When you are in labor, you trust that your physician will make the best choices on your behalf. If your labor is not moving along as planned, a doctor may administer Pitocin. 

A commonly used drug to induce labor, 50% of women are given Pitocin to speed up the birthing process in the United States.

While Pitocin comes with benefits, you should be aware of the risks associated with Pitocin induction. If you were administered Pitocin during labor and your child suffered birth injuries, you need to speak with a Chicago birth injury attorney. 

A bedsore is a wound that forms when there is excess pressure placed on the skin. Bedsores are a common nursing home injury, affecting more than 2.5 million people in the United States each year. A bedsore is common in residents who have limited mobility and is a common sign of nursing home neglect and abuse.

If a loved one has suffered from bedsores, you need to consult with a Chicago nursing home injury attorney who can further investigate the situation.

What are Bedsores?

Also known as pressure ulcers, bedsores result when blood flow is cut off to a certain area of skin for two to three hours. Bedsores form on skin that is under pressure, such as when a patient is lying in a bed, sitting in a wheelchair, or wearing a cast for a prolonged period.

The holidays are a busy time of year. Family members are making preparations to spend precious time with loved ones. 

With the holiday rush also comes an increase in car accidents. Each holiday season, thousands of car crashes take place, with hundreds of people suffering fatal injuries.

If you have been injured in a car accident during the holidays, you should contact a Chicago car accident lawyer today. 

When you place your loved one in a nursing home, you put your family member’s care into the hands of trained staff. You probably do not realize that 95% of nursing home residents are neglected or have witnessed another resident being neglected.

If your loved one suffered injuries, discuss your options with Chicago nursing home law attorneys immediately.

Types of Medical Neglect

Anyone who is responsible for a nursing home resident’s care may fail to provide basic needs to that person, resulting in neglect.

Every 12 minutes, someone dies from a car crash in the United States. The motor vehicle fatality rate in the United States is 2.3 times higher than the rate in similar high-income countries. 

While many of us are aware of how common crashes are, we may not know the reasons behind the number of crashes. If you or a loved one have been in a car crash, our Chicago car accident lawyers are here to offer you legal guidance.

Distracted Driving

Whether a driver is checking his or her phone, applying make-up, or changing the radio station, anything that takes your attention away from the road makes you a liability.

An estimated 1,174,000 Cesarean deliveries or C-sections take place yearly in the United States. Although a common procedure, it is the responsibility of the lead physician and medical team to decide if and at what point a C-section is medically necessary.

If a physician fails to perform a C-section or is delayed in ordering the procedure, the consequences are often devastating. If your child has suffered injuries or died due to a physician’s negligence, a Chicago birth injury attorney can help you secure the compensation that you deserve.

What is a C-Section, and Why is it Performed?

A Cesarean delivery, more commonly referred to as a C-section, is a surgical procedure that allows a baby to be delivered by cutting incisions into the abdomen and uterus. A C-section is usually performed when delivering vaginally is not a safe option.

Our law firm is proud to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2023, as we have worked with and supported many breast cancer victims in our legal practice and community involvement. We have represented patients who received a preventable misdiagnosis or delay of treatment, and we are passionate about seeking justice for breast cancer patients who receive subpar medical care and attention. 

With more than 240,000 breast cancer diagnoses each year in the United States, ensuring adequate awareness is critical. If you believe you experienced a breast cancer misdiagnosis or medical negligence that worsened or complicated your condition, consult with our Illinois medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. We are here to help. 

What Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global campaign aimed at increasing awareness, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer. It serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of this disease and the importance of proactive health measures.

Single-vehicle crashes cause many problems for drivers involved in them. Typically, when a single-car accident occurs, the driver is considered to be the at-fault party. However, this is not always the case. Even when there is only one vehicle involved in an accident, another driver or party could still be at fault. 

If you crash your car, do not automatically assume that you are to blame or that others may not have any fault. It is best to consult with a seasoned Chicago, IL, car accident lawyer to determine if you have a legal claim. Consider the following common causes of single-vehicle collisions.

Defective Vehicle (or Vehicle Parts) Design or Manufacturing

Vehicles should be reliable and operate in the manner for which they are intended. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as manufacturing defects can and do occur. For example, a faulty braking system can cause a vehicle to be unable to stop, resulting in a wreck. A defective vehicle design can also result in a collision. 

Although the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that nine percent of adults have been diagnosed with cancer, it is estimated that approximately 10 to 20 percent are misdiagnosed in the beginning. Misdiagnosing cancer can lead to suffering at the least, and death at the worst. Since cancer can grow and spread rapidly, a timely and accurate diagnosis is imperative. Physicians are expected to use diagnostic tools appropriately and to refer cases to other doctors when necessary to pursue an accurate diagnosis for their patients. When they do not, the potential for a cancer misdiagnosis increases.

If you or a loved one recently received a breast cancer misdiagnosis, you could benefit from scheduling a consultation with a seasoned Chicago breast cancer misdiagnosis lawyer. An attorney can help you determine if you have a case for medical malpractice.

Do You Have a Case for Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis?

Civil law requires that healthcare professionals provide a standard of care to their patients. This standard is defined as what another reasonable healthcare professional with the same education and experience would do in a similar situation. If the healthcare professional fails to provide this standard of care and a patient suffers harm and damages because of it, they could be liable. 

Women's health needs differ from men's, and they often seek the specialized care that gynecologists can provide. Gynecologists receive specialized training, education, and medical experience above and beyond that of general practice doctors. Women trust them to provide safe and accurate care at all stages of their lives. Unfortunately, these specialized doctors are at risk of committing errors just like regular doctors.

Patients who suspect they are the victim of a gynecological error typically lack the medical knowledge to know whether a preventable error was made. They may also lack the legal information to know if they have a medical malpractice claim for compensation. For these reasons, it is best to take your suspicions to an experienced Chicago, IL gynecology malpractice attorney to let them advise you of your legal options. 

What is Gynecology Malpractice?

Gynecology is a specialized category of medicine that focuses on females of all ages and the function of the reproductive system. It is sometimes grouped with obstetrics but can be its own branch of medicine. 

Over 1.3 million people currently reside in nursing homes throughout the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). With America's aging "baby boomer" population, this number will only grow. Sadly, an increased nursing home population equates to increased nursing home abuse and neglect. If you suspect someone you love is a victim, contact an experienced Chicago home abuse attorney as soon as possible.

Family members and friends must understand the warning signs of nursing home abuse and neglect to protect their relatives and those they love. As nursing home employees are frequently the perpetrators of this abuse, the responsibility of recognizing and reporting the incidents of abuse and neglect typically falls on family members or friends. 

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect: A Common Problem

Unfortunately, the problem of nursing home abuse and neglect might be more common than most people think. Studies used by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) reveal that 10 percent of all nursing home residents have experienced some form of abuse in the last year. To make matters even more concerning, this information, along with other studies examined by the NCEA, indicates that only a small portion of nursing home abuse incidents are ever reported.

When it comes to personal injury cases, understanding the concept of pain and suffering is crucial. In legal terms, pain and suffering refer to the different forms of distress experienced by an individual due to an accident or injury caused by someone else’s negligent actions. Today, we will shed light on what pain and suffering entails, how it is determined in personal injury cases, and how an attorney can help you seek compensation if you ever suffer an injury.

Defining Pain and Suffering

Essentially, pain and suffering encompass both physical and mental anguish. Physical pain refers to the actual physical discomfort experienced by the injured individual, such as broken bones, burns, or any other bodily injuries. Mental anguish, on the other hand, includes emotional distress, anxiety, depression, fear, and any other psychological effects resulting from the accident. 

Evaluating Pain and Suffering

Determining pain and suffering in personal injury cases is not an exact science. There is no universal formula to calculate its value, as it varies from case to case. However, several factors are commonly considered, including:

Reproductive law encompasses various legal issues related to assisted reproductive technologies and fertility treatments. In this complex field, medical negligence can have profound consequences for individuals and families. Today, we will provide an understanding of medical negligence and malpractice in reproductive law, exploring potential scenarios, consequences, and legal implications associated with such cases. If you seek legal assistance with a matter related to negligence in reproductive law, contact an experienced personal injury for legal guidance, ensuring you possess the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding your case.

Duty of Care in Reproductive Medicine

Those seeking help trying to grow their family entrust medical professionals who specialize in reproductive medicine. Medical negligence in reproductive law occurs when fertility specialists, surrogacy agencies, or other professionals fail to uphold the expected standard of care. This encompasses a wide range of actions or inactions that may result in physical or emotional harm, such as misdiagnosis, incorrect medications, failure to disclose risks, or errors during assisted reproductive procedures.

Potential Consequences of Medical Negligence 

Medical negligence in reproductive law can lead to psychological trauma, physical harm, financial loss, and the loss of time and opportunity. Adverse outcomes may include failed fertility treatments, misdiagnosed or untreated fertility conditions, complications during surrogacy arrangements, or congenital disabilities due to medical errors. These consequences can have far-reaching emotional, financial, and legal implications for the individuals involved. 

Sustaining a personal injury can be a profoundly challenging and distressing experience for anyone to go through. In the wake of your accident, it is important to understand why waiting to file your personal injury claim could potentially be detrimental to your case. Starting the claims process promptly can help protect your rights, ensure the preservation of evidence, and expedite the resolution of your issue. 

Today, we will unpack how each of these factors play an important role in determining the outcome of your case. As soon as you can after being injured, hire a seasoned personal injury lawyer to begin the claim process and ensure you can pursue whatever compensation you may be entitled to. 

Preserving Evidence

Of course, evidence in a personal injury case is highly important. As a result, one of the more compelling reasons to promptly file a personal injury claim is the preservation of crucial evidence. Evidence tends to deteriorate or vanish over time, making it harder to establish a clear connection between the accident and your injuries. By initiating the claim process immediately, you can help secure important evidence such as photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, surveillance footage, or medical records, strengthening your case significantly.

Buses play a crucial role in Chicago’s public transportation system. Making sure bus drivers are qualified enough to navigate Chicago’s busy streets is important to maintain safe traveling within the city. Today, we will look at the potential dangers unqualified bus drivers pose and how poorly trained drivers can easily cause deadly accidents. We will look at the importance of screening potential employees and properly training employees. If you have been injured in a Chicago bus accident, contact a personal injury lawyer to begin the process of pursuing compensation.

Lack of Proper Licensing and Training

When unqualified drivers are allowed to operate buses, the risk of deadly accidents goes up. Drivers may lack the necessary commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) and special training to safely handle buses. A lack of knowledge and experience in managing these large and complex vehicles, navigating city streets, following traffic laws, and responding to emergency situations, can all put the safety of passengers and other road users at risk. 

Increased Potential for Mistakes

Unqualified bus drivers are more likely to make mistakes behind the wheel. This can include the following:

Aviation accidents are rare but can lead to catastrophic injuries and loss of life. When such accidents occur, injured individuals and their families face physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Today, we will explore aviation accidents within the realm of personal injury law, including liability, compensation, and the steps affected people can take to seek justice. 

How is Liability in Aviation Accidents Established?

Aviation accidents involve complex liability issues, often requiring a thorough investigation to determine who is at fault. Potential defendants may include pilots, aircraft manufacturers, maintenance companies, and air traffic controllers, among others. Personal injury lawyers who understand aviation accidents have the skill to identify responsible parties and gather the necessary evidence to try to prove liability. They can navigate and interpret federal aviation regulations, industry standards, and accident investigation reports to build a solid case for compensation. 

How Do People Injured in Plane Crashes Get Compensated? 

The aftermath of an aviation accident can lead to substantial financial burdens, including medical expenses, loss of income, rehabilitation costs, and emotional distress. Personal injury law offers ways for injured individuals to try to get compensation for their damages. Experienced aviation accident lawyers use strategies to fight for maximum compensation on behalf of their clients. This may involve negotiating with insurance companies, pursuing claims against liable parties, or filing lawsuits to ensure injured people receive the total compensation they deserve. 

In personal injury cases, punitive damages are an essential component of the justice system. Designed to punish and discourage wrongdoing, punitive damages go beyond regular damages and are intended to send a strong message that certain behaviors are unacceptable. Today, we will delve deeper into the topic of punitive damages. If you have suffered a personal injury and believe punitive damages may be relevant in your case, discuss the matter with a personal injury lawyer.

Purpose and Definition of Punitive Damages 

Punitive damages are a form of compensation awarded to plaintiffs in personal injury cases to punish the defendant's conduct and prevent similar bad behavior in the future. Different from normal damages, which look to reimburse the injured individual for the physical and financial losses suffered, punitive damages are intended to punish defendants for their intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent behavior. 

How Are Punitive Damages Calculated? 

Determining the appropriate amount of punitive damages is a complex task. Unlike other damages, which can be calculated based on things like medical bills and lost wages, juries or judges make decisions about punitive damages. Factors that may influence the amount of punitive damages that a plaintiff gets include the severity of the harmful act committed, the defendant's financial situation, the potential harm to others, and the need to send a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated.

When we put our trust in medical professionals, we expect nothing less than the best care possible. Unfortunately, medical errors sometimes occur, often leading to devastating consequences. One such error that raises serious concerns is when a doctor operates on the wrong leg, causing severe mobility issues to the point where the patient can no longer walk, greatly affecting their quality of life. Today, we will use this scenario to discuss whether this patient would have a viable medical malpractice claim. We will also discuss the factors you should consider if you find yourself in a distressing situation like this, such as contacting a personal injury attorney proficient in handling medical malpractice claims. 

Medical Malpractice in Context

When negligence or an omission occurs during the treatment of a patient resulting in harm to that patient, such as a doctor operating on the incorrect leg, this type of error would likely fall within the realm of malpractice. However, the viability of a malpractice claim depends on several important factors that need to be thoroughly assessed by both medical and legal professionals.

The Establishment of Negligence and Proving Liability

To have a viable medical malpractice claim, you need to establish negligence on the part of the healthcare professional. In cases of operating on the wrong leg, factors such as inadequate pre-surgery verification processes, incorrect patient identification, poor communication, or lack of double-checking may point toward negligence. Whatever the specific details of a given case, there are several important legal elements that must be met in order for negligence to be proven. These are: 

In the realm of medical malpractice, one troubling issue that frequently arises is the failure to diagnose. It refers to cases in which healthcare professionals overlook or fail to identify a patient’s medical condition in a timely manner. Failing to diagnose is a grave matter as it can have severe implications on a person’s health, reducing their chances of receiving appropriate treatment. Today, we will examine why failing to diagnose is common in medical malpractice cases, the legal implications of such negligence, and how a medical malpractice attorney can help.

Understanding the Complexity of Diagnosis

Diagnosing medical conditions is a multifaceted and intricate process. It involves assessing symptoms, conducting tests, interpreting results, and correctly identifying the exact medical condition. Amidst the complexity, medical malpractice professionals encounter several challenges contributing to the prevalence of failing to diagnose. These include:

• Limited time and resources – Healthcare professionals often face time constraints and limited resources, making it difficult for thorough diagnostic evaluations. In this rushed environment, crucial diagnostic clues may be inadvertently overlooked.

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Wrongful death lawsuits are legal actions brought against people or entities whose negligent actions resulted in someone’s death. While such lawsuits can be vitally important for the grieving families of the deceased individual, there are also many misconceptions surrounding wrongful death lawsuits that must be addressed. If you are interested in pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, contact a personal injury attorney at your earliest convenience to get the process started. 

Prevalent Fallacies Regarding Wrongful Death Cases

First, it is often assumed that liability in a wrongful death lawsuit is always easy to establish. In fact, it can be challenging to prove the negligence of the accused party in a wrongful death claim. Plaintiffs must provide evidence that the defendant’s negligent actions caused their loved one’s death. This can be especially difficult in cases where the defendant claims there were intervening events or other mitigating factors that contributed to the death. 

Second, some people believe that wrongful death lawsuits always result in substantial compensation. However, the amount of money awarded in such cases varies widely depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. Factors such as the deceased individual’s age, earning potential, the extent of the defendant’s negligence, and more, may all be taken into consideration when determining compensation.