New laws take effect on a regular basis, but a majority are introduced at the beginning of the year. On January 1, 2019, more than 200 laws were put into place in Illinois. Many of the changes were in relation to gun control, public safety, health care, and education. As a citizen and resident of Illinois, it’s important to be aware of any law changes that could affect you. We’ll discuss a small number of the new laws below.

The majority of long term care facilities in the United States are understaffed. Neglected residents are likely to experience malnutrition, incontinence, injuries, and preventable hospitalizations. In addition to the physical consequences, they could also suffer from emotional trauma in the shape of loneliness, fear, lack of social relationships, and loss of dignity. Nursing assistants are also at an increased risk of injury when there is too few staff to care for a high number of residents.

Nursing home residents who require skilled care need at least 4.1 hours of care per day. At least 1.2 hours of that time needs to come from a licensed or registered nurse. This is the minimum amount of care to prevent problems like pressure ulcers, dehydration, and losing the ability to carry out daily tasks like dressing and eating. If a facility does not have enough staff to meet those needs, residents will suffer.

Nursing homes can decide for themselves how may certified nursing assistants and nurses they need. Federal regulations only require “sufficient” staffing. The vague wording means negligent facilities can work the system to increase their profits by decreasing their staffing numbers.

In Illinois, the state laws also declare that staffing needs to be sufficient based on the needs of the residents. They do, however, require licensed staff and direct care staff to be working for certain amounts of time. A minimum of 25 percent of nursing and personal care time must be provided by a licensed nurse. At least 10 percent of that time needs to involve a registered nurse. The remaining 75 percent of care can come from either a licensed or registered nurse.

If you’re in the process of choosing a nursing home for your loved one, you’ll want to ensure the facility is properly staffed. It can be challenging, but not impossible, to find a facility that is. The following causes, however, are the biggest contributors to the understaffing issue.

After denying liability for over 4.5 years, the Heartland Regional Medical Center admitted fault for causing the death of Lowell Williamson in August 2013. On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, the family of Mr. Williamson was awarded $8.5 million in damages. This is believed to be the highest personal injury verdict in Williamson County, Illinois.

When one is on the road, it’s typical to see other cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Of those three, motorcyclists tend to have a reputation for danger. While the stereotype isn’t fair, motorcycle wrecks do tend to be more severe because of the lack of protection. Riders are more susceptible to dangerous injuries. If these injuries were caused by someone else, then they need representation who will fight for their rights. Prince Law Firm in Illinois can help those who were wrongfully injured with a motorcycle accident claim.

We understand the precarious situation that a motorcycle wreck can lead to. Because the injuries are more likely to be severe, you will need reliable attorneys who will fight for the compensation you deserve. Your medical bills could be high and you will probably have to miss work because of the accident. We’re here to look at  what happened to you, show that the guilty party is responsible for your injuries, and fight for you to get a settlement that will cover what the accident cost you in damages.

When driving to a destination, responsible drivers are always aware of their surroundings and evaluating the conditions of the road. Impaired drivers, whether under the influence of drugs or alcohol, on the other hand, are often unaware of what’s happening around them and have a higher chance of putting others at significant risk for harm by causing a car accident. In order to protect yourself from intoxicated drivers, it’s crucial to understand how substances affect the brain and be able to recognize the telltale signs of impairment.

How Drugs and Alcohol Affect the Brain

While the signs of impairment are often similar if a driver is on drugs or has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol, the ways in which these substances affect the brain differs. The type of drug or the amount of alcohol can worsen impairment symptoms. Understanding how the brain is affected may discourage drivers from operating their vehicles under the influence.

Drugs interfere with the way neurons process, send, and receive signals. While some drugs like heroin or marijuana activate neurons because of their chemical structures and send abnormal messages to the brain, others like cocaine or amphetamine, can interfere with the communication between neurons. In general, the central nervous system and autonomic functions like respiration, blood pressure, and body temperature are impacted.

It can be harrowing to know you have a medical issue. But when you go to the doctor, you know that you’re taking a step in the right direction. However, medical errors do occur and unfortunately can severely hurt patients. Mistakes can happen when pharmacists, nurses, or surgeons are negligent. There are also instances where hospitals make administrative errors that could give medical professionals incorrect or incomplete medical information that could lead to an error that harms patients.

You can make a medical malpractice claim with the help of Prince Law Firm in Illinois. A misdiagnosis can lead to expensive injuries and damages that could need further treatment and possibly keep you out of work for an indeterminate amount of time. You deserve compensation for what you’ve been through that will help cover the costs of your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Citizens in Illinois deserve to know that their rights will be protected if they’re wrongfully injured. Our experienced lawyers are well-versed in medical negligence law and know what it takes to get you the compensation you need. While these cases are complex, we’re ready to put in the work needed to prove that you were a victim.

While we like to think that dogs are friendly all the time, dog bite laws exist for a reason. Every state has different laws, which is why it’s important to be aware of the laws that are specific to your state. Whether you own a dog or not, everyone can benefit from understanding the laws regarding animal attacks.

A dog bite can result in serious physical and psychological consequences. The most severe bites could require surgery or amputation. A person is also likely to suffer from the mental trauma associated with animal attacks. Our attorneys represent victims who have been attacked by negligent owners’ animals. If you reside in Illinois, all dog bite laws can be found within the Animal Control Act.

Many people enjoy riding motorcycles. For some, it’s their preferred mode of transportation. Other people ride motorcycles as a hobby. The unique sense of independence and experience of a bike is much different than a car. Motorcycles are easier to maneuver and are generally more agile. But motorcyclists are considerably more exposed to danger than other motor vehicle operators. Accidents involving a motorcyclist can often cause serious trauma or death. Those who have been injured can get help from Prince Law Firm.

When you need serious attentive medical care, you’re probably facing a long road to recovery, and may be worrying about how you’re going to afford your expenses and when you’re going back to work. With our help, your settlement will help you afford these costs so you can recover in peace.

When you visit a place of business, you’re likely going with a goal in mind to attend an event, make a specific purchase, or simply browse. Regardless of the goal for your trip, you’re probably not thinking about the possibility of a slip-and-fall accident; however, this type of accident is much more common than you may think.

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls account for over eight million emergency room visits every single year. Many of these individuals sustain injuries like broken bones and severe contusions.

Many slip-and-fall accidents that occur in businesses are a result of employees neglecting protocols or negligent property owners. In the event you are the victim of a slip-and-fall accident, you have the right to hold that negligent party accountable for what could have been a preventable hazard.

Let’s take a look at where slip-and-fall accidents happen, why they happen, and the individuals who are most susceptible to falling.

When you unexpectedly lose a loved one, the process can be overwhelming. While you’re trying to go through the grieving process, you’re also adjusting to the new reality. If you depended on your loved one financially or for support in the house, this adjustment can feel impossible, especially if your loved one died because of an accident. In these situations, you can seek legal options. An Illinois wrongful death lawyer from Prince Law Firm can get your loved one the justice they deserve and help you get fair compensation.