractice, use our experience and expertise to evaluate and explain your potential case.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Personal Injury
Were You Injured and it Wasn't Your Fault?
Personal injury cases are those where an injury, either physical or psychological, was sustained due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party, such as a person or company. Following an accident, you may be left with numerous expenses and medical bills. Your injury may force you to take time off of work, further complicating your personal situation. After suffering an injury, it is vital to thoroughly investigate the accident, determine who is at fault, and assess damages to ensure you receive appropriate compensation. Personal injury protection works to help you restore your life as best as possible after facing an injury.
You may be entitled to receive compensation for your personal injury. Rely on our experience and expertise to help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been made a victim by someone else’s negligence, don’t delay in seeking the compensation owed to you.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Police Brutality
Are You a Victim of Police Brutality?
Police brutality is currently receiving national attention for numerous incidents in cities around the county. Chicago has one of the worst reputations for police brutality in the country, including the alleged torture and coercion of confessions of many South Side and West Side Chicago residents.
Arrest suspects are protected from excessive force under the Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution. Although severe injuries are not required to file an excessive force case, not every push and shove by a Chicago police officer can give rise to a viable police brutality claim.
The primary question in Illinois police brutality cases is whether the actions of the arresting officer were carried out in a "good faith effort to restore discipline" or the result of a desire to cause harm to an arrestee. Proving that an officers' use of force was in bad faith is often achieved by showing that the type of force used was objectively inappropriate.
The types of force deemed inappropriate or "excessive" depend on the facts of a particular arrest and can include:
- Injuries to subdued arrestees : Police should not hurt an individual after they have been handcuffed or otherwise taken into custody. Police officers can be held liable for punching, kicking or otherwise hitting individuals who are handcuffed and not posing a threat to officer safety.
- Improper take-towns : Police officers should only use violent takedowns in extreme situations where an individual is forcibly resisting a lawful arrest. If you have been subjected to choke holds or other improper police take-downs despite not resisting arrest, we can represent you for your injuries.
- Baton beatings : Batons are police instruments that can be just as dangerous as gun use. Police officers must refrain from hitting a person with batons after they have been subdued and many police departments ban baton hits to a suspect-s head because these can result in debilitating brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement andwrongful death.
- Tasers : many police departments view the use of tasers and other electrical-shock devices as a convenient way to quickly get a suspect under control. Unfortunately, there have been several individuals who have suffered severe personal injuries, including heart attacks, due to excessive or unnecessary taser use.
- Gun use : the use of firearms by police officers should be a last-case scenario. Police shootings are growing increasingly common and often impact bystanders and misidentified individuals. These types of cases are quite prevalent in Chicago and some of the surrounding collar counties.
- Car accidents : the use of a squad car to stop a suspect can result in serious personal injuries or the suspect-s death. The reckless operation of a squad car can also endanger the lives of innocent pedestrians and other motorists. Despite various forms of legislative immunities that protect officers engaged in the color of law when they are in a squad accident, you can be successful when squad cars cause serious injuries to other motorists and pedestrians.
- High Speed Chases : The City of Chicago, like many municipalities, has General Orders requiring officers to Cease and Desist high speed chases under many different scenarios. Unfortunately, these General Orders are frequently ignored in the heat of the chase. Once again, we can help!
If you believe you have suffered an injury at the hands of the police, use our experience and expertise to be compensated.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Premises/Products Liability
Were You Injured on Another's Property or By a Product?
There are many situations in which an individual is legally responsible to others. To be held liable in a personal injury setting means a person or entity is legally responsible for the harm done to another through negligent or intentional conduct. Under most circumstances, property owners have set obligations which will generally outline their responsibility in keeping any buildings or land that they may own in a satisfactory condition that is safe for visitors that are authorized to be there.
If you have been injured or suffered other damages because of a product you used, you may have a defective product liability claim.
Products liability law requires that you must prove the following elements:
- You were injured or suffered losses.
- The product is defective.
- The defect caused your injury.
- You were using the product as it was intended.
If you believe you may have a premises, product or transportation liability case, use our experience and expertise to evaluate your potential case.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Slip & Falls
Were You Injured From a Slip or Trip and Fall?
Slipping, tripping or falling can cause very serious injuries, and in some cases can even be fatal. Property owners have a duty to act reasonably in maintaining their property, meaning a responsibility to keep their property safe for visitors under the Illinois Premises Liability Act. This applies to commercial property owners such as retail stores, restaurants, bars and taverns, homeowners, or any other property owner. Slip/trip and fall injuries can also can be caused by unsafe construction sites, trip hazards on public walkways and sidewalks, and faulty or missing manhole covers. Some examples of common trip hazards include electric cords that are unsecured or cross a pathway, clutter, broken stairs, poorly lit stairs, faulty or missing handrails, uneven or poorly maintained concrete walkways, poorly maintained gutters which could create an unnatural accumulation of ice on a walkway, loose carpeting on stairs, wet floors, and poorly places or secured floor rugs or mats.
If you have slip, tripped or fallen, use our experience and expertise to evaluate and explain your potential case.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Workers' Compensation
Were You Injured at Work?
Getting hurt on the job can result in lost wages, medical bills and other expenses. While almost any occupation can present the potential for a worker to suffer a serious personal injury, some industries are more dangerous than others.
Some of the most dangerous occupations include:
- Contractors
- Maritime Workers (Dock & Offshore)
- Manufacturing
- Hospitality
- Medical
- Transportation
- Farmers
- Commercial Fishermen
In an effort to provide adequate coverage for injured workers, there are a number of different medical and disability benefits that are usually paid in a bi-weekly format and generally equal two thirds of the average workers weekly wage. Many injured workers are also able to include back pay in a compensation claim for any payments that they may not have received.
The most common types of disability benefits payments are:
- Permanent Impairment Benefits
- Impairment Income Benefits
- Supplemental Benefits
- Permanent Total Benefits
- Death Benefits
If you were injured while at work, use our experience and expertise to evaluate and explain your potential case.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Wrongful Death
Were You Injured at Work?
In most instances, a wrongful death claim is filed by either the spouse, children or other family member of the deceased however, in some circumstances, other individuals may be eligible to file a lawsuit. An example of this may be when another person was heavily dependent on the victim or relied on them for some type of financial or material support.
In the event of a person being fatally injured due to the misconduct of another individual or as a result of a dangerous or defective product malfunctioning, the families and heirs of the deceased may be eligible to file a damages lawsuit against those that may have been responsible for the death.
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, you must prove that the act of the defendant was the primary factor in the death of the victim. What this means is that the wrongful conduct of the defendant must have created a direct series of events that ultimately resulted in causing the fatal injury to the deceased.
Some of the most dangerous activities that lead to a wrongful death case include:
- Contractors
- Faulty products
- Faulty construction or maintenance
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person, use our expertise and experience to guide you through this difficult time.
Contact us at (773) 955-0400 today for a free consultation. We only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
