Personal Injury Lawyer in Glen Carbon, 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 Glen Carbon, IL Personal Injury Law Firm For You

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for you is essential. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases and who you know will not back down from a fight. In order to gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account the cases they have won, and their reputation among their clients and peers:

Premier Glen Carbon, 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 notable 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. Less than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Glen Carbon, IL – Recent Victories

Our Glen Carbon, 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 insist on nothing but full compensation. Our lawyers are dedicated to providing our clients amazing legal representation, and we take tremendous pride in our well-deserved successes. Check out some of our recent successes for our personal injury clients 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 the financial recovery you receive 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 Success Stories

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

What Is a Personal Injury Claim in Glen Carbon, IL?

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get financial compensation for the wrong another person is responsible for, and to hold wrongdoers accountable. The compensation you receive is intended to make one whole. The goal is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

In some cases, no outcome in your claim can fully “put back” all the things you lost in an injury. While we can get compensation for the financial losses you sustained, other damages are less tangible. If a family member died, you are permanently disabled, are disfigured or will have to live the rest of your life in chronic pain, no amount of money can make that go away. What empathetic and experienced 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 acknowledgment, and to give you financial security as it relates to your injuries.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Glen Carbon, IL?

While some cases can be successfully navigated without a lawyer, most of the time you will need one to get the full compensation you are owed in Glen Carbon, IL. The important question is, will I get more money with them? If your injuries were minor, you have minimal lost wages and the other party’s fault is clearly established, a lawyer might not be necessary. But, you should hire legal representation in Glen Carbon, IL under the following circumstances:

• There is disagreement about who is to blame, or the insurance company says the injuries are your fault
• The insurance company or liable party’s offer is substantially below what you are owed
• Your injuries are significant and require extensive medical treatment
• There more than one party that is liable for your injuries
• Your damages exceed an insurance company’s policy limits

Our initial conversations and investigations are free, and we are always honest about whether or not it is in your best interest to hire our services. Our personal injury lawyers take on cases based on a contingency-fee, meaning you only pay after you have received the full compensation you deserve, and we have no reason to accept you as a client if we do not think we can significantly increase your final payout.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case in Glen Carbon, IL?

While civil law can be hard to navigate, whether or not you can seek compensation depends on the answer to one particular question: did someone else’s negligence cause you injuries? If so, legally speaking you must 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 an obligation to keep you safe. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as motorists all owe everyone on the Glen Carbon, IL roads a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others to keep their dog from biting anyone. 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 someone fail in that duty? Did a driver hit you because they were distracted? Did a doctor fail to diagnose a condition? Did a dog owner let their dog roam unleashed?
3. Causation — You must prove how the accident led to 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 injured in an auto accident, it is usually because another driver was not driving properly. But if the brakes were not safe, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Finally, you need to show that the injuries caused financial losses. In most cases damages are medical expenses and lost wages. If you hold onto your medical bills, damages are easy to prove with the help of an attorney. Once we establish financial losses, we can also seek compensation for the other ways your injuries have affected you.

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 Glen Carbon, IL before. Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Personal Injury Case in Glen Carbon, IL?

Being a personal injury lawyer in Glen Carbon, IL requires that your lawyers and firm know how liability laws apply to a wide range of cases. 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 be the best choice to get you full compensation in a different claim. At Burger Law, we know how to secure justice for the injured no matter the circumstances. Cases we specialize in in Glen Carbon and throughout Illinois include:

Auto Accidents

The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that there are 300,000 to 500,000 personal injury claims annually. Just over half of those result from auto accidents, including:

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

Truck accidents can be especially catastrophic because trucks emit so much, 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 avoid colliding with anybody or anything else on the Illinois roads. If a driver is negligent, 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 at fault. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will conduct a comprehensive investigation into your accident to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have an obligation to take reasonable measures to make sure their property does not carry any risks for invitees and licensees. If you are injured in a slip and fall because a property was unsafe, you can make a premises liability claim. 740 ILCS 130/, also known as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, states 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.” Essentially, if something that is not obvious makes the property dangerous, the owner has a responsibility to either fix 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
• Poorly lit stairs and walking paths
• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Rugs that are not flat
• Stray cords
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Absence of safety rails

Not all injuries on a property result in a premises liability claim. If you were in a part of a property you were not allowed to be, did not pay attention to warning signs, for example a “wet floor sign,” or were running or not acting 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 hazardous conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the condition and neglected to fix it; or
• The owner or manager tried to repair the risk 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 adjuster in Glen Carbon, 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 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 more than a quarter of a million deaths a year. While not every error amount to malpractice, when it does, you can make a medical malpractice claim.

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

According to 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 health professional corroborating your claim is in the same practice area and geographic region as the health professional you are suing. A neurologist in Chicago is held to a different standard of care than a family doctor in Rockport, Maine. Burger Law relies on a network of expert witnesses in Glen Carbon and in other parts of Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common instances of medical malpractice in Glen Carbon, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Forgetting to remove objects after surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Failure to secure consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Blowing off 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

Every day, almost 1,000 people require emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and annually about 12,600 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 you did not provoke it and were not trespassing. “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 lead to only superficial wounds, others can lead to reconstructive surgeries or lifelong disfigurement. Regardless of the seriousness of your injuries, trust in a Burger Law Glen Carbon, IL personal injury lawyer to secure you the full compensation 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 Glen Carbon, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that occurs even if the product is manufactured correctly. This could include an SUV that is prone to rollover accidents, or an electrical appliance that melts when turned on high.
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 a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
3. Insufficient instructions — 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 make a product liability claim, you must demonstrate that the product was “unreasonably dangerous” when used in a foreseeable manner, that it was the proximate cause of injuries and that you had not significantly modified the product.

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers will take on any case in which someone was injured through no fault of their own. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Glen Carbon, 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 towards their clients’ advantage. 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 Glen Carbon, IL?

The journey to securing 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 decision. From beginning to end, the personal injury claims process includes:

• Seeking Medical Treatment — Get medical care 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 attending all your appointments will reduce your final payout. Our personal injury lawyers have a network of reliable Glen Carbon, IL doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists 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 tell you bluntly what your legal options are.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have legal representation, your personal injury lawyer will conduct an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, ascertain who we need to hold accountable and gather the evidence needed for maximum 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 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 will be agreed to. Usually, the insurance company will counter our offer with a lower number, and we keep negotiating until they offer full compensation.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If the insurance company will not be fair in negotiations, 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, a neutral third party hears arguments from both sides and tries to get everyone to reach an agreement.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation fails, the “discovery” phase begins. In discovery, we take depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, acquire more evidence and both parties will share with the other what they plan to bring up at trial.
• Trial — Most personal injury claims are settled before trial. In fact, we often finally get a fair settlement offer just before trial begins. 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 Glen Carbon, IL personal injury lawyers have never been through the personal injury claims process before, and do not know what to expect. Burger Law will be your advocate from our initial consultation to full compensation, be there to answer all of your questions and handle all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on healing.

What Types of Compensation Are Available in My Glen Carbon, IL Personal Injury Claim?

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

• Economic damages compensate you for the economic harm related to 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 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

In some cases, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the negligent harmed you intentionally 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 We can to maximize your compensation.

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

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is shorter than most states at just two years, under 735 ILCS 5/. That means you must file a claim within two years of when the injury occurred. However, there are three notable exceptions:

1. If you were under 18 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 a minor at the time. Then you would have until your 22nd birthday.

While two years may not cause immediate concern, 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 win in Glen Carbon, IL include:

• Survival Action Lawyer in Illinois
• 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 Glen Carbon, IL Now

Burger Law’s Glen Carbon, IL personal injury lawyers hold ourselves to the standard of zealous representation. That means we get started on your case the moment you hire us, pursue every legal option we have, stand up to insurance companies on your behalf and do not give up until you receive the maximum compensation you are owed. We only give our clients the highest level of legal advocacy; all of our advice will be based on the facts of the case and our experience, but we always leave the ultimate decisions on your claim to you and your Glen Carbon, 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 Glen Carbon, 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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