Personal Injury Lawyer in Hennepin, IL

Burger Law defends the rights of those who are injured due to the negligence of another. If you or someone you love has been injured all because someone else behaved recklessly or irresponsibly, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Hennepin, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law today at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online.

To find out how much your personal injury claim may be worth in Hennepin, or anywhere in Illinois, complete our complimentary personal injury calculator.

Those who hurt you are financially and legally responsible for taking care of your injuries and paying you all of what you are owed, but that does not mean they will do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights hard for our clients against anyone who is trying to keep them from the money they are owed. That includes anything from suing large trucking companies, holding negligent doctors, product manufacturers, business owners accountable, suing City Hall, to getting justice and financial security for Hennepin residents after a loved one passed too soon. If you would like to discuss the merits of your case further, what compensation you are owed or anything else about the personal injury claims process, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Hennepin, IL now at (779) 800-HURT.

Why Choose Burger Law’s Hennepin, 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 who has won your type of case before 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 their previous victories, and their reputation among their clients and peers:

Award-Winning Hennepin, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

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

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all lawyers in the United States
• Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Honor — Members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor only given to 1 percent of attorneys in the United States.
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers Honor — Selected to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only award that is comprised of the most qualified 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 attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Hennepin, IL – Cases We Have Won

Our Hennepin, IL personal injury lawyers have a demonstrated history of getting great results. We fight all who harm our clients, and we demand nothing but full compensation. Our lawyers are dedicated to offering our clients amazing legal representation, and we have tremendous pride in our hard-fought victories. Check out some of our recent victories 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 the compensation you receive is going to depend on the circumstances of your claim. We fight for you so that you are given what you deserve.

Burger Law Client Success Stories

Beyond the videos below, you can watch more client testimonials here.

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in Hennepin, IL

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get financial compensation for the wrong done by another person’s negligence, and to achieve justice. The purpose of insurance settlements and civil litigation is to make you whole. The idea is to put you in the same position you were in before another person injured you.

Sometimes, no lawyer, settlement or verdict is can fully return you to how things were before the injury. While you can be reimbursed for the financial losses you sustained, other damages are harder to quantify. If you lost a loved one, you lost a limb, are permanently scarred or will have to live the rest of your life in chronic pain, no amount of money can change that. What empathetic and skilled 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 provide you with relief from the financial losses resulting from your accident.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Hennepin, 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 Hennepin, IL. The important question is, can they add value to my claim? If your injuries were not severe, you did not miss much time off work and the insurance adjuster is being reasonable, you may not need an attorney. But, you should hire legal representation in Hennepin, IL under the following circumstances:

• There is a dispute 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 care
• There are multiple parties at fault
• Your damages are more than the liable policyholder’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we are always honest about whether or not it is in your best interest to hire our services. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you only pay after you have received the full compensation you are owed, and there is no reason for us to accept you as a client if we do not think we can significantly increase the value of your claim.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Hennepin, IL?

While the legal literature concerning negligence and liability can be hard to navigate, whether or not you can seek compensation depends on the answer to one particular question: were you injured because someone else was negligent? From a legal standpoint, you must prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to show that the liable party had an obligation to keep you safe. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as motorists all owe everyone on the Hennepin, IL roads a duty of care, or store owners need their properties to be reasonable safe for anyone who legally enters. In other cases, a special relationship must be established, 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 obligation? Did a driver crash into you you because they were drunk? Did a doctor not take into account your medical history? Did a store owner not salt the ice in front of their property sufficiently?
3. Cause-in-fact — You must demonstrate how the breach of duty caused your injuries. For instance, you sustained a whiplash injury after being rear ended, or were burned by a defective product when it overheated.
4. Proximate cause — This determines liability. If you were rear ended, the liable party is usually the driver that hit you. But if the brakes were not safe, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you must show 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. After proving economic damages, we can seek compensation for less tangible losses.

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 Hennepin, IL before. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (779) 800-HURT.

What Are Common Personal Injury Lawsuits in Hennepin, IL?

Practicing injury law in Hennepin, IL requires that you know how liability laws apply to a wide range of cases. Knowing the difference between a car accident case and a truck accident case seems simple, but there are many different laws and statutes concerning truck accidents that can be the deciding factor in whether or not the case is successful. A lawyer 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 hold the liable party accountable whenever negligence results in an injury. Cases we take on in Hennepin and throughout Illinois include:

Auto Accidents

Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that there are about 400,000 personal injury claims annually. About 52 percent of those result from auto accidents, 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 heightened 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 a driver is negligent and you end up hurt, you have an auto accident claim against them.

In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or local municipality may be fully or partially to blame for your injuries. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will conduct a complete investigation into your accident to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have a responsibility to ensure their premises is safe for people who are legally on it. If you are injured in a slip and fall because a property was unsafe, you deserve compensation. 740 ILCS 130/, also known as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, stipulates 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.” Essentially, if something that is not obvious makes the property unsafe, the owner has a responsibility to either repair the condition, post signage or rope it off. Examples of a dangerous condition on a property include:

• 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
• Stray cords
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Broken safety rails

Not all injuries on a property lead to a valid premises liability claim. If you were trespassing, ignored warning signs, such as a “wet floor sign,” or were running or not behaving in a safe manner, you likely do not have a slip and fall claim. Successful premises liability claims depend on the following:

• The owner or manager created the dangerous conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the condition and neglected to fix it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix the condition and fixed it negligently; or
• The owner or manager should have known about the condition, either because it happens often, had been there for an extended length of time or due to other complaints

A store or insurance company in Hennepin, IL may try to convince you that they are not liable for your slip and fall injuries because they had no idea about the condition or because the accident was your fault. Do not believe them, and do not accept any settlement offer until you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer.

Medical Malpractice

Based on research from John Hopkins University, medical errors cause over 250,000 deaths annually. While not every error constitutes negligence, when it does, a doctor needs to be held accountable for breaking your trust.

Proving a medical malpractice claim will come down to what is known 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 making a claim against, would treat whatever ailment you saw them for.

According to 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 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 essential that the health professional corroborating your allegations 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 pediatrician in Kadoka, South Dakota. Burger Law has a network of expert witnesses in Hennepin and in other parts of Illinois who can corroborate that your doctor violated the standard of care.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Hennepin, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Leaving objects in after surgery
• Hospital system errors
• Failure to secure 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

Every day, nearly 1,000 people seek emergency care for dog bites, and every year dog bites lead to about 12,600 hospitalizations. According to a Chicago Tribune article, Illinois insurance companies pay out the second-most money for dog bites than any state in the country.

510 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Animal Control Act, stipulates that a dog owner is strictly liable for your damages if it bit you, as long as 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, 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 only lead to minor injuries, others can lead to expensive surgeries or lifelong disfigurement. In any case, you likely need an experienced and skilled Hennepin, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get 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 Hennepin, 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 an electrical appliance that melts when turned on high.
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 a product that did not carry sufficient warnings when it was 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 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 will take on any case in which a rule breaker injured someone else. One of the benefits of choosing a Burger Law Hennepin, IL personal injury lawyer is that we are not limited to any one type of claim, 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 Hennepin, IL?

The journey to getting maximum compensation for your injuries begins the second you are injured. While some cases only take a few months, others can take several years before a jury finally renders a decision. Generally, the path to getting compensation consists of:

• Getting Medical Care — Get medical treatment as soon as possible after an injury, and do not miss any appointments with your doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist. If you delay, it could bring complications to your claim, and not getting the full treatment will lower how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers know experienced Hennepin, IL doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists who can help you in your recovery.
• Speaking With an Attorney — Even if you are not sure you are going to need legal representation, it is best to consult with one as soon as possible so they can become familiar with your case. A good attorney will be straightforward with you about whether or not their services are needed.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have hired an attorney, your personal injury lawyer will carry out an exhaustive investigation into your claim, determine who we need to hold accountable and gather the evidence they need to get you maximum compensation. You can help by keeping a record of every dollar you have spent because of your injuries, and how keeping a journal detailing how your injuries have affected your life.
• Settlement Demand and Negotiations — Once we have determined the full extent of your damages, we will send a settlement demand package to the liable party’s insurance company. In the package we will include how we calculated your damages, and insist that nothing but the full amount is acceptable. Usually, the insurance company will counter our offer with a lower number, and we keep negotiating until they decide to be truly fair.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If negotiations do not lead anywhere, 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 — If a settlement agreement still has not been reached, your personal injury lawyer and the liable party will likely pursue mediation. In mediation, an unbiased third party hears arguments from both sides and tries to break the stalemate.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation fails, the “discovery” phase begins. In discovery, we will speak to eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, acquire more evidence and share with and request documentation with the other side.
• Trial — Most personal injury claims are settled before trial. In fact, many times we have gotten the settlement we were seeking just before trial begins. However, if the insurance company refuses to do the right thing, the case will go in front of a judge and jury. Trial consists of:
  • Jury selection
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most of our Hennepin, 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, be there to answer all of your questions and handle all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on healing.

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

Typically, 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 resulting from your injuries, for instance:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential 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

In some cases, 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 get you the best possible financial recovery.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Hennepin, 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 important 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 your 22nd 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 wait to contact an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (779) 800-HURT.

Other cases we handle in Hennepin, IL include:

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

Speak to Personal Injury Lawyer in Hennepin, IL Now

Burger Law’s Hennepin, 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, stand up to 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 Hennepin, 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 Hennepin, IL personal injury lawyer now at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.