Personal Injury FAQs

Chicago Attorneys Answer Frequently Asked Questions About Injury Cases

What is personal injury?

A personal injury is a physical or psychological injury caused by another person or party. For instance, an individual or company which acts negligently may be held liable for causing injury to others. Lawsuits involving personal injuries are handled in civil court, where financial compensation is provided, as opposed to criminal court, where criminal penalties such as imprisonment are enforced.

What is negligence?

Negligence may be described as any failure to act with reasonable care that causes injury to another. In other words, negligence is the failure to do something a reasonably careful person would do, or doing something a reasonably careful person would not do under similar circumstances.

What is liability?

Liability is defined as “legal responsibility for something, especially costs or damages.” If someone else, intentionally or unintentionally, caused your injuries, they may be liable. The liable person is responsible for your medical care, lost earnings, and other damages associated with your injuries.

What is financial compensation?

Financial compensation is money paid by an at-fault party (the defendant) to the injured party or family member (the plaintiff). This money is meant to compensate the plaintiff for injuries and losses the defendant caused.

What are compensatory damages and punitive damages?

Compensatory damages are paid to a plaintiff to help the plaintiff return to the same lifestyle before the accident occurred. Compensatory damages include money for medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant. Punitive damages vary depending on state law and the circumstances of the case.

Will I need to pay attorney's fees?

At TKK, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not collect attorney's fees unless we win your case.

If I lost a loved one, can I file a lawsuit against the at-fault party?

You may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or company that caused your loss. Medical bills, funeral costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and loss of love, guidance, and companionship are all compensable in a wrongful death case.

If I was injured at work, do I file a personal injury lawsuit?

It is possible that you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits and other financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. If a third party (someone other than your employer or coworker) contributed to or caused your injuries, you may file a personal injury case in addition to a workers' compensation claim.

Contact an Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered an injury that was caused by someone's negligence, the attorneys of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC are prepared to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit and pursue full and fair financial compensation for your damages. To schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about how we can help you hold the negligent party or parties responsible for your injuries, contact us at 312-605-8800