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Recent Blog Posts
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:
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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
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:
Heavy Machinery Poses Injury Risk for Construction Workers
A construction worksite has plenty of dangerous equipment that can cause severe injury or death if workers are not careful. Some of the most dangerous equipment is heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, cranes, dump trucks, and excavators. When used safely, these machines are highly useful because of their ability to complete large-scale tasks in an efficient manner. When accidents happen, workers can suffer broken bones, severed limbs, and traumatic brain and spine injuries. If you have been injured by heavy construction machinery, you may be eligible for personal injury compensation.
Staying Safe
Most construction workers are appropriately cautious when around heavy machinery, but some accidents happen because a worker was being careless or reckless. Making a mistake with a machine could cause injury to yourself or others. You need to take safety precautions in order to protect everyone on the construction site:
Is a Business Liable If You Slip on the Ice Outside Its Store?
Though we hope that the worst of the winter weather is behind us, there is a fair chance that we will see more snow this season. Many people are injured each winter because they slipped and fell on an icy or wet walking surface. While you can do your best to clear the walkways outside your home, you have no control over the conditions of a public place, such as outside a retail store. Your initial reaction after falling in public may be to blame yourself, but it is possible that the property owner is liable for the conditions that caused your fall. To receive personal injury compensation from a retail store, you will need to prove that an unnatural accumulation of ice or snow caused your accident.
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