Articles Posted in Settlement / Verdict

Injury attorneys at Abels & Annes have resolved a case for an Illinois resident. This claim arises out of an automobile collision which took place on August 30, 2010 at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Our client was driving southbound on Cumberland, approaching Bryn Mawr in Chicago, Illinois. The defendant was driving northbound on Cumberland approaching Bryn Mawr. The intersection of Cumberland and Bryn Mawr is controlled by a four-way stop light. The plaintiff had a green light at Bryn Mawr so she entered the intersection and continued driving southbound.

The at fault driver intended to make a left turn from Cumberland onto westbound Bryn Mawr. The defendant failed to yield the right-of-way to our client and entered the intersection when it was not safe to do so. He turned into her path and hit the front end of her vehicle with the front passenger side of her own. The force of the impact jolted the plaintiff forward and back violently in her seat.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the collision and determined the defendant was at fault. The negligent driver received a citation for failure to yield the right-of-way at an intersection while turning left.

We alleged to the defendant’s insurance carrier that their insured failed to keep a proper lookout, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, failed to yield the right-of-way at an intersection before making a left hand turn, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiff. Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the occurrence at issue, it was clear that the sole proximate cause of the collision was the negligent conduct of their insured.

Following the incident the plaintiff had an onset of back, neck and abdominal pain. She was 31 weeks pregnant at the time of the collision.

She was taken from the scene of the occurrence by ambulance to Resurrection Medical Center‘s Emergency Department. A history was taken, she was examined and diagnostic tests were performed. She complained of abdominal pain and pressure and was concerned about her pregnancy. She also had pain in her back that radiated down into her left leg. She was discharged and instructed to follow up with a physician as needed.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, she followed up with a doctor on September 1, 2010. She complained of headaches, pain, stiffness, and numbness in her neck, radiating numbness to both shoulders, severe lower back pain radiating to both legs, and left leg pain. A history was taken and she was examined. She had severe tenderness and muscle spasms on palpation over her cervical spine and thoracic spine muscles, tenderness in both shoulders and severe tenderness in her lumbar spine. She also had limited range of motion in her cervical and lumbar spine. Diagnosed her with musculoligamentous injuries of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as sciatic and contusion of the head. Due to her pregnancy, a course of physical therapy was recommended and she was instructed to follow up for more treatment.

Our client returned to her physican on September 24, 2010. At that time, she continued to complain of headaches, neck numbness and stiffness, severe lower back pain that radiated into both legs, and radiating numbness in her shoulders. Her injuries were so significant that she was having trouble concentrating and sleeping. The doctor again examined her and maintained a diagnosis of musculoligamentous injuries of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as head contusion. As she was 34 weeks pregnant, he instructed her to stop physical therapy for the time being and to resume physical therapy after she delivered her baby.

The plaintiff next treated on December 1, 2010, where she continued to complain of severe pain in her low back that radiated into her left leg. On exam, she had severe tenderness and limited range of motion in her lumbar spine. She was with musculoligamentous lumbosacral spine strain and instructed her to return to physical therapy.

She returned to physical therapy for a period of time.

The claim settled for the defendant’s insurance policy limits of $25,000.
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Illinois auto accident attorney Gary Annes has resolved a case for a Chicagoan injured by a hit-and-run driver.

This claim arises out of a collision which took place on May 4, 2011, at approximately 8:00 p.m. The plaintiff was injured when the automobile he was driving was rear-ended by a 2001 Chevy pickup.

Our client was driving southbound on Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois. The at fault driver was also driving southbound on Clark Street, behind the plaintiff. He stopped for a red light at Clark’s intersection with Jackson Boulevard. The defendant failed to stop and/or reduce the speed of the vehicle he was driving, and struck our client’s 1997 Acura RL. The front-end of the Chevy hit the rear-end of the Acura.

After the collision the defendant fled the scene of the accident and drove westbound down Jackson, a one-way street with eastbound-only traffic. He was caught by police soon after.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. After speaking to parties and witnesses, the investigating officer placed the hit and run driver at fault for the collision. The responding officer determined that the Chevy driver operated his vehicle in an erratic, reckless, careless, negligent or aggressive manner and was exceeding the authorized speed limit.

The defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or reduce his speed to avoid a collision, was driving at an excessive rate of speed, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area.

Surprisingly, the defendant was insured with the Hartford. In my experience as an injury lawyer, nine out of ten drivers that flee the scene of the accident are uninsured. Here, not only did the defendant have insurance, he had a policy with a highly rated company. Why he left the scene is unknown, and drugs and/or alcohol did not play a role.

Following the collision, our client had an immediate onset of neck, back, and shoulder pain. Shortly thereafter, he sought treatment at Provident Hospital of Cook County’s Emergency Department. Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, a history was taken, he was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed, including x-rays of his lumbosacral spine and a CT scan of his cervical spine. He complained of back, shoulder and neck pain, made worse with turning his head from side to side. He was diagnosed with neck sprain/strain and contusion. He was prescribed pain medication and instructed to seek follow up treatment.

Due to ongoing pain, the plaintiff sought treatment with a physician in downtown Chicago on May 10, 2011. There he complained of pain in his neck, shoulder, right elbow, and lower back. A history was taken and a physical exam was performed, which found pain on palpation of both supraspinatus muscles, pain in the right elbow and forearm, and tenderness on palpation of the lower back. He was diagnosed with a sprain/strain of the cervical and lumbar spine and contusion of the right elbow. His doctor prescribed pain medication, physical therapy, and ordered an x-ray of his right elbow.

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An Illinois personal injury attorney at Abels & Annes has resolved a case for a $25,000. The claim arises out of an automobile collision which took place on September 13, 2011 at approximately 12:02 p.m. at or near 2701 South Harlem in Berwyn, Illinois. Our client was injured when the automobile she was driving was hit by a vehicle driven by the defendant.

The plaintiff was driving northbound on South Harlem at approximately 25 miles per hour. The defendant was driving behind our client on northbound South Harlem. At that time defendant, who was traveling too fast, rear-ended the plaintiff.

The Berwyn Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. After speaking to both parties, the responding officer determined the defendant was at fault for the collision and issued him a citation for driving too fast for conditions.

Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the occurrence at issue, we argued to the defendant’s insurance carrier that it was clear that the sole proximate cause of the collision was the negligent conduct of their insured.

Our client sought treatment from Rush Oak Park Hospital‘s Emergency Department immediately after the collision. A history was taken, she was examined, and diagnostic tests were performed. She complained of pain in her lower back that was worse with bending as well as bilateral knee pain. On exam, she had tenderness on palpation of her right lumbar paraspinal area. She was diagnosed with lumbar spine sprain/strain, pain in her lower legs, muscle spasms in her back, and trapezius strain. She received prescriptions for pain medications and muscle relaxants and was ordered off work.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, the plaintiff sought follow up treatment with a medical doctor on September 15, 2011. At that time, she continued to complain of lower back pain that radiated to both of her legs. Her pain was constant and severe and it ranged from sharp to stabbing to aching. Her pain interfered with her sleeping, often waking her in the middle of the night. The pain prevented her from engaging in activities of daily life and severely limited those activities she could engaged in. Additionally, her pain was worse with pushing and lifting heavy objects, walking, sitting, or standing for long periods of time, and bending forward.

The physician took a history and examined her. She had tenderness and spasms from L2-L5 bilaterally as well as difficulty squatting and while walking heel to toe. She had limited range of motion in her thoracholumbar spine because of the extreme pain she experienced. The doctor diagnosed our client with lower back pain with a radicular component at L5-S1, myofacial pain syndrome, and lumbar strain and sprain.

The physician noted that she had an underlying degenerative condition in her back that was asymptomatic before her injury. In his medical opinion, the automobile collision aggravated her underlying condition and necessitated treatment. He instructed the plaintiff to continue taking her medications, undergo a lumbar MRI, refrain from lifting and/or pushing objects heavier than 15 pounds, and remain off work.

Pursuant to the doctor’s orders, our client underwent an MRI of her lumbar spine on September 16, 2011. The MRI revealed low back injuries.

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This claim arose out of a Chicago-area car crash which took place on November 4, 2010 at approximately 7:59 a.m.

The plaintiff was driving northbound in his GMC truck on Harlem Avenue approaching Route 83 in Palos Heights, Illinois. The defendant was driving a Mitsubishi gallant, also northbound on Harlem Avenue approaching Route 83, directly behind our client when he came to a stop in traffic. The defendant then failed to stop or slow her vehicle and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle. The front of the at fault driver’s vehicle struck the rear of our client’s vehicle. The force of the impact pushed his car forward.

The Palos Heights Police Department responded to the scene of the accident. After interviewing the parties, they placed the defendant at fault in their report.

We alleged to the defendant’s insurance company that their insured failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop and/or slow down for traffic, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including the Plaintiff.

Following the incident the client had an immediate onset of neck, back, and chest pain. He was taken from the scene of the occurrence by ambulance to Palos Community Hospital‘s Emergency Department. A history was taken, he was examined and diagnostic tests were performed.

There he underwent X-rays to his cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, thoracic spine, and chest, as well as a CT scan of his chest and an echocardiogram. He was diagnosed with cervical, back, and neck strain. He also received a cardiology consultation and was diagnosed with chest pain due to musculoskeletal chest discomfort. He was prescribed muscle relaxants and pain medication, instructed to follow up with a physician, and discharged.

The plaintiff followed up with a physician on November 10, 2010. He complained of pain in his lumbar back, pain in his hips into his mid dorsal area, as well as pain in his cervical spine. He struggled with daily activities, including rising from a seated position. He also had headaches and sharp pain across the left side of his chest at the seatbelt site. There was a small bruise on his lumbar area. The doctor diagnosed him with muscle inflammation and instructed him to follow up in three weeks.

Our client returned to the physician on December 1, 2010. He continued to complain of pain and spasms to his lumbar area, pain at his mid dorsal area, and pain across his chest. He obtained minimal relief from his muscle relaxants and pain medication. Additionally, he was having trouble sleeping as his pain prevented him from resting comfortably. The doctor prescribed a course of physical therapy and instructed him to follow up in six weeks.

Per his physician’s instructions, the client engaged in physical therapy at Palos Community Hospital’s Physical/Occupational Therapy Division beginning on December 7, 2010. He had pain with activites of daily life, like rising from a seated position, getting out of a car, and walking more than ten feet. His pain was made worse with bending, lifting, sitting, standing, walking, coughing, sneezing, and turning his neck and back. Additionally, he could not pick up his granddaughter because of his injuries. He engaged in seventeen (17) sessions of physical therapy and was discharged on February 8, 2011.
The plaintiff followed up with his doctor again on March 7, 2011 and again on April 18, 2011. While he received some relief from physical therapy, he was still in pain and having troubling sleeping. The physician prescribed valium for him on April 18, 2011, and provided follow up care on May 23, 2011 and June 13, 2011, at which time he was discharged.

As a result of the collision, the claimant struggled with daily tasks. He could not sit, stand, or even walk more than ten feet without pain.

The claim settled for just under $37,000. State Farm Insurance paid on the claim
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An Illinois accident attorney at Abels & Annes has resolved a traffic collision case on behalf of one of our clients. The claim arises out of an incident which took place on April 24, 2011, at approximately 12:27 a.m. The plaintiff was injured when the automobile she was driving was T-boned by a vehicle being operated by a negligent driver.

Our client was driving northbound on Broadway at or near 150th in Harvey, Illinois. The defendant was driving her automobile westbound on 150th, approaching its intersection with Broadway. The intersection of Broadway and 150th is a four-way stop. She came to a complete stop at 150th, checked that traffic was clear, and proceeded through the intersection.

The other motorist failed to properly stop at the intersection and proceeded to cross Broadway, striking the rear passenger’s side of our client’s vehicle with the front end of her vehicle.

The Harvey Police Department responded to the scene of the collision. After speaking to both parties, the investigating officer placed the defendant at fault for the collision. The negligent motorist admitted to the responding officer that while she crossed the intersection, she looked away from the road and down to the floor of her vehicle, searching for CDs she dropped. She stated that she looked up just as she struck the plaintiff’s vehicle. She was cited for disobeying a stop sign. She also failed to yield to traffic.

We alleged to the defendant’s insurance carrier that their insured failed to stop and/or reduce her speed to avoid a collision, disobeyed a stop sign, failed to pay proper attention to the road conditions, and failed to exercise due care for the safety of those in the area, including our

Following the collision, our client had an immediate onset of neck, shoulder, and back pain.

Shortly after, she sought medical treatment from an orthopedic physician in Chicago. She complained of pain along the right side of her neck and right shoulder, made worse with motion of her neck, as well as lower back pain and a tingling sensation in her right arm and hand. A history was taken, a physical examination was performed and diagnostic tests were ordered. An exam revealed pain on palpation of the paracervical muscles and also of the supraspinatus muscle, increased with motion of the neck. She also had tenderness on palpation of the lumbar area. She was diagnosed with a sprain/strain of the cervical and lumbar spines. She was prescribed pain medication, instructed to begin physical therapy, and ordered to have x-rays of her cervical and lumbar spines taken.

Due to ongoing and increasing pain, the plaintiff returned to her doctor’s office for treatment on May 12, 2011. She complained of pain in her lower back which radiated to her left leg, numbness in her right thigh, and pain along her cervical spine. The physician reviewed the x-rays of her cervical and lumbar spine taken on May 6, 2011, which showed no fractures. He diagnosed her with a sprain/strain of the cervical and lumbar spines and ordered an MRI of her lumbar spine.

She next followed up on May 24, 2011. At that time, her doctor reviewed the MRI of her lumbar spine, which was taken on May 13, 2011. The MRI showed disc injuries at more than one level. She continued to complain of sharp lower back pain which radiated to her left leg. On exam, she had pain on palpation with muscle spasms of the paraspinal muscles. Her sensory reflexes were diminished in her left thigh. Her doctor then referred her to an orthopedic surgeon.

On her physician’s referral, she sought treatment from an orthopedic physician. At that time, she complained of constant sharp pain at her lower back which radiated caudally into both buttocks, thighs, and calves, as well as neck pain that radiated into both shoulders, arms, and hands. She also had moderate paresthesia. The pain was so severe that it affected her sleeping and prevented her from engaging in her regular activities. The doctor reviewed the MRI which identified disc herniations and diagnosed her with a lumbar disc injury/lumbar radiculopathy. He instructed her to continue physical therapy and to follow up with him for fluoroscopy guided right-sided L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 selective nerve root block, transforaminal epidural steroid injections.

Our client received the transforaminal epidural steroid injections on June 1, 2011 and interlaminar fluoroscopy guided lumbar epidural steroid injections on June 22, 2011 .

The car accident case settled for the defendant’s insurance policy limits of $20,000.

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