When your life has been turned upside down, a dedicated Des Plaines personal injury lawyer from Therman Law understands that you may be overwhelmed and wondering who to hold responsible for the injuries you suffered.
The truth is that multiple parties may be at fault in a catastrophic injury case. Do not hesitate to give our legal team, which has successfully recovered over $100 million in settlements and trial verdicts, a call to request a free consultation and consider every opportunity for legal recourse.
The Personal Injury Claims Process
When you are dealing with a personal injury, one of the biggest questions you might have is how long it will take to resolve your case. While each case is unique, several factors can influence the timeline. Understanding these elements can help you set realistic expectations.
Initial Consultation And Case Evaluation
The first step in resolving a personal injury case is scheduling an initial consultation with a Des Plaines personal injury law firm. During this meeting, we discuss the details of your case, gather relevant information, and determine whether you have a viable claim.
This initial stage can take a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly we can gather the necessary documentation and how soon we can meet.
Investigation And Gathering Evidence
Once we decide to move forward with your case, the next step involves a thorough investigation. This includes gathering evidence such as medical records, police reports, witness statements, and any other relevant information. The duration of this stage varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case and the availability of evidence.
Filing A Lawsuit
If pre-litigation negotiations do not result in a satisfactory settlement, the next step is to file a lawsuit. Filing the lawsuit officially starts the litigation process. Once filed, the defendant typically has 30 days to respond.
Mediation And Settlement Conferences
Before going to trial, many courts require parties to attempt mediation or settlement conferences. These meetings are designed to help both parties reach an agreement without proceeding to a full trial. Mediation can be a quick process, taking just a day or two, or it can take several weeks if multiple sessions are needed.
Trial
If mediation and settlement conferences fail to produce a resolution, the case will proceed to trial. The time frame for getting a trial date can vary widely based on the court’s schedule and the specifics of the case. Once the trial begins, it can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Our Des Plaines Personal Injury Lawyer Practice Areas
Personal injury law firms often specialize in specific areas to provide the most effective representation for their clients. Understanding these specialties can help you feel more at ease when talking with a legal advocate from our firm. Here are some common personal injury cases we take on:
- Des Plaines car accident lawyer: Car accident claims often involve negligent driving, such as speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield. We can gather evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements, to build a powerful case and negotiate with insurance companies for fair compensation.
- Des Plaines truck accident lawyer: Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries than car accidents due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, such as internal injuries or catastrophic burn injuries. Our team can investigate truck accident claims by reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data to establish liability.
- Des Plaines medical malpractice lawyer: Medical malpractice happens when a healthcare professional provides substandard care that results in harm to a patient. These cases often involve misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, or failure to obtain informed consent.
- Des Plaines workplace injury lawyer: Workplace injuries happen due to unsafe work conditions, equipment accidents, machinery malfunctions, or employer negligence. Our firm helps injured workers file workers’ compensation claims and pursue additional third-party claims when another party’s negligence contributed to the injury.
- Des Plaines product liability lawyer: Product liability cases involve injuries caused by defective or dangerous products. These claims may be filed against manufacturers, distributors, or retailers when a product has a design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to warn consumers of potential dangers.
- Des Plaines wrongful death lawyer: Wrongful death claims arise when someone’s negligence or intentional actions result in a fatality. Surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional distress, per 740 ILCS 180/1.
We understand the intricacies of Illinois personal injury laws and will always advocate for our clients’ rights to receive full and fair compensation for their damages and suffering.
When your case is complex and emotionally charged, you may require the compassionate and skilled representation our advocates offer here at Therman Law.
Des Plaines Personal Injury FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit, per 735 ILCS 5/13-202. However, there are exceptions and specific circumstances that might alter this timeline.
It is crucial to consult with a knowledgeable legal advocate as soon as possible to ensure you file within the appropriate timeframe and preserve your right to seek maximum compensation for your damages.
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek in a Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury lawyers work to recover economic damages, which refer to the quantifiable financial losses the victim has incurred. This may include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, property damage, and future medical or rehabilitation expenses.
In addition to economic damages, personal injury lawyers also pursue non-economic damages, which compensate the victim for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life.
What Are My Options if I Am Partially At Fault?
Illinois is a contributory negligence state, as described under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. This means that you could be barred from receiving a settlement if you are more than 50% at fault. If you are less than 50% at fault, the percentage of fault you may be found to be could be used to offset your recovery.
This means that if you are the injured party and are partially at fault, you may still have a claim. Make sure you consult your Des Plaines personal injury attorney before you allow your claim to be ignored.
Call Your Personal Injury Lawyer in Des Plaines for a Free Consultation Today
Your experienced and well-regarded personal injury attorney in Des Plaines at Therman Law is ready to handle your case. We are focused, effective, and driven. With these attributes, we will strongly argue for the compensation you deserve.
We have offices throughout the Chicagoland area and provide services in all Illinois counties, including Cook, Lake, and DuPage County, near Des Plaines. Fill out our online contact form or call us to set up a free consultation today.
Let our firm and our considerable resources help you fight for what you deserve.