Personal injury lawyers help people recover compensation when they have been injured because of another person’s negligence. Plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits may have suffered extensive damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. However, these costs are not always easy to recover.
Personal injury lawsuits can take months to years to complete. Furthermore, insurance companies may fight plaintiffs every step of the way. They will hire doctors, lawyers, and private investigators to try and decrease the value of a claim. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers will fight insurance companies and guide clients on the road to recovery.
If you have been injured because of another person’s negligence, get help from experienced Naperville personal injury lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.
Elements of a Personal Injury Case in Naperville, IL
Each personal injury claim filed in Naperville requires four basic elements to succeed. All of the following elements must be established for a personal injury case to proceed:
- The defendant had a duty of care that they owed the plaintiff.
- The defendant breached that duty of care.
- The defendant’s breach was the cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.
- The plaintiff suffered damages as a result.
Personal injury lawsuits come in many forms. However, these four elements will always be required. Furthermore, each of these elements involves a complex set of rules and intricacies. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers can help clients evaluate and understand the elements required for a personal injury case to succeed.
Potential Damages in a Naperville, IL Personal Injury Lawsuit
The purpose of a personal injury lawsuit is to compensate a plaintiff for injuries suffered because of another person’s negligent acts. The costs that will be compensated are referred to as damages. Damages can come in many forms, some of which are easier to calculate than others. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers can help clients determine which of the following damages apply to their case.
Medical Expenses
Victims in personal injury cases often incur a wide array of medical expenses. Medical expenses can range from physical therapy to prescription medication to ambulance rides. These damages are typically established through medical bills and are a type of “economic damages.”
Lost Wages
Personal injury plaintiffs may be unable to return to work at full capacity because of their injury. If plaintiffs are unable to work or face restrictions, they will be compensated for the wages lost while they were away. Furthermore, victims may also be compensated for their inability to work in the future. Lost wages are also a form of economic damages.
Pain and Suffering
Damages stemming from pain and suffering are a type of non-economic damages. These damages may be more difficult to calculate but can have a serious impact on victims. These damages account for the physical pain and emotional distress the victim suffered because of the accident. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers can help victims fight for pain and suffering damages in their personal injury lawsuit.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Damages stemming from a loss of enjoyment of life account for a victim’s inability to enjoy their daily hobbies, activities, or other interests as they did before their injury. These are another form of non-economic damages that may be difficult to prove.
Loss of Consortium
Loss of consortium damages are another form of non-economic damages. This type of damages seeks to repay spouses for the loss of intimacy incurred because of their loved one’s injury.
Punitive Damages
Finally, in some cases, punitive damages may be available. Punitive damages seek to punish the at-fault party for grossly negligent behavior. Punitive damages attempt to disincentivize repeating similar actions and to stop other people from engaging in similar, negligent conduct in the future. However, these damages are rare and difficult to recover. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers can advise plaintiffs as to whether punitive damages may be available in their case.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases Our Lawyers Handle in Naperville, IL
Personal injury lawsuits can come in various forms. While the circumstances surrounding each case may be different, most personal injury lawsuits will be approached in similar ways using comparable types of evidence and legal arguments. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers handle a wide array of personal injury cases, including the following:
Car Accident Cases
Car accidents often result in personal injury lawsuits. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported that there were 858 car cashes per day in 2019 in the state. Furthermore, more than 10 people were injured per hour because of car accidents in Illinois in 2019. Car crash injuries can be severe or even fatal.
Drivers owe a duty to exercise reasonable care and follow traffic laws. Still, drivers in Naperville will regularly swerve, tailgate, drive dunk, and drive distracted. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers can help obtain compensation for drivers who were injured because of these kinds of driving errors.
Products Liability Cases
Products liability is a field of personal injury law that involve dangerous and defective products. Manufacturers are expected to produce items that are safe for public consumption. Accordingly, individuals who have been injured because of a defective product may file a lawsuit against a manufacturer for negligent manufacturing, negligent product design, or failure to warn of a defect.
Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice cases are also a common type of personal injury case. A 2016 study from Johns Hopkins suggested that medical errors were the third leading cause of death in the country. When doctors or other hospital staff act negligently, their actions or inaction can have severe or even fatal consequences. Common sources of medical malpractice are misdiagnosis, medical errors, hospital errors, surgical errors, defective medical equipment, and failure to warn patients of risks.
However, the elements of a medical malpractice case can be difficult to prove. Our Naperville personal injury lawyers can review your case to determine whether you have a valid claim for medical malpractice.
If You Have Been Injured Because of Another Person’s Negligence in Naperville, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you need help filing a personal injury lawsuit in Naperville, IL, seek advice from experienced Naperville personal injury lawyers by calling the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case review.