Last updated 14 days ago
Whether you have been injured by a dog bite or in an auto or bicycle accident, your story and the facts of your case are important. Click the links below to learn more about how an attorney can help you pursue your injury claim
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Have you suffered a personal injury from a minor car accident? Find out why auto insurers may play hardball with your benefits in this article from CNN.com.
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You can read the full text of the Illinois Animal Control Act pertaining to dog bites at the Illinois General Assembly’s website.
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Read this report from Cesar Milan of the National Geographic to find out why it is the bite and not the breed that causes personal injury to dog bite victims.
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Do you know how to tell whether or not a dog is aggressive? This article from Yahoo! Voices explains what to do when you encounter a strange dog.
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This fact sheet from the ASPCA outlines the different legal implications of aggression.
The experienced trial lawyers at the Shea Law Group are dedicated to personally overseeing every detail of each personal injury case to ensure that you are protected to the full extent of the law. For more information about our legal services, call (888) 529-4185 today.
Last updated 19 days ago
If you have been injured in any kind of accident, whether it be a slip and fall accident, auto accident, or construction accident, your entire life changes. You may have missed work, had to undergo expensive surgery, or been prescribed medication for your symptoms, but a personal injury lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve in order to deal with these expenses.
What Kind of Personal Injury Claim Should I File?
In the aftermath of an accident, your physical and psychological well-being may be affected for years to come, as you work daily to rehabilitate your health. Fortunately, a qualified personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Review the details of your case with an attorney immediately to make sure you apply for all damages that apply to your case. If you are currently undergoing medical treatment, be sure to keep records of all your bills and correspondence with your doctor, hospital, and insurance provider.
What Kind of Damages Will Be Awarded?
Most personal injury damages are classified as “compensatory,” meaning that the financial award is intended to compensate the victim for what was lost in the accident. This almost always includes the cost of medical care, including the treatment you have already received and the estimated cost of all care. However, you may also be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment.
How Long Will It Take for Me to Receive Compensation?
It depends. If the defendant agrees to settle either before trial or even at any point after the case has been tried but before the jury reaches a verdict, you may receive compensation sooner. Only you can decide whether or not to settle, but your lawyer can help you assess whether or not your lawsuit will be successful.
The personal injury lawyers at the Shea Law Group have years of experience standing up to big insurance companies, and our Chicago legal team knows what it takes to resolve your personal injury case efficiently and effectively. Visit us on the Web or call us at (888) 529-4185 to start your road to recovery today!
Last updated 23 days ago
States and municipalities are increasingly adopting laws that assign dog owners full legal responsibility for their dog’s behavior. In strict liability situations, victims of any personal injury inflicted by a dog, including dog bites, are entitled to legal compensation by the animal’s owner. As this article explains, many dog owners inadvertently encourage aggressive behavior in their pets.
Insufficient Exercise
According to Cesar Milan of the National Geographic show “Cesar’s Way,” a lack of adequate exercise is at the root of most behavioral problems exhibited by aggressive dogs. As with humans, exercise allows animals to burn off excess energy and maintain a state of psychological well-being. Without sufficient exercise, dogs can become restless, frustrated, and aggressive.
Owner Permissiveness
The best pet owners establish boundaries, rules, and limitations in their puppy’s earliest developmental stages. Before purchasing or adopting a dog, owners must perform due diligence to research their breed. For example, to control a naturally strong and powerful dog such as a pit bull, Rottweiler, or Mastiff, an owner must step into the role of a dog’s “pack leader.” That means earning your dog’s trust, loyalty, and respect before your pet will consider you to be stronger and abide by your rules for good behavior.
Learned Aggression
If an owner fails to step into the “pack leader” role, a dog will adopt that role himself. If he senses a threat to his “pack” from an outsider, he may attack or bite—regardless of whether the outsider is a small child, a friend, or a relative. When the dog is naturally strong and powerful, the situation can escalate into a serious threat in a matter of seconds.
Because Illinois is a strict liability state, a dog’s owner is liable for any injury his or her pet inflicts on another person, regardless of negligence. The expert dog bite lawyers at the Shea Law Group have more than 60 years of experience pursuing compensation for the pain and suffering that victims of this personal injury endure. If you live in the greater Chicago area, call (888) 529-4185 today for a free consultation.
Last updated 27 days ago
If you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury attorney. Learn more with the links below and call the injury attorneys with Shea Law Group at (888) 529-4185.
Last updated 28 days ago
For many Chicago-area commuters, riding your bike in the early morning hours, at dusk, or at night is simply impossible to avoid. Unfortunately, most bicycle accidents take place during these busy times. You can protect yourself from personal injury with these proactive guidelines for safe nighttime riding:
Protect Yourself
Many biking accidents result from unsafe practices such as not wearing a helmet, riding into a street without stopping, or turning left into traffic. To protect yourself, always follow the rules of the road. Stick to sidewalks when they are available, and always ride against traffic. Finally, wear a helmet whenever you ride to protect yourself from serious personal injury if you are in an accident with a vehicle or another cyclist.
Light Your Path
Be sure that your bike headlights and taillights are functioning and lit according to local law. In Illinois, night riders should have a front light that makes their path visible for at least 50 feet, a clear front reflector, and a red rear reflector that is visible from at least 100 feet.
Make Yourself Visible
When the sky is dark, wearing white doesn’t make you more visible. Instead, stick to neon or fluorescent colors, or invest in a brightly colored vest to wear whenever you ride. Some vests even come equipped with reflective tape or markings for heightened visibility.
Avoid Road Hazards
At night, road hazards can be even more difficult to see. Be sure to look out for potholes, broken glass, gravel, and large puddles, and call out to alert riders behind you to warn them of the hazard.
If you have been injured in a bicycle or auto accident, your first step should be to contact a qualified personal injury attorney. The lawyers at the Shea Law Group have decades of experience navigating the Illinois court system and have successfully procured compensation for thousands of victims. If you live in the greater Chicago area, including Cicero, Elgin, and Pilsen, call (888) 529-4185 so we can begin work on your case today.
