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CHICAGO, IL – If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering how long it will take to settle your personal injury case. It’s a common question that many people have when they first hire an attorney to represent them. The truth is that it depends on various factors.

Factors that affect the timeline for settling a personal injury case

When settling a personal injury case, a variety of factors can affect the timeline. From the severity of your injuries to the complexity of your case, many variables can impact how long it will take to reach a settlement. Here are some variables that may effect your case:

1. The severity of your injuries
   If you have suffered catastrophic injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, your case may take longer to settle versus a case with minor injuries. Your personal injury attorney will need time to collect your medical records and bills to ensure your settlement demand reflects the full extent of your injuries and the cost of your treatment. In some cases, it may be necessary to consult with medical experts to determine the full extent of your injuries and their lasting impact.
2. The length of your treatment
   The length of your medical treatment may affect your personal injury settlement. Treatment can last several months or even years which can take longer for your case to settle. Your attorney has to gather the information about your treatment including medical records, bills and reports from your doctor and other medical providers. Your attorney will also need to consider any ongoing treatment that you may require in the future and any long-term effects your injuries may have on your ability to perform everyday duties and your ability to work.
3. The amount of information to gather
   Once your treatment is complete, your personal injury lawyer will gather all the necessary information to build your case which includes medical records, bills and other documentation that shows the extent of your injuries and the costs associated with your treatment. Depending on the complexity of your case, this process can take several weeks or even months. Your attorney may also need to conduct an investigation to gather additional evidence, including witness statements or accident reports.
4. The negotiation process
   After your attorney has gathered all of the necessary information, they will send a demand letter to the insurance company outlining the compensation you seek. The insurance company will then review and accept the demand or make a counteroffer. This negotiation process can take some time, as the insurance company may need to gather additional information or consult their own attorneys before deciding. Your attorney will work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, considering the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.
5. The complexity of your case
   The complexity of your case can also play a significant role in determining how long it will take to settle. It can take longer to settle if your case involves multiple parties, complex legal issues or other factors that make it more challenging to resolve. You must hire a trusted attorney who will work diligently to build a strong case and advocate for your rights. They may also need to consult with experts in various fields to help strengthen your case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. By considering all of these factors, your attorney can help you navigate the often-complicated process of settling a personal injury case and work to ensure that you receive a fair settlement that covers the full extent of your injuries and damages.

Contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer

Navigating the process of settling a personal injury case can be difficult, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries and a complex legal situation. That’s why it’s critical to work with an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney who can guide you through every step of the process and help you get the compensation you deserve.

The skilled attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group have the experience, knowledge and resources to guide you through this difficult time. With our help, you can focus on your recovery and rest assured that your case is in good hands.

Contact us today at (312) 384-1920 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward getting the compensation you deserve.

CHICAGO, IL – A truck accident can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from mild to severe. The physical and emotional toll of truck accident injuries including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and broken bones can be life-altering and life-threatening.

At the Dinizulu Law Group, our team of experienced attorneys are here to offer support, resources and a team of trusted legal counsel. If you or a loved one has been affected by a truck accident, a Chicago truck accident lawyer from our team is ready to assist you. Call us at (312) 384-1920 for a free consultation to begin your journey towards healing and rightful compensation.

Common causes of truck accidents

In the fast-paced world of transportation, commercial trucks play a pivotal role in keeping goods flowing across the country from coast to coast; however, the size and weight of trucks also bring significant risks to America’s roadways.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue from spending long hours on the road which leads to exhaustion leading to imparing a truck driver’s focus and reaction times.
• Speeding and reckless driving from pressure to meet deadlines which tempt truckers to exceed speed limits which increases the risk of crashes.
• Distracted driving from cellphone usage, navigation systems or eating will divert the truck driver’s attention from the road.
• Poor truck maintenance from neglected maintenance of brakes, tires and other critical components leading to equipment failure.
• Adverse weather conditions including rain, snow or fog make driving extremely hazardous, especially for large commercial trucks.
• Intoxication or substance use.
• Inadequate training results in a truck driver lacking the essential skills to handle challenging situations.
• Tailgating and improper lane changes from aggressive driving behaviors increase the likelihood of collisions.
• Overloaded trucks exceeding weight limits can compromise a truck’s stability and handling capabilities.
• Fatigue and lack of rest breaks can impair a driver’s alertness and judgment.

Understanding the common causes is important in promoting road safety and holding those responsible for driving commercial trucks accountable. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident for any of these reasons, consult a skilled truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation.

Types of injuries resulting from truck accidents

The aftermath of a truck accident can leave the lives of those injured permanently life-altered, future uncertainty and even fatalities. Injuries resulting from truck accidents can be catastrophic. Some of the most common types of truck accident injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Bone fractures
• Internal injuries
• Whiplash
• Amputation
• Disfigurement
• Head and neck injuries
• Ligament and spine injuries
• Internal Bleeding
• And more

Truck accidents can cause various injuries and their impact on victims’ lives can be devastating. If you or a loved one have experienced any of these injuries due to a truck accident, seeking legal representation is crucial to protect your rights.

Contacting a truck accident attorney

The road to recovery after enduring injuries from a truck accident can be daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. The result of truck accident injuries can be catastrophic and devastating, both physically and emotionally, leaving victims and their families in need of support.

The Dinizulu Law Group’s compassionate and trusted attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve. While you focus on healing and rebuilding your life, our skilled legal team will fight the legal burden. If you or a loved one has suffered from a truck accident in Chicago, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation by calling us at (312) 384-1920.

CHICAGO, IL – Personal injury cases and other various lawsuits can take varying amounts of time to resolve. While some cases are settled relatively quickly, others involve more complex issues that can drag out the legal process. In these situations, cases can take years to conclude. In personal lawsuits, the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries and treatment can play an important role in the lawsuit’s duration; however, it’s important to note all civil lawsuits must similarly navigate through the legal process.

Civil litigation involves similar steps for almost all civil lawsuits, including the following:

Retaining an attorney

Plaintiffs search for and retain an experienced attorney within their jurisdiction. This is a critical step in the process because recovery is not only based on the facts of the case but also on the attorney’s skills, experience and expertise in negotiating settlements with defendants and/or insurance companies.

Investigating claims

Based on a plaintiff’s immediate consultation with skilled counsel, the lawyer will work to investigate the claim in more detail. In personal injury matters, lawyers use their own law firm’s resources to collect/do some of the following:

• Accident or incident report(s)
• Medical records
• Initial treatment records
• Available insurance coverages (bodily injury, uninsured and/or underinsured motorists coverage)
• Draft a representation letter to be sent to potential defendants
• Notice defendants and/or other parties, if required

Injured personal injury clients should take the advice of their medical providers to be beneficial to themselves personally and for the settlement value of their lawsuit.

Finishing treatment

A huge role of personal injury settlements involves the permanency of the plaintiff’s medical condition. The more severe and permanent the injury, the higher the potential award. It’s important to note that it’s unlikely that a doctor or expert would testify an injury is permanent after only a couple of weeks of treatment.

Because of this, personal injury lawyers are more inclined to wait until the plaintiff has completed treatment before making a demand. In some cases, additional treatment doesn’t add to healing their injuries in a measurable way. At this point, the patient would reach the maximum medical improvement. Whatever disability remains is therefore permanent. The time it takes to reach this determination ranges from 6 months to more than a year.

Reaching maximum medical improvement doesn’t necessarily add any time to the lawsuit’s duration, since other work is being done simultaneously with the plaintiff’s medical treatment.

Pre-suit negotiations

In some instances, particularly cases of less severe injuries, the matter can be settled “pre-suit” which means the claim is settled without having to formally file with the court. This can be an advantage to both parties for the plaintiff getting compensated in a timely manner, insurance companies avoid the legal fees that would be necessary to defend the case in court and more.

Rarely are larger cases settled pre-suit. Insurers generally want to thoroughly investigate the facts and the plaintiff (prior accidents, prior injuries, etc.) since more serious injuries mean more potential exposure. Most personal injury lawsuits with “heavy” injuries are defended in court.

Formal proceedings

If negotiating with the insurance company doesn’t yield an adequate offer, which in most cases it’s not, a complaint is filed and the formal proceedings commence. This includes a variety of steps.

After initial pleadings are filed, the discovery process begins. Discovery takes a significant amount of time and generally includes interrogatories, depositions and developing a witness list and sharing them with the defense counsel.

Interrogatories are defined as questions answered in writing under oath while depositions are questions, typically recorded and answered orally under oath. After testimony is given, the parties are better able to ascertain what issues need to be decided at trial.

Many court systems require cases to go through arbitration and/or mediation where objective parties review the same evidence that will likely be presented at trial. The hope is that by receiving an objective 3rd party assessment of the case, plaintiffs and insurers can adjust their expectations about the case’s value and negotiate from a more informed position. The hope is that a settlement is more likely under these conditions.

If settlement negotiations break down, the case is set for trial. The plaintiff and defense counsel appear at trial and wait for a judge to preside over the case. Depending on the jurisdiction and venue, the case can be recycled on the trial list for many months.

Once a judge is available and jury selection has occurred, the case is presented to the jury. This can take as little as a few days or as long as several weeks/months depending on the amount of testimony that’s provided.

The jury will give their decision on whether the plaintiff has proved the case and if so, what amount of monetary damages is appropriate under the circumstances.

If the plaintiff wins the case, the process may still drag on a bit longer for a variety of reasons. Depending on the amount awarded, the defendant has the opportunity to appeal to a higher court based on the legal issues that arose at trial.

CHICAGO, IL – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tepezza only three years ago, but mounting evidence shows the drug maker failed to adequately disclose all of the potential side effects. As a result, Tepezza warning were withheld from users and the medical community.

In July, the FDA finally approved a Tepezza label update which added important information the “Warning and Precautions” section, indicated that Tepezza may cause severe and permanent hearing loss. Doctors should test their patients’ hearing before and after Tepezza treatments while carefully weighing the benefits and risks with users.

Unfortunately, these new warnings come too late for former users who are left with permanent Tepezza hearing loss side effects, including:

• Permanent hearing loss
• Partial hearing loss
• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing of the ears)
• Ear plugging sensation
• Autophony
• Deafness
• Among other hearing side effects

Tepezza was approved by the FDA in January 2020 giving Horizon Therapeutics the go ahead to market the drug to treat thyroid eye disease symptoms such as bulging, double vision and Thyroid Eye Disease (TED).

The FDA approval immediately drew criticism, including claims that clinical trials Horizon Therapeutics lacked ample population sizes among diverse groups of patients. Horizon began to market the Tepezza and generated sales in excess of $1 billion a year. Once users began to experience Tepezza hearing problems, it became clear the initial label warnings failed to provide critical information for not only users, but the medical community.

July 2023 Updated Tepezza Label Update

On July 20, 2023, the FDA issued an updated version of the prescribing information for Tepezza. The revised language now discloses the side effects users may experience including severe hearing impairment, which unfortunately, is now permanent hearing damage.

The language also highlights the importance of healthcare providers assessing patients by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of their auditory function prior to initial treatment, monitoring hearing through the therapy and reassessing any Tepezza hearing problems post-treatment.

Tepezza Lawsuits

Future users of Tepezza will now have an opportunity to make an informed decision to undergo infusions and minimize any risk of permanent hearing damage. However, thousands of individuals have received Tepezza since it was approved initially in 2020 and are left with irreversible hearing loss side effects that could have been prevented.

Our attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. currently represent individuals who are now pursuing a personal injury and Tepezza hearing loss lawsuit, alleging that they may have avoided permanent hearing damage if the Tepezza label had accurately disclosed risks associated with the TED treatment when the drug was initially approved.

If you or a family member have experienced hearing loss or any other auditory complication after receiving a Tepezza injection, you may be eligible for a settlement or financial compensation. Even if you have questions about the Tepezza lawsuit, our team of skilled lawyers are here to help. Call our office anytime at (312) 384-1920 to schedule a free consultation today.

CHICAGO, IL – A majority of nursing home residents rely on a careful treatment regimen and medication to maintain their health and quality of life. When nursing home staff including physicians, nurses or pharmacists are negligent and allow medication errors to happen, residents can suffer catastrophic harm or even death.

Despite strict federal and Illinois regulations governing the order, storage, administration, monitoring and recording or medications, medication errors have plagued the industry and are extremely common.

If you suspect your loved one has  been the victim of nursing home abuse or medical malpractice involving a medication error, an experienced Illinois medication error attorney can help you.

What is a medication error?

According to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC MERP), a medication error is “any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or a patient harm while the medication is in the control of the health care professional, patient or consumer.”

Medication errors can include events that cause harm to the patient, have the potential to cause harm, “near miss” events and mistakes that do not actually cause harm. These mistakes can happen at any point during treatment from prescribing and dispensing the drug to administration and monitoring.

Causes of Medication Errors and How to Prevent Medication Errors in Nursing Homes

Despite many clear long-term care medication administration guidelines, nursing home medication errors are common. Prescription errors are usually preventable and caused by carelessness, understaffing and poor management. View some of the most common causes of medication errors in nursing homes:

• Improper Administration of Medication
  Many medication errors in nursing are related to incorrect drug administration. This includes using the incorrect administration technique, administering the wrong dose, giving medication to the wrong patient or administering the wrong drug.
• Poor Communication
  Many medication errors happen due to poor communication between nursing staff, nurse practitioners, physicians, hospitals and emergency rooms.
• Dangerous Adverse Effects from Inappropriate Medications
  Many nursing home residents take at least one prescription medication, but many have a complex drug regimen with multiple prescriptions. Older adults are already at an increased risk of adverse effects from medications, but this risk increases with multiple drugs. When a medication poses a high risk of adverse reaction or is considered unnecessary, it’s considered an inappropriate medication.
• Look-Alike and Sound-Alike Drugs
  Look-alike or sound-alike (LASA) medications are easily mistaken for each other and may lead to serious harm if the error is not noticed before it reaches the patient. It’s estimated that LASA errors are involved in 6.2% to 14.7% of all medication error events.
• Poor Handwriting
  Doctors are known to have illegible scrawl, but it’s a problem that can have serious consequences for patients. Research estimates 21% of handwritten prescriptions have at least one error. Even worse, a correctly written prescription can be misread or misinterpreted by pharmacists and hospital workers.
• Medication Borrowing
  This happens when understaffing and poor medication management collide. During med pass, overwhelmed staff may borrow medication from one patient and give it to another to speed up medication administration. While the intention may be to replace the borrowed medication, busy staff can forget and patients may miss their dose. Medication borrowing is even more dangerous when staff fail to account for or note the borrowed medication which can lead to additional errors.
• Other Forms of Nursing Home Negligence and Medical Malpractice
  There are other reasons for medication errors in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, many of which rise negligence of malpractice, including:
  • Nursing home understaffing
  • Negligent hiring practices
  • Inadequate training of nursing staff
  • Failure to implement policies to prevent medication errors
  • Poor medication management including inadequate documentation, failing to order correct medications, improper medication storage or giving expired medications to patients
  • Failing to treat a patient’s condition, transfer them for care or make a referral when needed
  • Ignoring the stated medical concerns of a patient
  • Ignoring medication orders by discontinuing medication, adding medication that was not ordered or changing a dosage
  • Failing to provide a prescribed medication
  • Failing to check for drug interactions
  • Failing to monitor patients after administering medication
  • Delegating medication administration to non-licensed staff

Who is liable for nursing home medication errors?

Prescription errors can never be completely avoided, but the majority of these mistakes are preventable. Medication errors can be considered nursing home abuse or medical malpractice when they are the result of negligence by the facility or medical providers. Multiple parties may be held liable for medication errors including:

• Prescribing doctor
• Nurses and other health care providers
• Pharmacists
• The nursing home

A medication error lawsuit can help you recover compensation for the harm your loved one suffered and make sure they get the proper medical care they need. An experienced Illinois nursing home abuse lawyer can help you investigate your loved one’s case, gather evidence and hold the responsible parties accountable. Call the lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group now for a free consultation at (312) 384-1920.