Personal Injury Lawyer in Woodstock, IL

Burger Law fights on behalf of those who get hurt due to negligent and reckless actions. When you or someone you love are seriously injured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers in Glen Carbon, IL demand the recovery you are owed and fight for you every step of the way. Call Burger Law today at (573) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

To calculate the value of your personal injury claim in Glen Carbon, or anywhere in Illinois, fill out our free personal injury calculator.

Those who hurt 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 back for the injured against whoever is standing in the way of justice. That includes anything from making claims against drunk drivers, holding negligent healthcare professionals, product manufacturers, store owners responsible, taking the fight to the government, to getting justice and financial security for Glen Carbon residents after a loved one passed too soon. If you have questions about your case, the damages you may be able to recover or other questions regarding personal injury claims, speak to one of our personal injury lawyers in Glen Carbon, IL today at (573) 500-HURT.

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

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 gauge the abilities of an injury law firm, you need to take into account their previous victories, and what their clients and peers say about them:

Acclaimed Woodstock, 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 not more than 5 percent of all attorneys 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 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. Fewer than 4 percent of all practicing attorneys are certified by an ABA accredited certification board.

Personal Injury Lawyer Woodstock, IL – Recent Successes

Our Woodstock, IL personal injury lawyers have a demonstrated history of getting great results. We fight all who harm our clients, and we demand nothing but maximum compensation. Our firm is devoted to providing our clients the highest standard of legal representation, and we have tremendous pride in our well-deserved successes. Check out some of our recent victories 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 important to remember that no two cases are the same, and the compensation you are owed is going to be based entirely upon the your specific injuries. We fight for you so that we get the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Burger Law Client Testimonials

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

Definition of a Personal Injury Claim in Woodstock, IL

A personal injury claim is your right under Illinois law to get a financial recovery for the injuries another person is responsible for, and to achieve justice. 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.

Sometimes, no outcome in your claim can truly “put back” all the things you lost in an injury. While you can be reimbursed for medical expenses, lost wages and other financial losses, 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 treatment for the rest of your life, no amount of money can change that. What empathetic and talented personal injury lawyers like those at Burger Law can do is secure you fair compensation in order to provide a sense of justice and acknowledgment, and to give you financial security as it relates to your injuries.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, IL. The important question is, will I get more money with them? If your medical expenses are low, you have minimal lost wages and the other party’s fault is clearly established, you may not need an attorney. But, you should hire a lawyer in Woodstock, IL if the following is true about your claim:

• There is disagreement about who is to blame, or the insurance company says the injuries are your fault
• The insurance company or liable party’s offer is well below what you are owed
• Your injuries are significant and require extensive care
• There more than one party that is liable for your damages
• Your damages exceed the liable policyholder’s policy limits

Our initial conversations and investigations are free, and we are always straightforward about whether or not it is in your best interest 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 accept you as a client if we do not think we can get you substantially more money.

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

While civil law can be confusing, whether or not you have a claim depends on the answer to one specific 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. In some cases this is automatic, as Woodstock, IL driver owe drivers, passengers and pedestrians a duty of care, or store owners need their properties to be reasonable safe for anyone who legally enters. Other times, a special relationship must have been agreed to, for example the relationship between a doctor and patient or between a vendor and a buyer.
2. Breach of duty — Did someone fail in that obligation? Did a driver crash into you you because they were not following the rules of the road? Did a physician prescribe the wrong dosage? Did a dog owner let their dog roam unleashed?
3. Causation — You must prove how the breach of duty caused your injuries. For example, 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 injured in an auto accident, the liable party is usually the driver that hit you. But if the tires were defective, someone in the vehicle’s chain of distribution may be ultimately liable.
5. Damages — Lastly, you need to show that the accident resulted in economic harm. In personal injury cases, this is usually medical bills and lost wages. If you hold onto your medical bills, an attorney will be able to establish your financial losses with an insurance company. After proving economic damages, we can seek 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 Woodstock, IL before. You can speak to a personal injury lawyer now at (573) 500-HURT.

What Are Common Personal Injury Case in Woodstock, IL?

Being a personal injury lawyer in Woodstock, IL mandates that your lawyers and firm know how negligence 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 regulations and statutes concerning truck accidents that play a large role in whether or not the case is successful. A lawyer that only specializes in a certain type of injury claim may not have the experience to take on other cases. At Burger Law, we know how to secure justice for the injured whenever negligence results in an injury. We have won millions for our Woodstock, IL clients in the following types of cases:

Auto Accidents

Statistics from the Bureau of Justice Statistics indicate that there are about 400,000 personal injury claims in any given year. About 52 percent of those result from auto accidents, 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 heightened 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, causes an accident and injures you, 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 carry out a comprehensive investigation into your accident to find out who and what exactly caused your injuries.

Premises Liability

Proprietors have a responsibility to ensure their property is safe for invitees and licensees. If you are injured in a slip and fall because a property was unsafe, you may have a premises liability claim. 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.” Essentially, if something that is not obvious makes the property unsafe, the owner needs to either repair the condition, post signage or rope it off. Some hazardous conditions include:

• Spills
• A recently mopped floor
• Broken concrete on a walkway
• Broken stairs
• Broken decks and balconies
• Potholes
• Sudden changes in surface level
• Ledges
• Poor lighting
• Black ice
• 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
• Absence of safety rails

You do not automatically have a claim just because a property had a dangerous condition. If you were trespassing, did not pay attention to 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. Successful premises liability claims depend on the following:

• The owner or manager created the hazardous conditions; or
• The owner or manager knew about the condition and neglected 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 company in Woodstock, IL may tell you they are not liable for your slip and fall injuries because they should not have been reasonable expected to repair or warn against the accident or because the accident was your fault. 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 each year. While not every error amount to negligence, when it does, a healthcare professional needs to pay for hurting you.

Your medical malpractice cases is based on what is referred to as the standard of care. The standard refers to how a reasonable healthcare professional, in the same area and with the same training as the one you are making a claim against, would treat a specific condition.

Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-622, any medical malpractice claim 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 physician corroborating your allegations is in the same practice area and geographic region as the health professional you are making a claim against. An anesthesiologist in Chicago has a different standard of care than a general practitioner in Camden, Maine. Burger Law relies on a network of expert witnesses in Woodstock and all over Illinois who can help verify that your medical malpractice suit is valid.

Common examples of medical malpractice in Woodstock, IL include:

• Nursing home negligence
• Birth injuries
• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnosis
• Forgetting to remove objects during surgery
• Hospital communication errors
• Failure to secure consent
• Not ordering tests that a prudent doctor would
• Ignoring 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, nearly 1,000 people require emergency care for dog bites, and annually dog bites lead to about 12,480 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, 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, 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 permanent scarring. In any case, trust in a Burger Law Woodstock, IL personal injury lawyer to secure you the maximum compensation you are owed.

Product Liability

Like dog owners, the designers, manufacturers, distributors and vendors of a product are strictly liable for the damages a defective product causes. There are generally three theories a personal injury lawyer will use to make a product liability claim in Woodstock, IL:

1. Design defect — This is a defect that was present when the product was initially designed. This could include an SUV that is prone 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 every product with the same design. Examples include a bug getting caught in a soda can, or a seatbelt with a loose screw that comes undone during impact.
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 demonstrate that the product carried inherent risks when it was used in a way a manufacturer could reasonably expect, that it caused your injuries and that the product had not been “substantially” changed from its state at the initial sale.

Burger Law’s personal injury lawyers will take on any case in which someone was injured through no fault of their own. One of the great parts of choosing a Burger Law Woodstock, 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 to benefit all their clients. We understand that case types often overlap, and having experience with each type of claim gives our team the perfect understanding of how to fight for our clients’ rights and recoveries.

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

The path to securing a financial settlement or verdict for your injuries begins the second you are injured. While some cases only take a few months, others go completely through to a jury trial. In total, the personal injury claims process includes:

• Seeking Medical Treatment — Seek medical treatment immediately after an injury, and keep attending all treatments that your physician recommends. The insurance company will be harder to deal with if you wait, and not getting the full treatment will lower how much compensation you receive. Our personal injury lawyers work with several experienced Woodstock, 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 tell you bluntly what your legal options are.
• Investigation and Documentation — Once you have hired an attorney, your personal injury lawyer will conduct a complete investigation into the circumstances surrounding your injuries, ascertain who we need to hold accountable and gather the evidence required for maximum 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 have determined the full extent of your damages, we will send a settlement demand package to the liable party’s insurance company. In the package we will include how we calculated your damages, and insist that nothing but the full amount is acceptable. Most of the time, the insurance company will counter our offer with a lower number, and there will be several back-and-forths until they agree to pay for 100 percent of your damages.
• Filing a Lawsuit — If negotiations do not result in fair compensation, we will file a lawsuit in court, which begins the formal process of your claim going to trial. While the case is being litigated, both parties continue negotiating.
• 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 still does not result in a fair settlement, we will go into the pre-trial “discovery” phase. In discovery, we take depositions of 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. Indeed, we often finally get a fair settlement offer in the weeks immediately before trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to do the right thing, 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 of our Woodstock, IL clients have never been through the personal injury claims process before, and are unsure of what lies ahead. Burger Law will be your advocate every step of the way, be there to answer all of your questions and oversee all documentation, negotiation and litigation so you can focus on your physical recovery.

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

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

• Economic damages compensate you for the economic harm resulting from 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, such as:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Loss of ability to enjoy life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of consortium

In some cases, you may also be eligible for punitive damages if the negligent harmed you intentionally or they were 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 get you the best possible financial recovery.

What Is the Time Limit for Personal Injury Claims in Woodstock, 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 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 a minor at the time. Then you would have until four years after your 18th birthday.

While two years may seem like a long time, thoroughly investigating an injury and developing a legal strategy takes time. Do not wait to contact an attorney. Call a personal injury lawyer today at (573) 500-HURT.

Other types of claims we win in Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, IL Now

Burger Law’s Woodstock, IL personal injury lawyers hold ourselves to the standard of zealous representation. That means we start working for your recovery the moment you hire us, investigate your case thoroughly, stand up to insurance companies on your behalf and do not give up until you are awarded the full recovery you deserve. We only give our clients the highest standard 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 Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, 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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