You’ve been seriously injured, let’s say, by slipping and falling in the entranceway to an office building because snow and ice accumulated there and wasn’t cleaned up. A friend suggests that you should file a personal injury claim. Some people may not even realize what a personal injury “claim” is or where they would go to “file” one. A personal injury claim is a lawsuit that aims to secure full and fair financial compensation for your losses caused by another’s misconduct. That misconduct could be negligent driving, medical malpractice, or the failure to repair a dangerous condition on a particular property. In fact, any personal injury you can suffer that could have been prevented by another person – from a dog bite to a boating accident – could conceivably be the focus of a personal injury claim.
If you are injured because of another’s negligence in the Chicago area, discuss your situation immediately with experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer Joseph M. Dooley. You must comply with the requirements set forth in the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure. For example, you must file the lawsuit in a court where you or the defendant live or where the injury happened. A good personal injury attorney will examine your case, compile evidence, question witnesses, and sometimes consult with experts on your behalf. When Joseph Dooley takes your case, you’ll have an aggressive advocate working hard to obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.
What You Must Prove
The element most critical to prevailing in any personal injury lawsuit is proving the defendant’s negligence. Proving negligence essentially involves establishing how a person’s careless conduct caused you to suffer injuries. Different standards will apply in different situations. When you are injured by the negligence of someone else – a driver in traffic collision, a doctor in a malpractice incident, or a property owner who failed to fix a hazardous condition on a property – Illinois allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you can prove that the person or persons you name in your lawsuit were responsible for your personal injury – that is, if you can prove negligence – you can be reimbursed for the costs of your medical treatment and related expenses. You’ll need the advice and representation of experienced Chicago personal injury attorney Joseph M. Dooley.
Typically in personal injury cases, the behavior of a defendant is compared against what a reasonable person would have done in the same situation. A reasonable person, for example, would not send a text message while driving in heavy traffic, perform surgery while intoxicated, or fail to repair a dangerous condition on his or her property. While proving that a defendant acted negligently is the key element you must prove to win a personal injury lawsuit, you must also prove two other claims. You must prove that you were injured, and you must prove that a defendant’s negligence was a proximate cause of your injury.
If you’re injured by negligence in the Chicago area, Chicago personal injury attorney Joseph M. Dooley will fight hard to win the compensation you deserve; that may include medical expenses, lost wages, damages for pain and suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages. Contact Attorney Joseph M. Dooley immediately.
What Not To Do In A Personal Injury Case
If you’ve been injured in an automobile accident, in a workplace mishap, by a defective product, or as a result of medical malpractice, you probably have legal standing to file a personal injury lawsuit. If that’s the case, you’re going to need the skills and talents of experienced personal injury attorney to advise and represent you.
A good personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, help you gather evidence and witnesses, negotiate with the plaintiff’s attorney, and fight for every cent of compensation you deserve. If you’re suffering from a personal injury that was caused by the negligence of another party, don’t hesitate to seek the counsel of experienced personal injury attorney Joseph Dooley, and keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t let an insurance company determine what medical treatment you receive. Let your doctor decide your treatment, not some insurance adjuster.
- Do not talk to the defendant. Nothing good can happen by doing that. Let a good personal injury lawyer do your talking for you.
- Do not talk with the insurance company. They are skilled negotiators. When you’re injured, an insurer may try to talk you out of exercising your rights and out of filing a personal injury claim. Be polite, but don’t waste time talking with an insurance company representative. Instead, have a good personal injury lawyer handle all such negotiations on your behalf.
- Don’t miss the deadlines. If you miss a deadline set by law or by a court, your case may be thrown out on that basis alone. Be certain that you know what deadlines apply to your case.
- Do not settle without your attorney. No insurance company will tell you the true amount you are legally entitled to recover. A good personal injury lawyer, on the other hand, will always work to win every cent of compensation that you deserve.
These are simple tips, but they often make the difference between winning and losing a personal injury claim. If you’ve been personally injured, make the wise choice and speak with experienced personal attorney Joseph Dooley immediately.
Questions To Ask A Personal Injury Lawyer
Chicago is full of personal injury attorneys. Obviously, not all personal injury lawyers can offer the highest level of expertise or provide the best results. If you have been the victim of a personal injury caused by another party’s negligence, you should seek the services of an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Ask these questions before you sign any agreement with a personal injury lawyer:
- Do you specialize in personal injury law?
- How many cases have you handled that are similar to mine?
- How many injury claims have you taken to trial? What were your results?
- What is the average length of time for resolving cases like mine?
- Do you or have any disciplinary history with the Bar Association?
- May I see references from your previous clients?
- How much is the contingency fee, and how does it work?
- How will I be in touch with you and how frequently?
Make sure you like your personal injury attorney, that you’re “comfortable” with him or her, because you may be working together for a length of time. No matter who you choose to handle your case, make sure to do your research. If a personal injury lawyer has a fairly good reputation or a fairly bad reputation, it shouldn’t be hard for you to find out. Ask others who have lived in your area or who have had experience with the courts in your area. Read the online reviews.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury because of the negligence of another person, you have a legal right to full compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages, and maybe more. You deserve – and you’re going to need – the highest quality legal counsel available. If you’re injured because of another party’s negligence, contact a well-regarded, experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. A genuinely good personal injury lawyer will work hard to win for you the compensation you deserve.