Chicago Personal Injury Law FIRM
Being the victim of a personal injury can turn your life upside down. Whatever the nature of the injury, it is likely to have caused considerable distress both to you and your family, resulting in additional medical costs, lost earnings and loss of enjoyment in your life. Anyone who has been injured through no fault of their own, is entitled to receive financial damages for the economic and non-economic damages that they have suffered. Our personal injury lawyers in Chicago can ensure that you recover the damages and compensation that the law allows.
Who We Are
William S. Wojcik, Ltd. is a firm of highly respected local Chicago personal injury lawyers. Based in Oak Lawn, Illinois, our comprehensive personal injury practice specializes in serious injury claims from clients from all around the greater Chicago area including Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Burbank, Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Bridgeview, Blue Island, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Worth, Hickory Hills, Western Springs, Orland Park, Crestwood, Oak Forest, Homer Glen, Tinley Park, Mokena, Frankfort and New Lenox, and for more than 37 years we have succeeded in obtaining compensation for clients who have suffered from a wide range of personal injuries such as:
● Medical Malpractice
● Construction Accidents
● Nursing Home Neglect
● Auto Accidents
● Workers' Compensation
When you are ill and need treatment or surgery, you rely on your doctor to give you the help that you need to help make you well again. However, in some cases, everything does not go according to plan and the doctor or hospital lets you down. Almost 100,000 people every year die because of a hospital staff member or physician's negligent care, and thousands more patients have suffered life changing injuries due to medical malpractice. Under Illinois law, if you can prove that you have received care that did not meet the standards of care in the community, you can be eligible to receive damages relating to both your tangible losses such as your lost wages and medical bills, as well as your intangible ones like your pain and suffering.
Perhaps you have been the victim of a dangerous or defective medical device which has been introduced to the market. There have been many implants, pieces of equipment, prosthetic devices and diagnostic tools over the years which have been rushed onto the market without sufficient testing to prove that they are safe for use on human patients. There are also many pharmaceutical medications which have failed to have the desired effect in alleviating the condition that you have been suffering from, but instead have caused further pain or medical complications. If you have been harmed by a medical device or dangerous pharmaceutical drug, we can help you to make a claim in respect of your suffering.
Here at William S. Wojcik Ltd we represent many women who have suffered from abortion malpractice and who are making a claim against abortion clinics, abortionists, “family planning” providers and physicians. Failure to provide informed consent prior to an abortion may be actionable. The complications which can arise from an abortion may be serious and could result in wrongful death or permanent injury, and if these injuries were caused by the provider of the abortion, it is often possible to file a claim for abortion malpractice. Some of the complications which may arise include endotoxic shock, hemorrhage, perforation of the womb, cervical lacerations, infections and other long-term problems such as sterility, PID or an increased risk of cancer. Whether the complications arise due to the procedure, during the post-operative stage or during pre-op treatment, a claim can still be made.
The right pre-operative tests must be performed to minimize the chance of any complications arising due to STDs like chlamydia or unidentified conditions like hemophilia. If failure to carry out these tests has led to medical problems, a successful claim may be able to be brought against the clinic.
Women are entitled to change their mind about wanting an abortion right up until the last minute, and when women are denied this right they can often make a claim for malpractice and a claim for the wrongful death of their unborn baby. They are also entitled by law to be given accurate and complete information about the abortion procedure and must give their informed consent. If the clinic has not given them this information, the woman's rights will probably have been violated and a claim for compensation could well be able to be brought.
When either yourself or someone you love needs extended medical or nursing care, it is often essential to leave them in the care of a nursing home so that they can get the medical attention that they need. However, sometimes your loved one will become a victim of neglect or improper treatment in their long term care facility and that is when our personal injury lawyers in Chicago can help. There are many types of nursing home neglect and abuse, from injuries incurred during a fall to bedsores from a lack of care, and from malnutrition due to an improper diet to being given incorrect medication, and if your loved one has been harmed as a result of inexperienced employees, reduced staffing levels or negligent care, you may be able to make a successful claim against the nursing home in question.
Two million people each year become victims of car accidents, and in many cases the injuries received are severe, resulting in life changing and permanent medical problems. Auto accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries in the USA can occur in several ways, although usually because a driver makes a poor decision. Crashes may occur because of a distracted driver, because of drinking alcohol or using drugs, or because of the driver using their cell phone while driving. Sometimes drivers are too tired to concentrate or stay awake, while in other cases, it could be a poor quality road surface or a car manufacturing defect which has caused the accident to take place. Whatever the cause, if the accident occurred through no fault of the victim, it is possible to make a personal injury claim.
Shockingly, according to statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 3 million people every year are involved in non-fatal accidents in the workplace. These accidents vary from slips and falls to incidents involving explosive substances or fires, and from exposure to hazardous substances to being attacked while at work.
Whether the accident occurs on a construction site, in an office or in any other industrial setting, if employee safety has been compromised due to a lack of safeguards or training, the victim of the injury could make a successful claim. When an injury occurs at work, the impact can be serious not only for the individual involved but also for their wider family unit due to the loss of wages, however William S. Wojcik Ltd can help you to recoup your losses in the form of damages.
The construction industry sees many workers being injured every year due to inherently dangerous working conditions and companies which cut corners with safety, but even in apparently safe office environments, employees can still become a victim of workplace injury due to poor or non-existent training in the use of equipment, due to a lack of protection for staff or because of unsafe conditions such as slippery or wet floors.
There are many kinds of workers' compensation claim resolutions including PTD (permanent total disability awards), PPD (permanent partial disability awards), TTD (temporary total disability awards), medical expense awards, disfigurement awards and wage differential awards. If you have been injured at work you can apply to receive workers' compensation benefits under the Illinois Workers Compensation laws, however these laws can be complex to understand and therefore contacting a reliable firm of Chicago personal injury lawyers is the best solution to ensuring that all of the claim forms are completed correctly so that you can obtain the compensation you deserve in respect of your injury.
Usually, the severity and nature of your injury, together with the extent to which it is likely to interfere with your ability to work will determine how much workers' compensation you can claim. However, as disputes can arise over how extensive the injury is, how it was incurred and how much it will affect the injured party's ability to continue working, it is all too common for people to be mistakenly denied the benefits they need or to have their benefits abruptly terminated.
If you have had your benefits discontinued or if you have had your claim for workers' compensation benefits denied, you can depend on the William S. Wojcik Ltd personal injury lawyers in Chicago to work on your behalf to resolve the situation and to get you the financial award that you deserve.
What Can Be Claimed?
Because of our extensive experience in the personal injury compensation sector, we have a deep understanding of the challenges and burdens that personal injury victims face, and we use our expertise in the law to help our clients to obtain the recompense they deserve for the losses that they have incurred including:
● Lost wages
● Physical injuries
● Medical expenses
● Loss of companionship
● Disfigurement and disability
● Pain and suffering
Why Make A Personal Injury Claim?
Although many people are injured every year through no fault of their own, a surprising number fail to make a claim for compensation, mistakenly thinking that their injury would not make them eligible to receive a financial award. However, this is often not the case. If you can demonstrate that your accident was not your fault you could have a successful case and it is well worth seeking advice from a personal injury lawyer in Chicago.
Although no amount of money can take away the pain and suffering that you may have experienced as a result of your injury, it can help to compensate you for the additional costs that you have incurred such as medical bills, the cost of travel to hospital appointments and losing income from having to take time off work as well as a financial recognition of the distress that you have suffered and the disruption that it has caused to your family's life. Even if your injury was relatively minor, if someone else was to blame, you could be entitled to make a claim.
Some Of Our Successful Claims:
Here are just some of the successful personal injury compensation claims that we have won on behalf of our clients in Chicago and the Southwest Suburban area:
$3.4 MILLION DOLLAR AUTO & TRUCKING ACCIDENT JURY VERDICT
$3.4 million-dollar jury verdict for female auto passenger who suffered a cardiac tamponade when struck by alleged drunk driver who crossed center line of traffic. Plaintiff returned to full-time work 3-1/2 months after accident. The jury's verdict included $3.25 million dollars in compensatory damages, $50,000 to plaintiff's husband (who did not appear at trial) for loss of consortium, and $100,000 in punitive damages.
$3.37 MILLION DOLLAR TRUCKING ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
Deft tractor-trailer driver Gary Sucku made a left turn from northbound Archer into the Dolphin Cartage truckyard near Knox. Deft Jason Kondys, driving a Pontiac 70 mph in rainy conditions, struck the rear tandem wheels of Sucku's trailer, causing F-16 backseat passenger to sustain torn descending aorta requiring a Hernashield graft, epidural hematoma, closed head injury causing ongoing headaches, and traumatic Bell's Palsy which has resolved ($235,000 medl. expense). Pltf is currently seeking her GED and plans to attend college. Confidential insurers paid $3,350,000 for Sucku and $20,000 policy limit for Kondys.
$2.1 MILLION DOLLAR PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT
$2,100,000.00 million settlement for a 34 year old Lemont pipefitter who was injured when he tripped and fell on stairs at a newly opened commercial office building in Western Springs received $2.1 million in a settlement approved by a Cook County judge. Steven Brocken suffered an ankle sprain which required surgery and developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in his left foot and ankle according to his attorney, William S. Wojcik of Oak Lawn. The fall was unwitnessed. Mr. Brocken alleged that his fall was caused by a high stair riser in a rear stairwell at the building. The settlement ended a lawsuit that had been filed in 2006 against the building's owner, 800 Hillgrove LLC., its general contractor, Everett Builders and several sub-contractors
No Win No Fee
At William S. Wojcik Ltd., all of our personal injury claims are handled on a contingency basis. That means that if we fail to obtain compensation on your behalf you won't need to pay us a fee. If you are compensated for your injuries, we will take a percentage of your award as our fee meaning that you won't be out of pocket and you won't have to make any large payments up front, making it easier and affordable to make your claim.
Appointments To Suit You
Contact the personal injury team at the William S. Wojcik Ltd offices and arrange your free initial consultation to discuss your claim. We are flexible and will fit in with your schedule by arranging a weekend or evening appointment if necessary to suit your requirements. We look forward to being of service and to helping you to obtain the financial award that you deserve.
$3.4 MILLION DOLLAR AUTO & TRUCKING ACCIDENT JURY VERDICT
$3.4 million-dollar jury verdict for female auto passenger who suffered a cardiac tamponade when struck by alleged drunk driver who crossed center line of traffic. Plaintiff returned to full-time work 3-1/2 months after accident. The jury's verdict included $3.25 million dollars in compensatory damages, $50,000 to plaintiff's husband (who did not appear at trial) for loss of consortium, and $100,000 in punitive damages.
$2.1 MILLION DOLLAR PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT
$2,100,000.00 million settlement for a 34 year old Lemont pipefitter who was injured when he tripped and fell on stairs at a newly opened commercial office building in Western Springs received $2.1 million in a settlement approved by a Cook County judge. Steven Brocken suffered an ankle sprain which required surgery and developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in his left foot and ankle according to his attorney, William S. Wojcik of Oak Lawn. The fall was unwitnessed. Mr. Brocken alleged that his fall was caused by a high stair riser in a rear stairwell at the building. The settlement ended a lawsuit that had been filed in 2006 against the building's owner, 800 Hillgrove LLC., its general contractor, Everett Builders and several sub-contractors.
$800,000 CONSTRUCTION & PERSONAL INJURY VERDICT
$800,000 verdict for "high burner" demolition worker who fell from a ladder after sparks from his cutting touch fell into an uncovered manhole that contained sewer gas and caused an explosion. Occurred at Amoco Oil Company's Whiting, Indiana, refinery. Plaintiff suffered fractures of his right knee.
$300,000 ANIMAL INJURY & PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT
$300,000.00 settlement for female age 40 who was riding a horse on a forest preserve bridle path when defendant's two unleashed Rottweiler dogs allegedly attacked plaintiff's horse, which bucked, causing plaintiff to fall. Plaintiff suffered approximately two to three-inch facial scar and some dental injuries.
$270,000 AUTO & CAR ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
$270,000 settlement plaintiff, female 24, driving to work southbound on 1-55 during morning "rush hour" when she was struck by defendant's tractor-trailer, which had jack knifed after allegedly being struck by a "phantom" hit-and-run driver. Plaintiff suffered a torn labrum of the left shoulder and underwent a left partial scapulectomy. Medical expenses totaled $52,000. Video footage of live television coverage from traffic copters of WBBN (CBS), WMAQ (NBC), and WGN was obtained and used by attorney William S. Wojcik to demonstrate pre-impact path of travel of the tractor-trailer and final resting place of the vehicles. $260,000 was paid on behalf of Lee Trucking; the remainder was paid by uninsured motorist carrier on behalf of "phantom" driver.
$348,810 SLIP N' FALL & PERSONAL INJURY JURY VERDICT
$348,810.00 verdict for plaintiff truck driver who allegedly slipped and fell on an oil spill at a loading dock at defendant's plant in Geneva, Illinois.
Plaintiff claimed he suffered a torn right medial meniscus. Defendants denied notice of any spill, asserted plaintiff had severe pre-existing degenerative arthritis and further argued that plaintiff had fallen on 12 different occasions before his arthroscopic surgery. Plaintiff responded by maintaining that he was asymptomatic prior to his first fall and that all subsequent falls were due to his weakened condition.
$3.37 MILLION DOLLAR TRUCKING ACCIDENT SETTLEMENT
Deft tractor-trailer driver Gary Sucku made a left turn from northbound Archer into the Dolphin Cartage truckyard near Knox. Deft Jason Kondys, driving a Pontiac 70 mph in rainy conditions, struck the rear tandem wheels of Sucku's trailer, causing F-16 backseat passenger to sustain torn descending aorta requiring a Hernashield graft, epidural hematoma, closed head injury causing ongoing headaches, and traumatic Bell's Palsy which has resolved ($235,000 medl. expense). Pltf is currently seeking her GED and plans to attend college. Confidential insurers paid $3,350,000 for Sucku and $20,000 policy limit for Kondys.
$1 MILLION DOLLAR CONSTRUCTION & PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT
$1,000,000.00 settlement for laborer who was pinned under lattice boom crane, which collapsed while he was dismantling. Plaintiff suffered multiple fractures.
$950,000 Auto & Car Accident Settlement
42 year old woman injured in a 3 car accident near 40th and Western in Chicago, IL. Defendants disputed liability, and the nature and extent of plaintiff's injuries.
$950,000 CONSTRUCTION & PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT
Roofer fell through skylight opening in building under construction. 31 year old plaintiff suffered a herniated disc requiring surgery with instrumentation.
$710,000 Personal Injury - Motor Vehicle Settlement
$710,000 settlement to sisters F-13 and F-14 who were traveling in a van owned and operated by deft transportation company on October 30, 2012. Near the intersection of Joliet and LaGrange (Countryside), the driver allegedly collided into two vehicles then rear-ended a stopped garbage truck. The 13-year old suffered a fractured femur (ORIF required) and the 14-year old suffered a pelvic rami fracture ($78,828 medical expenses total for both pltf). Confidential insurer paid $345,000 to F-13 and $365,00 to F-14.
$200,000 PERSONAL INJURY - MOTOR VEHICLE Settlement
$200,000 settlement on May 21, 2014 one deft struck another deft who struck pltf M-32 at the intersection of 179th Street and Oak Park Avenue (Tinley Park). Pltf suffered aggravation of pre-existing shoulder injury, for which he underwent capsular release and debridement surgery ($41,00 medl expenses). Paid by State Farm: $100,000 for Driver No. 1, $50,000 and $50,000 for Driver No 2 UIM – all policy limits.