Office workers are exposed to more hazards than one might think. Workplace hazards come in many forms including slip-and-fall accidents, ergonomic hazards, poor indoor air quality, electrical fires, as well as many other dangers. It was reported in 2016 that on average, about 78 people lose their lives each year from occupational injuries or illnesses. It was also reported that thousands more become so severely injured on the job that they require ongoing medical treatment and lose the ability to work. It is important to become aware of workplace hazards…Read More
Intense work load in the office can lead to distraction in your personal life. Often, when the workplace demands attention outside of work hours, this can take shape in the form of distracted driving. Employees can frequently find themselves using their cell phones to communicate with the office during their commutes to and from work. If these distractions cause a car accident, the employer can be held responsible for any injuries or damage, even if it occurs outside of work hours. Work-related distracted driving is a very prevalent problem in…Read More
A deposition is a pre-trial oral testimony. Although it is pre-trial, it is still taken under oath and the testimony can be used in court. If you are currently involved in a legal battle, it is important to understand that the deposition can be vital in reaching a verdict and should be taken very seriously. Deposition can prove very useful to the opposing counsel, so being prepared for your testimony and knowing what to expect is very important. Always tell the truth. Since this testimony is still being given under…Read More
As a resident of Illinois or the surrounding areas, it is important to be aware of what legal changes have been made this year. 1. Insurers must cover MRI for some women. Under this new law, when risk factors for cancer are shown in mammogram results, an MRI of the affected area must be covered as a follow-up by insurance. 2. Changing gender on birth certificates is allowed. As long as an individual is in the care of a primary physician, transgender and intersex individuals will be allowed to change the gender…Read More
If you have been recently involved in a car accident, slip and fall (premises liability), or other type of personal injury, it is important to take these necessary steps to ensure you can get the most out of your settlement. Sharks At Law can ensure you maximize your settlement amount by following these steps: 1. Have a settlement amount in mind. By putting together your demand letter, you have figured out a range of what you believe your settlement is worth. Before doing anything else, decide what is the minimum…Read More
Even though there are mandatory automobile insurance requirements in Illinois, many drivers are uninsured or underinsured for the damages and injuries caused in an accident. Most people think that you cannot recover damages if an uninsured motorist hits you. However, when an accident occurs, you may have a claim for underinsured motorist benefits. The thing to remember is this: always call a lawyer to review your options. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you when you are hit by an uninsured driver. Generally, the policy will pay damages to the policyholder for…Read More
We were pleased to see our principal attorney written up in the newest issue of the Chicago Lawyer magazine. The article, out this week, was written by Roy Strom, gives an excellent overview of the CBA’s efforts to enhance the future of the profession. Our favorite quote? “A law degree is like radioactive material. It has a half-life when its not being used.”Read More
Traffic laws must be obeyed to protect everyone using sidewalks, streets, and highways. It is necessary to follow the orders of a police officer, firefighter, highway authority official or uniformed adult school crossing guard performing his or her official duties. The driving public needs to be aware of and avoid hazardous driving behaviors in order to decrease traffic injuries and fatalities. New traffic laws in Illinois became effective on January 1, 2014—it is important to be aware of these changes. Cellphone Use Unless using a hands-free device or Blue Tooth technology,…Read More
Chicago is a large metropolitan city with high motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. In fact, walking and biking are the preferred modes of transportation for Chicagoans. There are many advantages to bicycling such as improving your health, saving time and money, and helping the environment. Most of all, biking is fun as many destinations are accessible through Chicago’s bikeway network. However, bicyclists are highly susceptible to accidents since they share the road with motorists. Over 500,000 Americans are treated in emergency departments and more than 700 Americans die each…Read More
In recent years the buzz of autonomous cars has gotten louder and louder and with technology continually rising this buzz or idea is now a reality for many companies. An autonomous car, or self-driving car is a robotic vehicle that uses sensory detection, computer vision and GPS to navigate from one destination to the next with little to no human manipulation. The National Highway Traffic Administration has created a classification system that categorizes how autonomous a car is depending on how much manipulation is needed by a human. Level 0: The…Read More
