Personal Injury Lawyer in Bourbonnais, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of those who get hurt due to negligent and reckless actions. When you or someone you love are seriouslinjured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in GleCarbon, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law today at (573) 500-HURT or filout our online form.

To calculate the value of your personal injury claim in Glen Carbon, or anywhere in Illinois, fill out our free personal injury calculator.

Those who hurt you are responsible for compensating you for all of your damages, but that does not mean they will do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights back for the injured against whoever is standing in the way of justice. That includes anything from making claims against drunk drivers, holding negligent healthcare professionals, product manufacturers, store owners responsible, taking the fight to the government, to getting justice and financial security for Glen Carbon residents after a loved one passed too soon. If you have questions about your case, the damages you may be able to recover or other questions regarding personal injury claims, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Glen Carbon, IL today at (573) 500-HURT.

Why Choose Burger Law’s Bourbonnais, IL Personal Injury Lawyers For Your Claim

It can be difficult to know how to choose the best personal injury lawyer for you. 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 gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account their previous victories, and what their clients and other lawyers say about them:

Award-Winning Bourbonnais, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

The numerous awards and recognition Burger Law has received from other law firms include:

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant 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 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 ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Bourbonnais, IL – Recent Victories

Our Bourbonnais, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We take on all who have injured our clients, and we demand nothing but maximum compensation. Our lawyers are committed to giving our clients amazing legal advocacy, and we take great pride in our well-deserved victories. Read about 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 pointing out that every case is unique, and what you may be eligible to recover is going to be based entirely upon the circumstances of your claim. We fight for you so that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Burger Law Client Testimonials

Beyond the videos below, you can see our full list of client testimonials here.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim in Bourbonnais, IL?

Under Illinois and U.S. law, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to get monetary reimbursement for the harm done by another person’s negligence, and to hold wrongdoers accountable. The purpose of personal injury claims is to make you whole. The idea is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

In some cases, no outcome in your claim can truly return you to how things were before the injury. While you can be reimbursed for medical bills, time spent off work recovering and other financial losses, other damages cannot truly be expressed through dollar signs. If a family member died, you lost a limb, are permanently scarred or will have to receive medical treatment for the rest of your life, no one can truly change that. What empathetic and skilled personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is secure you fair compensation in order to provide a sense of justice and recognition, and to give you relief from the financial losses resulting from your accident.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, IL. The important question is, can they increase my compensation? If your medical expenses are low, you have minimal lost wages and the other party’s fault is clearly established, you may not need an attorney. But, you should hire an attorney in Bourbonnais, IL under the following circumstances:

• There is disagreement about liability, or the insurance company says the injuries are your fault
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain 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 an insurance company’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we are always direct about how much we can help your claim. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you do not pay until we win your case, and there is no reason for us to take on your claim if we do not think we can get you substantially more money.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Claim in Bourbonnais, IL?

While the legal literature concerning negligence and liability can be complex, whether or not you can seek compensation depends on the answer to one essential question: did another person’s negligence cause you injuries? From a legal standpoint, you must prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to show that the person you are making a claim against had an obligation to keep you safe. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as Bourbonnais, IL driver owe everyone else on the 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 been agreed to, for instance a doctor-patient relationship or a vendor-patron relationship.
2. Breach of duty — Did the liable party fail in that responsibility? Did a driver crash into you you because they were looking at their phone? Did a doctor prescribe the wrong dosage? Did a dog owner let their dog roam unleashed?
3. Cause-in-fact — You must demonstrate how the incident led to your injuries. For instance, you broke your arm when your car was t-boned, or were burned by a defective product when it overheated.
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 brakes were faulty, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Finally, you need to demonstrate that the injuries caused financial losses. In personal injury cases, this is usually medical expenses and lost wages. With access to your medical records, damages are easy to prove with the help of an attorney. After proving economic damages, we can pursue compensation for pain and suffering damages.

If you have any doubts about whether or not you have a case, speak to a lawyer in Bourbonnais, IL who has won a similar claim before. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Types of Claims Our Bourbonnais, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Win

Practicing injury law in Bourbonnais, IL mandates that you have a vast knowledge of the different types of cases that people deal with. 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 be the best choice to get you full compensation in a different claim. At Burger Law, we know how to hold the liable party accountable no matter the circumstances. Cases we take on in Bourbonnais and throughout Illinois include:

Auto Accidents

Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that there are 300,000 to 500,000 personal injury claims in any given year. About 52 percent of those are auto accident claims, for instance:

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

Truck accidents can cause serious injuries because trucks emit an incredible amount of force, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at increased risk of catastrophic injury or death due to their relatively limited protection. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorist must “exercise due care” to avoid colliding with anybody or anything else on the Illinois roads. If someone breaks the rules of the road, causes an accident and injures you, you have an auto accident claim against them.

Sometimes, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or local municipality may be fully or partially to blame for your injuries. Your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will perform a complete investigation into your accident to find every liable party and hold them accountable.

Premises Liability

Proprietors have an obligation to take reasonable measures to make sure their property is not hazardous for people who are legally on it. If you are injured in a slip and fall because a property was unreasonably dangerous, you deserve compensation. 740 ILCS 130/, also known as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, states that proprietors have a duty of care to people who legally 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 dangerous, the owner needs to either repair the hazard 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
• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Rugs that are not flat
• Wiring
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Broken safety rails

Not all injuries on a property result in a premises liability claim. If you were trespassing, ignored warning signs, such as a “wet floor sign,” or were running or not acting 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 condition and neglected to fix it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix the condition 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 Bourbonnais, IL may try to convince you that they do not owe you anything because they had no idea about the condition or because you are to blame. That is not true, and always speak with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement.

Medical Malpractice

According to a 2016 study from John Hopkins University, medical errors cause over a quarter of a million deaths annually. While not every error amount to negligence, when it does, a doctor needs to pay for breaking your trust.

Proving a medical malpractice claim is based on what is referred to as 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 must be accompanied by 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 vital that the health professional corroborating your allegations is in the same practice area and geographic region as the health professional you are making a claim against. An anesthesiologist in Chicago is held to a different standard of care than a pediatrician in Kadoka, South Dakota. Burger Law has a network of expert witnesses in Bourbonnais and all over Illinois who can corroborate your claim.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Bourbonnais, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• 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 seeking a second opinion 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 care for dog bites, and every year about 12,480 people are hospitalized. According to a Chicago Tribune article, Illinois is the second-highest dog bite state in the country.

510 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Animal Control Act, states that the owner of a dog is strictly liable for your the injuries their dog causes, as long as 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 are minor, others result in expensive surgeries or permanent disfigurement. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you likely need an experienced and skilled Bourbonnais, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get the best possible financial recovery you deserve.

Product Liability

Like dog owners, anyone in the chain of distribution of a product is strictly liable for the injuries stemming from a defective product. There are generally three theories a personal injury lawyer will use to make a product liability claim in Bourbonnais, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that was present when the product was initially conceptualized. This could include an SUV that is susceptible to rollover accidents, or a power tool whose guard rails do not prevent injuries.
2. Manufacturing defect — This type of defect affects several individual products instead of an entire line of products. Examples include rat droppings getting caught in packaging, or a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
3. Failure to warn — This refers to labeling 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 have a successful claim, you must demonstrate that the product was “unreasonably dangerous” when it was used in a way a manufacturer could reasonably expect, 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 rule breaker injured someone else. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, IL?

The path to getting a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries can be long and complex. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others go completely through to a jury trial. From beginning to end, the personal injury claims process consists of:

• Getting Medical Care — Get medical treatment immediately after an injury, and do not miss any appointments with your doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist. 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 trustworthy Bourbonnais, IL doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists who can ensure you recover physically as best as possible.
• Consulting With an Attorney — Even if you do not know if you need an attorney, it is best to know what your options are as soon as possible. A good attorney will tell you bluntly what your legal recourses are.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have legal representation, your personal injury lawyer will conduct an exhaustive investigation into your claim, determine every liable party and acquire the evidence they need to get you full compensation. You can help by keeping 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 the liable party’s insurance company. 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, they will respond with a lower offer, 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. During this time, we will continue negotiating in an effort to avoid a trial.
• Mediation — If a settlement agreement still has not been reached, your personal injury lawyer and the liable party will likely pursue mediation. In mediation, a neutral third party hears arguments from both sides and tries to get everyone to reach an agreement.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation still does not result in a fair settlement, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In discovery, we take depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, gather more evidence and both parties will share with the other what they plan to use as evidence in trial.
• Trial — Only six percent of personal injury claims go to trial. Indeed, we often finally get the settlement we were seeking just before trial begins. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, 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 Bourbonnais, IL clients have never been through the personal injury claims process before, and are unsure of what lies ahead. Burger Law will be by your side every step of the way, be there to answer all of your questions and oversee all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on your physical recovery.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Claim in Bourbonnais, IL Worth?

In general, 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 do not allow you to earn a living as you used to
  • Medical costs, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that are harder to quantify, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

Though rare, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the negligent 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 do not apply to most personal injury claims, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue available to get you the best possible financial recovery.

What Is the Time Limit for Personal Injury Claims in Bourbonnais, IL?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is relatively short at two years for most personal injury claims, 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 at the time of injury, 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, your attorney will want as much time as possible to build your case. Do not delay in speaking to an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Other cases we get great results in in Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, IL Now

Burger Law’s Bourbonnais, 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 standard 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 Bourbonnais, 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 Bourbonnais, 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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