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Illinois Personal Injury Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Libel & Slander, Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I was in a vehicle accident a couple months ago during my recovery an employee of mine had my former customers sign a pa

Paper saying I was shutting the doors to my business (which I'm not) and having those customers go through his business that he was starting is there any legal action I can take

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Nov 11, 2017

Yes, you can file an action to have the earnings from those customers go to you. You need to consult a business attorney who handles partnership and other business litigation dealing with who shares in the proceeds of a business.

If you have the business's computers you need to get...
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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: How long does it take for a slip and fall case?

I fell down my apartment stairs and ruptured my tendon and now I've suing my apartment complex for over a year. Does it really take this long for a case like this?

Robert D. Kreisman
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Robert D. Kreisman
answered on Nov 10, 2017

The length of a case from filing to final disposition depends on the Illinois venue (the county where the case has been filed) and the size of the court's docket. However, most cases even in a crowded court docket like Cook County depend on the lawyers and how they handle the various court... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Traffic Tickets for Illinois on
Q: I was in an accident and recieved a ticket for failure to yield Now I have footage and the lady didnt have her lights on

The lady is suing me for medical bills and i need to know if this could save me from having to pay them.

It was dark and raining and i was turning left and did not see a car but when i turned the lady t boned my car. She did not have her lights on but the bank across the street has footage... View More

Theodore J. Harvatin
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answered on Nov 3, 2017

Turn the video over to your insurance and let them handle. You might be able to get your gulty plea vacated depending upon how old it is.

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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: My daughter was going straight on a four lane road, a person made

a blind left turn going the other way and my daughter had to hit the brakes, the person behind her smashed into her. Who is at fault here?

Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Oct 23, 2017

It depends on very specific facts that are not provided here. Do you have a police report? Also, did your daughter sustain personal injuries as a result of the collision? In any event, I would recommend organizing all information relevant to this situation, and consulting with an attorney... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I panicked and drove off after an accident, but now I'm not feeling well

- will my insurance help out with any medical bills if I drove off like that?

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Oct 9, 2017

They may, but you want to contact a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Assn for the county where the wreck happened; they give free consults.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Illinois on
Q: Hi i got hit by a taxi riding in the bike lane a few days ago and I'm wondering where to go from here?
Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Sep 25, 2017

I am terribly sorry to hear that you were involved in an accident, and hope you are alright. First, seek medical attention immediately. Do not let any additional time lapse between your first appointment. Next, consult with a personal injury attorney immediately.

A knowledgeable...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Illinois on
Q: Can I sue someone for hitting my vehicle, causing my insurance rates to increase?

Several years ago I was at a complete stop at a light, when a cab rear ended the person stopped behind me, who in turn hit me. I sold the car shortly thereafter. Now, I have purchased a new vehicle and found out that my rates are affected because of that accident, which was by no stretch of the... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Sep 15, 2017

No. It isn't something you can recover from. Also, you would have a statute of limitations and likely a release of claims issue if it was something you could get. However,you should contact the insurance commissioner to see if you can do anything about the rating you received.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Employment Law and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: my dog bit my downstairs neighbor in our shared backyard. he went to emergency room but refuses to show

he refuses to show me any medical costs, nor proof of any lost wages. he claims he lost his contractor job, but refuses to show me any proof of this. His wound is not very bad (the dog was clearly trying to defend me, not attack him), but he has hired a lawyer. We spoke and agreed informally that... View More

Josh Rohrscheib
Josh Rohrscheib
answered on Sep 13, 2017

If you have homeowners insurance or renters insurance, advise them of the claim immediately. You shouldn't pay $5,000 without some kind of evidence. You can probably pay a lawyer for a few hours of time if you want to settle to review everything for you and draw up a settlement agreement and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: If a driver was insured but was driving another vehicle that wasnt on his insurance do i go after his insurance or him

He is at fault and other car is insured

Josh Rohrscheib
Josh Rohrscheib
answered on Sep 13, 2017

Was the vehicle he was driving insured? If so, I'd start with bringing a claim against that policy. If not, you could try asserting a claim against the driver's policy. Ultimately, the smartest thing you can do is protect yourself from other drivers who might not have adequate insurance... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I wasnt warned that the building at my showing was a construction zone. I fell and injured myself inside the property.

Is there anything I can do? The broker didn't even ask if I was ok or offered to help me with medical atention

Josh Rohrscheib
Josh Rohrscheib
answered on Sep 13, 2017

Unfortunately, it's hard to give you meaningful advice without more information. Are you a realtor? What exactly caused your fall? How serious are your injuries? Feel free to contact me at the office if you'd like to discuss your specific situation in detail. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Consumer Law and Small Claims for Illinois on
Q: Need to find a lawyer to represent me.

Just came out of small claims court for what I thought was an closed case in my favor against Comcast. The case against Comcast was because during a service call, their service people did something to cause the circuit breaker to trip while I was home at the time and which then after investigating... View More

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Aug 24, 2017

Some DJ's feel you need an expert report from the computer people to say what caused the computer to malfunction.

File a complaint with the AG's office of consumer affairs. You can file an appeal of your case within a set period of days, but trying to hire an attorney looks to be...
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2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: If a driver was insured but was driving another vehicle that wasnt on his insurance do i go after his insurance or him

He is at fault and the other car is insured

Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Aug 9, 2017

The answer to your question depends on several factors that are not provided here, such as who is at fault and whether or not the vehicle he was driving was insured. In any event, if you sustained personal injuries as a result of this collision, get medical attention and consult with a personal... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Bad Faith and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: Is it normal for adjuster to send details to my boss about an open claim to pressure me to settle?

I was injured when rear ended by an uninsured motorist while driving a company vehicle. I'm currently going back and forth with my company's insurance. The adjuster keeps threatening to close the claim, trying to pressure me into signing the release. Recently, he sent an email to my... View More

Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Aug 4, 2017

I would highly recommend stopping what you are doing, and hiring a personal injury attorney immediately. Do not say another word to the insurance adjuster until you do. This is a common tactic engaged in by insurance adjusters that are not represented by an attorney, as they will never take you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Products Liability for Illinois on
Q: Can i put a claim against a cell phone maker for possible health issue.

My phone keep over heating and i have had vascular burning and ear ringing, now ear aches coming from the phone. Dec. 2,2015. I suffered a brain stroke and burst blood vessel after complaining of the phone over heating problem to T-mobile and Samsung. Please let me know because my health has... View More

Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Aug 2, 2017

If your health is worsening, I highly recommend seeking medical attention first and foremost. Next, consult with a personal injury attorney. Do not make any statements until you do. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will review the details of your situation, and advise as to the best... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Probate for Illinois on
Q: Probate court mail checks to the person in charge he's holding the checks demanding we pay him money before he send them

Our what to do

Stephanie Sexauer
Stephanie Sexauer
answered on Jul 28, 2017

You should call a probate attorney who practices in that county in Illinois.

Stephanie M. Sexauer is an attorney who focuses her practice in probate law, and practices in Chicago (Cook County), Illinois. Responses provided are for general informational purposes only, based upon the limited...
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: shoulder dislocated at a gym in their pool slide. No signs were present and I hit it on one of the curves. Can I sue?

can I possibly sue them or make them pay for my bills?

David Alan Wolf
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answered on Jul 21, 2017

It is unfortunate that you suffered an injury. You asked a good question. There are risks with just about every kind of physical activity including going down a slide. If the slide was not properly maintained or was in disrepair, then a claim or case would be brought against the gym. If the gym... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I was at a store at the mall and tripped on a mat

that had been laid down at the entrance which resulted in injury - who's at fault, the mall or the store - neither one is telling me they're to blame.

David Alan Wolf
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answered on Jul 21, 2017

Slip and fall cases AND trip and fall cases are among the more challenging personal injury case out there. A store or business not an absolute insurer of the safety of the guests. The store or business must act in a reasonably prudent manner. It is common and reasonable to have a mat at the... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Animal / Dog Law for Illinois on
Q: How am I liable for someone else's dog?

I lived with a man in a house. He rented the house and everything in the house was in his name. Nothing belonged to me. He had a dog that never acted mean but ended up biting the mailman one afternoon. I am being sued. In the paperwork it says I was an owner. Animal control took the report... View More

Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Jul 18, 2017

You will likely not be found liable if it is not your house, and it was not your dog. That said, if you were named in the lawsuit, you will have to defend the case so the plaintiff does not obtain a default judgment against you. I would recommend consulting with an Illinois attorney individually... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: Can you sue the owner of a parking lot for a car accident that occurred on the premises?
Steve McCann
Steve McCann
answered on Jul 7, 2017

It is possible, but an attorney must evaluate additional facts to ascertain the likelihood of proving liability. Did you sustain personal injuries? If so, I would recommend seeking treatment immediately. Next, organize all information you have in your possession related to this situation,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: Would I win a small claims for damage expenses to my veichle from other driver that my insurance found me At Fault with.

I have visited a local auto detailer and they told me based on damage it was the other driver at fault. At time of claim havent had the opportunity to share photos or this info I now have but will share with adjuster even though it may matter.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 22, 2017

Certainly if your rates get raised you can bring out this issue again. If you were hurt, contact a member of the Ill Trial Lawyers Assn--they give free consults. If not, you can try small claims.

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