Last updated 6 months ago
In a personal injury lawsuit, there are two kinds of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are the most commonly awarded, because they can be based upon objective financial considerations.
Economic damages can be accurately expressed in dollar amounts. For example, an accident victim’s medical bills can be calculated by adding up the costs of their treatment, prescriptions, and other necessary supplies. Future medical bills can also be predicted by considering what future treatments will be required. Compensation for lost wages can be determined by examining the accident victim’s injuries and how they affect his earning capacity now and in the future.
Though economic losses are objective, there is still much that a personal injury attorney can do to help you maximize your award. To schedule an appointment with an attorney at Malman Law to discuss your situation, call (312) 983-6193 today.
Last updated 6 months ago
Under workers’ compensation, disabilities are classified into one of four categories: temporary total, temporary partial, permanent total, and permanent partial. Read on to find out more about what separates these categories and how workers who experience them are compensated.
Temporary Total Disability
To qualify for temporary total disability, a worker must be unable to perform the functions of his regular employment. The injured worker receives two-thirds of his average weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum amounts updated every six months.
Temporary Partial Disability
A worker who is partially disabled but still healing from his injuries may be able to perform light duties, either full-time or part-time. The worker will earn less than he would at his usual job, and he receives two-thirds of the difference between the wages he is earning for light duties and his usual wage.
Permanent Partial Disability
Compensation for permanent partial disability is based in part on the degree of the disability. Partial disability means a loss of a body part, loss of some use of a body part, or total loss of use of a body part. Permanent partial disability benefits are compensation for the difference between a new, lower-paying job and the injured employee’s previous job; the number of weeks an employee receives compensation is based on which body part is injured and the degree of injury.
Permanent Total Disability
The loss of two or more body parts or the loss of the ability to perform all kids of work is known as permanent total disability. An employee who suffers this level of disability will receive two-thirds of his average weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum levels and cost of living adjustments.
The Illinois system of workers’ compensation provides fair payment to all employees who are injured on the job, but it can be confusing. If you need help getting the compensation you are entitled to, call (312) 983-6193 to schedule an appointment with a worker’s compensation attorney at Malman Law.
Last updated 6 months ago
When railroad workers are injured, they do not receive workers’ compensation. Instead, they are subject to the Federal Employers Liability Act. Read on to learn more about this act and how it protects railroad workers.
Under the FELA, a railroad worker must prove that the railroad company, a fellow employee, a contractor, or defective equipment was to some degree responsible for his injury. FELA follows the principle of comparative negligence, which provides that an employee can be found partly responsible for his own injuries and receive only part of the damages he was awarded.
If you’re a railroad worker who was injured on the job, you deserve full compensation for your injuries. To discuss filing a claim under FELA, call Malman Law in Chicago at (312) 983-6193.
Last updated 6 months ago
Traumatic brain injuries can change a victim’s life forever. If you’re pursuing a lawsuit to recover compensation for your brain injury, you should hire a personal injury lawyer to assist you in the following ways:
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Get the damages you need. A personal injury attorney will help you obtain the financial compensation you need for your injury by helping the jury understand all of its ramifications. Skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys understand how your traumatic brain injury can affect your life and your ability to interact with the world around you, and can clearly convey this information to the court in a convincing manner.
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Avoid your insurance company’s ploys. Insurance companies do not always have your best interest at heart; their primary goal is to pay you as little as possible. They may try to convince you to accept a smaller settlement than you deserve, or misinterpret your statements to their advantage. With an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, you’ll avoid these traps.
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Have access to medical experts. At Malman Law, we have medical experts on staff who can truly understand your condition and explain it to insurance companies or the court. We know that traumatic brain injuries are incredibly serious, and we apply our medical expertise to get you the treatment and compensation you need.
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Have an advocate in the negotiation or court process. If you’re not an attorney, you’ve probably never spent time negotiating with an insurance company or presenting a case in a court room, and you may not represent yourself as well as an attorney could. To get the compensation you need, rely on the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
After a traumatic brain injury, you need to worry about healing and returning to the best possible quality of life, not dealing with an insurance company or other responsible party. Let Malman Law help you get the financial award you need. To schedule a free consultation in our Chicago office, call (312) 983-6193.
Last updated 6 months ago
Personal injury topics like car accidents, distracted driving, and worker’s compensation affect you every day, so take a look at these additional resources to learn more about these important subjects.
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Check out Duhaime.org to learn more about damages, the financial compensation awarded in personal injury lawsuits.
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For more information about spinal cord injuries, you can head over to this page from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission provides a complete guide to filing a worker’s compensation claim and receiving benefits.
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If you’re in an accident and suspect you or someone else may have a spinal injury, follow these tips to minimize the risk of permanent damage.
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Calling 911 is one of the most important things you can do in an emergency. Follow these tips to work with the call taker to get assistance as soon as possible.
If you need a personal injury attorney in the Chicago area, call Malman Law. Established in 1994, our practice will work to get you the compensation you need. To reach our office, call (312) 983-6193.