Archive for category: Blog

CHICAGO, IL – After you’ve been injured in a fallen accident, there are important steps you need to take to seek recovery. Unfortunately, the mere fact you fell and injured yourself is not enough to win a case like this. You will need to prove someone’s negligence resulted in your injuries.

Types of Cases that Cause Risk of Slip

If you’re a customer shopping at a local grocery store on the weekend, the stores potential for liability begins the moment you pull your car into their parking lot. A few ways a business can be held liable include:

• You trip on an uneven surface on the sidewalk in front of the store.
• You slip on the wet floor that was recently mopped.
• There is something obstructing an aisle at the store that causes you to trip.

Private Property Owners Duty of Care

Even if you are on someone’s private property, they have a duty of care owed to you to keep their property in reasonable condition. Once the homeowner invites you onto their property, they are liable for any type of accident where they were negligent. They owe you the duty of keeping their property free of hazards.

Proving Landowner or Business Owners is Responsible for Your Injury

Just because you’ve been injured on someone else’s property doesn’t mean their automatically liable for your injuries. In order to qualify for any insurance or settlement money, you must prove that the other party was negligent in some ways. You must prove the following four things in a premise liability case:

1. The defendant owed the injured party the duty of care.
2. The defendant breached their duty of care by not acting reasonably as any property owner would in addressing hazardous conditions.
3. The plaintiff suffered some type of injury.
4. The defendant’s actions were the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury.

Considerations for Your Fall Claim

There are considerations that will be made while determining your slip-and-fall case. For example, if the plaintiff slipped on ice right when it started snowing, this would be taken into consideration. It may not be unreasonable because the dangerous conditions only lasted a very short period of time.

Common Injuries from Fall Incidents

Many fall accident injuries can be severe and require a trip to the emergency room and hefty medical costs. Some injuries you may suffer from falling include:

• Broken bones
• Hip fracture
• Spinal cord injury
• Brain injury

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Illinois

If you think you have a personal injury case, the most important thing to do is preserve the scene and take as many pictures or videos as you can. We understand it can be difficult to do this, but try your best to document the scene as best as you can. If there are any witnesses, find the best way to get their contact information to discuss what they saw.

It’s important to contact a personal injury attorney in Illinois to prove you have been injured due to the negligence of the owner of a property. The personal injury attorneys of Dinizulu Law Group have the experience and resources to prove the property owners negligence resulted in your injuries. Call our office for a free consultation today at (312) 384-1920.

CHICAGO, IL – When placing your loved one in a nursing home, you must take a lot of information into consideration such as costs or specialized care. Nursing homes also have a long history of negligence claims against them across the nation. It’s important when choosing long-term care for your loved one that you pick the option that best suits their needs.

Finding a safe, clean, and comfortable environment for your loved one can be challenging, especially with the times we’re currently facing. There are many options, in addition to nursing homes, that may be better suited for your loved ones needs.

Assisted Living Facility

While nursing homes and assisted living facilities have similar features, they are not the same thing.

Assisted living facilities typically take much healthier, independent seniors who need assistance with general tasks of everyday life. On the other hand, nursing homes take care of individuals who are critical ill or need around-the-clock nursing care.

Assisted living facilities are a great option for independent, outgoing seniors who enjoy being part of a community. Most assisted living facilities have their own apartment or suites and can join others for dinner and group activities as they wish.

Depending on the size of the facility, most tend to house between 20 to upwards of 100 individuals.

The cost of assisted living care varies, although Illinois’ monthly average pans out to $4,170. Illinois monthly average is slightly smaller than the national average of $4,300 per month.

You can view Illinois’ assisted living/shared housing licensed directory here.

Home Care

Home care is among the most preferred option of aging adults; however, it’s not always the most affordable. On the other hand, it’s a great option for families who need specialized care for their loved one.

In-home care can be used for an array of services including transportation to and from medical appointments, help with hygiene, medication administration, and eating.

With home care, you’re able to choose services based on what the home care provider offers. If your loved one has a higher level of independence, this is a great option since they will still be provided the care they need, but not need to be monitored full-time as they would in a long-term setting.

The average cost of home care in the United States is roughly $4,290/per month. Illinois average cost of home care is more than the national average costing $4,481 per month. You may be able to get assistance for home care with Medicaid HCBS or Medicare PACE programs.

Adult Foster Care

Adult foster care programs are similar to boarding homes that offer specialized care options for residents. These homes typically house 1-5 other residents.

If you’re loved one is more introverted and enjoys a quieter space with a home-feel, this would be a great option. They will enjoy shared meals and common spaces, as well as activities together.

Adult foster care typically costs more than nursing homes or assisted living facilities. On average, families pay between $2,000-$4,000 a month. Medicaid may be able to help assist with costs.

Adult Day Care

Adult day care is another great option for caregivers who need a break every once in while. In addition, is a great option for seniors who will enjoy a stimulating environment that offers health services.

Using a pre-determined schedule or simply using adult day care when you need it makes this a great option for almost every family. The average cost of adult day care is $72 per day.

Medicare Programs

Medicare offers a few programs for long-term care alternatives to nursing home facilities.

Medicare PACE, or “Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly,” offers a combination of services to families considering alternatives to nursing homes.

Other home-based alternative care options include hospice, subsidized senior housing, Medicaid Home and Community Based Services.

The program cost varies depending on the program you choose. To view the full list of Medicare programs for long-term care, please click here.

Reasons to find Alternative Care

Research and studies have proven the negligent horror stories we’ve all heard within nursing home facilities. There is always a risk of abuse or neglect at these facilities where staff are overworked and understaffed which puts residents at a much higher risk of being a victim of abuse or neglect.

Nursing home can also be very expensive care options. The average cost of a private nursing home room is $8,000 per month. Most families cannot afford that type of care on top of their own expenses such as a rent or mortgage, food, etc.

Nursing home also don’t provide specialized care towards residents, such as treating residents that suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Caring for someone who suffers from one of these diseases requires 24 hour care that staff cannot provide.

CHICAGO, IL – If you’ve been in a car accident, you know how overwhelming it can be, especially if you were injured. Being stuck with medical bills, physical pain, and physical damage to your car can be unthinkable. Many people struggle to understanding what separates a small settlement from a large figure case.

Early Medical Treatment After a Car Accident

The best way to preserve your rights and ensure you’re not stuck with expensive medical bills is to seek medical treatment right way after an accident. While it may seem counterintuitive to incur medical bills while you’re to preserve your rights, insurance companies always try to find a way to argue that you weren’t actually hurt. Even if you sustained a minor injury, it’s important to seek medical treatment to have it documented.

Medical Records and Evidence

When seeking medical treatment, the more your physician documents, the better. If your case makes it to trial, it’s important for the jury to clearly understand that your injuries were sustained from the crash and how it’s impacted your life.

Disputed Liability

Some cases can be cut-and-dry. However, there are some that are far more complicated. For example, if a drunk driver doesn’t stop in time and rear-ends the back of your vehicle, this would likely be an uncontested case because it’s clear who’s at fault.

However, there could be different components that factor into your case. For example, suppose someone rear-ended you, but the driver who hit you claims you stopped short. Therefore, when a liability dispute is involved, it can reduce the value of your case. It’s best to tackle seeking medical treatment and taking statements early on to reduce the likelihood of a liability dispute.

Comparative Fault

Illinois follows a “comparative fault” rule when both parties are found to share blame for a car accident. However, the court will reduce your reward by the amount of fault you share, which is known as “pure comparative negligence.”

Your Own Credibility

While your criminal history, drug use, and other negative factors are irrelevant to the car crash, they still effect your credibility. Insurance companies have clever ways to diminish your value to a jury. The more believable and credible you are to your own injuries and the accident, the better.

Your Personal Injury

Your injuries are the most important factor in a personal injury claim. If a case doesn’t settle, a jury will need to understand the severity of your injuries and what they are ultimately worth. Your injuries are heavily considered when determining the value of a case since insurance companies are aware of injures and what they typically award.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois

An experienced personal injury attorney can alleviate some of the burden and stress off you while you recover from your accident. The personal injury attorneys of Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. have the resources and skills necessary to hold those accountable. Call our office today for a free, no obligation consultation at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for additional information.

Memorial Day is like the unofficial kickoff weekend for summer. Whether you’re traveling, cooking out, or spending a weekend in the sun, here are a few tips that will keep you safe this Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Travel Safety

Tens of millions of Americans travel during Memorial Day Weekend, which is why it’s important to include safety in your weekend travel plans. If you’re taking a road trip, prepare your car and make sure it’s in working condition. Make sure to check fluid levels, including oil, to ensure you’re ready to hit the road. Check your tire pressure and fill your tank before heading out, and make sure you have emergency essentials packed.

Plan your drive ahead of time by choosing which route you’re going to take. Prepare ahead of time by checking weather forecasts to avoid driving in dangerous conditions. Never drive after you’ve been drinking or allow someone who has. Don’t put your life or an innocent person’s life in danger.

Whenever you’re driving, make sure to wear your seatbelt and ensure all your passengers are, too!

Grilling & Fire Safety

Having a cookout is always fun, but it poses a potential for danger. Make sure to never leave a lit or hot grill unattended. Designate someone as “grillmaster” to control the flame and make sure no kids or animals get near the grill.

If it’s your first grill of the year, make sure the grill is ready for the job. Keep it clean of grease, inspect propane fuel lines, and position your grill away from structures, including trees. Take precautions and remain proactive by having a fire extinguisher handy and make sure someone knows how to cut the fuel line in case of an emergency.

Picnic Food Safety

Make sure to display safe food handling to avoid anyone having tummy troubles later on. Make sure to take safe food precautions and avoid cross-contamination by washing your hands. Take steps to keep foods at safe temperatures. Keep all outdoor dishes covered to keep insects and germs away.

Summer Sun Safety

If you spend time in the sun, make sure to bring sunscreen! Use plenty of SPF sunscreen and reapply whenever necessary, especially when swimming or spending extended periods in the sun. Keep yourself hydrated and drink plenty of water.

Share these Memorial Day safety tips with your friends and family and have a safe and happy holiday!

CHICAGO, IL – According to a study from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million Americans will be bite by a dog each year. Nearly 800,000 of those bites require medical attention. In 2019, the U.S. population was 328.2 million, meaning 1 out of 73 people were bite by a dog.

Usually, dog bite injuries are covered by homeowner’s insurance. Dog bites make up a large majority of homeowner’s insurance liability claims. In 2020, there were nearly 17,000 claims filed in the United States.

Animal Control Act

The Animal Control Act refers to all animals; but in the context of dogs, refers to “dangerous dogs,” meaning, “(i) any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog and unmuzzled, unleashes, or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of seriously physical injury or death to a person or a companion animal or (ii) a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.”

For example, imagine having a young, 1-year-old puppy who’s acting out because they’re simply still a puppy. You’re on the couch a game, and your puppy is playing the backyard. Somehow, your dog gets out of your fenced in yard and attacks a nearby runner. As the dog’s owner, you are liable to that victim for their damages. These damages include medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and oftentimes in these cases: scarring. Because of these bites, significant ones may require plastic surgery or things of that nature.

Dog Breeds That Bite Most Often

Here is a list of dog breeds that are known to bite the most:

• English Bulldog
• Pit Bull
• Chihuahua
• Bulldog
• German Shepherd
• Australian Shepherd
• Lhasa Apso
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Cocker Spaniel
• Bull Terrier
• Pekingese
• Papillion

How to Prevent A Dog Bite

Your dog may never display aggressive behaviors; but just as humans do, sometimes animals can snap and react in behaviors that are unexplainable. When dealing with any dog, remain confident and assert your dominance, but be cautious of your body-language. Here are a few from the Canine Journal on things you can do to ensure your attitude doesn’t trigger an attack:

• Don’t approach an unfamiliar dog
• Don’t run from a dog, make loud noises, or panic
• If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, do not run, scream, or make sudden movements. It’s best to avoid direct eye contact
• Don’t disturb a dog while they’re eating, sleeping, or taking care of their own puppies
• Allow a dog to sniff you before you pet it to allow it to become familiar to you
• Report stray dogs or dogs that display strange behavior to your local animal control
• If you’ve been knocked over by a dog, roll up into a ball and remain motionless. Cover your ears and neck with your hands and arms.
• Don’t encourage aggressive behavior with your dog 

What If I’m Attacked but Not Bite?

Long story short, non-bite injuries are also covered under this claim. For example, imagine you visiting your friend’s house who owns a German Shepherd. The dog bulldozes you down, resulting in you breaking your neck. This would be covered under the Animal Control Act.

Getting Insurance Involved

Dogs bite typically occur in either your home or neighborhood where you would be walking your dog. Many claims typically involve family or friends who may be at your house or around you which can cause for hesitation to get involved with these claims.

When you purchase homeowner’s insurance and purchase your policy limits and purchase insurance dog bite protection, if your dog attacks someone that was not provoking it, the victim has a claim against your insurance. People typically think that this will cause tension or a financial hardship for the dog owner; however, the claim is paid by their homeowner’s insurance company and there’s rarely no money paid out of their pocket.

How do Insurance Companies Value Dog Bite Injuries?

Many times, insurance companies love to formulate your injuries, medical expenses, etc. and tell you your case is worth a specific amount. Your medical bills may be a few thousand dollars for spending a few hours in the emergency room, but now you’re stuck with a permanent scar. Those are valued by getting expert opinions from plastic surgeons. Depending on if it’s fixable, if you’ll need a lifetime of treatment and putting on creams, skin grafts, among other variables go into the value of your case.

This may require psychological treatment due to emotional distress from a traumatic experience or they may be embarrassed to be made fun of for their scar. As lawyers, it’s our job to maximize your injuries and non-economic damages. This is done by relying on witness testimony, psychiatric testimony, and others.

Taking photographs of your injuries is one of the most important pieces of evidence you can provide. Take pictures at the scene of the incident, on the way to the hospital, at the hospital, etc. to document how bad they were. Insurance companies typically want to see scarring pictures about a year from the date of the incident, sometimes even 3 months or 6 months after the accident.

What to do If You’ve Been Bite by a Dog

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a dog bite, call the lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at (312) 384-1920 to advocate on your behalf. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations so please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation. Please visit our website for additional information.