Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago Ridge, IL

Personal injury lawyer in Chicago Ridge, IL. Burger Law defends the rights of people who are injured because someone else did no respect their safety. When you or someone you love have sustained serious injuries all because someone else behaved recklessly or irresponsibly, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Chicago Ridge, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law today at (866) 935-4153 or fill out our online form.

To find out how much your personal injury claim may be worth in Chicago Ridge, or anywhere in Illinois, take a look at our free personal injury calculator.

Those who hurt you are financially and legally responsible for taking care of your injuries and paying you 100 percent of what you are owed, 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 suing large trucking companies, holding negligent doctors, product manufacturers, pet owners responsible, suing City Hall, to securing justice and financial security for Chicago Ridge residents after a loved one passed too soon. If you have questions about your case, the damages you may be able to recover or anything else about the personal injury claims process, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Chicago Ridge, IL now at (866) 935-4153.

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

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your claim is crucial. You want someone who has won your type of case before and who is not afraid of 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 other attorneys:

Premier Chicago Ridge, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

The numerous awards and honors 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 nationwide
• 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 comprised 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Chicago Ridge, IL – Cases We Have Won

Our Chicago Ridge, IL personal injury lawyers have a demonstrated history of getting great results. We take on all who harm our clients, and we fight for a full recovery every time. Our attorneys are devoted to giving our clients the highest standard of legal advocacy, and we have 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 worth pointing out that every case is different, and what you may be eligible to recover is going to be based entirely upon the circumstances of your claim. We calculate the full extent of your damages so that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Burger Law Reviews

In addition to the videos below, you can check out more client testimonials here.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim in Chicago Ridge, IL?

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get a financial recovery for the injuries another person caused, and to achieve justice. The objective of personal injury claims is to make you whole. The goal is to put you in the same position you were in before sustained the damages caused by another’s negligence.

In some cases, no attorney, settlement or verdict is can fully return you to how things were before the injury. While we can get compensation for the financial losses you sustained, other damages are harder to quantify. 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 legal process can 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 relief from the financial losses resulting from your injuries.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago Ridge, 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 Chicago Ridge, IL. The important question is, will I get more money with them? If your medical expenses are low, you did not miss much time off work and the other party’s fault is clearly established, a lawyer might not be necessary. But, you will need a lawyer in Chicago Ridge, IL if the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement about who is to blame, 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 ongoing care
• There more than one party that is liable for your injuries
• Your damages exceed the liable policyholder’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we will always be honest with you about whether or not it is worth it for you 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 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 Chicago Ridge, IL?

While the legal literature concerning negligence and liability can be confusing, whether or not you have a claim generally depends on one specific question: were you injured because someone else was negligent? From a legal standpoint, you have to prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to demonstrate that the liable party owed it to you to value your safety. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as Chicago Ridge, 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 unique relationship must have been agreed to, for example a doctor-patient relationship or a vendor-patron relationship.
2. Breach of duty — Did the liable party fail in that duty? Did a driver crash into you you because they were not following the rules of the road? Did a doctor not take into account your medical history? Did a trucking company force their employee to drive longer than regulations allow?
3. Cause-in-fact — You must show how the incident 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 who ultimately is to blame. If you were rear ended, the liable party is usually the driver that hit you. But if the tires were faulty, someone in the vehicle’s chain of distribution may be ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Finally, you must demonstrate that you sustained some form of financial loss as a direct result of your injuries. In most cases damages are medical expenses and wages you could not earn while you were not able to work. If you hold onto your medical bills, an attorney will be able to establish your financial losses with an insurance company. Once we establish financial losses, we can also pursue a financial recovery 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 Chicago Ridge, IL before. You can speak to a personal injury lawyer now at (866) 935-4153.

What Are Common Personal Injury Claims in Chicago Ridge, IL?

Practicing injury law in Chicago Ridge, IL requires that your lawyers and firm have a vast knowledge of the different types of cases that people deal with. Knowing the difference between how the law applies to auto accidents, medical malpractice and slip and falls is essential. 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 secure justice for the injured whenever negligence results in an injury. We have won millions for our Chicago Ridge, 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 are auto accident claims, for instance:

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

Truck accidents can be especially catastrophic because of the amount of force they carry in an accident, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at increased risk of catastrophic injury or death as they do not have the same protection closed-vehicle occupants have. 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 conduct an exhaustive investigation into your accident to find every liable party and hold them accountable.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have a duty to ensure their property is not hazardous for invitees and licensees. If you sustain damages in a slip and fall because a property was unreasonably dangerous, you can make a premises liability claim. 740 ILCS 130/, also referred to as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, stipulates that proprietors have 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 something that is not obvious makes the property dangerous, the owner needs to either fix the condition, post signage or rope it off. Some hazardous conditions include:

• 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
• Rugs that are not flat
• Electrical 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, did not pay attention to warning signs, for example a “wet floor sign,” or were running or not behaving in a safe manner, it might be hard to get compensation. The following must be true in order to make a claim:

• The owner or manager created the dangerous conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the danger and failed 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 property owner or insurance company in Chicago Ridge, IL may try to convince you that they do not owe you anything because they should not have been reasonable expected to repair or warn against the accident or because the accident was your fault. Do not believe them, 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 a quarter of a million deaths annually. While not every error amount to negligence, when it does, a physician needs to be held accountable for hurting you.

Proving a medical malpractice claim will come down to what is referred to as the standard of care. The standard is 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 lawsuit 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 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 health professional who writes the affidavit has the same training and practices in the same area 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 Decorah, Iowa. Burger Law knows numerous expert witnesses in Chicago Ridge and all over Illinois who can corroborate your claim.

Common instances of medical malpractice in Chicago Ridge, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Forgetting to remove objects after surgery
• Hospital system errors
• Failure to secure consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Ignoring a patient’s complaints
• Not changing course when their treatment plan is not working
• Prescription errors

Dog Bites

Every day, nearly 1,000 people seek emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and annually 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, stipulates that the owner of a dog is strictly liable for your damages if it bit you, 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 that the owner owes you a recovery even if they did not necessarily do anything wrong.

While some dog bites lead to only superficial wounds, others result in expensive surgeries or permanent disfigurement. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, trust in a Burger Law Chicago Ridge, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get the best possible compensation you are owed.

Product Liability

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

1. Design defect — This is a defect that was present when the product was initially conceptualized. 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 a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
3. Marketing defect — This refers to instructions that does not mention certain risks when the product is put to foreseeable use. For example, a medication that does not include certain side-effects in the labeling.

In order to make a product liability claim, you must demonstrate that the product carried inherent risks when used in a foreseeable manner, that it was the proximate cause of injuries and that you had not substantially altered the product.

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 Chicago Ridge, 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.

What Is the Personal Injury Claims Process in Chicago Ridge, IL?

The path to getting a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries starts the day you are injured. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others can take several years before a jury finally renders a decision. Generally, the path to getting compensation consists of:

• Seeking Medical Treatment — Get medical attention immediately after an injury, and keep attending all treatments that your physician recommends. The insurance company will be harder to deal with if you wait, and not getting the full treatment will lower both your economic and noneconomic damages. Our personal injury lawyers work with several experienced Chicago Ridge, IL health professionals 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 lawyer will tell you bluntly what your legal options are.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have legal representation, your personal injury lawyer will perform a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, ascertain every liable party and obtain the evidence required for the best possible financial recovery. You should also keep detailed records of your expenses related to your injuries, and how they affect your day-to-day 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 how we calculated your damages, and insist that nothing but the full amount will be agreed to. Usually, 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 file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to trial. During this time, both parties continue negotiating.
• Mediation — If a settlement agreement still has not been reached, your personal injury lawyer and the liable party will likely pursue mediation. In mediation, an objective third party will try to get each party to accept the merits of the other side’s arguments.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation still does not result in a fair settlement, the “discovery” phase begins. 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. In fact, many times we have gotten the settlement we were seeking in the weeks immediately before trial. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, we will fight for your compensation in court. Trial consists of:
  • Jury selection
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most people who speak with our Chicago Ridge, 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 your advocate every step of the way, be there to answer all of your questions and handle all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on your physical recovery.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in My Chicago Ridge, IL Personal Injury Claim?

In general, there are two types of damages you can be compensated for in a personal injury claim: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for the economic harm resulting from your injuries, for instance:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity 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, such as:
  • 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 harmed you intentionally 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 available to get you the best possible financial recovery.

What Is the Time Limit for Personal Injury Claims in Chicago Ridge, 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 not cause immediate concern, 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 (866) 935-4153.

Other cases we take on in Chicago Ridge, 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 Chicago Ridge, IL Now

Burger Law’s Chicago Ridge, IL personal injury lawyers hold ourselves to the standard of zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery immediately, pursue every legal option we have, fight back against insurance companies on your behalf and do not let down until you get the full compensation you are owed. 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 Chicago Ridge, 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 Chicago Ridge, IL personal injury lawyer now at (866) 935-4153 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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