Personal Injury Lawyer in Northbrook, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of people who get hurt because of negligent and reckless actions. When you or a loved one has been injured all because someone else behaved recklessly or irresponsibly, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Northbrook, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Reach out to Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

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

The negligent people that hurt you have an obligation to compensate 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 the injured against anyone who is trying to keep them from the recovery they are owed. That includes anything from suing drunk drivers, holding negligent physicians, product manufacturers, dog owners responsible, suing the government, to securing justice and financial security for Northbrook residents after a loved one passed too soon. If you have questions about your case, what compensation you are owed or other questions regarding personal injury claims, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Northbrook, IL now at (314) 500-HURT.

Why Choose Burger Law’s Northbrook, IL Personal Injury Lawyers For Your Claim

It can be hard to know how to choose the right 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 look at their previous successes, and what their clients and other lawyers say about them:

Award-Winning Northbrook, 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 remarkable 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 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 American Bar Association accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Northbrook, IL – Cases We Have Won

Our Northbrook, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We take on all who have injured our clients, and we fight for a full recovery every time. Our attorneys are devoted to giving our clients amazing legal representation, and we take tremendous pride in our well-deserved victories. Read about our recent successes 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 worth mentioning that every injury comes with its own set of circumstances, and the financial recovery you receive is going to depend on the your specific accident. We fight for you so that there is no money left on the table.

Burger Law Reviews

In addition to the videos below, you can check out more client testimonials here.

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in Northbrook, 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 hold them accountable for breaking the rules. The recovery you receive is intended to make one whole. The goal is to put you in the same position you were in before another person injured you.

Sometimes, no lawyer, settlement or verdict is can truly “put back” all the things you lost in an injury. While we can get compensation for medical expenses, time spent off work recovering and other financial losses, other damages cannot truly be expressed through dollar signs. If you lost a loved one, you lost a limb, are disfigured or will have to live the rest of your life in chronic pain, no one can truly change that. What empathetic and skilled personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is secure you fair compensation in order to provide a sense of justice and recognition, and to provide you with financial security as it relates to your accident.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, IL. The question to ask when thinking about whether or not you need a lawyer is, can they increase my compensation? 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 an attorney in Northbrook, IL if the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement over liability, or the insurance company says the accident are your fault
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain damages
• Your injuries are serious and require ongoing care
• There are multiple parties that is liable for your injuries
• Your damages are more than an insurance company’s policy limits

Our initial conversations and investigations are free, and we will always be honest with you about whether or not it is worth it for you to hire our services. Our personal injury lawyers take on cases based on a contingency-fee, meaning you do not pay until we win your case, and there is no reason for us to take on your claim if we do not think we can get you substantially more money.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case in Northbrook, 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: 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 person you are making a claim against owed it to you to value your safety. In some cases this is automatic, as Northbrook, IL driver owe everyone else on the roads a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others to keep their dog from biting anyone. Other times, a unique 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 duty? Did a driver crash into you you because they were looking at their phone? Did a physician not order the appropriate tests? Did a trucking company force their employee to drive longer than regulations allow?
3. Causation — You must demonstrate how the accident resulted in 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, it is usually because another driver was negligent. But if the tires were faulty, someone in the product’s chain of distribution may be ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you must demonstrate that the injuries led to financial losses. In personal injury cases, this is usually medical bills and lost wages. With access to your medical records, 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 speak to an attorney who has handled your type of claim in Northbrook, IL before. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (314) 500-HURT.

Types of Claims Our Northbrook, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Win

Being a personal injury lawyer in Northbrook, IL requires 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 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 in any type of claim. Cases we specialize in in Northbrook 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 every year. The majority of those are auto accident claims, such as:

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

Truck accidents can be especially catastrophic because trucks emit an incredible amount of force, and motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are all at increased risk of being severely injured as they do not have the same protection closed-vehicle occupants have. 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 at fault. As part of our services, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will perform a complete investigation into your claim to find every liable party and hold them accountable.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have a duty to take reasonable measures to make sure their property does not carry any risks for invitees and licensees. If you sustain damages in a slip and fall because a property was unreasonably dangerous, you deserve compensation. 740 ILCS 130/, also called the Illinois Premises Liability Act, mandates that property owners owe 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.” Basically, if something that is not obvious makes the property unsafe, the owner has a responsibility to either repair the condition or warn against it. Examples of hazardous conditions are:

• Spills
• A recently mopped floor
• Broken concrete on a walkway
• Broken stairs
• Broken decks and balconies
• Potholes
• Overly steep inclines
• Ledges
• Poor lighting
• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Uneven rugs
• 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, 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. 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 danger and neglected to fix it; or
• The owner or manager tried to repair the hazard 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 Northbrook, IL may tell you they do not owe you anything because they had no idea about the condition or because you are to blame. Do not believe them, and do not accept any settlement offer until you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer.

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 constitutes malpractice, when it does, a healthcare professional needs to pay for breaking your trust.

Proving a medical malpractice claim is based on what is known as the standard of care. The standard refers to how a prudent healthcare professional, in a specific field and specific location, would treat whatever ailment you saw them for.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice lawsuit needs to be filed along with an affidavit from a health professional who:

• is knowledgeable in the relevant issues of the claim
• practices or teaches the same field as the doctor you are suing, or has practiced or taught in that field within the last six years
• is qualified to review the facts of your case, and determines your claim is “reasonable and meritorious”

It is vital that the health professional who writes the affidavit has the same training and practices in the same area as the health professional you are suing. An anesthesiologist in Chicago has a different standard of care than a pediatrician in Rockland, Maine. Burger Law relies on numerous expert witnesses in Northbrook and all over Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Northbrook, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Leaving objects in during surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Failure to secure consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Ignoring a patient’s complaints
• Not changing course when their treatment plan 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 dog bites lead to about 12,480 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, states that a dog owner is strictly liable for your the injuries their dog causes, assuming 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 that the owner owes you a recovery regardless of how they acted.

While some dog bites are minor, others can lead to reconstructive surgeries or permanent scarring. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you likely need an experienced and skilled Northbrook, IL personal injury lawyer to ensure you get the full compensation you are owed.

Product Liability

Strict liability also applies to anyone involved in the chain of distribution of a defective product. There are generally three theories a personal injury lawyer will use to make a product liability claim in Northbrook, 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 a power tool whose safety guards do not prevent injuries.
2. Manufacturing defect — This type of defect usually occurs to only one or several individual products, instead of an entire line of products. Examples include a bug getting caught in packaging, or improperly attached electrical outlets.
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 carried inherent risks when used in a foreseeable manner, that it caused your injuries and that the product had not been “substantially” changed from its state at the initial sale.

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers know how to get great results whenever someone was injured through no fault of their own. One of the benefits of choosing a Burger Law Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, IL?

The journey to securing a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries starts the day you are injured. While some cases only take a few months, others can take several years before a jury finally renders a verdict. In total, the personal injury claims process consists of:

• Getting Medical Care — Get medical attention as soon as possible after an injury, and follow your doctor’s treatment plans to a “T.” If you delay, it could bring complications to your claim, and not getting the full treatment will reduce how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers work with several trustworthy Northbrook, 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, you need to know what your options are as soon as possible. A good lawyer will be honest with you about whether or not their services are needed.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have hired an attorney, your personal injury lawyer will conduct a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, ascertain every liable party and obtain the evidence needed for the best possible financial recovery. You should also keep a record of every dollar you have spent because of 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 full documentation of all of your damages, and demand a financial recovery for all the ways your injuries have affected you. Most of the time, they will respond with a lower offer, and there will be several back-and-forths until they agree to pay for all of your damages.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If negotiations do not lead anywhere, we will file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to trial. During this time, we will continue negotiating in an effort to avoid a trial.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last option for a settlement before trial. In mediation, an unbiased third party will try to get each party to accept the merits of the other side’s arguments.
• Pre-Trial — If mediation fails, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In discovery, we will speak to eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, gather more evidence and share with and request documentation with the other side.
• Trial — Only six percent of personal injury claims go to trial. In fact, we often finally get a fair settlement offer on the eve of trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to do the right thing, 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 people who speak with our Northbrook, IL personal injury lawyers 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 from our initial consultation to full compensation, keep you up to date on the status of your claim 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 Northbrook, IL Worth?

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

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

Though rare, we may also be able to pursue punitive damages if the negligent 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 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 Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Northbrook, 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 a minor when the injury occurred, 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 under 18. 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 (314) 500-HURT.

Hire Burger Law

Speak to Personal Injury Lawyer in Northbrook, IL Now

Burger Law’s Northbrook, 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 receive the maximum 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 Northbrook, 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 Northbrook, IL personal injury lawyer now at (314) 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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