Personal Injury Lawyer in Midlothian, IL

Burger Law defends the rights of people who are injured because of the negligence of another. When you or a loved one have sustained serious injuries in an accident or incident caused by another person’s actions, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Midlothian, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law now at (779) 800-HURT or fill out our online form.

To find out the value of your personal injury claim in Midlothian, or anywhere in Illinois, complete our complimentary personal injury calculator.

The negligent people that injured 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 hard for our clients against whoever is standing in the way of justice. We handle a variety of cases, including making claims against drunk drivers, holding negligent doctors, product manufacturers, dog owners accountable, taking the fight to City Hall, to getting justice and financial security for a family after a a family member 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, call our personal injury lawyers in Midlothian, IL now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

Choosing the right personal injury lawyer for you is of utmost importance. 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 what their clients and other lawyers say about them:

Premier Midlothian, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

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

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a significant achievement awarded to not more than 5 percent of all lawyers in the U.S.
• 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 made up 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 attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Midlothian, IL – Recent Victories

Our Midlothian, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We fight all who have hurt our clients, and we insist on nothing but maximum compensation. Our firm is devoted to giving our clients amazing legal advocacy, and we have great pride in our hard-fought victories. 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 what you may be eligible to recover is going to be based entirely upon the your specific injuries. We calculate the full extent of your damages so that there is no money left on the table.

Burger Law Reviews

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

What Is a Personal Injury Claim in Midlothian, IL?

Under Illinois and U.S. law, you have a right to file a personal injury claim to get monetary reimbursement for the wrong another person is responsible for, and to hold them accountable for breaking the rules. The aim of insurance settlements and civil litigation is to make you whole. The idea is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

In some cases, no attorney, settlement or verdict is 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 cannot truly be expressed through dollar signs. If a family member died, you are permanently disabled, are permanently scarred or will have to live the rest of your life in chronic pain, no legal process can change that. What compassionate and skilled 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 accident.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, IL. The thing to ask yourself is, can they increase my compensation? If your injuries were minor, you have minimal lost wages and the insurance company is being mostly fair, a lawyer might not be necessary. But, you will need a lawyer in Midlothian, IL if the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement about who is to blame, or you are being blamed for your injuries
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain damages
• Your injuries are serious and require extensive medical treatment
• There are multiple parties that is liable for your damages
• Your damages are more than the at-fault policyholder’s policy limits

We offer consultations for free, and we will always be honest with you about how much value we can add your claim. 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.

What Do You Need to Prove to Win a Personal Injury Claim in Midlothian, IL?

While the legal literature concerning negligence and liability can be confusing, whether or not you have a claim generally depends on one particular question: did another person’s negligence cause you injuries? From a legal standpoint, you need to prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to show that the liable party had a responsibility to care for your safety. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as Midlothian, IL driver owe drivers, passengers and pedestrians a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others not to let their dog injure anyone. Other times, a special relationship must have formed, for instance the relationship between a doctor and patient or between a vendor and a buyer.
2. Breach of duty — Did the liable party neglect that obligation? Did a driver hit you while they were distracted? Did a doctor not take into account your medical history? Did a dog owner let their dog roam unleashed?
3. Causation — You must prove how the breach of duty resulted in your injuries. For example, you received road rash after being thrown off your bicycle, or were burned by a defective product when it overheated.
4. Proximate cause — This determines who ultimately is at fault. If you were injured in an auto accident, it is usually because another driver broke the rules of the road. But if the tires were not safe, someone in the product’s chain of distribution may be ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Finally, you have to demonstrate that you sustained some form of financial loss as a direct result of your injuries. In most cases damages are medical expenses and lost wages. With access to your medical records, an attorney will be able to establish your financial losses with an insurance company. Once we establish financial losses, we can also pursue compensation for less tangible losses.

If you have any doubts about whether or not you have a case, speak to a lawyer in Midlothian, IL who has won a similar claim before. You can speak to a personal injury lawyer today at (779) 800-HURT.

Types of Cases Our Midlothian, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Handle

Practicing injury law in Midlothian, IL mandates that you have a vast knowledge of the different types of cases that people deal with. Knowing the difference between the laws and defendants applicable to different types of claims is paramount. 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. Cases we specialize in in Midlothian 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 annually. About 52 percent of those are auto accident claims, for instance:

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

Truck accidents can cause serious injuries because trucks emit so much, 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 someone breaks the rules of the road, causes an accident and injures you, you can file a claim.

In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or local municipality may have at least contributed to your injuries. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will carry out a full investigation into your accident to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Proprietors have a duty 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 referred to as the Illinois Premises Liability Act, stipulates that proprietors owe 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.” Essentially, if there is a dangerous condition that is not obvious, the owner needs to either repair the condition or warn against it. Some hazardous conditions 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
• Uneven rugs
• Wiring
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Absence of safety rails

Not all injuries on a property lead to a valid premises liability claim. If you were trespassing, did not pay attention to warning signs, 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 knew about the hazard and failed to repair it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix 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 store or insurance adjuster in Midlothian, IL may tell you they are not liable for your slip and fall injuries because they had no idea about the condition or because you are to blame. That is not true, and always speak with a personal injury lawyer before accepting any settlement.

Medical Malpractice

Based on data from John Hopkins University, medical errors are responsible for over a quarter of a million deaths each year. While not every error amount to negligence, when it does, a healthcare professional needs to pay for breaking your trust.

Proving a medical malpractice claim is based on what is called the standard of care. The standard refers to how a prudent physician, 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 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 vital 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. A neurologist in Chicago has a different standard of care than a family doctor in Decorah, Iowa. Burger Law knows numerous expert witnesses in Midlothian and in other parts of Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common instances of medical malpractice in Midlothian, IL include:

• Nursing home abuse
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Leaving objects in after surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Lack of consent
• Failing to order 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
• Prescription errors

Dog Bites

Each day, almost 1,000 people seek emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and annually dog bites lead to about 12,600 hospitalizations. According to a Chicago Tribune article, Illinois is the second-highest dog bite state in the country.

510 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Animal Control Act, stipulates that a dog owner is strictly liable for your damages if it bit you, 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, 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 can lead to reconstructive surgeries or permanent scarring. Regardless of the seriousness of your injuries, trust in a Burger Law Midlothian, IL personal injury lawyer to secure you the full compensation you are owed.

Product Liability

Like dog owners, anyone in the chain of distribution of a product is strictly liable for the harm stemming from a defective product. There are generally three theories a personal injury lawyer will use to make a product liability claim in Midlothian, 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 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 a soda can, or improperly attached electrical outlets.
3. Marketing defect — 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 recover compensation, you must show that the product carried inherent risks when used in a foreseeable manner, that it was the proximate cause of 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 Midlothian, 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.

What Is the Personal Injury Claims Process in Midlothian, IL?

The path to getting a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries can be long and complex. While some cases only take a few months, others go completely through to a jury trial. In total, the path to getting compensation includes:

• Seeking Medical Care — Seek medical attention immediately after an injury, and follow your doctor’s treatment plans to a “T.” The insurance company will be harder to deal with if you wait, and not attending all your sessions will lower how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers work with several trustworthy Midlothian, 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, it is best to consult with one as soon as possible so they can become familiar with your case. A good attorney will be honest with you about whether or not their services are needed.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have retained a lawyer’s services, your personal injury lawyer will conduct an exhaustive investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, determine who we need to hold accountable and acquire the evidence required for 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 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 agree to pay for all of your damages.
• 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, both parties continue negotiating.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last option for an agreement before trial. In mediation, an objective third party hears arguments from both sides and tries to break the stalemate.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation fails, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In discovery, we take depositions of eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, obtain more evidence and share with and request documentation with the other side.
• Trial — Most personal injury claims are settled before trial. In fact, we often finally get the settlement we were seeking just before trial begins. However, if the insurance company refuses to do the right thing, we will defend your rights in court. Trial consists of:
  • Jury selection
  • Opening statements
  • Testimony and cross-examination
  • Closing arguments
  • Jury instruction
  • Jury deliberation and verdict

Most of our Midlothian, IL clients 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 oversee all the legal aspects of your case so you can spend your energy on your physical recovery.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Claim in Midlothian, 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 your financial losses related to your injuries, including:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity if your injuries do not allow you to earn a living as you used to
  • Medical costs, 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

Sometimes, you may also be eligible for punitive damages if the negligent 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 are rarely awarded, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue available to maximize your compensation.

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

In Illinois, the statute of limitations is shorter than most states at just two years, under 735 ILCS 5/. That means the clock starts ticking when your accident occurs, and expires after two years. However, there are three noteworthy exceptions:

1. If you were a minor 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 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, 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 Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, IL Now

Burger Law’s Midlothian, IL personal injury lawyers hold ourselves to the standard of zealous representation. That means we get started on your case immediately, investigate your case thoroughly, fight back against insurance companies on your behalf and do not give up until you are awarded the maximum recovery you are owed. We offer the highest level of legal representation; 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 Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, IL personal injury lawyer now at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.