847-381-8700
Personalized Legal Services in
Barrington and Schaumburg, Illinois
| Personal Injury |
Business Law |
Real Estate Law |
Wills, Trusts & Probate |
General Civil Litigation |
Elder Law |
Recent Blog Posts
Who Should Have a Living Will?
Frankly, everyone who is able to make a living will should have one. No one can predict the future - even young and healthy individuals can find themselves in a situation where they are at least temporarily incapacitated and unable to make medical decisions for themselves. There are some individuals for whom having a living will is particularly important. If you are interested in creating a living will, you will want to work with a qualified attorney to make sure all your wishes are expressed accurately in the document.
When Should I Make a Living Will?
The short answer is, as soon as you have the opportunity. In the event that some unforeseen medical emergency happens and you are not able to communicate or make your own medical decisions, a living will tells healthcare providers in advance what your wishes are. Living wills can instruct doctors to withhold futile life-preserving care in the event of terminal illness, but can also include provisions about keeping you comfortable or your religious preferences. You can also use a healthcare power of attorney to designate the person you would like to make decisions for you if you become unable.
Should I Have a Will, a Trust, or Both?
Both wills and trusts are important estate planning documents that can be used to govern what happens to your property after your death. Each comes with distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is best to speak to a qualified estate planning attorney who can help you design a comprehensive estate plan—which may include one or both documents—based on your unique situation.
What Are the Main Differences Between Wills and Trusts?
Wills and trusts are both legal documents that allow you to dictate what will happen to your property after you have died. However, there are significant differences.
For example, wills and trusts may begin to take effect at different times. A will has no legal effect until the person who created it has died. A trust, on the other hand, may have immediate legal significance depending on the type of trust used. In some cases, trusts can allow you to protect or begin distributing your assets even during your lifetime.
The Importance of Estate Guardianship in Illinois
Managing an estate takes a great deal of responsibility and good decision-making capabilities. This is true throughout the entire estate planning process; however, it becomes especially significant toward late adulthood. Unfortunately, not all individuals are capable of managing their estate effectively on their own. In these instances, it may be necessary to request and appoint guardianship over the estate owner. Through diligent research, effort, and collaboration with an experienced elder law attorney, successful guardianship is possible.
When is Estate Guardianship Necessary?
In Illinois, guardianship may be granted in instances where an individual, known as the ward, is not capable of making reasonable decisions regarding their financial or personal needs due to a physical, mental, or developmental disability. Under the Illinois Probate Act, the courts can modify the aspects of the appointed guardianship to meet the specific needs and capabilities of the ward. Guardianship is meant to safeguard individuals who cannot properly care for themselves or their property.
Hazardous Materials and Construction Site Injuries in Illinois
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:
Helpful Tips to Practice Safe Summer Driving in Illinois
Now that the weather is getting warmer, the number of people on the road will rise, along with the number of traffic accidents and fatalities. According to information from the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of traffic fatalities that occur during the summer months is much higher than the number of traffic fatalities during the winter months. In April 2020, there were 2,520 reported traffic deaths, but May 2020 had 3,340 reported traffic deaths, which amounts to a nearly 36 percent increase in fatalities just one month apart. One of the best things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming one of those statistics is to practice safe driving techniques every time you are behind the wheel. Here are a couple of the most important safety tips to follow:
-
Always double-check your rearview mirrors. When the weather gets warmer, more people are going to be outside doing things. You should be sure to double-check both your side mirrors and rearview mirror before backing up or pulling out of your driveway to avoid colliding with any people.
Will Legal Marijuana Use Lead to More Car Accidents in Illinois?
On January 1, 2020, the use of marijuana became legal in Illinois, and adults who live in the state are now allowed to possess and use this drug for both medical and recreational purposes. For many people in the state, the legalization of marijuana has raised concerns about whether more people will be driving while under the influence of this drug. Just as drunk driving can greatly increase the risk of being involved in a car accident, the use of marijuana can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Those who have been involved in a collision with a driver who had been using marijuana will want to work with a personal injury attorney to determine their options for receiving financial compensation for their injuries.
The Dangers of Driving While High on Marijuana
Marijuana can have similar effects as alcohol for drivers. The “high” produced by THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, can cause impairments to a person’s coordination, and it will also lead to reduced reaction times. This will make it more difficult for a driver to respond to the movements of other vehicles, and it will also increase the likelihood that they will lose control of their vehicle. Marijuana use also affects a person’s judgment, making it more likely that they will engage in risky behavior that could endanger others.
Soon Walkways Will Be Slippery; What Should Gig Workers Know?
Despite the first COVID-19 vaccines being distributed this week, in all likelihood many people are still going to stay at home for safety during the majority of the wintertime. However, as the economy continues to recover from all the stay-at-home orders and closing businesses, many more people have entered the gig economy as delivery drivers for all sorts of companies. While postal workers and delivery drivers for mainstays like the USPS, UPS, and FedEx have been delivering for years and have plenty of safety guidelines and insurance policies in place to handle slippery sidewalks and walkways, gig workers are much newer to the threat of slips and falls on the job while delivering goods. Here is some “need-to-know” information for these gig workers about premises liability in Illinois and the possibility of receiving personal injury compensation for slip-and-fall accidents this winter while on the job.
Why Should I Consult With a Medical Team About My Personal Injury Case?
Due to issues related to evidence, witness testimonies, and liability, personal injury cases can be quite complex, and they can involve many factors that can affect an entire case. One of the most important of these factors is the medical professional(s) that may provide testimony, consultations, or reports in support of your case. Here are some of the ways medical professionals can help you win your personal injury case:
4 Reasons Third-Party Medical Professionals Are Vital to Your Personal Injury Case
Getting fair compensation for your personal injury is not always an easy outcome to attain. You deserve to receive compensation for the injuries you have sustained, including physical and psychological harm, as well as loss of income due to recovery time or disability. As you pursue compensation, some of the most important members of your team will be the medical professionals. Here are some ways they can alter the outcome of your case:
Wrongful Death Compensation Available for Families of Accident Victims
It is an unfortunate reality that not everyone will survive major accidents that would have otherwise left them severely injured. More than 1,000 people die in vehicle crashes in Illinois each year, according to recent data from the Illinois Department of Transportation. While fatal vehicle accidents make up less than 1 percent of the total crashes in Illinois, each death has an irreversible impact on the family of the person who was killed. If another party is liable for the fatal accident, the surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit in order to receive monetary compensation.
When Can a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Be Filed?
A simple way to explain a wrongful death claim is that it is a personal injury lawsuit filed on behalf of the deceased person. Illinois law states that survivors of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim if:
Three Safety Tips for New Illinois Motorcycle Riders
Being behind the wheel for the first time can be an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience for young, new drivers. They never have the same instinct and ease as those with years of experience under their belt. The same goes for those who have recently obtained their motorcycle license. While you may have spent years driving a passenger vehicle, getting behind the handlebars of a motorcycle is a whole new ballgame. These small, unprotected vehicles can leave even the most experienced riders with serious or fatal injuries. If you have recently obtained your Illinois motorcycle license, heed the following precautions before taking your first ride:
Contact Our Firm
The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
I have read and understand the Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
