Like most states, Illinois has fault-based injury laws that hold a negligent or wrongful party financially accountable for the harm they caused to someone else, or the “damages,” in a personal injury claim. Damages in most personal injury claims cover common, injury-related losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering….
Injuries happen in an instant, but they sometimes leave long-term consequences. In the worst cases, the injury is permanent, with lifelong adverse effects on the rest of the injury victim’s life. While a typical personal injury claim against the responsible party brings compensation for economic and non-economic damages, a catastrophic injury claim for permanent harm…
A catastrophic injury comes out of nowhere, but the effects feel like they are everywhere for the rest of the injury victim’s life, impacting all aspects of their daily living, their family, and their relationships. Although no legal process can erase a serious injury or undo the trauma of the event, an experienced catastrophic injury…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brian LaCien Honored as “Lawyer of the Year” for Aviation Law in Chicago CHICAGO, IL – August 20, 2026 – Smith LaCien, LLP, a leading personal injury law firm in Chicago, is proud to announce that six of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers®, including one…
The spinal cord is the critical messaging system between the brain and body, sending signals to control bodily movement and receiving sensation messages back. When the spinal cord sustains damage, it disrupts the brain’s ability to send and receive messages below the point of the injury. Unfortunately, car accidents are one of the most common…
Slip-and-fall accidents are among the most common causes of back and neck injuries. What happens in an instant and seems like a simple fall actually involves being thrown off-balance, followed by the overextension of muscles and bones during the fall, and then blunt-force trauma on impact with the ground or floor. One of the worst…
Smith LaCien LLP is proud to announce that five of our attorneys have been recognized on the prestigious 2027 Illinois Super Lawyers®list. Congratulations to Carla A. Colaianni, Brian LaCien, Todd A. Smith, Allyson C. Cox and Andrew W. Mason on this well-deserved recognition. We are proud of the exceptional advocacy, dedication and commitment these attorneys bring to their clients and…
Even a mild, fully recoverable injury can quickly become expensive when a large emergency room bill arrives at the same time that you’ve missed a week of work, but what about a catastrophic injury with permanent, life-altering effects? While the negligent party’s appropriate insurer pays on claims when their policyholder is proven liable for the…
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