Accidents can happen in a wide variety of situations, and victims may suffer multiple types of injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most severe forms of bodily harm that accident victims can experience. These injuries occur when there is a sudden jolt or blow to the head, causing damage to the brain. They can have long-lasting effects on victims and their families. Following a brain injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence, a victim can work with an attorney to determine their legal options.

The Impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs can have a major impact on a victim’s life, and a person may be impacted both physically and mentally. Here are some common effects of traumatic brain injuries:

• Cognitive impairment: A TBI can lead to difficulties with memory, attention span, problem-solving skills, and decision-making abilities.

  ...

The 2022 DUI Fact Book from the Illinois Secretary of State establishes that there were 20,131 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in 2020, and the 254 people killed in alcohol-related crashes represented 21 percent of the 1,195 total crash fatalities. There is little doubt that drunk driving accidents not only have the potential to cause serious injuries, but people often die in these collisions.

Both people who suffer injuries and family members who lose loved ones are entitled to seek compensation from drunk drivers in these cases. The Fact Book also noted that 86 percent of people arrested for DUI in Illinois are first-time offenders, so many drunk driving accidents are the result of people not properly gauging their intoxication levels.

Illinois DUI Laws

A person is considered to be under the influence in Illinois when they have:

As the weather turns to snow during the winter months, there is bound to be an increase in the number of wet floors in establishments all over Illinois. Business owners need to take steps to ensure that their guests are not at risk of slipping and falling. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common kinds of personal injury claims in the United States. Individuals who are hurt in slip and fall accidents may seek financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses and lost income.

When a person slips or trips and falls in a public place such as a restaurant, a shopping mall, or any other business, then the property owner or manager may be liable for damages under the Premises Liability Act found in 740 Illinois Compiled Statute (ILCS) § 130/1. The owners of private residences may also be liable for damages. Typically, a property owner’s insurance company is ultimately responsible for the damages. 

How Slip and Fall Claims Work

Property owners and managers have a legal obligation to keep their properties in reasonably safe condition. If there is an unsafe condition on the property, the owner should warn any visitors to the property so they can take steps to avoid injury. 

Illinois has seen a flurry of news stories about pedestrian accidents recently that have alarmed many people who walk to and from destinations. This fall, a 43-year-old Aurora woman was flown to the hospital after being hit by the passenger side mirror of a passing truck. A 47-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a car while attempting to cross Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills. On November 4, a 16-year-old student was taken to Lutheran General Hospital with possible head injuries was struck by a car Friday at the intersection of Dundee Road and Arlington Heights Road.

Pedestrian Accident Injury Claims

Pedestrians are far more susceptible to serious injury in motor vehicle accidents because there is no vehicle to protect them and limit the damage associated with a collision. A pedestrian will not have the benefit of a vehicle frame, seatbelt, airbag, or any protections.

Pedestrians can suffer injuries that may include broken bones or fractures, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The same people who suffer these injuries can face many months or even years of rehabilitation and aftercare.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency that oversees workplace safety in the United States. The agency has designated construction sites as one of the most dangerous workplaces because of the high number of deaths and injuries of construction workers each year. The agency has even identified the top construction site hazards, referred to as the “Fatal Four,” that are responsible for the most construction site accident deaths. These four are falls, struck by an object, electrocutions, and caught-in/between, compressed or crushed.

Hazardous Materials

The Fatal Four are also responsible for a high number of violations that OSHA issues each year against companies who fail to follow rules and regulations. Another OSHA top 10 danger that many construction workers are exposed to is hazardous materials. In 2020, OSHA hazardous material violations were one of the most common reasons companies were cited by the agency. The most frequent violations included:

• Failure of employers to warn and train workers about using the hazardous materials

  ...