LaWyers

Personal Injury

Personal injury is a term used to describe any case in which individuals have suffered physical injuries due to the wrongful conduct of others. Personal injury cases arise from motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, medical mishaps, police misconduct, and a myriad of other situations. Fault may consist of intentional wrongdoing, wanton and willful misconduct or negligence.

In the typical case, the injured party, known as the plaintiff, must prove that the defendant was at fault and that the fault was a proximate cause of plaintiff’s injury. For example, in an automobile accident case, we have to prove that the defendant did something negligent such as running a red light or speeding, that there was a collision, and that the plaintiff’s injuries were caused by the collision. Typically, the defendant and his insurance company will claim that the defendant was not at fault, that the plaintiff was at fault, that plaintiff’s injuries were not so bad, and that, in any event, plaintiff’s injuries weren’t caused by the accident.

In medical negligence (medical malpractice) cases, the plaintiff’s burden of proof is more difficult because we have to establish through expert testimony that the defendant doctor or nurse departed from accepted medical standards. Causation is often more difficult, too, because the plaintiff usually was sick or injured to begin with. Understanding the medicine and recruiting top quality expert witnesses is a key to success in the medical malpractice field.

Personal injury also includes injuries caused by defective products. Product liability cases focus on the unreasonably dangerous condition of the product rather than the fault of the defendant. A case can involve negligence and product liability such as where a car accident is caused by a driver’s negligence and then the air bags fail to deploy because of a product defect.
Damages in personal injury cases consist of compensation for medical expenses, wage loss, disability, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. Where personal injury results in death, the decedent’s claim survives the death. In addition, immediate family members can bring their own claim for wrongful death. Their damages include loss of financial support and compensation for the loss of the relationship that each family member had with their loved one.



Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

Joseph G. Klest - Highest AV Rated
With offices in Chicago, Schaumburg, and the suburbs of Chicago, personal injury lawyer Joseph Klest has been representing injured clients throughout Illinois and nationally since 1982.
Chicago, Illinois, personal injury attorney, Joseph Klest, has experience trying and negotiating favorable settlements in a variety of personal injury claims. He can handle any claim involving serious personal injury or fatality, including traffic accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, work injuries, sexual assault, and other accidents.
We will take your case on a contingency basis. You won't pay attorneys' fees unless you win your case.
Accomplished Chicago, Illinois, Injury Attorney
Joseph Klest earned fame as a personal injury attorney when he was awarded a $1.5 million judgment against a Roman Catholic priest from the Illinois Diocese of Joliet. Please visit the Cases page to learn more about this case and other successes attorney Klest has won on behalf of his clients.

If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence or due to a defective or dangerous product, accomplished Chicago, Illinois personal injury lawyer Joseph Klest can help you in your quest to obtain the maximum amount of compensation possible.
You Can Have a High-profile Chicago Personal Injury Attorney
Help You Obtain the Compensation You Deserve
Contact the offices of Joseph G. Klest to schedule a free initial consultation. The firm represents all personal injury clients on a contingent fee basis. If they are unable to recover compensation for your losses, they will not charge you attorneys' fees.