Archive for category: Uncategorized

CHICAGO, IL – When you seek medical care, you trust that your healthcare provider will accurately and promptly diagnose your condition. Unfortunately, diagnostic errors are alarmingly common in the U.S. and incorrect or delayed medical diagnoses can have catastrophic consequences.

What is a Delayed Diagnosis and is it Considered Malpractice? 

A delayed diagnosis occurs when a medical professional fails to diagnose a medical condition in a reasonable and timely manner. In many cases, these errors constitute medical malpractice. For a case to be considered medical malpractice, you must prove:

• Duty of care: You had an established doctor-patient relationship and your healthcare provider owed you a professional duty of care.
• Breach of duty: The doctor or another healthcare professional failed to follow the accepted standard of care, leading to a delayed diagnosis.
• Causation: The doctor’s delayed diagnosis directly caused you harm.
• Damages: The delayed diagnosis resulted in quantifiable damages, such as increased medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

When there is a significant delay in diagnosis, a patient’s condition may worsen, leading to more serious health complications, the need for more aggressive treatment and even a reduced chance of survival.

The Causes and Consequences of Delayed Diagnoses

The Causes and Consequences of Delayed Diagnoses

Diagnostic errors are far too common in the U.S. healthcare system. Reasons may include misinterpreted test results, failure to order appropriate tests, miscommunication among healthcare providers, failure to consider all possibilities and patient errors.

Delayed or misses diagnoses can be devastating for patients and their families. Consequences may include progression of disease, need for more aggressive treatment, reduced quality of life, increased medical bills, lost income and earning potential, emotional distress and wrongful death.

Diagnostic errors contribute to 10% of patient deaths and account for 6-17% of adverse events in hospital settings (National Library of Medicine). Another study found that diagnostic errors affect an estimated 12 million Americans each year in ambulatory care settings alone.

Medical Conditions that Lead to Delayed Diagnosis Lawsuits

Delayed or missed diagnoses can occur in any situation, but some medical conditions are particularly prone to diagnostic error, including:

• Cancer: Delayed cancer diagnosis cases are among the most common, especially cancers with better survival rates if found early.
• Heart disease and stroke: Accurate and timely diagnosis is critical to prevent heart attack, stroke damage and complications.
• Infections: Certain infections like sepsis require swift diagnosis and treatment.
• Autoimmune disorders: Disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are often misdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary suffering.
• Fractures and spinal cord injuries: Failure to properly diagnose and treat broken bones or spinal trauma can lead to permanent impairments and chronic pain.
• Appendicitis: Misdiagnosing appendicitis as a less serious condition can result in rupture, sepsis and potentially fatal complications.

What to do if You Suspect a Delayed Diagnosis

After discovering your medical provider failed to promptly diagnose you, it’s essential to take prompt action to protect your health and your legal rights. Follow these steps:

1. Seek medical attention
   If you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns about your care, seek a second option from another qualified medical professional. Follow their recommended treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments.
2. Gather documents
   Obtain copies of your medical records, including doctor’s notes, test results, imaging studies and any communication with your healthcare providers. This evidence will be critical in evaluating your potential medical malpractice claim.
3. Contact a medical malpractice attorney
   Reach out to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who can review your case, explain your legal options and help you navigate the complex legal process of filing a claim. Search for an attorney with a proven track record of success in handling delayed diagnosis lawsuits.

   Through the process, it’s important to act promptly. Medical malpractice claims are subject to strict statute of limitations, and failing to file your claim within the applicable deadline could bar you from recovering compensation, so don’t delay in seeking legal guidance.

   The Dinizulu Law Group offers free case evaluations to patients who have been harmed by medical negligence or wrongful death. Our team of compassionate lawyers can help you understand your rights and options, and they’ll fight to hold negligence healthcare providers accountable.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Chicago, Illinois

Medical malpractice cases are notoriously complex and the Dinizulu Law Group has decades of combined experience successfully litigating these cases. We have the resources, skill and dedication to evaluate your situation, assemble a strong case, handle complex issues, counter insurance companies’ tactics and take your case to trial, if necessary.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a doctor’s delayed diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages, including:

• Past and future medical bills related to the delay in diagnosis and treatment.
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if you’re unable to work.
• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional anguish you’ve endured.
• Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of activities.
• Disability, disfigurement and permanent impairment.
• Wrongful death damages if your loved one died due to the delay.

While recovering fair compensation is a daunting task, it’s made exponentially easier with the help of a medical malpractice attorney from the Dinizulu Law Group. Call us at (312) 384-1920 to fill out this form to get started today!

CHICAGO, IL – The civil rights attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. individuals who have been injured by police misconduct. Police misconduct may involve one ore more of the following: police shootings, illegal searches, unlawful arrests, wrongful convictions and excessive force.

Contact the Dinizulu Law Group today for a case evaluation and discuss how to we can help protect your flights. Below are some frequently asked questions related to civil rights matters.

What exactly is civil rights? 

Civil rights are an individual’s rights to receive equal treatment in any number of settings. This includes, but is not limited to, equal treatment in housing, education, employment and other areas. These rights are not the same as human rights.

“Civil rights” is derived from the “Civil Rights Movement” of the 1960s when African Americans marched to achieve true equality in all areas of society. Civil rights has expanded to describe the promotion of equality for all people regardless of their race, sex, age, disability, nationality, religion or other characteristics.

In the United States, three bodies of legislation define civil rights: the Bill of Rights, the 13th and 14th amendments to the constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What is the basis for a civil rights claim?

Civil rights claims exist because certain rights are guaranteed under federal law. If someone denies these rights, you have the basis for a civil rights claim. Below are examples of situations that violate the civil rights laws:

• An apartment complex refuses to let you rent a property because of your ethnic status.
• An employer hires someone less qualified because they are unwilling to accommodate your religious beliefs.
• A hospital refuses to admit you because you don’t appear to have the financial ability to pay for your hospitalization expenses.
• An employer exploits you because you’re a migrant worker, refusing to compensate you for your labor.

What should I do if I think I have been discriminated against on the job in violation of the law?

It’s best to bring your complaint directly to your supervisor and attempt to resolve matters at that level. Your supervisor might not be aware that discrimination is going on. When this doesn’t resolve the issue, you may pursue legal counsel.

There are strict laws regarding discrimination so it’s important you act swiftly. State and federal laws both apply, so consulting with an experienced civil rights attorney is essential.

What are the steps I need to take if my employer has violated my civil rights?

Keep a journal and detail the events so it’s easy to reconstruct the events surrounding your civil rights claim to make it easier to evaluate the strength of your case.

Gathering evidence that will support your claim is critical. Some evidence attorneys will use to support civil rights claims include written or spoken comments, time and place of an incident, differences between you and the violator, and the background of the violator.

Is my employer liable for my hostile environment harassment? 

It depends on who is creating the hostile environment. The employer is responsible for supervisors and managers who are perpetrators of a hostile work environment unless they can prove that they have exercised reasonable action to prevent and correct the behavior.

The employer is also responsible for harassment from colleagues or customer if the employer was negligent in addressing the problem. Employers must prove they exercised reasonable care in preventing the behavior. Retaining an employee with a history of civil rights violations doesn’t reflect reasonable care.

How can I find a lawyer who knows my type of case?

You should retain an attorney who you feel comfortable telling all the details to resolve your problem. You want to feel comfortable and trust that your attorney is on your side.

I was fired and have no idea why. Do I have a case?

You may have a case if it can be proved there was no legitimate reason for you to be fired. There are many civil rights laws that prohibit an employer from firing an employee for reasons based on race, sex, religion, nationality, color, age or disability.

State and federal laws apply in these cases and an experienced civil rights attorney can evaluate the details of your situation and advise you the best course of action to take.

Is there anyone I can’t file a claim against?

If the civil rights violation was intentional, you may file a civil rights claim against an individual who is acting as an agent of a state or local government. Certain government officials who are acting within the scope of their official duties, such as judges, legislators, prosecutors or a parole or probation officers are exempt from civil rights action.

What does federal law allow me to seek in damages?

Federal law allows you to seek three things: monetary damages, court injunction and declaratory relief. Monetary damages is compensation awarded by a judge in the form of money to the victim. Second, you can seek a court injunction that requires the defendant to do something or to stop doing something. Finally, you can seek declaratory relief which states that the court has investigated your claim and found that your claim is right.

CHICAGO, IL – Discovering your newborn has suffered a birth injury is devastating. As a new mother, it’s important to know your rights to help secure your child’s future care and provide you some peace of mind.

Causes of Birth Injuries

A difficult birth or injury to the baby can occur because of the baby’s size or the position of the baby during labor and delivery. Conditions that may be linked to a difficult birth include large babies, prematurity, cephalopelvic disproportion, dystocia, prolonged labor, abnormal birthing presentation and maternal obesity.

Common Birth Injuries

Birth injuries range from mild to severe. According to Stanford Medicine Children’s Health, the most common types of birth injuries are:

• Brachial palsy: This occurs when a group of nerves that supplies the arms and hands (brachial plexus) is injured. It’s most common when there’s trouble delivering the baby’s shoulder, known as dystocia, where the baby loses the ability to flex and rotate the arm. Tearing of the nerve can cause permanent nerve damage.
• Bruising or forceps marks: Trauma can occur from a baby passing through the birth canal and contact the mother’s pelvic bones or tissues. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction may have some scalp bruising or a scalp laceration.
• Caput succedaneum: Caput is a significant swelling of the soft tissues of the baby’s scalp. This develops as the baby travels through the birth canal. Some babies have bruising in that areas. Babies delivered by vacuum extraction are more likely to have this condition.
• Cephalohematoma: This is an area of bleeding between the skull bone and its fibrous covering that appears hours after birth as a raised lump on the baby’s head. Over time, the body reabsorbs the blood. If the area of bleeding is large, some babies may develop jaundice as the red blood cells broke down.
• Facial paralysis: During labor or birth, pressure on a baby’s face may injure the facial nerve. No movement is seen on the side of the face with the injury and the eye can’t be closed. If the nerve was torn, surgery may be needed.
• Fractures: Fracture of the clavicle or collarbone is the most common fracture during labor and delivery. The clavicle may break when there’s trouble delivering the baby’s shoulder or during a breech delivery. A baby with a fractured clavicle rarely moves the arm on the side of the break; however, healing can occur quickly.
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage: The breakage of small blood vessels in the eyes of a baby where one or both eyes may have a bright red hand in the white part of the eye. This is common and doesn’t cause eye damage. The redness is usually absorbed in a week to 10 days.

Steps to Take if You Suspect Negligence

If a healthcare provider was negligent and caused your child’s birth injury, you need to start by securing all medical records. You should document in a journal every detail since the time of your child’s birth. Next, you need to consult with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options.

Legal Rights and Options with Birth Injuries

Illinois law has a statute of limitations for bringing a medical malpractice case. In a birth injury case, Illinois law allows that a claim can be filed within eight years from the date of the injury or before the victim turns 22. It is best to bring a case as soon as possible and to keep detailed records pertaining to your case.

You can recover damages for birth injuries caused by medical negligence or malpractice on behalf of both the child and the parents. Damages can include both economic and noneconomic damages:

• Economic damages: Past and future medical expenses, therapy and rehab costs, lost income, caretaking expenses and specialized equipment.
• Noneconomic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, loss of normal life and shortened life expectancy.

Consult with a Birth Injury Lawyer in Illinois

Facing the reality of a birth injury is profoundly challenging for any new mother. Understanding your rights and taking the necessary steps can make a significant difference in securing the future care and well-being of your child. As lawyers with extensive extensive experience in birth injury claims, we will help your family determine the full value of your claim and work relentlessly to recover the damages you need to take care of your child and your family.

Contact the experienced birth injury attorneys of the Dinizulu Law Group at (312) 384-1920 or fill out this form for an initial consultation.

CHICAGO, IL – In a heart-wrenching incident that underscores the perils faced by construction workers, Jeffrey Spyrka, an ironworker, miraculously survived an eight-story fall from a scaffold swaying precariously in 40 mph winds. Just four days after this harrowing accident, Spyrka’s family has filed a lawsuit against Turner Construction, the general contractor, and Adjustable Forms Incorporated, the subcontractor, accusing them of “careless and negligent acts.”

The tragic event unfolded last Thursday at the University of Chicago Cancer Pavilion project. Spyrka was working on a scaffold on the southwest corner of the building when strong winds struck and led to the death of 27-year-old technical engineer David O’Donnell and left Spyrka severely injured.

Attorney Lou Cairo is representing the Spyrka family and shared that the drive for profit overshadowed safety concerns.

“They just wanted the job done, because time is money, profit over safety,” Cairo stated.

The lawsuit highlights that workers had previously voiced concerns about the stability of the scaffold days before the incident. Despite these warnings, the subcontractor allegedly assured that the issues would be addressed.

“This scaffold was not properly inspected. It was not properly constructed,” Cairo emphasized. “The manner in which it was supported in the corners, which is the most critical part of that scaffold, was faulty.”

The Aftermath and Legal Actions

Just days later, Spyrka has filed a lawsuit calling for accountability and justice. Spyrka landed on bundles of PVC pipe which likely played a role in saving his life.

“It’s a miracle he’s alive,” Cairo remarked.

Doctors at the University of Chicago Medical Center was crucial in stabilizing Spyrka who suffered numerous broken bones, serious internal injuries and head trauma. After undergoing multiple surgeries, he’s now responsive and not paralyzed.

“Heaven just doesn’t have room for one more angel right now,” Cairo added.

Adjustable Forms Incorporated, the subcontractor named in the lawsuit, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident. Turner Construction, the general contractor, acknowledged awareness of the lawsuit and stated that they are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

The Broader Implications

This incident serves as a grim reminder of the inherent dangers in the construction industry and the critical importance of rigorous safety standards. The negligence and the failure to address known safety issues highlight a troubling disregard for worker welfare. The Spyrka family’s lawsuit is not just a quest for justice, but also a call for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Construction sites are inherently risky, but with proper precautions and respect for safety protocols, many accidents can be avoided. The lawsuit against Turner Construction and Adjustable Forms Incorporated could potentially lead to stricter safety regulations and better enforcement of existing ones, ensuring that worker safety is prioritized over profit margins.

Conclusion

The survival of Jeffrey Spyrka is nothing short of miraculous, but it came at the cost of David O’Donnell’s life and immeasurable pain for their families. As legal proceedings unfold, there is hope that this tragic incident will spark meaningful changes in the construction industry, fostering a culture where safety is paramount. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims and their families as they navigate the aftermath of this devastating event.

CHICAGO, IL – Illinois car accidents eighth out of all 50 states. Serious and fatal car crashes happen daily in Chicago and its surrounding areas.

The Concept of Fault and Liability in Illinois Car Accidents

Proving Your Case

Now, let’s get practical. Follow these steps to build your case after getting into an accident in Illinois:

• Gather evidence:
  • Take photographs at the scene of the accident, vehicle damage and any visible injuries.
  • Collect contact information and statement from witnesses.
  • Exchange information with other driver(s) involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance details and license plate numbers.
• Seek medical treatment:
  • Get a thorough medical examination as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately.
  • Follow all medical advice and keep records of treatments, medications and doctor visits.
• Notify your insurance company:
  • Report the accident to your insurance company promptly.
  • Provide them with accurate details but avoid admitting fault or giving recorded statements without consulting an attorney.
• Document everything:
  • Keep detailed records of all expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, repair costs and any out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Maintain a journal documenting your injuries, pain levels and how the accident has impacted your daily life.

When to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you find yourself swimming in a sea of legal complexities, it’s a clear sign you need to enlist the help of a personal injury attorney. An experienced personal injury lawyer will evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process. In addition, they will help gather additional evidence, negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court, if necessary.

The Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group in Illinois