Southern Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers

Work Injury and Workers’ Compensation

In Illinois, work injury and workers’ compensation are sometimes synonymous terms. When an Illinois employee is hurt at work the effects can impact both the individual and the family. Our attorneys are experienced in the impact a work injury can have on an employee whether it is due to a failed safeguard of the employer at work or sometimes the employee himself is at fault. In either case, you may be entitled to past and future compensation along with the costs related to the medical bills, lost wages, and pain.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death occurs when you or family member has been injured and died due to the wrongful or negligent acts of another person or entity. In wrongful death cases, it is important for the family of the deceased to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Viable and important evidence needs to be preserved to get the full and final compensation for the damages caused by the wrongful act of the third party.

In the case of a wrongful death of your family member, our team will immediately begin gathering all evidence available in order to preserve the evidence for a potential trial. Whether it’s a car accident, defective product or drug, failed surgery or other cause to the death our lawyers will fight vigorously and aggressively to ensure that you and your family receive the maximum amount of compensation you deserve and that justice is served. Call our Southern Illinois Personal Injury Attorney today!

If your loved one or a family member is killed in an accident or intentionally due to the fault of another person, professional, or company, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. Illinois Law allows the family of the deceased to prosecute and pursue claims against the responsible party. We have experience and have successfully prosecuted and recovered wrongful death damages for our clients and their families.

Our aggressive and persistent team will fight for you and you not have to deal with fees unless you receive compensation or an award. Do not wait to contact us, and immediacy is important to preserve the evidence of any claim or lawsuit. We provide free case reviews for all wrongful death cases so even if you have questions or concerns of the nature of your loved ones death do not hesitate to contact us as we will answer all death case related questions you or your family may have for free. We will only take a fee out of money we win for you and your family.

Semi and Truck Accident

Truck or semi accidents and wrecks regularly involve multiple parties and can be complicated. A proper defendant in an semi and truck accident can be the trucking companies, drivers, logistics companies, employers, and corporate manufacturers or distributors. We have experience in these cases

The causes of these truck accidents can vary from driver fatigue to distracted driving, however, these types of road accidents frequently cause the most serious injuries. Thus, the damages in these cases can be substantial in the case of a commercial truck accident. Our Southern Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys are ready to help you obtain the compensation that you deserve.

Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating for to the motorcycle driver and passenger. Motorcycle accidents are unique in that some insurance policies will not cover the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering of an accident motorcyclist or passenger. We are experienced and aggressive in these types of claims and lawsuits. Let our firm work on your behalf and get you the compensation you deserve after a motorcycle accident and guide you through the process.

Bicycle Accident

We take as our duty to hold negligent drivers responsible for the intentional or careless acts that cause bicycle accidents or injuries. A lot of times, bicycle riders are involved in hit and run incidents. If you were involved in a bicycle accident or a hit and run accident our team will immediately and vigorously investigate and fight for the compensation you deserve. Even if you are a bicyclist injured by a hit and run driver with no witnesses, call us. There may be claims and compensation you are not aware of that is due to you from other sources.

Medical Malpractice

It is usually hard to tell or not always evident when you or family member has been injured or killed due to the negligence or wrongful act of a doctor, nurse, medical professional, or hospital. When it does happen, the effects can be devastating to the individual and the family members. The Southern Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers at our firm are ready, willing and able to guide you through the extremely complex terrain of medical malpractice litigation.

If you or a loved one is the victim of negligent medical care then Illinois law provides that you have the burden of proving the care that they received was not up to the standard of care in the community. If the standard is met or the facts show that the medical care was not up to the standard of care then you or your family may be able to recover damages related to medical expenses, lost income or wages, disability, emotional damages, pain and suffering and more. These cases can be significant as they are typically life altering occurrences.

Product Liability

Have you been hurt or injured due to the design or defect of a product? If so, we have experience and success in product liability cases. “Products” or devices can take many forms that have grave consequences due to their inherent danger. Some of these products or devices include, but are not limited to, surgical implants, hospital equipment, prosthetic devices, car airbags, vehicle seatbelts, and others.

In Illinois, there are three types or legal theories of product defects that make a product unreasonably dangerous and not safe for the public: design defects, manufacturing defects, and defects in marketing or warning defects.

A design defect is a flaw that is inherent in the design of the product. A plaintiff must show that there was a reasonable alternative design that would have been safer than the original design.

A manufacturing defect is a mistake in the manufacturing or assembly of a product where the products deviates from its original or intended design.

A marketing defect occurs when a manufacturer or seller fails to warn the consumer about the possible about the possible dangers of using the product. Even if labeled, the warning can sometimes be inadequate if the consumer is not provided or informed about the products inherent dangers.

At the Smithpeters Law Firm our Southern Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers are committed to consumer safety and ready to fight for you and your family when dangerous or defective products and devices cause the harm and injury.

Premises Liability

If you visit a business or home of another then you should expect the property to be safe and well maintained. If it is not, and you are injured due to a dangerous condition of the business, parking lot, or home then you may have a claim to recover your medical expenses, lost wages and more. It is reasonable and the law in Illinois to protect those that are on the property of another from harmful defects or dangerous conditions, holes or objects that are on or about the property and structures. To successfully bring a claim for premises liability against landlords, owners, architects, contractors, or even municipalities, you must generally establish that the defendant had knowledge of the condition or defect that caused the injury.

Slip and Fall

If a home, business, or building that you have visited has failed to limit the likelihood of slips, falls, and other accidents then the owner or keeper may be liable for your injuries caused by such failure. These easily preventable accidents are one of the most common in the realm of personal injury.

Dog Bites

The Smithpeters Law Firm LLC Southern Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys represent victims in dog bite or dog attack cases throughout the Illinois area. Dog bite and attack cases can cause permanent damage, injury, scarring, and even death. Most dog bite attacks occur at a friend or family members home, however, the victim should remember that the home insurance carrier typically pays for the verdict or settlement amounts as opposed to payment from the dog owner directly. In either event, it wise to contact our law firm to and speak to our lawyers concerning your options and how the insurance company will evaluate your claim.

Employment Law

The Smithpeters Law Firm LLC has been on both sides of the courtroom in employment law, employee and employer. We have experience representing the employer, and also have a multitude of knowledge in representing the employee. If you are an employee with a wrongful termination, FMLA, contract, workers compensation or other legal issue, we will evaluate your case or claim today. If you are an employer in need of wrongful termination, FMLA, contract, workers compensation or other legal issue advice or representation, we would be happy to evaluate your case today.

Retaliatory Discharge

Wrongful termination or retaliatory discharge occurs when the employer fires or discharges the employee for refusing to commit an unlawful act or for performing some act that is protected by law or public policy. If you have been fires from your employment for a protected reason or if you are not sure then contact us today. We will immediately investigate and evaluate your claim.

Municipal and Public Entity Law

If your municipality, municipal authority, public agency or public entity is in need of ongoing or limited legal representation call today. Our attorneys have experience in representing municipal and local authorities including but not limited to municipalities, part districts, libraries, boards of police and fire commissioners, and other public bodies.

Bank Foreclosures and Collections

We represent banks, credit unions, commercial finance companies, and other types of first and second mortgages to develop the appropriate strategy to quickly and efficiently maximize the recovery. From the filing of the Complaint through the sale or to bankruptcy court, our lawyer’s will diligently and aggressively fight for your recovery.

Other Areas Include Real Estate, Business, Family Law, Adoption, Criminal Law and More

Our law firm and lawyers offer multiple other legal services and representation other than personal injury. We represent buyers and sellers of real estate and land transactions along evictions and landlord tenant rights. If you are in need of estate planning, will, or probate we can help. We are experienced in business formation and business litigation. We also represent individuals or families in other areas such as adoption, family law, divorce, criminal and DUI.

Accidents and injuries will have a lasting impact on your health and financial welfare. It is extremely important to speak with an experience attorney immediately after an accident to decide what your best option may be. If you have questions about your case or are ready to move forward with a case, begin the process today by contacting our Southern Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers at the Smithpeters Law Firm LLC for a free injury consultation with our attorney.

The Smithpeters Law Firm LLC helps individuals and families with personal injury and medical malpractice cases across Illinois in such cities as: Harrisburg, Marion, Carbondale and Mt. Vernon. Many of our cases involve car accidents, defective products and truck accidents occurring in: Mt. Vernon, Benton, Jonesboro, and Herrin Illinois. Our Southern Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys regularly litigate injury cases in the following counties: Saline, Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin. Our attorneys also service: Union, Jefferson, Hamilton, Pope, Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson and White Counties.