What is a Personal Injury?

Nolo's Plain-English Law Dictionary defines personal injury as "An injury not to property, but to the body, mind, or emotions. For example, if you slip and fall on a banana peel in the grocery store, personal injury covers any actual physical harm (broken leg and bruises) you suffered in the fall as well as the humiliation of falling in public, but not the harm of shattering your watch."

Personal injury law encompasses many different types of situations - injuries caused by the negligence of another such as in car accidents, construction accidents at construction sites, medical malpractice or a birth injury, injuries at a school or daycare, premises liability claims like slip and falls, product liability cases such as a defective medical device or dangerous pharmaceutical drug, or even assault and battery.

If you have been injured by another person or company, an attorney from TorHoerman law is here to help.

 

 

How Common are Personal Injury Cases in Chicago?

The City of Chicago and surrounding areas are not immune to incidents involving personal injuries.

• The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that large truck and bus accidents accounted for 4,889 fatal crashes.
• A crash with a semi-truck is more likely to result in an incapacitating injury than an accident with a small motor vehicle.
• In 2017, there were 73 school buses and 13 intercity buses involved in fatal crashes.
• In 2015, Illinois experienced 914 fatal crashes on public roadways that resulted in 998 deaths.
• The number of total crashes in Illinois increased by 5.5 percent in 2015. Total injuries increased by 7.6 percent.
• Fatal work injuries totaled 163 in 2017 for Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The Injury Free Coalition for Kids reported that of the 13 million children placed in daycare in 1997, 31,000 children visited the emergency room due to injuries suffered at those daycares.
• The top reasons for a medical malpractice lawsuit is a failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis and complications from treatment or surgery.
• 9.2 million people were treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries in 2016.

The statistics do not lie - injuries resulting from the negligence or carelessness of another are common in Illinois.

 

 

Experienced in All Types of Chicago Personal Injury Cases

With years of experience, you can count on the lawyers and legal staff of TorHoerman Law to fight for you. Personal injury cases serve two purposes:

• To ensure the accident victim receives compensation for the injuries received, and;
• To initiate change to prevent future accidents and/or injuries from occurring.

Injuries, or even deaths, as a result of negligent, careless, or wrongful acts of another can take a toll on the individual or family member. But, you should not and do not have to face the situation alone.

The experience and knowledge our staff has gained throughout the years have positioned us to be the best personal injury law firm in the area. Whether you simply need a question answered or are looking to pursue a case, you can count on our team to be there for you.

 

 

How Can a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?

Hiring an attorney can be an intimidating and overwhelming process, but the law offices of TorHoerman Law will be here to help you at every step of the way. The goal is to alleviate the stress of a personal injury lawsuit to allow you the time and energy to fully recover from your injury.

A lawyer can help you recover maximum compensation for the economic and non-economic loss you suffered as a result of injuries. To determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to, your legal team will first need to determine the damages that you incurred as a result of the injury.

 

Examples of Damages:

• Lost wages during recovery
• Medical bills
• Repair bills, such as the cost to repair a vehicle after a car, truck, or motorcycle accident
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Other compensatory damages and punitive damages

 

A lawsuit is a multi-faceted process, one that requires a substantial amount of attention and focus. When you work with TorHoerman Law, our skilled, accomplished team of attorneys and staff will navigate the legal process for you. You may be wondering, "What do personal injury cases involve?"

Well, you can expect your legal team to:

• Assist you in selecting a reputable doctor to diagnose and treat your injuries
• Conduct a thorough investigation into your case, including obtaining all relevant evidence such as medical records, pictures, and documents
• Identify all damages suffered to ensure maximum compensation
• Coordinate and negotiate with the insurance companies involved
• Negotiate a settlement, if possible
• Prepare for trial, if the involved parties do not come to a settlement agreement
• Help alleviate  stress out of the situation with legal guidance
• Provide advice and guidance throughout the legal process

 

The TorHoerman Law firm was founded with the intent of helping the residents of Chicago and surrounding communities. When you choose our firm, you can count on our lawyers to fight for your rights to compensation.

 

 

Hiring a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

The choice of an attorney is an important one, and it is a role that you should not take lightly. Feel comfortable asking your potential Chicago personal injury lawyer any questions or concerns that you may have before making your final choice. Some questions you may want to ask include:

• The lawyer's experience
• The law firms personal injury litigation history
• The law firm's payment structure
• How involved you will be with the case

While the decision to choose a Chicago personal injury lawyer is an important one, you should not wait too long to hire a representative and begin the process of your Chicago personal injury lawsuit. Illinois' statute of limitations bars the amount of time you have to take legal action after the injury has occurred. If you wait too long, you may not be able to file a case.