Personal Injury Lawyers in Northwest Indiana
It’s an ordinary day when suddenly the unexpected occurs: a severe accident lands you in the hospital with significant injuries. The frightening truth is that such incidents can happen to anyone, anytime. Fortunately, the law supports you in these types of situations.
Personal injury lawsuits in Illinois and Indiana offer a means for obtaining compensation for the physical and emotional injuries you’ve suffered and any harm to your standard of living.
Personal injury law may seem simple on the surface, but it has significant complexities that require legal counsel. The attorneys at Alvarez Law have extensive experience in personal injury law, providing effective representation for almost 50 years to victims of accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, defamation, criminal acts such as sexual abuse, and other incidents.
Here are some of the basics you need to know about personal injury litigation and how the team at Alvarez Law can help get you back on your feet.
How Can We Help?
NATIONWIDE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS
What Is Personal Injury Law?
Throughout history, from ancient Rome to the present, the law has pursued ways of addressing situations where another person’s careless or intentional actions injure someone. Today, the answer is often found through the application of personal injury law.
Personal injury law provides victims with a legal process to obtain compensation for negligent, reckless, and wrongful behavior that causes serious physical or psychological harm. The purpose of personal injury law is to allow you to collect damages for out-of-pocket losses and emotional harm related to the underlying accident. Generally, you can seek compensation for health care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other emotional damages and potential costs.
In addition to protecting against catastrophic losses, personal injury law offers a way to prove accountability through punitive damages and prevent certain circumstances from happening again by identifying the means to improve safety.
Personal injury litigation occurs in all 50 states. The attorneys at Alvarez Law have a vast understanding of personal injury law in Illinois and Indiana and can help guide you and your family through the challenges that may lie ahead.
We've Recovered Billions for Clients
-
$15 Million Semi-Truck Accident
-
$8.5 Million Semi-Truck Accident
-
$4 Million Steel Mill Explosion
-
$3.55 Million Injured Tradesmen/Steelworker
-
$3 Million Prescription Medical Defect
-
$2.5 Million Amputation in Illinois
Role of the Personal Injury Attorney
Personal injury cases often have tragic and traumatic circumstances in their aftermath. In severe accidents, for instance, a victim may be out of work for an extended time while recovering from their injuries. And damage to a reputation, such as a false accusation of a crime, can take a lifetime to heal.
Personal injury attorneys can free you to focus on your recovery rather than worrying about the complexities of the law. Our team at Alvarez Law will provide a no-obligation consultation to help evaluate the facts in your case, explain the law, and develop a legal strategy for seeking proper compensation.
One of our most significant roles is representing your interests in discussions with a third-party insurance company. Insurers will often seek to convince you to settle quickly to limit their losses. Attorneys can negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company for a fair out-of-court settlement, taking the pressure off you.
If those settlement discussions fail, our attorneys will represent you in any potential legal action. We’ll fully investigate your case, then draft and file a complaint consistent with the rules of the local court. It’ll be our responsibility to meet all court deadlines and respond to any motions from the opposing parties or questions from the judge.
Discussions can continue toward a settlement throughout this process. If the parties still can’t reach an agreement, then our team will prepare to take your case to trial and fight hard for the compensation you deserve.
-
- Hailey S.
Brandon was great at getting back to me and answering all of my questions. It was nice having someone that would answer 24-7 and Attorney Alvarez got me a great resolution on my case.
-
This is a firm you want on your side. They did an amazing job on my car accident case. They really are 24-7. Brandon answered all my questions promptly even on the weekends. Steven got me an amazing settlement. He is the man! He even got my medicals lowered. This is a powerhouse lawyer you want on your side.- Moses V.
-
Very pleased with this law firm Brandon has kept me updated throughout my case. Brandon and Nicole are Rock Star's. I would definitely encourage anyone to use this law firm. If you want a Rock Star lawyer then Brandon Morford at Alvarez Law that's the guy you need.- James C.
-
The office staff was always polite answering the phones. The paralegals are always there to answer my questions through email or by phone calls it may have taken time to get back to me but just had to be patient. The legal secretary called to go over and make sure I understood what and how it was going to be finalized. Attorney Steve Alvarez not settling and making sure he went the extra mile for me.- Brandy F.
-
I was in an awful wreck in January and I contacted Mr. Alvarez. He has been such a great attorney but an even better friend! From checking up on me and making time for calls with both of our busy schedules. I can honestly say in an awful circumstance Steve Alvarez did his absolute best at all times. I Highly recommend this attorney to anyone!!! Thank you- Collin S.
-
The Alvarez Law Office helped me settle a workers compensation case. I am very pleased with the results thus far! Brandon along with the paralegal staff have been very professional and friendly. If you are in need of legal representation, consider Alvarez Law Office. Thank you so much!- Laura J.
-
The whole entire staff IS GREAT from the front desk to the top. Very nice very friendly honest and reliable!- Joseph L.
-
Got me more money back than I expected for my injuries! Thanks Alvarez law firm. You guys are awesome!!!- Jerry G.
-
The Alvarez Law Office helped me with a personal injury case and did a superb job. Everyone from the office staff to Walter Alvarez are very personable and friendly. My experience was great. Shout out to Steven Alvarez for a great job! Thank you so much!- Marci W.
-
Everyone that I have spoken with at Alvarez has been polite, positive, & professional. These interactions have inspired my confidence in this firm. It’s reassuring when you’re not well to have a team like this on your side. My attorney, Steven Alvarez a great communicator, very helpful, and kind. He has already been a huge help. I’m grateful I have Alvarez Law working on my behalf.- Lilly P.
-
I recommend the Alvarez Law Office; Friendly, helpful, and needful advice and also very knowledgeable regarding workman's comp claims. I appreciated their professional representation and skill.- Faith F.
-
My experience with the Alvarez Law office was outstanding. They took my case and completed it in a timely manner. Ms. Theresa was outstanding with my case and made sure that I had everything I needed. If anyone needs a law firm that would fight for you like no other this is the Law firm for you. Thank you Anna Gallo- Anna G.
What Compensation Can I Collect in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
The purpose of a personal injury lawsuit or claim is to obtain compensation for various types of injuries suffered in connection with an accident or other type of event, such as a dog bite. Both Illinois and Indiana allow plaintiffs to seek specific types of compensation.
-
Medical ExpensesSevere injuries in an accident may require serious, lengthy, and expensive medical treatment. Under personal injury law, you can ask a judge or jury to award you the amount you’ve paid out of pocket to recover from the accident. This would include expenses for hospital care, including surgery, follow-up doctor’s visits, physical or emotional therapy, medications, medical devices to assist in recovery, and other items.
-
Lost WagesSevere injuries from an accident may make it impossible for you to work. Your personal injury claim can request compensation for lost wages. This includes the wages lost while you’re out of work recovering from your injuries and for missed shifts to attend follow-up doctor or rehabilitation appointments. You may be able to seek a lump sum for your future lost wages if the injury interferes with your ability to work.
-
Pain & SufferingIn addition to those out-of-pocket and easily quantifiable losses, personal injury law allows plaintiffs to seek compensation for more subjective non-economic damages. This category includes amounts for physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress. Juries in libel cases will often have to consider awarding amounts for emotional distress, as libel involves damage to someone’s reputation.
-
Property DamageRequests for compensation in personal injury lawsuits aren’t limited to bodily harm. Plaintiffs in Illinois and Indiana can also seek money if an incident damaged or destroyed a piece of personal property, such as a vehicle or house. The compensation would cover the cost of replacing or repairing that property.
-
Punitive DamagesSometimes personal injury cases involve extreme examples of negligence or recklessness — for instance, driving down a residential street at high speed. In those cases, plaintiffs may be able to ask for punitive damages to punish the defendant and send a larger message about their behavior.
Valuing the Claim: How We Can Help
One of the most important steps our personal injury attorneys will manage for you is estimating the value of your claim. This is harder than you might think, as it involves many variables, including some that are subjective.
As your attorneys, we’ll work with you to gather the proper documentation to establish an appropriate claim. Some factors involved are obvious, such as emergency and follow-up medical care costs and lost wages. In contrast, others are more subjective and based on comparisons to other cases. Those more personal items include the type of injury and how permanent it is, whether it required surgery and a lengthy recovery, how long you were out of work, and how much you would’ve earned in the future without the accident.
The location where you file the case is also a factor. The attorneys at Alvarez Law will research prior personal injury settlements and verdicts to ensure your compensation request isn’t out of a reasonable range.
What If the Accident Involves a Fatality?
If a member of your family dies due to an accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death action against the other parties in the accident. Wrongful death cases follow some of the same rules and processes as personal injury cases.
The most significant difference is with the plaintiff, who’s typically a surviving family member, such as a spouse or parent. In wrongful death cases, plaintiffs can ask a judge or jury to award damages for the additional element of “loss of consortium” for not having the victim around anymore, depriving the family member of companionship, affection, emotional support, or intimacy.
Like personal injury cases, plaintiffs can also seek compensation for the cost of the medical care of their loved one before they passed away, along with lost wages and earning potential for the family.
What You Can Expect from Us
Our personal injury law team will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery. We believe in treating our clients like family, focusing on frequent and transparent communication so you’re never left wondering what’s happening in your case.
Clients can expect a clear understanding of who the primary attorney will be on their case and whether other members of the firm will handle matters for them. We provide our clients with each attorney’s mobile phone number and maintain an open-door policy for clients and families.
The law can be confounding for some people. Our team will take the time to explain it and our strategy and give you the clearest possible understanding of case timelines and what to expect as the litigation unfolds.
What Are the Different Types of Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury law is most commonly associated with vehicle accidents in all forms, involving cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians. However, personal injuries can also occur in other types of situations, including the following. Other scenarios that may trigger the filing of a personal injury lawsuit include injuries through negligence in the workplace and nursing home abuse. Subject matter for personal injury cases can vary from state to state, depending on what laws are in place.
-
Medical MalpracticeDoctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who provide care that fails to meet professional standards may be named as defendants in personal injury lawsuits. This can happen when sub-standard care leads to errors that end with grave medical consequences.
-
Product LiabilityCompanies manufacturing defective or dangerous products that lead to injuries or death may also be subject to personal injury litigation. The types of defective products involved could be anything from canned food that causes food poisoning to defective brakes on a vehicle.
-
Dog BitesDogs can’t be held responsible in a court of law, but their owners can. If a dog bites someone and causes serious injuries, the owners may be held accountable via a personal injury lawsuit for their recklessness or negligence in failing to control the dog.
-
Criminal ActsViolent criminals have to answer for their actions in criminal court. But their victims may be able to file personal injury lawsuits to seek monetary damages for their injuries.
-
DefamationPersonal injury law also recognizes instances that involve damage to a person’s reputation, such as when someone repeats falsehoods that put an individual in a negative light. These cases result in lawsuits for libel or slander.
-
Motor Vehicle Accidents
As more vehicles take to the road each year, accidents continue to increase. The increased risk of being in an accident looms heavy over those who commute to and from work, school, and leisure activities. If you suffer personal injury as a direct result of amotor vehicle accident regardless of if you are a pedestrian, driver, or passenger, you may have the right to monetary compensation to cover financial losses and personal injuries.
Cases involving compensation from automotive insurance companies can become overwhelming, and you may settle for less than you need to cover the expenses you incur as a result of the accident. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the ins and outs of your case and get you the best possible settlement. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may want to consider seeking professional assistance.
-
Wrongful Death
A case of wrongful death is usually due to someone’s carelessness. Cases such as these can be the direct result of truck or car crashes, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, the use of dangerous or defective products, airplane accidents, or construction accidents. The loss of a loved one due to wrongful death negatively affects the family and brings hardships such as financial strain, heartbreak, and a sense of loss.
A personal injury lawyer is essential in this type of case as they can help determine the extent of damages that will need to be recovered due to the wrongful death. They can also help alleviate the overall stress of the situation by handling the legal process while the family and loved ones grieve. This may be the toug
-
Premises Liability
Accidents caused by defective or dangerous conditions on someone’s property are referred to as premises liability. These types of personal injuries can happen on personal or commercial properties. So if you are in an accident at your neighbor’s house, a gas station, grocery store, restaurant, or a retail store, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Situations covered under premises liability include falling down a staircase with missing handrails, being bitten by a dog, slipping on spilled liquids in an aisle, tripping over uneven walkways, to name a few. When dealing with commercial businesses or homeowners’ insurance, they may try to sell you short when it comes to the compensation they offer to cover your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can step in and ensure you are taken care of and given ample compensation for your troubles.
-
Workplace Accidents
A workplace accident is when a person is injured or killed on the job. When this happens, the employee may not be allowed to bring a personal injury lawsuit against their employer. If this type of accident takes place in the Chicago area or northwest Indiana, the employee or employee’s family will be required to file a claim under their localWorker’s CompensationAct. Once this action has been taken, the employer will be required to make various benefits available to the employee that has suffered a personal injury.
These benefits can include temporary total disability, medical treatment, and permanent partial disability, depending on the seriousness of the injury. Each state’s Worker’s Compensation law is different and can be tricky to navigate. You may choose to represent yourself as you work closely with your employer’s human resources when personal injury is minor. If you have sustained a significant injury, it may be best to acquire the services of a Workers’ Compensation attorney.
Personal Injury Attorneys at Alvarez Law
If you’re a victim of physical or emotional injuries through someone’s negligence, carelessness, or recklessness, contact the team at Alvarez Law for help. Our attorneys and professional staff provide aggressive representation to our clients and build trust through frequent and transparent communication.
Founded by personal injury attorney Walter J. Alvarez in 1974, our firm focuses on helping people reclaim their physical and financial health after devastating, life-changing injuries or other circumstances.
Call us or contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation. Let us help you and your family get back onto the road to recovery.
