Personal Injury Lawyer in Forest Park, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of those who get hurt due to negligent and reckless actions. When you or someone you love are seriously injured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Glen Carbon, 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 fill out 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 Burger Law Is The Forest Park, IL Personal Injury Law Firm For You

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for your claim is of utmost importance. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases 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 take into account the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and other attorneys:

Premier Forest Park, 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 not more than 5 percent of all lawyers 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 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 Forest Park, IL – Cases We Have Won

Our Forest Park, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We take on all who have hurt our clients, and we demand nothing but maximum compensation. Our firm is devoted to offering our clients amazing legal advocacy, and we take tremendous pride in our well-deserved 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 no two cases are the same, and what you may be eligible to recover is going to be based entirely upon the your specific injuries. We fight for you so that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Burger Law Client Success Stories

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

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in Forest Park, IL

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get a financial recovery for the wrong another person is responsible for, and to achieve justice. The objective of insurance settlements and civil litigation is to make one whole. The idea is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

Sometimes, no attorney or financial award can truly return you to how things were before the injury. While you can be reimbursed for medical bills, lost wages and other financial losses, other damages are less tangible. If a family member died, you are permanently disabled, are disfigured or will have to receive medical treatment for the rest of your life, no amount of money can change that. What compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is ensure your injuries are recognized, and to provide you with relief from the financial losses resulting from your injuries.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Forest Park, 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 Forest Park, IL. The thing to ask yourself 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, you may not need an attorney. But, you will need an attorney in Forest Park, IL under the following circumstances:

• There is a dispute over who is to blame, or the insurance company says the accident are your fault
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain damages
• Your injuries are serious and require ongoing medical treatment
• There more than one party that is liable for your damages
• Your damages exceed an insurance company’s policy limits

Our initial conversations and investigations are free, and we will always be honest with you about how much we can help your claim. Our personal injury lawyers take on cases based on a contingency-fee, 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.

How Do I Know if I Have a Personal Injury Claim in Forest Park, IL?

While the legal specifics concerning negligence and liability can be complex, whether or not you can seek compensation generally depends on one particular question: were you injured because someone else was negligent? If so, legally speaking 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. In some cases this is automatic, as Forest Park, 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. Other times, a special relationship must have been agreed to, for instance the relationship between a doctor and patient or between a vendor and a buyer.
2. Breach of duty — Did the liable party fail in that responsibility? Did a driver hit you while they were drunk? Did a physician not order the appropriate tests? Did a product manufacturer fail to recall a product they knew was dangerous?
3. Cause-in-fact — You must prove how the breach of duty resulted in your injuries. For instance, you received a concussions after being thrown off your motorcycle, or were burned by a defective product when it overheated.
4. Proximate cause — This determines who needs to be held accountable. If you were hit by a vehicle, the liable party is usually the driver that hit you. But if the brakes were faulty, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Finally, you have to demonstrate that the accident caused economic harm. In personal injury cases, this is usually medical bills and wages you could not earn while you were not able to work. If you keep solid records of your medical expenses, an attorney will be able to establish your financial losses with an insurance company. After proving economic damages, we can seek compensation for less tangible losses.

If you have any doubts about the validity of your claim, speak to a lawyer in Forest Park, IL who has won a similar claim before. Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Personal Injury Case in Forest Park, IL?

Being a personal injury lawyer in Forest Park, IL mandates that you 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 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 in any type of claim. Cases we take on in Forest Park and throughout Illinois include:

Auto Accidents

Statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate 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 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, all motorist must “exercise due care” to keep everyone else on the road safe. 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. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will carry out an exhaustive investigation into your accident to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have an obligation to ensure their property does not carry any risks for people who are legally on it. If you sustain damages in a slip and fall because a property was unsafe, you can make a premises liability claim. 740 ILCS 130/, also referred to as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, stipulates 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 there is a hazardous condition that is not obvious, the owner has a responsibility to either fix 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
• 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

You do not automatically have a claim just because a property had a dangerous condition. If you were in a part of a property you were not allowed to be, ignored warning signs, such as a “wet floor sign,” or were running or acting dangerously, 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 was aware of the condition and failed to repair it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix the hazard 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 Forest Park, IL may tell you they are not liable for your slip and fall injuries 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

According to a 2016 study from John Hopkins University, medical errors cause more than a quarter of a million deaths a year. While not all of those constitutes negligence, when it does, a physician needs to pay for hurting you.

Proving a medical malpractice claim is based on what is called the standard of care. The standard refers to how a reasonable physician, in a specific field and specific location, would treat a specific condition.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice lawsuit 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 corroborating your allegations is in the same practice area and geographic region as the health professional you are making a claim against. A thoracic surgeon in Chicago has a different standard of care than a general practitioner in Rockport, Maine. Burger Law relies on numerous expert witnesses in Forest Park and throughout Illinois who can corroborate that your doctor violated the standard of care.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Forest Park, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Leaving objects in after surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Failure to secure consent
• Failing to order tests that a prudent doctor would
• Blowing off a patient’s complaints
• Not changing course when their treatment plan is not working
• Prescribing the wrong medication or the wrong dosage

Dog Bites

Each day, almost 1,000 people require emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and every year 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, mandates that a dog owner is strictly liable for your the injuries their dog causes, 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, 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 are minor, others result in expensive surgeries or permanent disfigurement. Regardless of the seriousness of your injuries, you likely need an experienced and skilled Forest Park, IL personal injury lawyer to secure you the maximum financial recovery you deserve.

Product Liability

Strict liability also applies to anyone involved in the chain of distribution of a defective product. There are three categories of product liability claims in Forest Park, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that occurs even if the product is manufactured correctly. This could include tables or furniture that naturally tip over, or a power tool whose guard rails do not prevent injuries.
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 rat droppings getting caught in a soda can, or a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
3. Failure to warn — 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 have a successful claim, you must show 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 know how to get great results whenever someone was injured due to another’s negligence. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Forest Park, 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.

What Is the Personal Injury Claims Process in Forest Park, IL?

The journey to getting a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries begins the day you are injured. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others can take several years before a jury finally renders a verdict. In total, the path to getting compensation includes:

• Getting Medical Care — Get medical attention immediately 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 appointments will reduce both your economic and noneconomic damages. Our personal injury lawyers work with several reliable Forest Park, IL health professionals who can help you in your recovery.
• Consulting With an Attorney — Even if you do not know if you need an attorney, you need 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 retained a lawyer’s services, your personal injury lawyer will carry out a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, determine who we need to hold accountable and gather the evidence they need to get you maximum compensation. You can help by keeping detailed records of your expenses related to your injuries, and how they affect your day-to-day 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 how we calculated your damages, and demand a financial recovery for all the ways your injuries have affected you. Most of the time, they will respond with a lower offer, and we keep negotiating 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 — 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 fails, the “discovery” phase begins. In this phase, 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 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 of our Forest Park, IL clients 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, keep you up to date on the status of your claim and manage all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your physical recovery.

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

In general, there are two types of compensation available in a personal injury claim: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for the economic harm related to your injuries, including:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential if your injuries result in permanent disability
  • Medical expenses, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for the less tangible aspects of your injuries, such as:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

Though rare, you may also be eligible for punitive damages if the liable harmed you on purpose or they were 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 possible to maximize your compensation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Forest Park, 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 notable exceptions:

1. If you were under 18 at the time of injury, 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 wait to contact an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Other types of claims we get great results in in Forest Park, 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 Forest Park, IL Now

Burger Law’s Forest Park, IL personal injury lawyers fiercely believe in zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery immediately, investigate your case thoroughly, stand up to insurance companies on your behalf and do not let down until you receive the full compensation you deserve. We offer 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 Forest Park, 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 Forest Park, 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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