Personal Injury Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of those who get hurt because someone else broke the rules. If you have sustained serious injuries all because someone else behaved recklessly or irresponsibly, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in East St. Louis, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Reach out to Burger Law today at (618) 500-HURT or contact us online.

If you want to know how much your personal injury claim may be worth in East St. Louis, or anywhere in Illinois, fill out our free personal injury calculator.

Those who injured you have an obligation to compensate you for all of your damages, but that does not mean they will do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights hard for the injured against anyone who is trying to keep them from the compensation they deserve. We handle a variety of cases, including suing large trucking companies, holding negligent physicians, product manufacturers, animal owners responsible, taking the fight to City Hall, to getting justice and financial security for East St. Louis residents after the wrongful death of a family member. If you have questions about your case, the damages you may be able to recover or other questions regarding personal injury claims, call our personal injury lawyers in East St. Louis, IL today at (618) 500-HURT.

Why Choose Burger Law’s East St. Louis, IL Personal Injury Lawyers For Your Claim

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your case is crucial. You want someone who has won your type of case before and who you know will not back down from a fight. In order to have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to look at the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers:

Award-Winning East St. Louis, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

The many awards and accolades Burger Law has received from other law firms include:

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a remarkable achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys in the U.S.
• Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Honor — Members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor only given to 1 percent of attorneys in the United States.
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers Honor — Selected to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only honor that is made up of the most qualified attorneys in each state.
• Board Certified By the National Board of Trial Advocacy — Board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Less than 4 percent of all practicing attorneys are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer East St. Louis, IL – Recent Successes

Our East St. Louis, IL personal injury lawyers have a demonstrated history of getting great results. We fight all who harm our clients, and we insist on nothing but full compensation. Our firm is dedicated to giving our clients amazing legal representation, and we take great pride in our hard-fought victories. Check out some of our case results in personal injury claims below:

• $5 Million Settlement – Father Killed By Reckless Truck Driver
• $3 Million Judgment – Son Murdered by Pam Hupp
• $2.5 Million Settlement for Father’s Fatal Car Accident
• From $0 to $2 Million Car Accident Settlement
• $2 Million Settlement – Injured Woman Settles Highway Crash Lawsuit
• $1.435 Million Settlement For Deck Collapse That Injured Couple
• $1 Million Settlement to Family of Man with Sepsis Infection
• Medical Malpractice Case Settles for Over $1 Million
• $900,000 Medical Malpractice Settlement
• $765,000 Settlement After Fatal Collision
• $600,000 Tractor-Trailer Crash
• $600,000 Settlement – Widow in ATV Accident Settles with Property Owner
• Class Action $600,000 Settlement Against the State of Illinois
• $495,000 Uninsured Motorcycle Verdict
• $400,000 Settlement in Employment Discrimination Case
• $350,000 Settlement in Ladder Case

It is important to remember that every case is different, and the compensation you are owed is going to be based entirely upon the circumstances of your claim. We calculate the full extent of your damages so that you are given what you are owed.

Burger Law Client Success Stories

Beyond the videos below, you can check out more client testimonials here.

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in East St. Louis, IL

Under Illinois and U.S. law, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to get financial compensation for the harm done by another person’s negligence, and to hold the rule breakers accountable. The recovery you receive is meant to make you whole. The idea is to put you in the same position you were in before sustained the damages caused by another’s negligence.

Sometimes, no lawyer, settlement or verdict is can truly “put back” all the things you lost because of your injuries. While we can get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other financial losses, other damages cannot truly be expressed through dollar signs. If you lost a loved one, you are permanently disabled, are permanently scarred or will have to receive medical treatment for the rest of your life, no amount of money can make that go away. What compassionate and talented personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law are able to do is secure you fair compensation in order to provide a sense of justice and recognition, and to give you financial security as it relates to your accident.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL?

While some cases can be successfully navigated without a lawyer, most of the time you will need one to recover the full value of your claim in East St. Louis, IL. The question to ask when considering whether or not to hire a lawyer is, can they increase my compensation? If your injuries were not severe, you have minimal lost wages and the insurance adjuster is being reasonable, you may not need an attorney. But, you should hire an attorney in East St. Louis, IL if any of the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement over who is to blame, or you are being blamed for your injuries
• The initial settlement offer is well below the cost of your damages
• Your injuries are serious and require extensive medical treatment
• There more than one party that is liable for your damages
• Your damages are more than the liable policyholder’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we are always straightforward about whether or not it is in your best interest to hire our services. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay until we win your case, and we have no reason to take on your claim if we do not think we can significantly increase the value of your claim.

Burger Law believes that well-informed plaintiffs benefit everyone involved. Whether or not you choose to hire our firm or even need a lawyer, our attorneys want to give you the resources you need to make informed decisions in your case. Try our page on various Illinois resources, find hundreds of informative videos on our YouTube channel @BurgerLaw or take a look at Absolutely Essential Questions to Ask Before You Pick a Lawyer or Settle Your Case, a book available for free online and authored by Gary Burger.

How Do I Know if I Have a Personal Injury Lawsuit in East St. Louis, IL?

While the legal specifics concerning negligence and liability can be complex, whether or not you have a claim depends on the answer to one specific question: did another person’s negligence cause you injuries? From a legal standpoint, you need to prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to demonstrate that the liable party had an obligation to keep you safe. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as motorists all owe everyone on the East St. Louis, IL roads a duty of care, or store owners need their properties to be reasonable safe for anyone who legally enters. In other cases, a particular relationship must have formed, for example the relationship between a doctor and patient or between a vendor and a buyer.
2. Breach of duty — Did someone neglect that duty? Did a driver hit you while they were distracted? Did a physician fail to diagnose a condition? Did a trucking company force their employee to drive longer than regulations allow?
3. Causation — You must demonstrate how the breach of duty led to your injuries. For instance, you sustained a whiplash injury after being rear ended, or were burned by a defective product when it overheated.
4. Proximate cause — This determines who ultimately is at fault. If you were rear ended, the liable party is usually the driver that hit you. But if the brakes were not safe, someone in the product’s chain of distribution may be ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you have to show that the accident led to financial losses. In most cases damages are medical expenses and lost wages. If you hold onto your medical bills, this last part will be fairly easy to prove with the help of an attorney. Once we establish financial losses, we can also seek a financial recovery for pain and suffering damages.

If you have any doubts about whether or not you have a case, speak to a lawyer in East St. Louis, IL who has won a similar claim before. You can speak to a personal injury lawyer now at (618) 500-HURT.

Types of Claims Our East St. Louis, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Win

Being a personal injury lawyer in East St. Louis, IL requires that your lawyers and firm know how negligence laws apply to a wide range of cases. Knowing the difference between the laws and defendants applicable to different types of claims is paramount. A lawyer that only specializes in a certain type of injury claim may not have the experience to take on other cases. At Burger Law, we know how to get great results whenever negligence results in an injury. We have won millions for our East St. Louis, IL clients in the following types of cases:

Auto Accidents

The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that there are about 400,000 personal injury claims annually. The majority of those result from auto accidents, for instance:

• Car Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents

Truck accidents can cause serious injuries because of the amount of force they carry in an accident, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at heightened risk of catastrophic injury or death due to their relatively limited protection. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, anyone behind the wheel must “exercise due care” to avoid colliding with anybody or anything else on the Illinois roads. If someone breaks the rules of the road and you end up hurt, you have an auto accident claim against them.

In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or local municipality may have at least contributed to your injuries. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will carry out a full investigation into your claim to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have a duty to take reasonable measures to make sure their property is not hazardous for people who are not trespassing. If you sustain damages because unsafe conditions on a property caused you to slip and fall or otherwise inflicted harm, you may have a premises liability claim. 740 ILCS 130/, also known as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, stipulates that property owners owe a duty of care to entrants that is “of reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” Basically, if there is a dangerous condition that is not obvious, the owner needs to either repair the condition or warn against it. Examples of hazardous conditions are:

• Spills
• A recently mopped floor
• Broken concrete on a walkway
• Broken stairs
• Broken decks and balconies
• Potholes
• Overly steep inclines
• Ledges
• Poor lighting
• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Uneven rugs
• Stray cords
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Absence of safety rails

Not all injuries on a property lead to a valid premises liability claim. If you were trespassing, ignored warning signs, such as a “wet floor sign,” or were running or acting dangerously, you likely do not have a slip and fall claim. The following must be true in order to make a claim:

• The owner or manager created the unsafe conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the risk and failed to repair it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix the risk and repaired it negligently; or
• The owner or manager should have known about the condition, either because it happens often, had been there for an extended length of time or due to other complaints

A property owner or insurance adjuster in East St. Louis, IL may tell you they do not owe you anything because they should not have been reasonably expected to repair or warn against the accident or because the accident was your fault. That is not true, and always speak with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement.

Medical Malpractice

Based on research from John Hopkins University, medical errors cause more than 250,000 deaths annually. While not all of those constitutes malpractice, when it does, a physician needs to be held accountable for breaking your trust.

Proving a medical malpractice claim is based on what is referred to as the standard of care. The standard refers to how a prudent doctor, in the same area and with the same training as the one you are making a claim against, would treat whatever ailment you saw them for.

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice claim needs to be filed along with an affidavit from a health professional who:

• is knowledgeable in the relevant issues of the claim
• practices or teaches the same field as the doctor you are suing, or has practiced or taught in that field within the last six years
• is qualified to review the facts of your case, and determines your claim is “reasonable and meritorious”

It is imperative that the doctor who writes the affidavit has the same training and practices in the same area as the health professional you are making a claim against. A thoracic surgeon in Chicago has a different standard of care than a family doctor in Decorah, Iowa. Burger Law has a network of expert witnesses in East St. Louis and all over Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common instances of medical malpractice in East St. Louis, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Leaving objects in during surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Failure to secure consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Ignoring a patient’s complaints
• Not sending you to a specialist or recommending a different treatment plan when theirs is not working
• Prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage

Dog Bites

Each day, nearly 1,000 people require emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and annually dog bites lead to about 12,480 hospitalizations. According to a Chicago Tribune article, Illinois has the second-highest rate of dog bites in the country.

510 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Animal Control Act, states that a dog owner is strictly liable for your the injuries their dog causes, assuming you did not provoke it and were not trespassing. “Strict liability” means that the owner is automatically liable, whether they were negligent or not. This means, the owner cannot get out of paying you by saying they did not know the dog was aggressive, or that it was not their fault the animal got free.

While some dog bites only lead to minor injuries, others result in reconstructive surgeries or permanent disfigurement. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you likely need an experienced and skilled East St. Louis, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get the best possible compensation you deserve.

Product Liability

Strict liability also applies to anyone involved in the chain of distribution of a defective product. There are typically three theories a personal injury lawyer will use to make a product liability claim in East St. Louis, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that was present when the product was initially designed. This could include tables or furniture that naturally tip over, or a power tool whose guard rails do not offer sufficient protection.
2. Manufacturing defect — This type of defect usually occurs to only one or several individual products, instead of an entire line of products. Examples include a bug getting caught in a soda can, or improperly attached electrical outlets.
3. Marketing defect — This refers to instructions that does not mention certain risks when the product is put to foreseeable use. For example, an electric shaver not mentioning that shock can occur if used in the shower.

In order to recover compensation, you must show that the product carried inherent risks when used in a foreseeable manner, that it caused your injuries and that the product had not been “substantially” changed from its state at the initial sale.

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers will take on any case in which someone was injured through no fault of their own. One of the benefits of choosing a Burger Law East St. Louis, IL personal injury lawyer is that our team takes on all types of personal injury claims, and this actually gives our lawyers exceptional experience that they can use to benefit all their clients. We understand that case types often overlap, and having experience with each type of claim gives our team the perfect understanding of how to fight for our clients’ rights and recoveries.

How Does the Personal Injury Claims Process Work in East St. Louis, IL?

The journey to securing a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries can be long and complex. While some cases only take a few months, others can take several years before a jury finally renders a verdict. Generally, the personal injury claims process consists of:

• Seeking Medical Treatment — Seek medical treatment immediately after an injury, and follow your doctor’s treatment plans to a “T.” Waiting too long could bring complications to your claim, and not getting the full treatment will reduce both your economic and noneconomic damages. Our personal injury lawyers work with several experienced East St. Louis, IL doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists who can help you in your recovery.
• Consulting With an Attorney — Even if you are not sure you are going to need legal representation, you need to consult with one as soon as possible so they can become familiar with your case. A good attorney will tell you bluntly what your legal options are.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have hired an attorney, your personal injury lawyer will perform a full investigation into your claim, ascertain every liable party and obtain the evidence they need to get you full compensation. You should also keep detailed records of your expenses related to your injuries, and how keeping a journal detailing how your injuries have affected your life.
• Settlement Demand and Negotiations — Once we have determined the full extent of your damages, we will send a settlement demand package to those who are liable for compensating you. In the package we will include full documentation of all of your damages, and insist that nothing but the full amount is acceptable. Usually, they will respond with a lower offer, and there will be several back-and-forths until they offer full compensation.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If the insurance company will not be fair in negotiations, we will file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to trial. During this time, we will continue negotiating in an effort to avoid a trial.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last chance for a settlement before trial. In mediation, a neutral third party hears arguments from both sides and tries to break the stalemate.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation fails, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In discovery, we take depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, acquire more evidence and share with and request documentation with the other side.
• Trial — It is rare that a personal injury claim makes it all the way to trial. In fact, we often finally get the settlement we were seeking on the eve of trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to do the right thing, we will fight for your compensation in court. Trial consists of:
  • Voir dire
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most of our East St. Louis, IL clients have never been through the personal injury claims process before, and are unsure of what lies ahead. Burger Law will be your advocate from our initial consultation to full compensation, keep you up to date on the status of your claim and manage all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on healing.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in My East St. Louis, IL Personal Injury Claim?

Typically, there are two types of damages you can seek in a personal injury claim: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses related to your injuries, for instance:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential if your injuries result in permanent disability
  • Medical bills, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that are harder to put a dollar figure on, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

In some cases, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the liable harmed you on purpose or they were incredibly reckless. Examples can include a drunk driver, or a doctor who performs surgery after drinking. While punitive damages are rarely awarded, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue possible to get you the best possible financial recovery.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in East St. Louis, IL?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is shorter than most states at just two years, under 735 ILCS 5/. That means the clock starts ticking when your accident occurs, and expires after two years. However, there are three important exceptions:

1. If you were a minor when the injury occurred, you have until your 20th birthday.
2. If you were under a “legal disability” when the injury occurred, you have two years from the date the disability was “removed.”
3. In medical malpractice cases, you have two years from the date you discovered the injury or could reasonably have been expected to discover the injury. No medical malpractice claim can be made more than four years after the injury occurred, unless you were under 18. Then you would have until four years after your 18th birthday.

While two years may seem like a long time, thoroughly investigating an injury and developing a legal strategy takes time. Do not delay in speaking to an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (618) 500-HURT.

Hire Burger Law

Speak to Personal Injury Lawyer in East St. Louis, IL Now

Burger Law’s East St. Louis, IL personal injury lawyers fiercely believe in zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery the moment you hire us, investigate your case thoroughly, stand up to insurance companies on your behalf and do not let down until you receive the full compensation you are owed. We offer the highest level of legal advocacy; all of our advice will be sincere and in your best interest, but we always leave the ultimate decisions on your claim to you and your East St. Louis, IL family. You do not have to pay for someone else’s careless actions. To start on your road to true recovery, call a Burger Law East St. Louis, IL personal injury lawyer now at (618) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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