Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A Galeana man injured in a fall in a high school construction site accident has been awarded the highest jury verdict ever rendered in Jo Daviess County.

William Theiss, 52, was awarded $1.9 million after the two-week trial, which centered on the April 2003 accident at River Ridge High School in Hanover. Thiess was working as a painter when he toppled off a 15-foot-high lift -- he tripped on a chain serving as a substituted for the safety-mandated guardrails, according to a story in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald.

Theiss has undergone 16 surgeries after crushing his foot, ankle and heel. Doctors told him he can no longer stand for more than an hour at a time and confined him to light duty. He sued the construction management company, Hoffman Construction Company, and the drywall contractor, CIDAC Inc.

"I've worked on these kind of lifts all my life, so I just assumed it was safe," Theiss said. "I was just doing the job I'd been doing my whole life."

The jury found Theiss 30 percent at fault, which resulted in reducing his original $2.8 million award to $1.9 million. They awarded Theiss $777,660 for wage loss, $791,667 for pain and suffering, $625,000 for disability, $279,167 for disfigurement, $339,000 for medical bills and $27,000 for prescription orthotics for his heel.

"I wouldn't say that it makes me forget about the last few years, but at least now I'm not going to have to worry about paying my electric bill," he said. "But it's not going to be life on easy street for me. There are a lot of bills to pay."

The largest sum previously awarded for a personal injury in the county was $1.05 million after a man sustained serious brain injuries following a tractor-car collision.

Continue reading "Illinois painter awarded $1.9 millon for injuries in fall at construction site" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Construction Accident , Slip and Fall , Work Injuries

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Chicago Workers' Compensation Lawyers from Abels & Annes have resolved an on the job injury claim for a Waukegan resident. She was injured during the summer of 2007 at the Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette, Illinois. She was employed there as a pastry chef.

The petitioner was diagnosed with epicondylitis in her right arm due to repetitive motion at work. She treated with several orthopaedic physicians, including Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in Gurnee, Illinois. In 2008, she underwent a surgical release to help her condition.

Our client received disability pay of just under $10,000 while she was off work, her medical bills have been paid, and our office obtained her a bodily injury settlement of just over $28,000. Travelers Insurance paid on the claim.

The client is using her settlement proceeds to open a bakery & cafe on the North Shore of Chicago.

If you have been injured on the job in Illinois, contact Abels & Annes for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In Chicago, Illinois a man died on Friday at a South Side recycling plant after he fell into a machine, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. Julio Flores-Garcia, 39, a Chicago resident, was killed in a paper-baling machine at 3301 W. 48th Place.

It is being reported that the autopsy is showing that the man died from multiple crushing injuries, and that the death was ruled an accident. Police were called Friday afternoon and were told that a man fell into a machined and died. The Chicago Police Department has detectives investigating the accident.

After a tragic accident like this one, it is likely that the family of the victim will retain a Chicago personal injury lawyer. That lawyer will investigate as to how the accident occurred and also whether there is a potential products liability case. The attorney is going to look into if there was something defective about the machine and if the accident could have been prevented.

It has not been reported if the victim was employed at the business. If he was, the family of Flores-Garcia will be able to collect under workers' compensation. If he was not employed at the plant, the attorney can investigate whether the company is liable for some type of negligence.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Personal Injury , Work Injuries , Wrongful Death

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In Chicago, Illinois a truck and a CTA train collided this past Sunday afternoon, according to MSNBC. The train accident occurred at 4648 N. Kedzie Avenue when a truck tried to get around the crossing gates while a CTA brown line train was pulling out of the Kedzie station. The train hit the back end of the truck, and it did not derail.

Service was delayed for an hour as workers moved the train back and got the truck off the tracks. Normal service was going again by 2 pm. The truck driver was ticketed for causing the collision.

While no injuries have been reported at this time, if people involved in the crash were injured, here's what could happen: The passengers on the train have a claim against the truck driver and the trucking company that caused the accident. Typically, trucks carry larger commercial insurance policies, so unless there were catastrophic injuries (and none were reported here) there should be enough insurance to cover the loss.

The CTA employees involved in the crash actually can make two claims. They have a workers' compensation claim, as they were injured on the job, and they would also have a 3rd party claim against the truck driver and truck company.

Finally, the truck driver has a case. Even though he was at fault, if injured, he has a work injury case. Work comp. is a no fault system for injured employees to make a recovery in the State of Illinois.

If you have been injured in a train accident, truck accident, or have been injured on the job, call Abels & Annes for a free consultation.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Train Accident , Truck Accident , Work Injuries

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Illinois workers' compensation attorneys from Abels & Annes have resolved an injury case for a client who was hurt during the course of his employment as a meter reader for Com Ed. His work responsibilities require him to walk about 15 miles per shift and due to the excessive walking he developed severe bunions on both of his feet.

His employer referred him to the health clinic at a Holy Family Hospital in Des Plaines, Illinois where he was diagnosed with a bunion deformity and left plantar fascitis. Our client followed up with a doctor at Foot First in Schaumburg, Illinois. He was diagnosed again with bunion deformity.

After several attempts to heal his feet with cortisone injections and therapy, the claimant underwent surgery to fix the bunion deformities on both feet. He missed over four months of work as a result of several surgeries that were performed on our client to repair both feet. Work comp paid for our client's medical bills, he received disability pay for his time off work, and we obtained a $27,680.25 bodily injury settlement for him.

Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act calls for an employee who misses work due to an injury sustained during the course of employment to receive two-thirds of his or her salary. Further, an employee will have his or her medical bills paid that were incurred as a result of the work related injury. An employee can also receive a settlement for bodily injuries sustained at work.

Chicago worker’s compensation lawyers from our firm handle all kinds of work related injury cases. If you have sustained an injury in the course of your employment, please contact Abels & Annes, P.C. for a free consultation.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In Chicago Heights, Illinois a man was killed by a crane accident at a steel plant, according to the Chicago Tribune. The victim, Heladio Ramirez, 32, a Calumet City resident, was operating a crane on Monday at Highway Steel Inc., when part of the crane fell and hit him. He was taken to St. James Hospital and Health Center in Chicago Heights, Illinois and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The cause of the accident has not been reported. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

According to the United States Department of Labor, 5,488 workers were killed on the job last year throughout the country. 392 workers were killed in manufacturing jobs, and 20 of those workers were killed in primary metal manufacturing jobs, such as iron and steel mill occupations.

Further, according to CraneAccidents.com, there were 176 reported crane accident deaths in the United States in 2007, up from 109 deaths in 2006.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Construction Accident , Work Injuries , Wrongful Death

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In Chicago, Illinois nine people were injured yesterday when two cars collided and then they both hit a Chicago Transit Authority Bus, according to the Chicago Tribune. The accident happened on the South Side at the intersection of 63rd and Artesian.

Chicago Fire Department officials stated that eight of the injured were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. The driver of the CTA bus was one of the persons injured.

It has not been reported which of the car drivers caused the accident. Once the Chicago Police Department determines who was at fault, the passengers on the bus will be able to pursue an injury claim against that person's insurance company.

The driver of the CTA bus actually has two cases. There is the case against the at fault party, and there is also a workers' compensation case, as the driver was injured on the job.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Bus Accident , Personal Injury , Work Injuries

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In Chicago, Illinois, a CTA employee is lucky to be alive after being electrocuted while working as a flagger on the elevated tracks near the Belmont platform. Kathy Cardenas, age 32, was electrocuted on July 24, 2008, after she made contact with the 3rd rail. Her left hand and arm, and her back side were badly burned. She was rushed to Illinois Masonic Medical Center for medical attention where she was hospitalized and underwent skin grafts.

Ms. Cardenas has retained Chicago accident lawyers from Abels & Annes, P.C. and Katz, Friedman, Eagle, Eisenstein, Johnson & Bareck, P.C. to jointly represent her in a workers' compensation claim against the Chicago Transit Authority.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Personal Injury , Train Accident , Work Injuries

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In Joliet, Illinois work injury attorneys from Abels & Annes, P.C. have reached a settlement for a client who was injured on the job in December, 2006. She slipped and fell on a bathroom floor and fractured her right tibia. The client recovered well and did not undergo surgery. The bodily injury portion of our client's work injury case settled for just over $14,000. Our client also received disability pay of $8,000 and her medical bills have been paid for by the employer's insurance carrier. GAB Robins North America, Inc. paid on the claim for the employer.

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Posted In: Fractures / Broken Bones , Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In Chicago, Illinois workers' compensation attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have settled a case for a worker who injured himself on the job in April of 2006. He injured his low back carrying heavy buckets of chemicals up a flight of stairs. He had a herniated disc in his lumbar spine and had to undergo surgical intervention. AIG Insurance paid on the claim.

Continue reading "Chicago Work Injury Lawyers Reach Settlement" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Back and Neck Injuries , Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In Chicago, Illinois work comp attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a settlement for a client who was injured at work in June, 2006. He knelt down on a floor at a job site and lacerated his knee on glass. The wound later became infected. The bodily injury portion of our client's work injury case settled for just over $13,300. Our client also received disability pay while off work and his medical bills have been paid for by the employer's insurance carrier. Allied Insurance Company paid on the claim for the employer.

Continue reading "Chicago Injury Attorneys Reach Workers' Compensation Settlement" »

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Posted In: Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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En Chicago, abogados de la compensación de trabajadores de David Abels & Associates, P.C. han alcanzado un arreglo para un empleado del Chicago Trbune quien fue herida en el trabajo en Junio, 2004. Ella trabajaba como un operario de prensa y se golpeo cuando ella caminó en una caja con orillas agudas. Ella contrajo síndrome traumático de compartimiento con cirugías a la pierna izquierda, y otras heridas de pierna también. La porción corporal de la herida del trabajo se asentó para $105,000

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Personal Injury , Se Habla Español , Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In Chicago, Illinois workers' compensation attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a settlement for an employee of the Chicago Tribune who was injured on the job in June, 2004. She was working as a press operator and hurt herself when she walked into a box with sharp edges. She incurred traumatic compartment syndrome with surgeries to her left leg, and other leg injuries as well. The bodily injury portion of her work injury case settled for $105,000.

Continue reading "Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Reach Work Comp Settlement" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Personal Injury , Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In LaSalle County, Illinois a construction worker flagging traffic was injured on Friday morning along an Illinois 351 construction site, according to the Bloomington Pantagraph. The flagger, Eliseo Escatel, 38, of Peru, Illinois was hit by a car and taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital.

Escatel reportedly attempted to jump out of the way of a Jeep Liberty that did not slow down in the contruction zone. The driver, a Peru resident, was charged with driving with a suspended license, failure to stop for a flagger, and reckless conduct.

The accident took place on the same day that workers in other parts of the state were handing out saftey information for National Work Zone Awareness Week. WJBC News Radio reports that "twenty-one people were killed in work-zone related crashes in Illinois last year".

The law firm of David Abels & Associates, P.C. currently represents a flagger who has been hit and injured twice over the past several years while flagging in Chicago area construction zones. The first case settled a few years ago, and the second case is currently pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County against an Allstate driver. The issue in court is not liability, but the amount of money our client is entitled to receive from the negligent driver.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Pedestrian Accident , Personal Injury , Work Injuries

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A construction worker was killed on Monday at the Trump Soho in New York City when a wooden mold used to set concrete collapsed and he fell 42 floors to his death, according to the New York Times. The worker who died in the construction accident was decapitated in the fall and landed in an alley on the west side of the site. Another worker was thrown from the 42nd floor, but was caught by a safety net on the 40th floor.

The cause of the work accident is still under investigation. The New York City Buildings Department has issued a stop work order on the project until the General Contractor, Bovis Lend Lease, can show that work will continue in a safe manner. Bovis was issued four safety violations as a result of the accident. There have been 11 previous building code violations at the project site.

This accident happened just weeks before the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is scheduled to open. Five floors of the hotel are scheduled to open on January 30, 2008, according to the Chicago Tribune. The hotel will occupy floors 14-27, and the remaining levels are supposed to gradually open through the spring.

What is interesting is that as the hotel operates, there will still be a large construction project going on overhead as crews work to complete the 92 story tower. You have to question if Chicagoans will feel safe entering the hotel in light of the N.Y.C. accident. The hotel was originally scheduled to open December 3, 2007 but Trump was delayed in obtaining a city occupancy permit due to still having to complete fire safety work.

Continue reading "Deadly Construction Accident at the Trump Soho in N.Y.C. - Should Chicago Be Nervous?" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Construction Accident , Work Injuries , Wrongful Death

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Los abogados personales de herida de David Abels & Associates, P.C. alcanzaron un arreglo para un residente de Chicago que esforzo su hombro derecho al llevar un objeto arriba una escalera en el trabajo. El trató en Alexian Brothers Medical Center y siguió en la Ortopedia de Westgate en Oak Park. Su caso se asentó para $6,000 y sus cuentas fueron pagadas. El acusado fue asegurado por Frankenmuth Insurance Company.

Los abogados de la Compensación de trabajadores de nuestra firma alcanzaron también un arreglo para otro residente de Chicago que fue herido en el trabajo cuando él tropezó y cayó en el trabajo. El sostuvo espalda suave de tejido y heridas de cuello. El trató en el Hospital de Westlake y Chicago los Socios Ortopédicos. Nuestro cliente recibió la paga de la incapacidad mientras él estuvo fuera de trabajo para más de 11 semanas, sus cuentas médicas fueron pagadas, y negociamos un $5,200 en arreglo de herida para él también. El acusado fue asegurado por AIG.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Se Habla Español , Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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Personal injury lawyers from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a settlement for a Chicago resident who strained his right shoulder while carrying an object up a latter at work. He treated at Alexian Brothers Medical Center and followed up at Westgate Orthopaedics in Oak Park. His case settled for $6,000 and his bills were paid for. The defendant was insured by Frankenmuth Insurance Company.

Work comp lawyers from our firm also reached a settlement for another Chicago resident who was injured at work when he tripped and fell at work. He sustained soft tissue back and neck injuries. He treated at Westlake Hospital and Chicago Orthopaedic Associates. Our client received disability pay while he was off work for over 11 weeks, his medical bills were paid, and we negotiated a $5,200 bodily injury settlement for him as well. The defendant was insured by AIG.

The two cases listed above are not big cases and do not involve the most serious of injuries, but we like to list results from big and small cases as all of our clients are important to us.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In Chicago, Illinois, auto accident attorneys from David Abels & Associates, P.C. have reached a car crash settlement for a local resident. He was involved in an accident at the intersection of Central and Augusta in Chicago and went to UIC Medical Center for back injuries. Liability was very contested in the case. It was a "he said, she said" red light case. Both parties claimed they had a green light. To further complicate the case, the Chicago Police Department interviewed 2 witnesses at the accident scene. One witness sided with the plaintiff, while the other sided with the defendant. The case settled for $10,000 the day before trial. The defendant was insured by United Automobile Insurance Company.

Workers' compensation lawyers from our firm had previously settled a work injury case for the plaintiff based on the same accident. Our client was on the job at the time of the crash. We were able to convince the work comp insurance carrier to reduce their lien by approximately 80% to enable the settlement. (We were only entitled to a 25% comp lien reduction by law).

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers from David Abels & Associates, P.C. just settled a work injury case for an Oak Park resident who was injured while unloading a truck at work. He injured his right shoulder and received a settlement value for 30% of an arm. He has fully recovered and the case has been settled for just under $14,000. The settlement has already been approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. Wausau Insurance insured the defendant.

David Abels & Associates, P.C. is a personal injury law firm that represents injured workers from throughout the Chicago area and the entire State of Illinois. Many of his clients come from Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, McHenry County, Kane County, and Will County, as well as nearby neighborhoods and towns such as Garfield Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, Oak Park, Cicero, Maywood, Broadview, Westchester, Stone Park and Oakbrook.

Workers' compensation lawyers from his firm handle all types of job related injuries, including fractures, back and neck injuries, lacerations, and severe shoulder injuries.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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A hit and run accident near Morton, Illinois caused a tractor-trailer roll over crash on Interstate 74 last Sunday, according to the Pekin Daily Times. A pick-up truck struck the larger truck, caused the driver of the truck to hit a guard rail and then flip over on it's side. The accident occurred during the ice storm that hit central Illinois this week.

Illinois State Police say the tractor-trailer was driven by Gregory Houston, 50, of Quincy. He was east-bound when a gray pick-up struck his vehicle. He also fell out of the truck when it rolled. The pick-up driver fled the scene after the collision.

The accident is still under investigation. The Morton Police Department and Morton Fire Department were also on the scene.

If injured, the driver of the truck can retain a personal injury lawyer and make two types of claims. He has a workers' compensation case because he was injured during the course of his employment. Under work comp the trucker would receive medical benefits, temporary total disability pay if he is off work because of the accident, and he will also be entitled to a bodily injury settlement. The claim would be filed with the Illinois Industrial Commission.

Continue reading "Illinois Roll Over Truck Accident Near Peoria" »

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident , Hit & Run Accident , Truck Accident , Uninsured Motorist Claim , Work Injuries

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Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers from Abels & Assoc. just settled a workers' compensation case for a Chicago resident who was injured when a forklift rolled over and lacerated his right foot in the course of his employment. He has fully recovered and the case has been settled for just over $18,000. The settlement has already been approved by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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In DuPage County, Illinois, personal injury attorneys reached a settlement for $490,000 in a construction accident lawsuit. The plaintiff was a laborer loading large rocks into a back hoe owned by Fox Excavating. The laborer was helping clear a trench and a Fox employee that was operating the back hoe dropped the bucket and crushed the plaintiff's foot. $465,000 was paid by Fox's insurance carrier, and an additional $25,000 was paid by the general contractor. The settlement was reached in Curtis Gilkey v.Fox Excavating, et. al., DuPage County Case No. 03 L 493.

Prior to settlement of this lawsuit, there was likely a worker's compensation settlement for Gilkey as well. When injured on a construction site, an employee will automatically have a work injury case under Illinois law regardless as to who was at fault in the accident. Even if you obtain a job injury settlement in Illinois, you are still entitled to bring a claim against a negligent third party who caused the accident. The workers' compensation insurance carrier will then have a lien against the third party settlement.

If injured in a construction accident, or any at work place accident, make sure to consult with an injury lawyer about both a work injury case and a third party negligence case.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Construction Accident , Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers from Abels & Assoc. just settled a workers' compensation case for the Chicago Area lineman pictured below. When he is out and about in Chicago he is often approached by football fans who think he is either Chicago Bear Cedric Bensen, or former Chicago Bear Tank Johnson.

While he certainly looks like a pro football player (6'6" and 250+ lbs), he is actually Kankakee, Illinois resident Andrew Bradley, and he is not a lineman for the Bears, but rather a lineman for AT&T. He is one of the brave guys up on the telephone poles making needed repairs.

He injured his shoulder while lifting a heavy object at work. He suffered a small tear to his supraspinatus tendon that will not require surgery. His work comp. case just settled for $25,000.

Posted by Dave Abels | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Settlements & Verdicts , Work Injuries

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