Norridge is a community located in Cook County with a population of approximately 14,000 residents. It has a total area of only about two square miles. Norridge is sometimes called the “Island Within a City” due to its location. Residents and visitors enjoy attractions like the Harlem Irving Plaza Mall and the Eisenhower Public Library District. Unfortunately, each year, various people in Norridge are involved in accidents that are not their fault. If you or someone close to you has been hurt due to someone else’s negligence, an injury attorney at our firm can help. At Therman Law Offices, our Norridge personal injury lawyers have the experience, skill, and determination to handle your case.

Bringing a Claim for Damages Following an Accident

Personal injury law encompasses a number of different types of cases. These accidents may include car crashes, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, boat accidents, slip and falls, defective product accidents, medical malpractice, and workplace accidents.

Negligence often forms the basis of personal injury claims. It occurs when a person fails to use the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would use in the same or similar circumstances. To establish negligence, the plaintiff must show the following four elements:

• Duty of care: the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care. This simply means that the defendant had a legal responsibility to behave like a reasonably prudent person;
• Breach of duty: the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff;
• Cause of injury: the defendant’s breach of duty was a direct and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury or harm; and
• Damages: the plaintiff suffered quantifiable harm as a result. This simply means showing the monetary value of the injury or property damage caused by the defendant’s breach.

It is important to note that negligence may also occur when a person fails to act when they had a duty to do so. Another point to know is that foreseeability is relevant to both duty and causation in any negligence claim. When determining whether the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, the court will look at whether it was reasonably foreseeable that there would be an injury to the plaintiff. When examining causation, the court will consider whether the type of injury that the plaintiff suffered was foreseeable based on the defendant’s conduct.

In Illinois personal injury cases, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to establish the defendant’s negligence by a preponderance of the evidence. This standard simply means that the plaintiff’s proof must be supported by the greater weight of the evidence. Put another way, the plaintiff’s version of events must be more likely to be true than the defendant’s version of events.

Pursuing a Workers’ Compensation Claim

Workers’ compensation is a system of benefits provided by law to most employees who experience job-related injuries or illnesses. Generally, benefits are paid regardless of fault. These benefits typically include the cost of medical care, lost income, disability, and death benefits. Workers’ compensation coverage begins as soon as an employee begins their job. Under Illinois law, it is an employer’s responsibility to cover the cost of workers’ compensation benefits. It is completely free for the employee. Most employers buy workers’ compensation insurance, which will pay employees on behalf of the employer in the event of an injury or illness.

Discuss Your Personal Injury Claim with a Norridge Lawyer

If you have been hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you need to speak to a seasoned Norridge personal injury attorney who can assess the merits of your case. At Therman Law Offices, we understand the nuances of personal injury law and can put our knowledge to use in your situation. We also represent people who need a workers’ compensation lawyer to pursue benefits following a workplace accident. For more information about your legal rights and options, call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online for a free consultation.