Urbana

Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys for Residents of Urbana and Nearby Communities

As the home of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, along with the sister city of Champaign, Urbana is a city rich in art and history that is home to over 40,000 residents. It is situated near the junctions of Interstates 57, 72, and 74, so a substantial amount of commercial traffic traverses the region. U.S. Routes 45 and 150 provide additional access. The Urbana personal injury lawyers at Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca help people throughout the area with legal claims that arise after a car accident, a job injury, or another physical or mental condition that prevents them from working. Individuals and families can rely on the experience and knowledge of our lawyers as they assert their legal rights to compensation or benefits.

Personal Injury Claims

Filing a personal injury claim is one method of holding careless or reckless individuals or businesses accountable when their conduct leads to injuries. Victims of car accidents, for example, have the legal right to file a claim for monetary compensation against all of the parties that may have caused the accident. This compensation covers accident-related costs, such as medical bills, missed income from work, and property damage.

In many personal injury claims, negligence is the legal theory asserted by the victim. As the plaintiff in the lawsuit, the victim must show duty, breach, causation, and damages. These legal terms refer to the failure of the defendant to act as a reasonable person would act. An example of a breached duty of care might be speeding through a rainstorm or failing to yield at an intersection. All drivers owe others the duty to drive carefully, avoiding foreseeable harm. Conduct that exposes others to risks, such as driving under the influence or while distracted, is negligent.

When negligent conduct directly causes a crash, a personal injury lawyer in the Urbana area likely can show causation. As the final stage of a negligence claim, the victim will set forth their accident-related costs. Quantifiable costs, such as hospital bills, damage to a vehicle, and other expenses related to the crash, are compensable. In addition, non-economic damages, including emotional suffering and a decreased quality of life, may also be set forth in a personal injury claim.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Urbana employees who suffer an injury or develop an occupational disease at work are entitled to benefits according to Illinois law. The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act applies to workers throughout the state, including those who have been hired within the state, if they have suffered injuries in the course and scope of employment. Workplace conditions, such as exposure to carcinogens, can cause medical conditions that impair an ability to work. Additionally, accidents and pre-existing conditions that have been aggravated are covered by state workers’ compensation laws.

By filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, employees are seeking to recover medical costs, disability payments, and other accident-related expenses from their employer or their employer’s insurer. In some situations, the insurance company may challenge a claim for compensation. Successful claims typically hinge on proving the causal connection between the workplace injury and the medical condition. Gathering strong medical documentation is essential to a successful workers’ compensation claim.

Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability benefits are provided to people who are unable to work. In some cases, people suffer from debilitating injuries or illnesses that prevent them from engaging in substantial gainful employment. Filing a claim for benefits with the Social Security Administration can prove challenging. In order to receive benefits, the legal definition of “disability” provided by the federal government must be met. Claimants are required to have endured their disability or to expect it to last for a minimum of 12 months, or it must be a terminal condition.

Consult an Urbana Personal Injury Attorney About Your Potential Claim

People hurt by the negligence of others have the legal right to pursue compensation or benefits. At Katz, Friedman, Eisenstein, Johnson, Bareck & Bertuca, we make it a priority to provide compassionate and comprehensive legal representation. Whether you are facing the devastating effects of a car accident or have been injured at work, we can investigate, negotiate, and litigate on your behalf. To further understand your legal rights, contact an attorney at our firm by calling our office at 312-724-5846 or completing our online form.

Urbana Car Accidents
Urbana Distracted Driving Accident
Urbana Overweight / Overloaded Truck Accidents
Urbana Truck Accidents