Personal Injury Lawyer in La Grange, IL

Personal injury lawyer in La Grange, IL. Burger Law defends the rights of those who are injured because of the negligence of another. If you or a family member have sustained serious injuries all because someone else behaved recklessly or irresponsibly, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in La Grange, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Reach out to Burger Law today at (866) 935-4153 or fill out our online form.

If you want to know the value of your personal injury claim in La Grange, or anywhere in Illinois, take a look at our complimentary personal injury calculator.

The negligent parties that injured you are financially and legally responsible for taking care of your injuries and paying you all of what you are owed, but they will not do it willingly. Burger Law’s personal injury lawyer team fights hard for the injured against anyone who is trying to keep them from the compensation they are owed. That includes anything from suing drunk drivers, holding negligent physicians, product manufacturers, dog owners responsible, taking the fight to City Hall, to securing justice and financial security for La Grange residents after the wrongful death of a loved one. If you want to understand if you have a claim, what compensation you are owed or other questions regarding personal injury claims, call our personal injury lawyers in La Grange, IL immediately at (866) 935-4153.

Why Burger Law Is The La Grange, IL Personal Injury Law Firm For You

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for you is essential. 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 have a good understanding of the abilities of a law firm, you need to take into account the cases they have won, and what their clients and peers say about them:

Award-Winning La Grange, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

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

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable achievement awarded to less 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 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an American Bar Association accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer La Grange, IL – Recent Victories

Our La Grange, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We fight all who have injured our clients, and we demand nothing but full compensation. Our attorneys are dedicated to giving our clients the highest standard of legal representation, and we take great 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 worth pointing out that no two cases are the same, and the financial recovery you are owed is going to be based entirely upon the circumstances of your claim. We calculate the full extent of your damages so that there is no money left on the table.

Burger Law Client Testimonials

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

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in La Grange, IL

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get financial compensation for the harm done by another person’s negligence, and to achieve justice. The compensation you receive is intended to make you whole. The idea is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

Sometimes, no outcome in your claim can truly 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 are permanently disabled, are disfigured or will have to receive medical treatment for the rest of your life, no one can truly make that go away. 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 acknowledgment, and to provide you with financial security as it relates to your injuries.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in La Grange, 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 La Grange, IL. The important question is, can they increase my compensation? If your injuries were minor, 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 La Grange, IL if the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement about liability, or you are being blamed for your injuries
• The initial settlement offer is well below the cost of your damages
• Your injuries are significant and require ongoing medical treatment
• There more than one party at fault
• Your damages are more than an insurance company’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we are always straightforward 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 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 Lawsuit in La Grange, IL?

While state statutes can be confusing, whether or not you have a claim generally depends on one essential question: were you injured because someone else was negligent? If so, legally speaking you need to 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 La Grange, IL roads a duty of care, or store owners need their properties to be reasonable safe for anyone who legally enters. Other times, a particular relationship must have formed, for instance a doctor-patient relationship or a vendor-buyer relationship.
2. Breach of duty — Did the liable party fail in that duty? Did a driver hit you because they were drunk? Did a physician not order the appropriate tests? Did a store owner fail to fix an obviously dangerous condition?
3. Causation — You must prove how the accident resulted in your injuries. For instance, you broke your arm when your car was t-boned, or had bad side effects from a prescription drug.
4. Proximate cause — This determines who needs to be held accountable. If you were rear ended, it is usually because another driver was not driving properly. But if the tires were defective, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Finally, you must demonstrate that the injuries led to financial losses. In most cases damages are 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 pursue compensation for less tangible losses.

If you have any doubts about the validity of your claim, speak to a lawyer in La Grange, IL who has won a similar claim before. You can speak to a personal injury lawyer today at (866) 935-4153.

Types of Claims Our La Grange, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Handle

Practicing injury law in La Grange, IL mandates that you 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 who only knows how to deal with car insurance companies may not be the best choice to get you full compensation in a different claim. At Burger Law, we know how to get great results in any type of claim. We have won millions for our La Grange, IL clients in the following types of cases:

Auto Accidents

Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that there are 300,000 to 500,000 personal injury claims annually. About 52 percent of those are auto accident claims, including:

• 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 due to their relatively limited protection. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, anyone behind the wheel must “exercise due care” to keep everyone else on the road safe. If a driver is negligent and you end up hurt, 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. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will perform a full investigation into your claim to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Proprietors have a duty to take reasonable measures to make sure their premises does not carry any risks for invitees and licensees. If you sustain damages in a slip and fall because a property was unsafe, you deserve compensation. 740 ILCS 130/, also known as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, states that proprietors have a duty of care to people who legally enter their property that is “of reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” Basically, if there is a hazardous condition that is not obvious, the owner has a responsibility 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

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

A store or insurance adjuster in La Grange, IL may try to convince you that they do not owe you anything because they had no idea about the condition 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 are responsible for over 250,000 deaths a year. While not all of those amount to negligence, when it does, a doctor 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 prudent physician, in a specific field and specific location, would treat whatever ailment you saw them for.

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice suit 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 negligent doctor, or has practiced or taught in that field within the last six years
• is qualified to review the facts of your case, and determines your claim is “reasonable and meritorious”

It is essential that the health professional who writes the affidavit is in the same practice area and geographic region as the health professional you are making a claim against. An anesthesiologist in Chicago is held to a different standard of care than a pediatrician in Rockport, Maine. Burger Law relies on numerous expert witnesses in La Grange and in other parts of Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common examples of medical malpractice in La Grange, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Forgetting to remove objects during surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Lack of 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 require emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and annually about 12,480 people are hospitalized. 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, stipulates 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 automatically liable, whether they were negligent or not. This means that the owner owes you a recovery regardless of how they acted.

While some dog bites only lead to minor injuries, others result in reconstructive surgeries or permanent scarring. In any case, you likely need an experienced and skilled La Grange, IL personal injury lawyer to secure you the maximum compensation you deserve.

Product Liability

Like dog owners, anyone in the chain of distribution of a product is strictly liable for the harm a defective product causes. There are three categories of product liability claims in La Grange, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that occurs even if the product is manufactured correctly. This could include an SUV that is susceptible to rollover accidents, or a power tool whose safety guards 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 rat droppings 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, 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 carried inherent risks when it was used in a way a manufacturer could reasonably expect, that it caused your injuries and that you had not substantially modified the product.

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers know how to get great results whenever a rule breaker injured someone else. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law La Grange, IL personal injury lawyer is that we are not limited to any one type of claim, 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.

How Does the Personal Injury Claims Process Work in La Grange, IL?

The path to securing a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries can be long and complex. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others can take several years before a jury finally renders a verdict. In total, the personal injury claims process includes:

• Seeking Medical Care — Seek medical attention as soon as possible after an injury, and do not miss any appointments with your doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist. The insurance company will be harder to deal with if you wait, and not getting the full treatment will reduce both your economic and noneconomic damages. Our personal injury lawyers know trustworthy La Grange, IL doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists who can ensure you get the full treatment you need.
• Consulting With an Attorney — Even if you do not know if you need an attorney, it is best to know what your options are as soon as possible. A good attorney will tell you bluntly what your legal recourses are.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have retained a lawyer’s services, your personal injury lawyer will conduct a complete investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, ascertain who we need to hold accountable and obtain the evidence they need to get you the best possible financial recovery. 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 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 there will be several back-and-forths 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. During this time, both parties continue negotiating.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last option for a settlement before trial. In mediation, a neutral third party listens to arguments from both sides and tries to break the stalemate.
• 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, obtain more evidence and both parties will share with the other what they plan to bring up at trial.
• Trial — Only six percent of personal injury claims go to trial. In fact, many times we have gotten a fair settlement offer on the eve of trial. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, the case will go in court. Trial consists of:
  • Voir dire
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most of our La Grange, 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 by your side every step of the way, keep you up to date on the status of your claim and oversee all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on healing.

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

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 related to your injuries, for instance:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity 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, including:
  • 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 party’s conduct was purposefully harmful or grossly negligent. 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 possible to maximize your compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in La Grange, IL?

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is relatively short at two years for most personal injury claims, under 735 ILCS 5/. That means you must file a claim within two years of when the injury occurred. However, there are three noteworthy 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 under 18. Then you would have until four years after your 18th birthday.

While two years may seem like a long time, 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 (866) 935-4153.

Other types of claims we get great results in in La Grange, 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 La Grange, IL Now

Burger Law’s La Grange, IL personal injury lawyers fiercely believe in 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 give up until you receive the full compensation you deserve. We offer 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 La Grange, 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 La Grange, 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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