blog | Lane Brown, LLC

Nearly every day, stories of distracted drivers injuring themselves or others appear in the news. Sometimes, these injuries are minor—damaging cars and leaving victims with minor scratches. Other times, individuals are left in serious condition in local hospitals—if they are lucky enough to survive.

Unfortunately, distracted drivers are only one of the serious concerns that road construction site workers must be aware of while on the job.

Whether other motorists, other construction site workers, or machinery causes the injuries, the damage can sometimes be life altering. A few common road construction injuries include:

Head injuries and brain damage
Spinal injuries including paralysis and crushed vertebrae
Broken bones
Amputations from crushed or severed limbs
Neck and back injuries
Death

Any one of these injuries, and the countless others, could end a career in construction in an instant. In order to help prevent road construction injuries, workers should do the following:

Pay attention and look for blind spots. With multiple pieces of construction equipment parked close together, visibility is reduced, increasing the likelihood of rollover or backover accidents.
Wear proper work attire including high visibility articles such as vests, jackets, and helmets with reflective stripes.
Follow “safe-flagging” procedures including right set-up, right spacing, right practices, and right attire.
Stay alert for unsafe working conditions such as uneven surfaces, congested traffic zones, and other worker’s behaviors.

Taking extra care on the job can help prevent many road construction accidents. However, if you are injured in an Illinois road construction site accident due to the carelessness or negligence of another, be sure to seek the legal counsel of an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney at Lane Brown. Our nationally recognized workplace injury lawyers will make it a priority to fight for your rights and ensure justice is served. Contact us today at 312-332-1400 to schedule a free consultation.

The transition between winter and spring often proves to be a dangerous time for Chicago drivers. Weather can be very erratic, changing from warm and rainy conditions during the day, to cold and snowy overnight. The quickly changing conditions can create hazardous city roadways for area drivers.

In an effort to help keep you safe on crowded Chicago roadways, here are a few adverse weather driving safety tips to consider before heading out in your car:

Check the local news and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) web site for vital travel and safety information.
Do not go out on the roads unless you absolutely have to.
Allow extra time for travel. Be sure to give yourself time to slow down or take a different route if needed.
Be sure your headlights are working properly. Travel with your headlights on their standard setting during rain, snow, or fog—high beams will not help you to see better in adverse weather.
Be sure your wiper blades are in proper working order.
Clear your windows completely of snow or ice and do not start driving until they have defrosted completely.
Pull over if you are caught driving in the middle of an intense Illinois rainstorm or a blinding snowstorm and feel unsafe. Find a safe place to stop and wait until conditions improve before continuing.

If you have been involved in a serious auto accident, be sure to seek the counsel of a highly qualified Chicago car accident attorney to receive answers to your questions and help your assert your legal rights. The compassionate and skilled attorneys at Lane Brown will take the time to fully hear your case, examine the details, and help you to understand your legal options. Call 312-332-1400 today for your free consultation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 4 million babies were born in the United States in 2011. On average, six birth injuries occurred for every 1,000 live births—approximately 24,000 birth injuries per year.

Some of these injuries occur due to insufficient, inadequate, or negligent care provided by a physician.

Following are the steps your doctor should complete to reduce your risk of serious complications during labor and delivery:

Take a complete medical history early in the pregnancy, keeping record of high-risk pregnancy factors including weight, age, and health.
Perform prenatal tests including ultrasounds, blood-glucose tests, and stress tests on both mother and baby throughout the pregnancy. These tests will allow the doctor to monitor the baby’s development.
Discuss birthing methods, addressing the associated risks and benefits of each.
Talk about possible complications and explain assistive delivery methods prior to delivery to help eliminate confusion during labor.

Open and honest communication with your doctor is an important tool for reducing your risk of complications during childbirth. When you clearly communicate your questions, concerns, and symptoms, your doctor can take immediate steps to reduce your risk of a Chicago birth injury.

If your child suffered a serious birth injury and you are looking for a qualified Chicago birth injury lawyer to answer your questions, contact Lane Brown at 312-332-1400. Our knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys can help you find the answers you are looking for during a confidential and free case evaluation.

If you are considering a trip on a Megabus, you have probably heard some of the pros and cons of riding the bus line.

Rave reviews speak of cheap ticket prices, free Wi-Fi, and convenient travel. However, complaints can range from simple inconveniences like late arrivals and spotty Wi-Fi connections, to serious problems such as roadside mechanical failures, incompetent bus drivers, or tragic accidents that result in injury or death.

Once on the road, passengers have little control over bus safety or the circumstances of their trip. The following tips may decrease your chance of suffering injury and help reduce the stress of your bus ride. First, take some basic precautions before boarding the bus:

Check the bus exterior to determine whether it appears to be in good working order and the lights work properly.
Listen for odd sounding noises that may indicate mechanical problems.
Verify that your driver is alert and attentive as you board the bus.
Find out whether a second driver is available on a long trip—riding along, or available at a scheduled stop.

If you feel any reason for concern before leaving, do not stay on the bus. Although tragic Megabus accidents are rare, they do happen. Mechanical failures, poor road conditions, and driver capabilities can trigger a Chicago bus crash.

In addition to some basic precautions, the following stress relievers should make your trip more pleasant:

Arrive early—at least 30-45 minutes before your scheduled departure so that you have plenty of time to find the correct bus.
Check the weather and dress accordingly. Stops are typically outdoors—leaving passengers exposed to the elements.
Pack snacks for your trip to make sure you have access to food when you get hungry.

Once your trip on Megabus begins, your safety becomes the responsibility of the transportation company. It is their primary duty to keep you safe while providing you with their transport service. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, an experienced Chicago vehicle accident attorney can help. The attorneys at Lane Brown have been serving Illinois residents for many years, and will put our knowledge to work for you. Contact us today at 312-332-1400 for a fast and free consultation.

Epilepsy has many different causes and affects individuals with varying degrees of severity. Those suffering with brain disorder know it can significantly affect everyday living. Patients are not the only ones who suffer from the condition—loved ones bear the burden, too.

Many times, epilepsy develops after head trauma sustained in a car wreck or some other type of accident. It does not matter how minor the head trauma seems—epilepsy can develop from any Chicago brain injury. With good medical care, many people are able to manage their epilepsy and go on to lead a normal life. However, the disorder does exact a toll on sufferers including:

Emotional and behavioral problems may be associated with epilepsy and can cause added stress for individuals and their families.
Ongoing medical costs can add up. Medications, special diets, and surgeries may be needed to treat and control seizures.
Service dogs can help those with epilepsy by lying on top of them and holding them still during a seizure. These dogs can cost well over $10,000, and are not typically covered by insurance.
Most states do not allow epileptics to drive until a specific amount of seizure-free time has passed.
Epileptics may be unable to participate in certain recreational activities because they may trigger an epileptic seizure.

If you, or someone you love, have developed epilepsy as a result of a Chicago car wreck or some other accident, the pain and suffering felt may not be limited to the head injury itself. Symptoms of epilepsy may take months to show after a head trauma, so don’t assume your seizure is a coincidence. Contact a caring, and experienced professional Chicago brain injury attorney at Lane Brown today at 312-332-1400. We will take the time to examine your case and help you with your next steps toward seeking compensation for your injuries.

Construction workers have demanding and dangerous jobs. They work out in all kinds of weather and under many unsafe conditions. Construction site accidents are often very serious and can change the life of a worker forever. These accidents can cause physical pain, emotional stress, astronomical medical bills, and lost wages. In addition, construction site accidents can leave a worker with serious long-term medical problems. At the end of the day, it is up to the construction company to ensure safety on the job site. However, workers can protect themselves by following these six tips:

Wear recommended protective gear including hard hats, steel-toed boots, work goggles, protective work gloves, and appropriate attire.
Keep floors cleared of debris and rubble when possible, to guard against trips and slips on the construction site.
Follow all recommended Illinois health and safety regulations for construction sites.
Check your equipment before using it to ensure it is in proper working order.
Report any safety concerns to your site manager.
Use ladders only when necessary—be sure there is little risk of injury before climbing.

Following the tips listed above may help to reduce your chance of being injured at a Chicago construction site. If you have been seriously injured at work—on a construction site or somewhere else—a Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer at Lane Brown can help. Whether your workers’ compensation claim has been denied or you think a third party may be liable for your injuries, our compassionate and experienced attorneys can help. Contact a Chicago construction accident attorney today at 312-332-1400 for a free case evaluation. We will help you to obtain the compensation you deserve.