Joliet
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers for Victims in Joliet and Nearby Communities
As one of the largest cities in Illinois, just 40 miles southwest of Chicago, Joliet has over 150,000 residents. It is traversed by transcontinental highway I-80, and I-55 and I-355 also connect the area to surrounding cities like Naperville, Aurora, and Bloomington. At the law firm of Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we help Joliet residents seeking legal representation to assist with claims after a car crash, a work injury, or another incident that has caused serious harm. Our Joliet personal injury lawyers are skilled at investigating, negotiating, and advancing a strong case for recovering maximum compensation on behalf of clients. Since we understand the importance of financial security to individuals suffering the physical and emotional consequences of an accident or medical condition, we strive to provide efficient and compassionate legal services.
Negligence Claims Following an Accident
Personal injury claims are a method of holding accountable careless individuals or entities for causing an accident that has led to harm. These types of legal claims may be appropriate following a vehicle collision, a slip and fall, or an injury caused by a product, among other situations. Victims may be able to recover damages in the forms of medical costs, missed wages from work, property damage, and pain and suffering.
The plaintiff in a personal injury claim sets forth evidence that their harm was directly caused by the negligent conduct of the defendant. As a legal theory, negligence requires showing that there was a breached duty of care that directly led to injuries and damages. A personal injury attorney in Joliet would focus on showing that the at-fault party failed to meet their duty of care and that this directly led to harm.
For many injury claims, a breached duty of care may be shown through conduct that is unreasonable or that shows a failure to behave as others would behave under similar circumstances. For example, during a heavy rainstorm, a driver who does not adjust their speed or continues to tailgate may be deemed to have breached their duty of care to drive reasonably. Driving while intoxicated is another situation that likely supports a breached duty of care. When this conduct directly causes an accident and injuries, the victim has shown duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Workers’ Compensation for Job-Related Injuries or Medical Conditions
Unlike claimants in personal injury cases, Joliet employees who have been injured in the course and scope of their employment are entitled to benefits without proving fault. According to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, injuries that occur on the job entitle employees to lost wages, medical expenses, and other costs. Medical conditions and psychiatric injuries are also covered by the Act, although these require strong medical documentation and a showing of causation.
Causation is the link between the workplace and the injury or condition. Legally, showing that an employee’s condition was caused by work is essential to a successful claim for workers’ compensation benefits. The employer or its insurance company may challenge a claim for compensation by contending that an employee’s condition was not work-related.
Social Security Disability
Social Security benefits are provided to Joliet residents who are unable to work because of a disability. The Social Security Administration strictly defines “disability,” and in order to qualify for benefits, individuals must meet the definition, which involves a severe physical or mental impairment that results in marked limitations that prevent the claimant from performing substantial gainful work for at least 12 months. Gathering persuasive medical records is essential to a successful claim for disability benefits.
Enlist a Dedicated Joliet Personal Injury Attorney to Protect Your Legal Rights
The lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca offer legal guidance to Joliet residents who have been hurt in an accident, as well as injured workers and others suffering from a condition that prevents them from working. We hold careless parties accountable when their behavior has led to harm, and we are fully prepared to investigate all of the causes underlying a client’s injuries. If you or someone in your family is seeking legal guidance, our attorneys are prepared to advocate on your behalf. Our office can be reached by calling 312-724-5846, or we can be reached online. A skilled attorney is prepared to speak with you today, and we offer a free, no-obligation consultation.