QMM Client Testimonial

Dear Mr. Marker:

I wanted to thank you for the work you did on my behalf for my workers' compensation case. Your patience and expertise were a great help to me while my case was pending as was your help in working through the settlement process. I am very pleased with the results. I had spoken to an attorney in the past before meeting you and he only took a few minutes to discuss my case and was immediately very dismissive about a positive outcome in my favor. A few days later, I was in contact with you - and well - the rest is history. You were able to obtain a very significant settlement for me within a very short period of time. I would highly recommend you to others in need of an excellent workers' compensation attorney. Thank you again for all of your hard work!

P.A.

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QMM hires new Associate Attorney

QMM is pleased to announce the recent hiring of our 5th attorney, Kathleen O'Keefe-Rivera. As our newest associate attorney, she brings with her a wide variety of experience. Ms. O'Keefe-Rivera received her undergraduate degree from Illinois Statue University where she was a Spanish and Political Science major. She spent one semester studying at the University of Seville in Spain. Thereafter, she received her J.D. at The John Marshall Law School in 1993. Initially, out of law school, Ms. O'Keefe-Rivera worked for the Law Office of James O. Stola, concentrating in personal injury, workers' compensation, medical malpractice, family law, and immigration.

Thereafter, she worked at the firm of Shaeen, Lundberg, Callahan & Orr in Chicago, concentrating in family law and personal injury. In 1997, after the birth of triplets, she joined Evans, Loewenstein, Shimanovsky & Moscardini in Chicago, a general practice, concentrating in real estate and bankruptcy law. Thereafter, she became a solo practitioner in 1999, concentrating in real estate and family law, and bankruptcy. She has served thousands of clients around the Bolingbrook area.

Ms. O'Keefe-Rivera comes to QMM as a Bolingbrook resident and one particularly unique attribute - the ability to speak fluent Spanish. With Ms. O'Keefe-Rivera's addition, the firm is able to assist a wider base of clients and reach out to the Hispanic community. Ms. O'Keefe-Rivera will be concentrating in the practice areas of real estate, family law and bankruptcy. She will offer a free initial consultation in these areas for all interested clients.

QMM to sponser "Meet the Candidates Night" in Bolingbrook

Quinn, Meadowcroft & Marker, in conjunction with the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce, is proud to sponsor a night to "Meet the Candidates" running for political offices in and around Bolingbrook and Will County. This is a great opportunity for those interested to learn the various platforms of each candidate and/or to ask questions. The event takes place on October 27, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, located at 205 Remington Blvd, Bolingbrook, IL and goes from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m..

Quinn, Meadowcroft & Marker hopes to see a well attended event. If you would like more information, please visit the Bolingbrook chamber of commerce website at: http://www.bolingbrookchamber.org/.

QMM Recent Settlement Update

Below is a Summary of only a few of the Significant Injury Settlements from the firm since March, 2010:

3/25/10 - QMM obtains $304.000.00 - largest settlement to date from the State of Illinois under the Injured Workers' Benefit Fund - for Plaintiff who suffered serious and permanent back injuries.

4/21/10 - QMM obtains over $81,000.00 settlement for injured worker who slipped and fell at work, necessitating a surgery to her spine.

6/22/10 - QMM obtains $200,000.00 settlement for victim of motor vehicle accident who sustained a fractured hip, which necessitated multiple surgical revisions.

6/29/10 - QMM obtains $45,000.00 settlement for Plaintiff involved in a vehicle collision caused by a fallen light pole.

7/26/10 - QMM obtains settlement of over $25,000.00 for worker who sustained back injury moving pallets of heavy objects on the job.

Loans to Help Injured are now Limited

According to a leading loan company in Illinois, Advanced Case Loans, the State of Illinois has recently enacted new guidelines which all lenders in the State mush follow - limiting the amount any lender can loan to persons with lawsuits to no more than $40,000.00.

Many times during litigation in an injury case, persons find it extremely difficult to make ends meet. The insurance company may be denying a case or it may simply be that the process (which can take time) is taking a toll on an individuals finances. For this reason, many clients turn to loans that can be advanced by companies and repaid at the end of their cases. In most instances the interest on these loans is staggering - typically 45-50% per year. In essence, if a loan is make for $5,000, it would have to be paid back at $7,500 at the end of one year.

As Plaintiff's lawyers, QMM finds that most times, loans granted by these companies are typically small and meant to simply allow the injured victims to get by for a period of time until the case can be settled or tried. In those cases, this change will likely not effect the injured victims. However, in major injury cases, where extensive costs mount, this limitation could have further reaching effects. In either case, the State's new policy is something every Plaintiff/Petitioner should now be aware of.

Car Accident Tips

With the mounting number of car accidents causing injuries in the United States, insurance companies are doing everything they can to pay less on claims. In addition, it seems the average person has become a bit more skeptical about injuries from auto collisions. As such, it is imperative that you follow some basic rules if you've been the victim of an injury caused by another driver's negligence. Here are a few tips to ensure your claim is not one that is "red flagged" by the insurance company:

1. Hire a trusted lawyer immediately. Depending on your situation, you may not have insurance or other means to see a physician. Many times, an attorney can counsel you on other means to see physicians or where to go to ensure you receive the proper medical treatment. Most importantly, the attorney can guide you through the claim process in a manner that most protects your interest.

2. Obtain the best medical care possible immediately. This means go to a Hospital and document all areas of the body you feel pain immediately. If you wake up the next morning with pain in a different area of the body, go to the Hospital or doctor immediately and document it.

3. Never speak to the insurance company, no matter if they offer money. Many times the insurance company will make an initial offer in attempts to resolve the entire claim. The problem is, if you accept at the beginning of your medical treatment, you waive your rights to any more money if your condition becomes worse. As attorneys, we always wait to settle a case until the client has completed their medical treatment so that we know the full severity of the injury has run it's course.

4. Take photographs. This may seem obvious, but most people do not do it. Take photos of the damages to the cars, your injuries and even the intersection or areas where the accident happens. Photos are invaluable later during settlement negotiations or at trial.

5. Document your wage losses. If your off work, you must have a doctors note recommending you stay off in order for an insurance company to pay it. So, be sure to ask your doctor whether he/she feels you should work, and if they advise to take off, get a note and keep it for your file.

Hopefully, these 5 tips can help keep your injury claim out of the "red flag" pile and instead allow you to obtain the damages you deserve for your injuries.

Case Settles for over $200k

Doe v. Cortez - Attorney Jason A. Marker recently settled a serious injury case for over $200,000.00 on behalf of a Plaintiff who was T-boned at an intersection in Oswego, IL, and sustained injuries to his hip. As a result of the trauma, he underwent a total hip replacement surgery. After surgery, he had further complications, necessitating two revisions surgeries to the hip. Plaintiff was able to return to work, but lost significant wages as a result of the accident.

After settling with the Defendant for his own policy limit of $20,000.00, Plaintiff's own underinsured carrier (Central Mutual Insurance) eventually agreed to settle the case for an additional $200,000.00.