Personal Injury Lawyer in Richton Park, IL

Burger Law defends the rights of those who are injured because someone else did no respect their safety. If you have sustained serious injuries all because someone else behaved recklessly or irresponsibly, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Richton Park, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Reach out to Burger Law now at (573) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

If you want to know how much your personal injury claim may be worth in Richton Park, or anywhere in Illinois, check out our complimentary personal injury calculator.

Those who injured 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 back for our clients against anyone who is trying to keep them from the recovery they are owed. That includes anything from suing large trucking companies, holding negligent doctors, product manufacturers, dog owners accountable, suing the government, to securing justice and financial security for Richton Park residents after a a family member passed too soon. If you would like to discuss the validity of your case further, the damages you may be able to recover or anything else about the personal injury claims process, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Richton Park, IL as soon as possible at (573) 500-HURT.

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

It can be difficult 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 is not afraid of 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 their reputation among their clients and peers:

Award-Winning Richton Park, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

The numerous awards and accolades Burger Law has received from other attorneys include:

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a notable achievement awarded to less than 5 percent of all lawyers in the country
• Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Honor — Members of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor only given to 1 percent of attorneys in the United States.
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers Honor — Selected to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only honor that is comprised of the most qualified attorneys in each state.
• Board Certified By the National Board of Trial Advocacy — Board certified in Civil Trial Advocacy and Civil Pretrial Practice Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Less than 4 percent of all practicing lawyers are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Richton Park, IL – Cases We Have Won

Our Richton Park, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We take on all who have hurt our clients, and we fight for a full recovery every time. Our lawyers are devoted to giving our clients amazing legal advocacy, and we take great pride in our hard-fought victories. Read about 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 every injury comes with its own set of circumstances, and what you may be eligible to recover is going to depend on the your specific accident. We fight for you so that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Burger Law Client Testimonials

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

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in Richton Park, IL

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get monetary reimbursement for the wrong done by another person’s negligence, and to hold wrongdoers accountable. The objective of insurance settlements and civil litigation is to make one whole. The idea is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

Sometimes, no lawyer, settlement or verdict is can fully “put back” all the things you lost in an injury. While you can be reimbursed for the financial losses you sustained, other damages cannot truly be expressed through dollar signs. If a family member died, you lost a limb, are disfigured or will have to receive medical care for the rest of your life, no amount of money can make that go away. What empathetic and talented personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is ensure your injuries are recognized, and to give you financial security as it relates to your accident.

Is it Worth Hiring Personal Injury Lawyer in Richton Park, IL?

While some cases can be successfully navigated without a lawyer, most of the time you will need one to ensure no money is left on the table in Richton Park, IL. The thing to ask yourself is, can they increase my compensation? If your medical expenses are low, 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 Richton Park, IL if the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement over liability, or you are being blamed for your injuries
• The initial settlement offer is substantially below what you are owed
• Your injuries are serious and require ongoing medical treatment
• There more than one party that is liable for your injuries
• Your damages exceed the liable 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 take on cases based on a contingency-fee, meaning you only pay after you have received the full compensation you deserve, and there is no reason for us to accept you as a client if we do not think we can get you substantially more money.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Claim in Richton Park, IL?

While state statutes can be hard to navigate, whether or not you can seek compensation depends on the answer to one particular question: did another person’s negligence cause you injuries? If so, legally speaking you must prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of care — You first need to show that the person you are making a claim against had an obligation to keep you safe. Sometimes, a duty of care is assumed, as motorists all owe everyone on the Richton Park, IL roads a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others to keep their dog from biting anyone. Other times, a special relationship must have formed, such as a doctor-patient relationship or a vendor-buyer relationship.
2. Breach of duty — Did the liable party neglect that duty? Did a driver crash into you you while they were drunk? Did a physician prescribe the wrong dosage? Did a store owner fail to fix an obviously dangerous condition?
3. Causation — You must show how the breach of duty caused your injuries. For example, you received a concussions after being thrown off your bicycle, or were burned by a defective product when it overheated.
4. Proximate cause — This determines liability. If you were injured in an auto accident, it is usually because another driver was negligent. But if the tires were not safe, a manufacturer or mechanic may be the one who is 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 bills and lost wages. With access to your medical records, this last part will be fairly easy to prove with the help of an attorney. After proving economic damages, we can seek compensation for pain and suffering damages.

If you have any doubts about whether or not you have a case, speak to a lawyer in Richton Park, IL who has won a similar claim before. You can speak to a personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT.

Types of Cases Our Richton Park, IL Personal Injury Lawyers Win

Being a personal injury lawyer in Richton Park, IL requires that your lawyers and firm 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 that can arise in a truck accident case that can be the deciding factor in whether or not the case is successful. 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 secure justice for the injured in any type of claim. Cases we specialize in in Richton Park and throughout Illinois include:

Auto Accidents

The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that there are about 400,000 personal injury claims in any given year. Just over half of those result from auto accidents, such as:

• 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 increased risk of being severely injured due to their relatively limited protection. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, anyone behind the wheel must “exercise due care” to avoid colliding with anybody or anything else on the Illinois roads. If someone breaks the rules of the road and you end up hurt, you have an auto accident claim against them.

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

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have an obligation to take reasonable measures to make sure their property does not carry any risks for people who are not trespassing. If you sustain damages 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 have a duty of care to entrants that is “of reasonable care under the circumstances regarding the state of the premises or acts done or omitted on them.” Essentially, if something that is not obvious makes the property unsafe, the owner needs to either fix the hazard or warn against it. 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
• Poorly lit stairs and walking paths

• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Uneven rugs
• Stray cords
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Broken safety rails

Not all injuries on a property result in a premises liability claim. If you were in a part of a property you were not allowed to be, ignored warning signs, for example a “wet floor sign,” or were running or acting dangerously, 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 was aware of the danger and failed to repair it; or
• The owner or manager tried to fix the danger 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 Richton Park, IL may tell you they do not owe you anything because they should not have been reasonable expected to repair or warn against the accident or because you are to blame. Do not believe them, and do not accept any settlement offer until you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer.

Medical Malpractice

Based on data from John Hopkins University, medical errors are responsible for over 250,000 deaths annually. While not all of those amount to negligence, when it does, you can make a medical malpractice claim.

Your medical malpractice cases is based on what is known as the standard of care. The standard refers to how a prudent physician, in a specific field and specific location, would treat a specific condition.

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

It is imperative that the doctor corroborating your allegations has the same training and practices in the same area as the health professional you are making a claim against. An anesthesiologist in Chicago has a different standard of care than a pediatrician in Camden, Maine. Burger Law has a network of expert witnesses in Richton Park and all over Illinois who can corroborate your claim.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Richton Park, IL include:

• Nursing home abuse
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Leaving objects in during surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Lack of consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Blowing off a patient’s complaints
• Not changing course when their treatment plan is not working
• Prescription errors

Dog Bites

Each day, nearly 1,000 people seek emergency medical treatment for dog bites, and every year dog bites lead to about 12,600 hospitalizations. 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, mandates that the owner of a dog 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 liable as a matter of law and you do not have to prove negligence. This means, the owner cannot get out of paying you by saying they did not know the dog was aggressive, or that it was not their fault the animal got free.

While some dog bites only lead to minor injuries, others result in reconstructive surgeries or lifelong scarring. In any case, trust in a Burger Law Richton Park, IL personal injury lawyer to secure you the full financial recovery you are owed.

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 Richton Park, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that occurs even if the product is manufactured correctly. This could include tables or furniture that naturally tip over, 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 a bug getting caught in a soda can, or a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
3. Failure to warn — This refers to instructions that does not mention certain risks when the product is put to foreseeable use. For example, an electric shaver not mentioning that shock can occur if used in the shower.

In order to make a product liability claim, you must demonstrate that the product was “unreasonably dangerous” when used in a foreseeable manner, that it 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 a rule breaker injured someone else. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Richton Park, 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 Richton Park, IL?

The path to securing maximum compensation for your injuries begins the day you are injured. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others go completely through to a jury trial. From beginning to end, the path to getting compensation includes:

• Seeking Medical Treatment — Get 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 attending all your appointments will reduce how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers know reliable Richton Park, IL health professionals who can help you in your recovery.
• Consulting With an Attorney — Even if you are not sure you are going to need to hire a lawyer, it is best to know what your options are as soon as possible. A good attorney will be straightforward with you about the value of your claim and how they can help.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have hired an attorney, your personal injury lawyer will perform a full investigation into your claim, determine every liable party and acquire the evidence required for full compensation. You should also keep 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 know how much your claim is worth, we will send a settlement demand package to those who are liable for compensating you. In the package we will include how we calculated 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 decide to be truly fair.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If the insurance company will not be fair in negotiations, we will file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to 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, a neutral 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 both parties will share with the other what they plan to use as evidence in trial.
• Trial — It is rare that a personal injury claim makes it all the way to trial. Indeed, we often finally get the settlement we were seeking just before trial begins. However, if the insurance company still cannot see reason, we will defend your rights in front of a judge and jury. 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 Richton Park, 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, be there to answer all of your questions and handle all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your physical recovery.

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

Typically, there are two types of damages you can seek in a personal injury claim: economic damages and non-economic damages:

• Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses related to your injuries, for instance:
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity if your injuries do not allow you to earn a living as you used to
  • Medical costs, past and future
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
• Non-economic damages compensate you for the less tangible aspects of your injuries, such as:
  • 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 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 We can to maximize your compensation.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Richton Park, 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 important exceptions:

1. If you were a minor at the time of injury, you have until your 20th birthday.
2. If you were under a “legal disability” when the injury occurred, you have two years from the date the disability was “removed.”
3. In medical malpractice cases, you have two years from the date you discovered the injury or 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 four years after your 18th birthday.

While two years may not cause immediate concern, your attorney will want as much time as possible to build your case. Do not delay in speaking to an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Other cases we handle in Richton Park, 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 Richton Park, IL Now

Burger Law’s Richton Park, IL personal injury lawyers fiercely believe in zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery immediately, investigate your case thoroughly, stand up to insurance companies on your behalf and do not let down until you receive the maximum recovery you deserve. We only give our clients 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 Richton Park, 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 Richton Park, IL personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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