Personal Injury Lawyer in Alton, IL

Burger Law defends the rights of those who are injured because someone else did no respect their safety. When you are seriously injured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Alton, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law now at (573) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

To find out the value of your personal injury claim in Alton, or anywhere in Illinois, complete our complimentary personal injury calculator.

Those who harmed you are financially and legally responsible for taking care of your injuries and paying you 100 percent of what you are owed, but they will not do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights back for our clients against anyone who is trying to keep them from the money they deserve. We handle a litany of cases, including suing drunk drivers, holding negligent doctors, product manufacturers, animal owners responsible, suing the government, to securing justice and financial security for a family after the wrongful death of a family member. If you would like to discuss the merits of your case further, what compensation you are owed or anything else about the personal injury claims process, call our personal injury lawyers in Alton, IL as soon as possible at (573) 500-HURT.

Why Burger Law Is The Alton, IL Personal Injury Law Firm For You

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your case is essential. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases and who is not afraid to take your case all the way to trial if they have to. 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 what their clients and other lawyers say about them:

Acclaimed Alton, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

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

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a noteworthy achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all attorneys in the country
• 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 award that is comprised of the most qualified lawyers 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 lawyers are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Alton, IL – Cases We Have Won

Our Alton, IL personal injury lawyers have a demonstrated history of getting great results. We take on all who have hurt our clients, and we fight for a full recovery every time. Our lawyers are committed to offering our clients the highest standard of legal representation, and we take tremendous pride in our hard-fought victories. Check out some of our recent successes 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 worth mentioning that no two cases are the same, and what you may be eligible to recover is going to depend on 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 Testimonials

In addition to the videos below, you can see our full list of client testimonials here.

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in Alton, IL

Under Illinois and U.S. law, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to get financial compensation for the wrong done by another person’s negligence, and to achieve justice. The compensation 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.

In some cases, no outcome in your claim can truly “put back” all the things you lost in an injury. While you can be reimbursed for the financial losses you sustained, other damages are less tangible. If you lost a loved one, you are permanently disabled, are permanently scarred or will have to receive medical care for the rest of your life, no one can truly change that. What empathetic 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.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Alton, IL?

While some cases can be successfully navigated without a lawyer, most of the time you will need one to ensure no money is left on the table in Alton, IL. The question to ask when thinking about whether or not you need a lawyer is, will I get more money with them? If your injuries were minor, you have minimal lost wages and the insurance company is being mostly fair, you may not need an attorney. But, you should hire a lawyer in Alton, IL if the following is true about your claim:

• There is a dispute about liability, or the insurance company says the accident are your fault
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain damages
• Your injuries are significant and require extensive care
• There are multiple parties that is liable for your damages
• Your damages are more than an insurance company’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we are always straightforward about how much value we can add your claim. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you only pay after you have received the full compensation you deserve, and there is no reason for us to accept you as a client if we do not think we can significantly increase your final payout.

What Do You Need to Prove to Win a Personal Injury Claim in Alton, IL?

While state statutes can be complex, whether or not you have a claim depends on the answer to one essential question: were you injured because someone else was negligent? From a legal standpoint, you need to prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to demonstrate that the person you are making a claim against had a responsibility to care for your safety. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as Alton, IL driver owe drivers, passengers and pedestrians a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others to keep their dog from biting anyone. In other cases, a special 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 crash into you you while they were distracted? Did a doctor prescribe the wrong dosage? Did a store owner not salt the ice in front of their property sufficiently?
3. Causation — You must demonstrate how the breach of duty caused your injuries. For instance, you sustained a whiplash injury after being rear ended, or had bad side effects from a prescription drug.
4. Proximate cause — This determines liability. If you were hit by a vehicle, it is usually because another driver was not driving properly. But if the tires were defective, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you need to demonstrate that you sustained some form of financial loss as a direct result of your injuries. In most cases damages are medical bills and wages you could not earn while you were not able to work. With access to your medical records, an attorney will be able to establish your financial losses with an insurance company. Once we establish financial losses, we can also pursue compensation for pain and suffering damages.

The only way to know for certain if you have an injury claim is to consult with an attorney who has handled your type of claim in Alton, IL before. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Types of Claims Our Alton, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Take on

Being a personal injury lawyer in Alton, IL requires that your lawyers and firm know how liability laws apply to a wide range of cases. Knowing the difference between a car accident case and a truck accident case seems simple, but there are many different laws and statutes concerning truck accidents that can be the deciding factor in whether or not the case is successful. A lawyer who only knows how to deal with car insurance companies may not have the experience to take on other cases. At Burger Law, we know how to secure justice for the injured no matter the circumstances. Cases we take on in Alton and throughout Illinois include:

Auto Accidents

The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that there are 300,000 to 500,000 personal injury claims in any given year. The majority of those result from auto accidents, such as:

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

Truck accidents can cause serious injuries because trucks emit so much, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at heightened risk of being severely injured 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.

Sometimes, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or governmental entity may be at fault. Your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will perform a comprehensive investigation into your claim to find every liable party and hold them accountable.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have a duty to take reasonable measures to make sure their premises does not carry any risks for people who are not trespassing. If you are injured in a slip and fall because a property was unsafe, you deserve compensation. 740 ILCS 130/, also known as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, mandates that property owners have a duty of care to people who lawfully enter their property that is “of reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” Basically, if something that is not obvious makes the property unsafe, the owner has a responsibility 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
• Sudden changes in surface level
• Ledges
• Poor lighting

• Black ice
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Uneven rugs
• Wiring
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Broken safety rails

You do not automatically have a claim just because a property had a dangerous condition. If you were trespassing, ignored warning signs, such as a “wet floor sign,” or were running or not behaving in a safe manner, 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 dangerous conditions; or
• The owner or manager was aware of the risk and neglected to repair it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix the danger and fixed 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 store or insurance company in Alton, IL may tell you they do not owe you anything because they should not have been reasonable expected to repair or warn against the accident or because you are to blame. Do not believe them, and do not accept any settlement offer until you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer.

Medical Malpractice

Based on data from John Hopkins University, medical errors are responsible for over 250,000 deaths a year. While not every error amount to negligence, when it does, you can make a medical malpractice claim.

Your medical malpractice cases will come down to what is called the standard of care. The standard is how a reasonable doctor, in a specific field and specific location, would treat a specific condition.

Under 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 negligent doctor, 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 essential that the doctor who writes the affidavit has the same training and practices in the same area as the health professional you are suing. A neurologist in Chicago is held to a different standard of care than a pediatrician in Kadoka, South Dakota. Burger Law knows numerous expert witnesses in Alton and in other parts of Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common instances of medical malpractice in Alton, IL include:

• Nursing home abuse
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Forgetting to remove objects during surgery
• Hospital system errors
• Lack of consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Ignoring a patient’s complaints
• Not changing course when their treatment plan is not working
• Prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage

Dog Bites

Every day, almost 1,000 people seek emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and every year about 12,600 people are hospitalized. 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 damages if it bit you, assuming there was no provocation and you were legally allowed to be where you were. “Strict liability” means that the owner is liable as a matter of law and you do not have to prove negligence. This means that the owner owes you a recovery regardless of how they acted.

While some dog bites lead to only superficial wounds, others result in reconstructive surgeries or permanent disfigurement. Regardless of the seriousness of your injuries, trust in a Burger Law Alton, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get the maximum compensation you are owed.

Product Liability

Like dog owners, the designers, manufacturers, distributors and vendors of a product are strictly liable for the harm stemming from a defective product. There are three types of product liability claims in Alton, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that was present when the product was initially designed. This could include an SUV that is susceptible to rollover accidents, or a power tool whose safety guards do not prevent injuries.
2. Manufacturing defect — This type of defect usually occurs to only one or several individual products, instead of every product with the same design. Examples include a bug getting caught in a soda can, or improperly attached electrical outlets.
3. Marketing defect — This refers to a product that did not carry sufficient warnings when it was 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 demonstrate 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 a wrongdoer injured someone else. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Alton, IL personal injury lawyer is that our team takes on all types of personal injury claims, and have won your type of claim before. 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 Alton, IL?

The path to securing maximum compensation for your injuries can be long and complex. While some cases only take a few months, others go completely through to a jury trial. In total, the personal injury claims process consists of:

• Getting Medical Care — Seek medical care as soon as possible after an injury, and keep attending all treatments that your physician recommends. If you delay, it could bring complications to your claim, and not attending all your sessions will reduce both your economic and noneconomic damages. Our personal injury lawyers have a network of experienced Alton, IL health professionals who can ensure you recover physically as best as possible.
• Discussing Your Case With an Attorney — Even if you do not know if you need an attorney, you need to consult with one as soon as possible so they can become familiar with your case. A good lawyer will be straightforward with you about whether or not their services are needed.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have legal representation, your personal injury lawyer will perform a complete investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, determine who we need to hold accountable 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 know how much your claim is worth, 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. Most of the time, the insurance company will counter our offer with a lower number, and there will be several back-and-forths until they decide to be truly fair.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If negotiations do not result in fair compensation, we will proceed to litigating the case and setting up a trial. While the case is being litigated, we will continue negotiating in an effort to avoid a trial.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last chance for an agreement before trial. In mediation, an objective third party hears arguments from both sides and tries to break the stalemate.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation fails, the “discovery” phase begins. In this phase, we take depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, obtain more evidence and share with and request documentation with the other side.
• Trial — Only six percent of personal injury claims go to trial. Indeed, we often finally get the settlement we were seeking in the weeks immediately before trial. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, we will defend your rights in court. Trial consists of:
  • Voir dire
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most people who speak with our Alton, IL personal injury lawyers have never had to deal with seeking compensation for an injury before, and are unsure of what lies ahead. Burger Law will be by your side every step of the way, keep you up to date on the status of your claim and handle all the legal aspects of your case so you can spend your energy on your physical recovery.

What Compensation Can I Get In My Alton, IL Personal Injury Claim?

In general, your compensation will fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses resulting from your injuries, for instance:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity if your injuries do not allow you to earn a living as you used to
  • Medical expenses, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for the less tangible aspects of your injuries, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

Sometimes, you may also be eligible for punitive damages if the liable party’s conduct was purposefully harmful or grossly negligent. Examples can include a drunk driver, or a doctor who performs surgery after drinking. While punitive damages do not apply to most personal injury claims, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue We can to maximize your compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Alton, 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 two years to file a claim after your 18th 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 should have discovered the injury. No medical malpractice claim can be made more than four years after the injury occurred, unless you were a minor at the time. 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 (573) 500-HURT.

Other types of claims we get great results in in Alton, IL include:

• Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
• Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
• Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

HIRE BURGER LAW

Speak to Personal Injury Lawyer in Alton, IL Now

Burger Law’s Alton, 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, fight back against insurance companies on your behalf and do not let down until you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. We only give our clients 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 Alton, 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 Alton, IL personal injury lawyer now at (573) 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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