Lake County, Illinois Legal Blog

Understanding the attractive nuisance doctrine

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in personal injury on Monday, June 17, 2019.

As the heat of the summer months set upon us in Waukegan, you know that it is only a matter of time before the kids start clambering to get out and go swimming. Whether your local swimming destination is a neighbor's backyard or a community complex, you concern over your children's safety is the same. You understand that they are often naive to the dangers a pool can pose. Many have come to us here at Soffietti, Johnson, Teegan, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD after having gone through the turmoil of experiencing a child's drowning or swimming injury and wondering whether any legal recourse might be available to them.

If you have been forced to endure the same scenario, then you will be happy to know that you may indeed be able to seek compensation under the attractive nuisance doctrine. Per the Cornell Law School, the attractive nuisance doctrine assigns liability to property owners whose land contain artificial attractions that (despite being dangerous) can be appealing to young children. This legal principle was initiall referred to as "the turntable doctrine" in that its first applications were in cases where kids were playing on railroad turntables. However, recent years have seen swimming pool accidents become one of the primary areas in which the attractive nuisance doctrine is employed.

Planning your divorce can help protect your business

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

When business owners get divorced, their spouses often have a valid claim to a portion of the business's value as a part of their divorce settlement. If an owner doesn't approach the divorce process with clear priorities and careful planning, they may lose their business entirely, which is rarely a good outcome.

It comes as a surprise to many people that business's qualify as personal property, just like a vehicle or a family home, although businesses are much more complex and difficult to value. If you are a business owner with divorce in your future, now is the time to begin building a divorce strategy to help ensure that you protect your priorities and land on your feet once the dust settles.

Types of workers' compensation benefits

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in workers' compensation on Monday, May 27, 2019.

If you are like most people in Illinois, you do not go to work every day expecting to get hurt. However, a job-related accident and resulting injury can happen at any time, in any type of industry or job. When these events do occur, it is important that you know what type of benefits may be available to you and your family.

As explained by the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, there are multiple types of financial benefits available to you via the workers' compensation program. If you die due to a workplace incident, your surviving spouse and children may be eligible for survivors' benefits. If you live but your injury prevents you from working for some period of time, you may receive financial compensation.

Prepare for your divorce by listing assets

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in divorce on Sunday, May 19, 2019.

Most people who get married in Illinois do not plan to divorce. Couples set up their home, travel, collect art, open joint bank accounts and move forward in the next phase of life. However, if the writing is on the wall and divorce seems imminent, you can prepare for a smooth separation and protect your assets. At Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD, we often assist clients with family law matters, including prenuptial agreements, divorce and child custody.

According to Worthy, Inc., when it comes time to divide the assets, the court considers which are marital property and which are separate. Begin preparing by examining current assets that may include the following:

Checking and savings accounts
Retirement accounts such as IRAs, pensions and 401(k)s
Home, vacation and rental properties
Vehicles
Jewelry and art
Family practices and businesses

Family of man killed in cell phone robbery recovers nearly $800K

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in personal injury on Friday, May 17, 2019.

In 2017, Trinidad Javier Bueno Sanchez of North Chicago hoped to buy one of his daughters a dress for her school prom. With a large family to care for, money was tight. But, he had an idea. He placed an ad on "Offer Up," a social media app where users can buy and sell items, to sell his Apple iPhone for $450.

Someone responded to the ad and arranged to meet Bueno Sanchez at the local Meijer grocery store to make the exchange. Neither Bueno Sanchez nor his family could have predicted what happened next.

Motorcycle accident injuries and permanent immobility

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in personal injury on Friday, April 26, 2019.

Traffic crashes of any kind can be perilous, and victims may suffer in countless ways after the collision. This is especially true for motorcyclists, who may be ejected from their motorcycle or hit at high speeds by much larger vehicles. If you were recently involved in a motorcycle wreck, you may be dealing with a multitude of challenges from a mental, physical and financial point of view. Depending on the injuries you sustained in the wreck, it may take months for you to recover. Or, you may struggle with physical hardships that will last for the rest of your life, such as permanent immobility.

When a motorcyclist is permanently disabled following a crash, they may encounter a number of hurdles as they try to recover and live the rest of their life. They may not be able to work any longer, and they may have significant medical expenses and costs related to physical therapy. They may have to stop participating in activities that they have enjoyed for many years, such as surfing, golfing, bodybuilding or even going for walks. The physical and emotional toll of a permanent disability can be significant, and we believe that motorcyclists in this position deserve justice.

Rude awakening for some IL boaters during spring and summer

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in traffic offenses and dui on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

For legions of Illinois residents who annually endure some of the nation’s harshest winter weather, it’s akin to sheer elation getting out on the water when warm weather sets in.

Illinois is eminently accommodating in that regard, especially Lake County and the northeastern portion of the state in general. Lake Michigan beckons, of course, but so too do countless other waterways. In fact, the vaunted Chain O’ Lakes alone is a virtual water wonderland for scores of thousands of individuals and families bent on boating and relaxation each spring and summer.

Workers’ compensation: An overview

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

Life comes with unavoidable risks. Every day we face potential injury doing even the simplest things. Crossing the street, riding the bus, even cooking can be a risk. But if you’re injured at work, there are laws designed to protect your livelihood and minimize risk.

When a car crash results in catastrophic burns

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in personal injury on Saturday, April 20, 2019.

At Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta, & Bawcum, Ltd., in Illinois, many of our clients have suffered grievous injuries as the result of motor vehicle crashes. Consequently, we know that one of the most catastrophic injuries you can suffer in a car crash is that of extensive burns. Burns can put you in the hospital for months as you undergo painful debridement and skin grafts to minimize the disfiguring scarring that burns usually cause. In fact, serious burns can leave you disfigured for life.

The American Burn Association reports that you can receive the following four distinct types of burns in a fiery car crash:

Scald burns resulting from your body coming into contact with a hot liquid such as gasoline or even spilled coffee
Chemical burns resulting from your body coming into contact with a caustic or corrosive substance such as transmission fluid, antifreeze, etc.
Thermal burns resulting from your body coming into contact with the flames of the fire itself or with one of the interior surfaces of your vehicle that has become hot enough to burn you
Electrical burns resulting from your body coming into contact with a live electrical wire, be it in your car or hanging from a downed power line

Options when your spouse wants to keep the house

On behalf of Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta & Bawcum, LTD posted in divorce on Sunday, March 31, 2019.

For divorcing couples in Illinois, the process of splitting up their marital assets and debts can be quite complicated. Many couples find that their family home is not only their single most valuable asset but it is also one that elicits a lot of emotion due to the memories attached to it. It is not uncommon for one spouse, often the wife, to want to keep a home after a divorce. Despite this desire, many people end up selling their homes when they get divorced.

One reason that selling a home in a divorce is so common may be the challenge associated with the home's mortgage. As explained by The Mortgage Reports, even if a divorce decree stipulates that one spouse will be responsible for the home and the mortgage payments, both people can be considered liable for the debt in the eyes of the bank if the original joint mortgage remains in effect.