Personal Injury Attorney
When you are injured because of someone else’s negligence, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming. Medical bills, lost income, and the uncertainty of what comes next can make an already difficult situation even more stressful.
At Sweetnam LLC, our attorneys represent individuals who have been injured because of the negligence or wrongful conduct of another person, business, or organization. With more than 30 years of legal experience, we understand the challenges injured individuals and their families face and work to protect their rights and pursue the compensation they may be entitled to receive.
Sweetnam LLC represents personal injury clients in Chicago, Lake Forest, and throughout the state of Illinois.
An unexpected injury can affect nearly every part of your life. You may be dealing with medical treatment, lost wages, property damage, physical pain, and emotional distress while also trying to determine how you will recover financially.
When another party’s negligence causes an injury, you should not have to navigate the legal process alone. A personal injury attorney can help investigate what happened, identify the parties responsible, communicate with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for your losses.
At Sweetnam LLC, we take the time to understand what happened and how an injury has affected your life. Our attorneys work to build a strong case while keeping your individual needs and goals in mind.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim may arise when an individual suffers physical, emotional, or financial harm because of another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct.
Negligence generally involves a failure to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. Depending on the situation, a personal injury claim may involve a negligent driver, property owner, business, employer, manufacturer, or another responsible party.
Personal injury cases may involve:
The circumstances surrounding every injury are different. An attorney can review the facts of your situation and help determine whether you may have a viable personal injury claim.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents can result in serious injuries, significant property damage, and substantial financial losses. Determining who was responsible for an accident may require reviewing police reports, witness statements, photographs, medical records, and other evidence.
If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you may have a claim for compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages depending on the circumstances.
Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Accidents involving commercial trucks and other large vehicles can result in severe injuries because of the size and weight of the vehicles involved. These cases may also involve additional parties, insurance policies, regulations, and evidence that must be carefully examined.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly vulnerable when involved in collisions with motor vehicles. Even an accident that initially appears minor can result in significant injuries.
An attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident and determine whether another party’s negligence contributed to the injuries.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners and businesses may have legal responsibilities to maintain reasonably safe premises. Dangerous conditions such as wet floors, inadequate lighting, defective stairs, or other hazards can result in serious injuries.
Whether a property owner may be responsible depends on the circumstances of the accident and applicable Illinois law.
Defective Products
Consumers may be injured by products that are defectively designed, manufactured, or marketed. Product liability claims can involve manufacturers, distributors, retailers, or other parties depending on the circumstances.
These cases can require detailed investigation into how the product was designed, manufactured, sold, and used.
Serious and Catastrophic Injuries
Some injuries can have lifelong consequences. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe fractures, burns, and other catastrophic injuries may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
When an injury substantially changes someone’s ability to work or participate in everyday activities, it is important to consider both current and future consequences when evaluating a potential claim.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Personal Injury Case?
The damages available in a personal injury case depend on the facts of the claim and the nature and severity of the injuries.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:
A serious injury may affect your finances and quality of life for years. Evaluating the full impact of an injury can be important when determining the potential value of a claim.
What Should You Do After an Accident?
The steps you take immediately following an accident may affect your ability to pursue a personal injury claim.
When possible, consider taking the following steps:
Seek Medical Attention
Your health should be your first priority. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, so obtaining appropriate medical care is important even if you initially believe your injuries are minor.
Document the Accident
If you are able, take photographs or videos of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, and any conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Gather Information
Collect contact and insurance information from the other parties involved and obtain contact information from witnesses when possible.
Keep Records
Save medical bills, medical records, receipts, wage information, correspondence, photographs, and other documents related to the accident and your injuries.
Be Careful When Speaking With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may contact you after an accident. Before providing a recorded statement or accepting a settlement, it can be helpful to understand your legal rights and the potential value of your claim.
How a Personal Injury Case Works
Every case is different, but most personal injury claims follow a similar path. Knowing what to expect can make the process feel more manageable.
Free consultation
We listen to what happened, review any documents you have, and help you understand whether you may have a claim and what options are available.
Investigation
Our attorneys gather evidence such as accident reports, photographs, witness statements, medical records, and insurance information to determine how the accident happened and who may be responsible.
Medical treatment and documentation
While you focus on your recovery, we track your medical care, expenses, lost income, and other losses so the full impact of your injury is documented.
Demand and negotiation
When the extent of your injuries is better understood, we present a demand to the responsible party’s insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement.
Filing a lawsuit, if necessary
If the insurance company will not offer fair compensation, we may file a lawsuit within the applicable deadline. Many cases continue to settle during litigation.
Trial
If a case cannot be resolved through settlement, we are prepared to present your case in court.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed and help you make decisions based on your goals.
Illinois Personal Injury Laws That Can Affect Your Claim
Illinois law shapes how personal injury claims are filed, valued, and resolved. Understanding a few key rules can help you protect your rights from the start.
The Statute of Limitations
In most cases, an injured person in Illinois has two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Claims involving a death generally must also be filed within two years. Claims against local government entities, including municipalities and public transit agencies, can carry shorter filing deadlines and notice requirements. If a lawsuit is not filed in time, the right to recover compensation may be lost.
Modified Comparative Fault
Illinois uses a modified comparative fault system (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). If an injured person is found partially responsible for an accident, the compensation they receive is reduced by their percentage of fault. An injured person who is found more than 50% at fault cannot recover damages. Because fault can directly affect the value of a claim, a thorough investigation of what happened is important.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Illinois requires auto insurance policies to include uninsured motorist coverage. If you are injured by a driver who has no insurance, or in a hit-and-run accident, this coverage may provide a path to compensation. Underinsured motorist coverage may also help when the at-fault driver’s policy limits are too low to cover your losses.
Claims Involving Multiple Parties
Some accidents involve more than one responsible party, such as a driver and their employer, a property owner and a maintenance contractor, or a product manufacturer and a retailer. Identifying every potentially responsible party can affect the insurance coverage available and the compensation an injured person may recover.
Why You Should Not Wait to Address a Personal Injury Claim
Personal injury claims are subject to legal deadlines. In addition, important evidence can become more difficult to obtain as time passes. Witnesses may become harder to locate, records may be lost, and memories can fade.
Taking action promptly can help you:
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, contacting an attorney sooner rather than later can help you understand your options.
Why Choose Sweetnam LLC?
For more than 30 years, Sweetnam LLC has represented individuals and families in complex legal matters. Our attorneys understand that a personal injury can affect far more than your physical health. It can affect your finances, your career, your family, and your future.
Clients choose Sweetnam LLC for:
Our attorneys work closely with injured individuals to understand their circumstances and develop a strategy based on their specific needs.
Sweetnam LLC represents personal injury clients in Chicago, Lake Forest, and throughout Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has been injured because of another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct, you may have legal options. A serious injury can create medical expenses, lost income, physical pain, and uncertainty about the future. Understanding your rights can help you make informed decisions about what to do next.
Sweetnam LLC has more than 30 years of legal experience representing clients in complex matters. Our attorneys are committed to understanding each client’s circumstances, protecting their rights, and pursuing the compensation available under the law.
If you have been injured and believe someone else may be responsible, contact Sweetnam LLC today to schedule a free consultation. We represent personal injury clients in Chicago, Lake Forest, and throughout Illinois.