- Criminal DefenseAlyssa attended DePaul University where she studied history, government, and pre-law. During her undergraduate studies, Alyssa worked for a personal injury and criminal defense law firm in Chicago. Alyssa gained first-hand experience in cases involving motor vehicle collisions and medical malpractice. This experience allowed Alyssa to gain vast knowledge in the various phases of civil litigation prior to entering law school.
- Wrongful DeathIn Illinois, car accidents occur all too frequently on our highways and roads. Under the law, every driver owes a duty to operate a motor vehicle in the exercise of reasonable care, to obey the traffic laws, and take measures to avoid an accident when necessary. Car accidents, including pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents and fleeing motorists, often result in serious injuries and fatalities. When a traffic accident occurs due to a driver’s negligence, the at-fault driver and his insurance carrier can be held liable for the injuries and other damages caused, including medical bills, pain and suffering, disability, lost time from work, and wrongful death.
- Traffic ViolationsReckless driving in Illinois carries stiff criminal and civil penalties. Reckless driving poses a danger to drivers, pedestrians, and innocent…
- Sex Crimes
- RobberyDuring law school, Rachel served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge Donald C. Hudson in the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District. Rachel researched case law and drafted judicial opinions on a variety of legal subjects, including armed robbery and criminal sentencing. Her experience as a judicial extern provided her with valuable training in legal writing and research.
- Hit and RunIn Illinois, drivers who purchase “full coverage” under an automobile insurance policy also purchase coverage for injuries resulting from “uninsured motorists” and “underinsured motorists.” The amount of coverage often depends on the specific language in the policy and the coverage declarations. An “uninsured motorist claim” arises when the at-fault motorist carries no coverage at all or has fled the scene and cannot be identified (hit-and-run accidents). An “underinsured motorist claim” arises after a vehicle crash when the amount or limits of coverage carried by the at-fault driver is inadequate to compensate the injuries and other damages that you have suffered. Remember, bringing an uninsured motorist claim against your insurance carrier is somewhat complicated, and there are specific notices that must be given first. It is best to consult with a knowledgeable Illinois uninsured motorist claim lawyer.
- Intellectual Property
- Workers CompensationThe key issue in workers' compensation claims is to determine the extent of the injury so that the maximum benefits can be obtained. Injuries suffered at the work place often include the following...
- Premises LiabilityIn Illinois, injuries resulting from premises liability cases, including slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents, often cause serious and long-lasting conditions, sometimes requiring surgery. How are slip and fall cases handled? Under the law, to recover damages in a premises liability case, it must be established that the property owner had knowledge of the dangerous condition or defect that caused the fall to occur. If the property owner knew of the dangerous condition on the property but failed to act within a reasonable time to correct the condition, he or she may be liable when someone falls and becomes injured.
- Property Damage$1,500,000. Cook County, Illinois. First party insurance coverage, property damage. Settlement was reached on behalf of a large commercial building owner after a roof failure, following a hail event. Issues of fact litigated in the lawsuit included the advanced age of the membrane roof structure and whether the hail reported in the area had actually damaged the structure; the hail event occurred over a weekend, when the building was unoccupied. The insurance company argued that the roof was in disrepair due to the effects of aging or what is known as “migration” of plasticizers, a progressive weakness that occurs in plastic membrane-type roofing systems over time. (For a scientific discussion on migrating plasticizers, see this page). But evidence from key witness depositions tended to show that damage sustained was consistent with hail, and that coverage was, therefore, owed under the specific terms of the policy, regardless of the roof’s overall age or alleged state of repair.
- Personal InjuryChoosing the right Naperville personal injury lawyer to represent you is an important decision. The attorney’s qualifications and experience in handling the type of case involved is important. You should be confident that he or she not only possesses the necessary level of skill as a trial lawyer, but will also devote the time, energy, and resources needed to successfully litigate and resolve your injury case in a timely manner. Your personal injury case is too important to settle for anything less.
- Medical MalpracticeIn Illinois, medical negligence or malpractice occurs when a health care professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or hospital, deviates from the applicable standard of care in treating a patient. The standard of care depends upon the accepted medical practice ordinarily used by other doctors in the same field of medicine. Medical malpractice cases often arise after a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose, a failure to provide appropriate medical treatment in a given circumstance, a failure to follow appropriate surgical procedures or techniques, a delay in providing treatment, or in ordering prescription medications that are unsafe for a given patient.
- Auto Accidents
- Dog BitesThe experienced team of Illinois nursing home attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates have successfully handled many nursing home abuse and neglect cases and have recovered millions in nursing home settlements for our clients and their families. We will explain the legal process and work closely with you to obtain the justice and compensation you and your family deserve. Dog Bites and Pit Bull Attacks
- Slip and Fall InjuryAlthough slip and fall injuries have been depicted as comedy in movies and television, there is nothing funny about the serious injuries that can result from a sudden fall down an icy stairwell or a wet floor in a grocery store aisle. Slip and fall injuries may be serious, devastating and permanent, and can prevent an individual from working. Compensation may be needed to cover medical expenses and lost wages and help you begin to put your life back together after an injury.
- Estate Planning