Personal Injury Lawyer in Warrenville, IL

Personal Injury Lawyer in Warrenville, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of those who get hurt due to the negligence of another. If you or a family member are seriously injured all because someone else behaved recklessly or irresponsibly, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Warrenville, 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 contact us online.

To calculate how much your personal injury claim may be worth in Warrenville, or anywhere in Illinois, fill out our complimentary personal injury calculator.

The negligent parties that harmed 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 money they deserve. That includes anything from making claims against large trucking companies, holding negligent doctors, product manufacturers, pet owners accountable, suing City Hall, to securing justice and financial security for Warrenville residents after the wrongful death of a loved one. If you would like to discuss the validity of your case further, what compensation you are owed or other questions regarding personal injury claims, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Warrenville, IL now at (779) 800-HURT.

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

It can be hard to know how to choose the best personal injury lawyer for you. You want someone with a history of winning similar cases 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 their previous successes, and their reputation among their clients and peers:

Award-Winning Warrenville, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

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

• Martindale-Hubbell Award — AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® from NexisLexis® – a noteworthy 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 award that is made up 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 ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Warrenville, IL – Cases We Have Won

Our Warrenville, IL personal injury lawyers fight for the full rights and recoveries of our clients. We fight all who harm our clients, and we fight for a full recovery every time. Our firm is dedicated to giving our clients the highest standard of legal representation, and we take tremendous pride in our hard-fought victories. Read about 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 mentioning that every case is unique, and the financial recovery you are owed is going to depend on the your specific injuries. We fight for you so that you secure what you are owed.

Burger Law Client Testimonials

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

What Is a Personal Injury Claim in Warrenville, IL?

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get a financial recovery for the wrong done by another person’s negligence, and to achieve justice. The aim of personal injury claims is to make one whole. The goal is convert all the ways an injury affected you into a dollar amount.

Sometimes, no lawyer or financial award can truly return you to how things were before the 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 are permanently disabled, are permanently scarred or will have to live the rest of your life in chronic pain, no amount of money can make that go away. What compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is ensure your injuries are recognized, and to provide you with financial security as it relates to your accident.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Warrenville, IL?

That depends on the specifics of your case, but most of the time, yes, you will need a personal injury lawyer to get the full compensation you are owed in Warrenville, IL. The question to ask when thinking about whether or not to hire a lawyer is, can they increase my compensation? If your injuries were not severe, you have minimal lost wages and the insurance company is being mostly fair, a lawyer might not be necessary. But, you should hire a lawyer in Warrenville, IL under the following circumstances:

• There is a dispute about who is to blame, or the insurance company says the injuries are your fault
• The insurance company is denying they have to cover certain damages
• Your injuries are significant and require extensive care
• There are multiple parties at fault
• Your damages are more than an insurance company’s policy limits

We offer consultations for 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 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 Warrenville, IL?

While legal doctrine can be hard to navigate, whether or not you can seek compensation generally depends on one particular question: did someone else’s negligence cause you injuries? 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. In some cases this is automatic, as Warrenville, IL driver owe everyone else on the roads a duty of care, or dog owners owe it to others not to let their dog injure anyone. In other cases, a unique relationship must have formed, for example a doctor-patient relationship or a vendor-buyer relationship.
2. Breach of duty — Did someone fail in that obligation? Did a driver hit you while they were not following the rules of the road? Did a physician not order the appropriate tests? Did a dog owner let their dog roam unleashed?
3. Causation — You must show how the accident resulted in your injuries. For example, you sustained a whiplash injury after being rear ended, 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 brakes were faulty, someone in the product’s chain of distribution may be ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Finally, you need to demonstrate that the injuries led to economic harm. In most cases damages are medical bills and wages you could not earn while you were not able to work. 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 a financial recovery for the other ways your injuries have affected you.

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

What Are Common Personal Injury Lawsuits in Warrenville, IL?

Being a personal injury lawyer in Warrenville, IL requires that your lawyers and firm know how negligence laws apply to a wide range of cases. 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 hold the liable party accountable whenever negligence results in an injury. Cases we take on in Warrenville 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. The majority 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 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 as they do not have the same protection closed-vehicle occupants have. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, all motorist must “exercise due care” to keep everyone else on the road safe. If someone breaks the rules of the road, causes an accident and injures you, you have an auto accident claim against them.

In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer, construction company or governmental entity may have at least contributed to your injuries. Your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will conduct a full investigation into your accident to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Property owners and managers have an obligation to ensure their property is safe 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 called the Illinois Premises Liability Act, states 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.” Generally, if something that is not obvious makes the property dangerous, the owner has a responsibility to either fix the hazard 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
• Sudden changes in surface level
• Ledges
• Poor lighting
• Icy or snow-covered concrete
• Wet concrete
• Debris such as litter, fallen leaves and branches, rocks, etc
• Rugs that are not flat
• Stray cords
• In-ground sprinklers or hardscape features hidden in the grass
• Absence of 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, did not pay attention to warning signs, for example a “wet floor sign,” or were running or acting dangerously, 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 dangerous conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the danger and neglected to repair it; or
• The owner or manager tried to repair the hazard 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 company in Warrenville, IL may try to convince you that they do not owe you anything because they should not have been reasonable expected to repair or warn against the accident or because the accident was your fault. 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 more than a quarter of a million deaths a year. While not every error amount to malpractice, when it does, you can make a medical malpractice claim.

Proving a medical malpractice claim 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 whatever ailment you saw them for.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice claim must be accompanied by an affidavit from a health professional who:

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

It is vital that the physician who writes the affidavit has the same training and practices in the same area as the health professional you are making a claim against. An anesthesiologist in Chicago is held to a different standard of care than a family doctor in Kadoka, South Dakota. Burger Law knows numerous expert witnesses in Warrenville and in other parts of Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Warrenville, IL include:

• Nursing home abuse
• 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, almost 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 insurance companies pay out the second-most money for dog bites than any state in the country.

510 ILCS 5/, the Illinois Animal Control Act, states that a dog owner is strictly liable for your damages if it bit you, as long as 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 that the owner owes you a recovery even if they did not necessarily do anything wrong.

While some dog bites lead to only superficial wounds, others result in expensive surgeries or permanent scarring. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you likely need an experienced and skilled Warrenville, IL personal injury lawyer to secure you the full compensation you deserve.

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 Warrenville, 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 usually occurs to only one or several individual products, instead of an entire line of products. Examples include a bug getting caught in a soda can, or improperly attached electrical outlets.
3. Failure to warn — This refers to a product that did not carry sufficient warnings when it was put to foreseeable use. For example, a medication that does not include certain side-effects in the labeling.

In order to recover compensation, you must show that the product carried inherent risks when it was used in a way a manufacturer could anticipate, that it was the proximate cause of injuries and that you had not substantially altered the product.

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 Warrenville, 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 Warrenville, IL?

The journey to getting a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries starts the second you are injured. While some accidents and injuries settle fairly early, others go completely through to a jury trial. Generally, the personal injury claims process includes:

• Getting Medical Care — Get medical treatment 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 getting the full treatment will reduce both your economic and noneconomic damages. Our personal injury lawyers know trustworthy Warrenville, IL health professionals who can ensure you recover physically as best as possible.
• Discussing Your Case 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 lawyer will be honest with you about the value of your claim and how they can help.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have legal representation, your personal injury lawyer will perform a full investigation into your claim, determine every liable party and acquire the evidence they need to get you full compensation. You can help by keeping detailed records of your expenses related to 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 insist that nothing but the full amount will be agreed to. Usually, they will respond with a lower offer, and we keep negotiating until they agree to pay for 100 percent 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. During this time, both parties continue negotiating.
• Mediation — Mediation is often the last chance for an agreement before trial. 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 this phase, we will speak to eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, acquire more evidence and both parties will share with the other what they plan to use as evidence in trial.
• 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 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 Warrenville, IL personal injury lawyers have never had to deal with seeking compensation for an injury before, and do not know what to expect. Burger Law will be by your side every step of the way, be there to answer all of your questions and oversee all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can spend your energy on your physical recovery.

What Compensation Can I Recover In My Warrenville, IL Personal Injury Claim?

Typically, your compensation will fall into two categories: 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

Sometimes, 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 do not apply to most personal injury claims, your Burger Law personal injury lawyer will pursue every legal avenue possible to maximize your compensation.

What Is the Time Limit for Personal Injury Claims in Warrenville, 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 under 18 when the injury occurred, 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 under 18. Then you would have until four years after your 18th birthday.

While two years may seem like a long time, your attorney will want as much time as possible to build your case. Do not hesitate to contact an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (779) 800-HURT.

Other cases we get great results in in Warrenville, 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 Warrenville, IL Now

Burger Law’s Warrenville, IL personal injury lawyers fiercely believe in zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery the moment you hire us, pursue every legal option we have, stand up to insurance companies on your behalf and do not let down until you get the full recovery you are owed. We offer the highest level of legal representation; all of our advice will be sincere and in your best interest, but we always leave the ultimate decisions on your claim to you and your Warrenville, 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 Warrenville, IL personal injury lawyer now at (779) 800-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation.