Personal Injury
Personal injury involves injury to an individual. This area of law allows an injured person to sue in a private action called a civil action known in the legal community as a tort action. A “tort” is a wrong against a person. Any accident or injury against a person can constitute a tort – whether it be in a car accident, the use of a product or the negligence of a professional.
Different degrees of fault exist and several elements are necessary to prove in court in order to be successful against the wrongdoer or negligent party in a tort action. Also, more than one person or party may be at fault, and responsibility may be apportioned among all of the wrongdoers. In some instances, the victim may even be partly at fault for the tragedy but that does not necessarily mean the person does not have a right to bring a lawsuit.
Take, for example, the case of internationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton. She suffered severe injuries after being dragged by a Metra train. At first, while Rachel lay in a coma, train officials blamed the young woman for the accident, claiming she was trying to hold on to her violin. That was not the case. Clifford Law Offices filed a lawsuit on her behalf and a jury decided that Rachel was only 4.5 percent to blame. The jury apportioned 95.5 percent of the blame to the railroad for failing to follow safety procedures. The judgment against the train company was reduced by 4.5 percent, making the verdict total $29.6 million. Rachel later received $35 million following a lengthy appeal process while interest accrued on the verdict.
Another case, for example, is that of Richard Burke and John Karnezis, partners at the firm, who obtained a $10.45 million verdict for the family of a pilot killed at Palwaukee Municipal Airport outside Chicago. His Gulfstream IV jet crashed moments after takeoff because a drainage ditch running alongside the runway was not flat and firm to support the plane. In that case, a jury found the airport defendants 90 percent responsible for the crash, the owner of the aircraft was found 5 percent liable and the pilot was apportioned 5 percent liability. Consulting an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer like Clifford Law Offices can provide information on whether to pursue an action in court.
Personal Injury Damages
If you are successful, the person who is injured can recover money damages. These damages can be for a number of reasons: medical bills, lost income, future medical bills and care, and other economic damages that you incur. In addition, you may recover what is termed non-economic damages. These are damages that may be difficult to quantify, but nevertheless, are very real: pain and suffering, disfigurement and loss of consortium. Keep in mind there is a deadline in filing cases known as a statute of limitations. These statutes vary and it takes an experienced personal injury law firm to examine the facts and the law to determine the limitations period that applies in each case.
Some Clifford Law Offices Personal Injury Cases
Clifford Law Offices represents many people in personal injury actions. Robert Clifford has been practicing in this area of law for 30 years, and the lawyers at his firm have experience in the area of personal injury litigation. The law firm’s goal is to obtain a fair and just result. The only way the civil justice system can do so is through financial compensation. The lawyers at the firm are dedicated to finding answers to its clients’ questions and obtaining a just solution to the matter.
For example, Robert Clifford obtained a $15.8 million verdict for a 12-year-old girl who was severely injured when a YMCA van struck her at an intersection when she tried to cross the street after school. Keith Hebeisen, partner at the firm, obtained a $6 million settlement on behalf of an infant who suffered significant and permanent injuries at birth when a Chicago hospital deprived her of oxygen during delivery and experts concluded that a cesarean section should have been performed. Robert Strelecky, partner, settled a case for $2 million on behalf of a 72-year-old woman who underwent knee replacement surgery at a Chicago hospital and instead now suffers paraparesis and incontinence after improper treatment. The firm represents a number of people who have been injured in the fire at the Cook County Administration Building. And Robert Clifford obtained a $28.3 million verdict on behalf of a 70-year-old woman who survived the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 that cartwheeled down the runway at Sioux City, Iowa. Her husband seated beside her died in the crash.
Clifford Law Offices has Experienced Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys
Clifford Law Offices is a Chicago law firm that regularly handles complex damage cases, including claims for personal injury and wrongful death arising out of aviation, transportation, trucking, medical negligence, product liability and premises liability claims as well as whistleblowing and commercial fraud litigation.
We look forward to putting our Illinois injury lawyers’ experience to work for you. Because they can be complex cases, it is important to select a personal injury attorney in Illinois with experience. To contact us, fill out the form on your right and email us with some details about your case and a convenient time for us to call. You can also call us toll free at 1-800-899-0410 or 312-899-9090 if you are in the Chicago, Illinois area.
Click here to learn more about Clifford Law Offices and click here to review recent judgments and settlements by our Chicago, Illinois personal injury attorneys.