Accidents and injuries are a part of life. However, when they result from someone else’s negligence, the impact can change the course of your future.
Chicago is known for its bustling streets, crowded public spaces, and busy workplaces. Unfortunately, all those factors can set the stage for personal injuries.
Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, a slip and fall, or a workplace incident, you have the right to take legal action to seek a remedy for your losses.
At Thomas Law Offices, we are available to offer compassionate legal advocacy. We know that the idea of fighting with a huge insurance carrier is not what you want to deal with while recovering from injuries.
That is why our Chicago personal injury lawyer is here to help shoulder some of these burdens. You can learn how we can make a difference with your personal injury claim with a free consultation.
Personal Injury Law in Chicago
Personal injury can happen at any time and in any place. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 25.5 million emergency room visits for unintentional injuries in 2023. Personal injury is an area of law that is more than just courtrooms, legal jargon, or insurance negotiations; it’s about the impact on victims and their families. It is about your life, health, and ability to move forward after an incident that turned everything upside down.
At its core, personal injury law exists to protect individuals who have been harmed due to someone else’s carelessness or wrongdoing.
Every case is different. Maybe your injuries resulted from a fleeting moment of inattention or a blatant disregard for safety. No matter the circumstances, one thing is certain: you didn’t choose this situation. And now, as you try to heal physically and emotionally, you’re left with questions about what comes next.
Personal injury law is designed to hold at-fault parties accountable, whether their negligence stems from poor decision-making, failure to meet safety standards, or intentional misconduct.
Along with that, it is also about ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve to make up for your out-of-pocket expenses.
Common types of personal injury cases in Chicago include:
- Boat Accident
- Brain Injury
- Car Accident
- Construction Accident
- Electric Scooter Accident
- Lyft Accident
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury
- Mesothelioma
- Motorcycle Accident
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Pace Bus Accident
- Premises Liability
- Negligent Security
- Slip and Fall
- Product Liability
- Sexual Assault
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Chicago Transit Authority Accident
- Truck Accident
- Uber Accident
- Wrongful Death
Our Chicago personal injury lawyer is ready to help you take the next steps for your claim. Find out how we can assist with any of these cases.
Why Personal Injury Cases Matter
Taking legal action protects your rights, your dignity, and your future. When someone else’s negligence or recklessness causes harm, you might feel overwhelmed, angry, or even helpless. However, pursuing a personal injury claim gives you the power to stand up for yourself and ensure justice is served.
Here is why personal injury claims matter and how they make a difference not only in your life but in the community:
Holding Negligent Parties Accountable
When someone’s carelessness causes harm, they need to be held responsible. Accountability is about more than just pointing fingers. You want to make sure that negligent individuals or organizations understand the impact of their actions or inactions. By pursuing an injury claim, you are sending a powerful message that negligence has real consequences.
Creating a Safer Environment
Every successful personal injury case has the potential to create change. Whether encouraging a company to implement better safety protocols or compelling a landlord to fix dangerous conditions, these cases help prevent it from happening again.
Giving You Financial Relief
After an injury, the financial strain can feel crushing. Medical bills pile up, time off work leads to lost wages, and everyday expenses become harder to manage. For many, the financial aspect of a personal injury case is a lifeline. These awards provide relief during a stressful time.
Compensation is not about getting more than you deserve; it’s about covering the costs of your recovery and helping you regain stability. Whether paying for surgeries, ongoing physical therapy, or even home modifications after a life-changing injury, the financial relief from a personal injury claim can help you focus on what matters most: healing.
At the end of the day, personal injury cases are about much more than money. They are about ensuring everyone can move forward after a difficult chapter in their life. And while the journey can be challenging, you don’t have to face it alone. At Thomas Law Offices, we are here to support you, fight for you, and help you achieve the justice and resolution you deserve.
Proving Fault in a Personal Injury Case
This is one of the most important steps in securing compensation. You must show that another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct directly caused your injuries. Here is a breakdown of the process:
Establishing Negligence
To prove fault, your Chicago personal injury lawyer will need to establish four key elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party owed you a duty to act reasonably to prevent harm. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws, and property owners must maintain safe premises.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party failed to uphold this duty by acting carelessly or recklessly. These actions could include running a red light, failing to repair a dangerous hazard, or performing a medical procedure below the accepted standard of care.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries. Your lawyer must show that your harm would not have occurred if not for the other party’s actions or negligence.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as physical injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional distress.
Each of these elements must be supported by strong evidence.
Collecting Evidence
Building a strong case requires thorough documentation and investigation. This includes:
- Images of the accident scene, your injuries, or unsafe conditions can illustrate what happened.
- Detailed medical documentation links your injuries directly to the accident.
- Testimony from individuals who saw the incident can corroborate your version of events.
- Official documentation can establish fault, especially in car accidents or criminal acts.
- Accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, or safety experts can provide insights into how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
Finding Fault
Determining fault involves an evaluation of all the evidence by insurance adjusters, attorneys, and, if necessary, a judge or jury. Each party will present their case. The percentage of fault will be assigned based on the circumstances.
For example:
- In a car accident, the fault may be shared if one driver was speeding, but the other failed to yield.
- In a slip-and-fall case, you could be partially responsible if you ignored warning signs or were distracted while walking.
Even if you share some responsibility, you will want to fight for fair representation of your role in the accident. Insurance companies may try to assign you more blame to minimize their payout, so having an experienced legal team can help protect your interests.
How Does Comparative Fault Apply in Illinois?
What happens if you share some responsibility for the accident? In Illinois, personal injury claims are governed by the modified comparative fault rule. This rule allows you to recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault, but only up to a certain point.
You can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% responsible for the accident. If you’re 51% or more at fault, you are barred from receiving compensation.
If you are partially responsible, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you’re found 20% responsible, you would receive $80,000.
With the right legal team on your side, you can navigate this process confidently and work toward the financial recovery and justice you deserve.
Personal Injury Claims Require Quick Actions
When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, time is not on your side. In Illinois, there are strict deadlines, known as the statute of limitations, that dictate how long you have to file a personal injury claim.
While it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed after an accident, delaying action could jeopardize your chances of seeking the justice and compensation you deserve.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. This time limit is firm, and missing it could result in losing your legal right to pursue compensation. However, some situations may extend this deadline:
- Injuries involving minors: If the injured party is under 18, the statute of limitations may not begin until they reach legal adulthood.
- Delayed discovery of injuries: In cases where the injury was not immediately apparent, such as medical malpractice, you may have additional time to file. The clock starts from when the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
Even with these exceptions, acting quickly is still in your best interest. Waiting too long can complicate your case and make securing the outcome you need harder.
At Thomas Law Offices, we understand how overwhelming life can feel after an injury, and we’re here to take the pressure off your shoulders.
Our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers are familiar with Illinois’ legal deadlines and will ensure no time is wasted pursuing your case.
Types of Compensation Available in Personal Injury Cases
When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you are likely facing financial stress, emotional challenges, and a whole new set of obstacles in your daily life. The good news is that Illinois law allows victims like you to seek the following compensation to ease these burdens and help you rebuild.
- Economic damages are meant to cover the direct financial losses you’ve experienced because of your injury. This includes expenses like medical bills for hospital visits, surgeries, or physical therapy. It also includes income you have lost if you’ve been unable to work. If your injury has a long-term impact on your ability to earn a living, you can also seek compensation for future lost wages. Even property damage, like a wrecked car in an accident, can be included.
- Non-economic damages address the emotional toll of your injury. These damages cover pain and suffering, the anxiety or depression you may feel, and even the loss of joy in activities you once loved. They are about acknowledging the ways your life has been disrupted in ways that cannot be easily measured.
- In some cases, where the wrongdoing is especially reckless or intentional, you might also be entitled to punitive damages. These are ways to hold the wrongdoer accountable and prevent others from suffering the same harm.
At Thomas Law Offices, we will make sure that you get the just compensation for your injuries.
Choosing the Right Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
Not all personal injury attorneys are created equal. When selecting a lawyer, consider their experience, track record, and commitment to client satisfaction. You want a firm that offers personalized attention and will fight tirelessly on your behalf.
Here is how a lawyer can help:
Case Evaluation
Your attorney will begin by reviewing the details of your case to determine its strengths and weaknesses. They will consider factors such as the severity of your injuries, the evidence available, and the potential for proving liability.
Collecting Evidence
Building a strong case requires thorough investigation. This may include collecting police reports, medical records, surveillance footage, and witness statements. In some cases, expert testimony may be necessary to establish negligence or causation.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. An experienced attorney knows how to negotiate effectively to secure a fair settlement that covers your losses.
Litigation
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will be prepared to take your case to court. They will present compelling arguments, cross-examine witnesses, and fight tirelessly to protect your rights.
Providing Emotional Support
Suffering an injury can be overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. A compassionate attorney understands this and will provide the guidance and reassurance you need during this challenging time.
At Thomas Law Offices, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a personal injury can take on you and your loved ones. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, results-driven legal representation tailored to your unique needs.
How Thomas Law Offices Can Help
There are many personal injury law firms in Chicago, but at Thomas Law Offices, we stand out. Our team has a proven track record of successfully handling numerous personal injury cases and securing substantial settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Along with that, we take a client-centered approach. We provide you with open communication and personalized attention. Our team will make sure that you feel supported every step of the way.
When you work with us, you can count on our experience and skills. Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of Illinois personal injury law, and we know what it takes to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Get Started Today
If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, there is a path forward. At Thomas Law Offices, we understand how difficult this time can be for you and your loved ones, and we’re here to help you navigate it with confidence and care.
Don’t let fear or uncertainty keep you from getting the help you need. Contact our Chicago personal injury lawyer today, and let us be your trusted partner. Set up a consultation today.
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