Decatur, IL Personal Injury Lawyer

Were you severely injured in an accident, or did you lose a loved one in a wrongful death caused by another's negligence? At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, the personal injury attorneys can ensure your rights are protected as we seek financial compensation on your behalf.

Call us at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or through the contact form today to schedule a free consultation. All information you share with your personal injury lawyer remains confidential through an attorney-client relationship.

Decatur's Storied History

Decatur, in central Illinois, is just east of Springfield off Interstate 72 and is the county seat of Macon County.

The city sits on the edge of Lake Decatur and is the largest municipality in Macon County, with just over 75,000 people. This quiet community has graced Illinois for over 180 years. It was founded in 1829 and still thrives today.

City Motto 'Decatur, We Like It Here'

Decatur has changed its theme over the years. The area was once unofficially known as the 'Soybean Capital of the World.' However, even though this old motto still sticks, city officials now want the area to be known as likable, claiming 'Decatur, We Like It Here' as their official motto.

The motto is appropriate. According to AreaVibes.com, the area is likable and livable. In their scoring, the website gave the city an A+ for affordability and a B+ in amenities.

Notable Part of Illinois' History

Honest Abe and the famous Chicago Bears have all spent some time in the city. The former president, Abraham Lincoln, moved to the area just west of Decatur in 1830, later moving to Springfield. However, even though he had moved west, his nomination for president by the Republican Party was announced at the convention held in Decatur in 1860.

The city was mentioned in the recently released film Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter as the president's home and place of 'vampire hunting.' Sixty years after Lincoln's nomination, a football team called the Decatur Staleys played at the local Staley Field. It would go on to become the renowned Chicago Bears, Monsters of the Midway.

Defining Personal Injury

Personal injury is part of civil 'tort' law when the victim suffers an injury, damage, or fatality caused by another's negligence. Personal injury can include physical, mental, psychological, emotional, or financial damage.

Personal injury victims have the right to file a civil lawsuit in their local jurisdiction to ensure a legal remedy to recover their damages that stem from an accident, incident, or exposure. The personal injury system helps make the victim 'whole' through financial compensation when another's negligence or intentional conduct causes harm.

The Foundation of Personal Injury

Civil tort law remedies are available for any victim faced with any situation that causes a personal injury, property damage, or fatality. The foundation of personal injury law includes:

Accidents - Most personal injury cases involve victims harmed in accidents, incidents, or exposure to dangerous substances and materials. Common examples of accidents include car crashes, slip and fall cases, medical malpractice, dangerous workplaces, and nursing home negligence.
Intentional actions - The victim may be harmed through assault, battery, abuse, or another intentional tort.
Defective products - Any consumer harmed by a defective product could take civil action through a product liability lawsuit against a designer, manufacturer, or distributor of a malfunctioning vehicle component, defective medical device, poisonous food, dangerous toy, or deadly pharmaceutical.
Defamation - Any person who makes a defamatory statement against another could face a civil lawsuit based on defamation tort law.

Victims can handle simple civil cases without legal representation when the accident or incident does not involve severe injuries, extensive property damage, or death. However, any misstep through the civil process could complicate the claim and make the outcome less predictable.

Alternatively, personal injury lawyers can protect the victim's rights, review medical records, assess evidence, and build a strong case for maximum compensation.

Common Personal Injury Cases

Typically, an injured party harmed by another's negligence or intentional act will file a claim against the responsible party's insurance company. The cases are typically turned over to a claims adjuster or attorneys that fight on behalf of the insurer and policyholder.

Usually, the claims adjuster will make a nearly immediate settlement offer to resolve the case. However, injury victims might not yet be aware of the extent of their injuries and damages until weeks or months after the accident, when they've had a comprehensive diagnosis of their health and well-being.

In many cases, an injured party must hire a personal injury attorney to represent their side, arguing and negotiating with the insurance company or their attorneys for maximum compensation.

Our personal injury lawyers provide legal services to our clients in various practice areas, including:

Bicycle Accident
Medical Malpractice
Motorcycle Accident
Nursing Home Abuse
Truck Accident
Workers' Compensation
Wrongful Death

Have you or a loved one suffered an injury involving any situation, including those listed above? If so, we invite you to contact our personal injury law firm for a free case review.

Any family member who lost a loved one through a wrongful death caused by another's negligent actions can file a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking compensation, including funeral and burial costs. Typically, qualified family members who can file a suit include the decedent's spouse, parents, grandparents, and children.

Discuss your personal injury case with a lawyer who has extensive experience protecting your best interests concerning your legal problems. For legal help, contact our law office today and begin the legal process of a personal injury claim towards your injury recovery.

Living and Working in Central Illinois

The manufacturing and service industries provide opportunities for those living and working in central Illinois today. Although the manufacturing aspect has declined, especially with the closing of the Firestone tire plant, there are still several companies that employ workers.

The city continues to grow its service industry and hosts a professional golf tournament each year. Two hospitals in the community provide health and emergency care of residents and outlying areas.

St. Mary's Hospital
1800 E. Lakeshore Dr.
Decatur, Illinois
(217) 464-2966

Decatur Memorial Hospital
2300 N. Edward Street
Decatur, Illinois
(217) 876-8121

The Decatur, Illinois website offers local information on events and services. The city hall is located at:

Decatur City Hall
1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza
Decatur, Illinois
(217) 424-2700

Many disputes centered in central Illinois are resolved at:

Macon County Court
253 East Wood Street
Decatur, Illinois 62523
Phone: 217-425-7098
Fax: 217-425-9292
Website: http://www.cclerk.co.macon.il.us/Home.aspx

Decatur, Illinois, is a beautiful place to visit and live with thirty miles of lakeshore and thousands of acres in parks and other outdoor entertainment.

Our Decatur personal injury attorneys are committed to providing zealous representation to people injured in accidents and illnesses caused by another's negligent actions.

With a law practice exclusively devoted to representing the injured, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC thoroughly evaluates each case on an individualized basis to maximize the value of each claim, based on Illinois laws.

Click here for more information on paying your medical bills, property owner damage, brain injuries, and ongoing medical expenses. Contact us if you were involved in a motorcycle accident, bicycle crash, or commercial truck collision.

Residents can count on our associate lawyers when legal advice or representation is needed in their personal or work injury case. We are in Chicago, but our lawyers will come to you in central Illinois to provide legal advice if necessary.

Decatur, IL Personal Injury Lawyers FAQs

Our personal injury lawyers know that many families have unanswered questions about handling a compensation case and dealing directly with insurance companies when filing a claim. Decatur personal injury attorneys have answered some of those questions below.

Call our Decatur law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or through the contact form today for more information or to schedule a case evaluation.

What is a personal injury claim?

People who have been injured through another's negligent or intentional act have the legal right to seek financial compensation to recover their damages. Typically, the first step requires filing a personal injury claim with an insurance carrier representing the parties at fault for causing harm.

Usually, the insurer will hire a claims adjuster or attorneys to represent their side when making a settlement offer to resolve the case out of court. The injured party can seek financial recovery that pays for their medical bills, hospital costs, therapy & rehab expenses, lost wages, future lost earnings, pain, and suffering.

Must I hire a personal injury lawyer to handle my case?

Many people involved in a simple fender bender will handle their claims without a professional attorney providing legal services. However, in complex cases with extensive property damage, severe injury, or fatality, hiring personal injury lawyers can be wise.

Attorneys working on your behalf can ensure that claims are filed against every potential defendant that might be responsible for causing the damages. In truck and car accidents, defendants could include the trucker, trucking company, truck manufacturer, etc.

In medical malpractice cases, potential defendants could include the doctor, nurse, health care professional, hospital, medical center, pharmaceutical company, or medical device manufacturer.

What is a civil law contingency fee agreement?

Nearly all reputable personal injury lawyers accept cases on contingency, meaning the injured individual (plaintiff) will pay legal fees only if their attorney wins their case through a negotiated settlement or jury trial verdict.

This agreement makes hiring an attorney more affordable for families that cannot pay for legal services by the hour. The arrangement provides the personal injury lawyer an incentive to maximize the compensation they obtain on behalf of their client.

Can I receive a larger settlement by using personal injury lawyers?

In 1999, the Insurance Research Council released a study showing that average injured individuals represented by personal injury lawyers receive settlements 3.5 times larger than those who handle their case on their own.

Sometimes, a lawyer is necessary when the responsible parties refuse to accept responsibility, like a pet owner who refuses to acknowledge they are at fault for a dog bite or a hit-and-run crash where the perpetrator leaves the accident scene.

How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim?

People can settle their personal injury claim quickly as soon as the insurance carrier or claims adjuster makes a settlement offer. However, quick settlements typically pay significantly less money than the actual value of the individual's claim.

Cases represented by personal injury attorneys might have a longer timeline, dragging out the settlement or trial date due to various reasons, including:

The lawsuit has factual issues or problematic evidence
The lawsuit involves a substantial amount of compensation
The injured individual (plaintiff) has not yet reached their point of maximum medical improvement

Lengthy personal injury lawsuits usually involve people with severe injuries, including temporary and permanent disabilities caused by the incident or accident. The plaintiff may require additional surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation, or needs assisted devices as their injuries get better, stay the same, or get worse.

Hire an Injury Lawyer in Macon County, Illinois

When an injury occurs in an auto accident or on the job in central Illinois, the injured person understandably has questions about their condition and economic hardships. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC appreciates the concerns of injured people and is prepared to answer any questions you may have about the legal process surrounding your circumstance.

Call our injury accident lawyers (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) to discuss your situation without cost or obligation to proceed with the case. We will take the time to answer your questions. If you elect to retain our personal injury law firm, we will always be available to answer your questions throughout your case or lawsuit.

We work on a contingency fee arrangement, so there are no upfront attorney fees to open and handle your case. Call us any time, night or day, for a free consultation, and we can confidentially discuss your case.

With our years of experience dealing with the defendant's insurance carrier, we can work on your behalf to ensure you receive compensation for your hospitalization costs, medical expenses, and non-economic damages.

Our Decatur personal injury lawyers provide legal services in various practice areas, including car accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, defective medications, premises liability, and wrongful death.

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★★★★★

Jonathan Rosenfeld was professionally objective, timely, and knowledgeable. Also, his advice was extremely effective regarding my case. In addition, Jonathan was understanding and patient pertaining to any of my questions or concerns. I was very happy with the end result and I highly recommend Jonathan Rosenfeld. Michonne Proulx

Extremely impressed with this law firm. They took control of a bad motorcycle crash that left my uncle seriously injured. Without any guarantee of a financial recovery, they went out and hired accident investigators and engineers to help prove how the accident happened. I am grateful that they worked on a contingency fee basis as there was no way we could have paid for these services on our own. Ethan Armstrong

This lawyer really helped me get compensation for my motorcycle accident case. I know there is no way that I could have gotten anywhere near the amount that Mr. Rosenfeld was able to get to settle my case. Thank you. Daniel Kaim

Jonathan helped my family heal and get compensation after our child was suffered a life threatening injury at daycare. He was sympathetic and in constant contact with us letting us know all he knew every step of the way. We were so blessed to find Jonathan! Giulia

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa

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