Chicago Handicapped Transport & Medicar Accident Lawyer

Many handicapped people are reliant upon publicly and privately operated medical transportation companies to take them to and from doctor’s appointments and social functions. It is the responsibility of the drivers and transport companies to assure that these particularly vulnerable people safely reach their destination. When disabled patients are injured while on a medical transportation bus or van, they are entitled to compensation for their injuries from the operator. 

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is committed to securing the most favorable compensation for our clients injured in Chicago handicapped transportation accidents. Our law office has represented handicapped and disabled people in various types of incidents involving: driver negligence, loading/unloading errors, improper restraint and driver physical abuse. Contact our office today for a free review of your situation and an explanation of how Illinois law applies to your set of facts.

Fragile patrons, the need for handicapped transportation companies to take precautions

In particular, medical transport drivers need to take the necessary precautions to accommodate their passengers’ disabilities and medical needs. Despite the medical transportation companies’ responsibilities, we frequently encounter the following types of incidents that frequently give rise to severe injuries to or death of passengers:

• Unsecured wheelchairs that allow the patient to fall during a sudden stop,
• Patients left in a van during extreme heat or cold,
• Improperly used chairlifts,
• Failing to use brakes on wheelchairs,
• Patients dropped from wheelchairs or stretchers during loading or unloading,
• Companies negligently hiring drivers with violent backgrounds.

In Illinois, transportation companies are held to what is called “a high standard of care” or “high degree of care.” These can include private medical transport, buses, trains and even school buses. This means they are held to a higher standard than just “ordinary care” and are expected to take more precautions to ensure the safety of their passengers, especially with disabled and medically debilitated persons.

Multiple Entities May Be To Blame For An Injury To A Disabled Person

In the case of a medical transport accident involving a handicapped person, it may be necessary to do a complete investigation to determine the parties that are possibly liable for the crash. For example, if a child in a wheelchair is injured while being transported to school, there may be more than one party responsible for causing the accident. According to the National Registry Of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers, the most common entities sued for negligence or liability in this circumstance include:

• The school district
• The transportation company
• The transport driver
• Manufacturers of defective products, i.e. defective wheelchair

Due to the complexity of resolving a complicated accident case, hiring an experienced attorney to investigate all possible entities that may be responsible for an injury during medical transport is a wise decision. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC has a team of experts that can look at all possible angles of the case and determine who is at fault for the accident, whether it is one entity or several that have some portion of liability in the compensation claim.

Medical care for injuries involving disabled passengers during medical transportation

Although many of these injuries may appear relatively minor at first glimpse, they can frequently evolve into a more serious situation, given the fact that many of these patients are frail and in already weakened states. The liable entities such as the transport companies and their insurance carriers will have a legal team to protect their interests. It is vital for victims of serious accidents to have legal representation on their side who will take the time to prove that the injuries were sustained or made worse by the crash. This can take extensive research into the victims existing medical condition and expert testimony that the accident caused further medical issues.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC remains committed to representing the most susceptible members of society in personal injury and wrongful death matters. If you or a loved one suffered an injury during medical transport in Chicago or other towns throughout the State of Illinois, we would honor the opportunity to speak with you and begin an investigation into the incident for you. Our legal consultations are always free of charge with no obligation, so there is nothing to lose by discussing your case with us.