Were you or your child injured because of negligence at a university in Chicago, Illinois? Contact Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation at (312) 726-1616. Our Chicago university negligence lawyers can help you take legal action and file a claim that fully compensates you.
A consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss what happened, ask questions, and better understand your legal rights. You can learn whether negligence may have played a role, what a potential claim could involve, and what next steps may be available based on the details of your situation.
Why Hire Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys After a University Accident in Chicago, IL?
Cases involving university liability are complicated and can be difficult to win. You’ll need an experienced firm on your side, like Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, to level the playing field and help you make things right.
Here’s why clients in Chicago, IL, choose us when they need help:
- Our award-winning personal injury law firm has decades of combined experience representing accident victims.
- We’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients through settlements and verdicts. We know what it takes to hold powerful institutions liable in accident cases.
- We’re committed to helping victims of institutional negligence secure the compensation they need to move forward.
Universities have vast resources, but so do we. Contact our Chicago personal injury attorneys today for a free case review.
What Is University Negligence?
“University negligence” occurs when a college or university fails to uphold its duty of care to students, staff, and visitors, resulting in harm. Under Illinois law, property owners and administrators have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises and protect against foreseeable risks.
When these obligations are violated, the university can be held legally responsible for resulting injuries. Our personal injury attorneys can help determine whether your school’s conduct meets the legal definition of negligence and what kind of claim you can file.
Types of University Negligence Cases We Handle in Chicago, Illinois
At Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys, our lawyers represent clients in a wide range of negligence cases involving Chicago-area universities. This includes all public, private, and for-profit institutions.
We frequently handle cases involving:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Car accidents and other motor vehicle crashes
- Negligent security claims
- Dormitory accidents
- Sports and athletic injuries
- Hazing injuries
- Premises liability claims
- Medical malpractice
- Negligent hiring
- Failure to address harassment
Each of these cases requires a different approach depending on the facts. Our legal team will investigate thoroughly and identify the most effective legal strategy for your unique situation. Ultimately, we’ll aim to maximize the value of your claim as much as we can under state law.
Who Can Be Held Liable for University Negligence in Illinois?
Determining liability in university negligence cases can be complicated. Universities often outsource certain services and have layered ownership structures that make it difficult.
Depending on the nature of your claim, the following parties may be held responsible:
- The university or college itself
- Maintenance companies and contractors
- Security firms
- University employees
- Student organizations
- Healthcare providers
Illinois law allows multiple defendants to share liability for your injuries, meaning you may be entitled to compensation from more than one party. Our lawyers will carefully trace the chain of responsibility to help make your claim as comprehensive as possible.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Chicago University Negligence Case?
Victims of university negligence in Chicago may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. These are referred to as “compensatory damages.” A few examples of economic damages you might be able to recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
You may also be able to recover for your non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
Our personal injury lawyers can help you document every loss and pursue the full value of what you’re owed. In extremely rare cases, you might also be able to recover punitive damages.
However, it depends in part on who the at-fault party is, and your case must also generally reach the trial stage.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a University Personal Injury Case?
To win a university negligence lawsuit in Illinois, your attorney must prove four key elements. These must be proven “by a preponderance of the evidence,” which is about a 51% or higher likelihood:
- Duty of care: The university owed you a legal duty to act reasonably and keep you safe
- Breach: The university or its employees failed to uphold that duty
- Causation: This breach directly caused your injuries
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm as a result
Evidence is critical to proving each of these elements. If you hire us, we’ll work hard to gather all of the available proof on your behalf. We can also consult with expert witnesses to strengthen your claim and show the full extent of the university’s carelessness.
We’ll Fight for Compensation Based on All of Your University Negligence Injuries
Negligence on a university campus can lead to severe, sometimes permanent harm. Victims may suffer a wide range of physical and emotional injuries depending on the circumstances.
Our legal team can handle university negligence cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Electrical injuries
- Crush injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing loss
- Lacerations and deep cuts
- Contusions and bruising
- Amputations
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- The wrongful death of a loved one
No matter the exact kind of harm you’ve suffered, our Chicago university negligence lawyers will work to pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of your losses. We also encourage you to contact us for assistance, even if you don’t see your injury mentioned above.
How Much Is My Chicago University Negligence Case Worth?
Every university negligence case in Chicago is unique. While no lawyer can promise a specific outcome, several factors help determine what your case may be worth, including:
- The cost of your medical care and rehabilitation
- Whether your injuries will prevent you from working or studying
- The pain and suffering you’ve experienced
- Any permanent disabilities you may have suffered
- Insurance policy terms and limits
- The conduct of the university and its staff
Generally speaking, the cases that involve the most serious injuries are also worth the most amount of money. However, that can be outweighed by other considerations in some circumstances.
We can fill you in more specifically on your particular case during your free consultation.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a University Negligence Lawyer in Chicago?
We understand that most people can’t afford to pay legal fees up front after a serious injury. That’s why our Chicago personal injury lawyers handle university negligence cases on a contingency fee basis.
This means you will pay nothing up front to hire us. You also won’t pay any retainer fees or by the hour. From there, we only get paid if we recover compensation for you, either through a jury verdict or a settlement agreement.
We can explain exactly how our contingency fee agreement works during your free case evaluation so that there are no surprises. You can rest assured that your case will get the attention it deserves from a team that only wins when you do.
How Long Do I Have To File a University Negligence Lawsuit in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. This is known as the statute of limitations. If your case involves a public university, however, you may have to file your claim in the Illinois Court of Claims, and the deadlines can differ.
In any event, missing the applicable time limit for your case can prevent you from recovering compensation altogether. Also, since these cases often require detailed investigation, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
The earlier you contact us for legal help, the more successful your case can be.
Contact Our Chicago University Negligence Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one were injured because of negligence at a Chicago, Illinois, university, Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys is ready to fight for you. We have the resources and courtroom experience to hold powerful institutions fully liable for the harm they cause.
Contact our Chicago university negligence lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ve recovered over $100 million for our deserving clients and will do everything we can to help you secure winning results as well.
