North Chicago & St. Louis Injury Updates

How Can a TBI Affect Someones Life?

Published on: May 19, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Firm News | May 19, 2017

If you recently suffered a blow to the head in a car accident, slip and fall or other collision, you may have a very serious injury and not even know it. Any time that you suffer a blow to the head, you run the risk of experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

You may think that a traumatic brain injury is not a problem if it classified as mild. You wouldn’t be alone in hearing the term “mild” and deciding that meant you were fine. Many individuals believe that mild TBIs are frivolous injuries, and then ignore symptoms that show otherwise. However, a mild TBI is only mild when compared to injuries that leave a person in a coma or dead.

Why Is Logo Liability Important In Trucking Accident Claims?

Published on: April 12, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Truck Accidents | April 12, 2017

What does a company logo have to do with legal liability after a trucking accident?

It could determine which company has to pay any damage claims awarded to the victims of the crash or their surviving family members.

Communication and Proactive Steps Can Stop Wrong-Site Surgeries

Published on: April 7, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Medical malpractice | April 7, 2017

Double-checking to make sure that you’re operating on the right patient and the right body part seems like it should be pretty standard behavior — but a surprising number of wrong-site surgeries still take place.

In a study that was published in 2011, it was estimated that wrong-site surgeries still took place about 40 times a week!

Windows 10 Slammed With Class Action Lawsuit for Computer Damage

Published on: March 29, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Defective Products | March 29, 2017

Do you remember the insistent messages sent out by Microsoft in 2015, urging consumers to download the Windows 10 operating system on all their Windows devices?

If so, you aren’t alone. However, a group of Illinois residents says that the messages were more than just annoying and intrusive — they were outright destructive because they sometimes resulted in software downloads that users didn’t expressly consent to have. Those downloads ultimately destroyed data and devices alike and gave users no option to restore their old operating system. Many had to purchase new devices altogether.

Preventing A Deadly Trench Collapse

Published on: March 24, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Work Accidents | March 24, 2017

Trench collapse deaths are perhaps the scariest and saddest of construction-related deaths.

They’re scary because they happen so fast that once a trench starts to collapse there’s often no time to react and no chance of escape — just one cubic foot of earth can bring up to 3,000 pounds crushing down on a victim trapped within the trench.

An Attorney Can Help You Assess a Car Accident Settlement Offer

Published on: March 20, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Firm News | March 20, 2017

You were recently in a serious car accident, and either you or someone you loved suffered serious injuries as a result. The accident was clearly the fault of the other driver, so now the insurance company that covered the other vehicle has offered you a settlement.

At first, it may seem wonderful to receive an offer for a lump sum payment to offset the financial and emotional losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. However, many times, that first offer presented by an insurance company is insignificant compared to what they could end up paying in a lawsuit. Once you sign the settlement, you lose the right to ask for more, even if your medical expenses rise.

Do You Really Need an Attorney for a Simple Car Accident Case?

Published on: March 15, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Car accidents | March 15, 2017

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the process for recovering for your injuries may seem pretty straightforward: Wait until you heal, negotiate a little with the other driver’s insurance company, sign a few papers and settle your claim.

Should you really hire an attorney just to do that?

Act Quickly to Make Sure Electronic Evidence Is Persevered

Published on: March 10, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Truck Accidents | March 10, 2017

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, there’s a very important reason that you should contact an attorney as quickly as possible: the need to preserve evidence.

Once your attorney notifies the trucking company or its insurer about the possibility of a lawsuit and provides a protective order from the court, the trucking company has an obligation to preserve any evidence that could help investigators understand what caused the accident and who was at fault.

Off-Label Use of Medical Products Can Lead to Malpractice

Published on: March 3, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Medical malpractice | March 3, 2017

What’s the difference between the cautious use of a medication or medical device “off-label” and carelessly exposing a patient to unnecessary medical risks?

Using a medical product off-label means using it in a way that isn’t approved or recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The off-label use of drugs and medical devices is a perfectly acceptable practice that’s actually led to a lot of progress. For example, Botox injections made the leap from cosmetic surgery to use for everything from migraines to cervical dystonia over time through its careful off-label applications.

Falling Ice From Chicago Buildings Can Cause Real Injuries

Published on: March 3, 2017 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Firm News | March 3, 2017

Tall buildings can help solve issues facing cities, like lack of space for expansion. By expanding vertically, more housing and businesses can exist on the same footprint of ground space. However, tall buildings can create issues as well as solve them. One of the problems posed by the skyscrapers and other tall buildings in Chicago is falling ice. During cold weather and precipitation, ice and snow develop and harden on these tall buildings. Then, during warmer days or windy days, the accumulated ice and snow breaks free and falls toward the street, damaging cars and injuring pedestrians.

Even if you live in the suburbs and commute to work, icicles can pose a serious threat. Given how this winter season has involved numerous thaws, there is real potential for injuries and property damage as a result of falling ice. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of falling ice, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. It’s possible that the building where the ice accumulated is responsible for these injuries via premises liability.

Seidman, Margulis, & Fairman Blog

Should you really hire an attorney just to do that?