Merrillville Personal Injury Lawyer

When you or a loved one suffers an injury due to someone else’s negligence, it can be devastating and life-altering. In such moments, you need a trusted Northwest Indiana personal injury attorney from Theodoros and Rooth, P.C., to guide you through the complex process of pursuing justice and compensation. Our experienced Merrillville personal injury lawyers are here to help you navigate these difficult times, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Personal injury law covers various situations in which someone suffers harm due to another party’s negligence or misconduct. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases we handle in Merrillville and throughout Indiana include the following:

Auto Accidents

Northwest Indiana auto tor accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury in Indiana, and the aftermath can leave you with significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Whether you have been involved in a car, motorcycle, or bicycle accident, our Merrillville injury attorneys are here to help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

According to the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, there were over 18,400 accidents in Lake County in 2021. Seventy-five of these collisions were fatal. Among the most common causes of these accidents include:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Drunk or impaired driving
Reckless driving
Fatigue
Weather conditions
Mechanical failures
Poor road conditions

Indiana follows a fault-based system for auto accidents, meaning the party responsible for the accident is also responsible for paying for damages. However, determining fault can be complex, especially when multiple vehicles are involved. Our team of skilled attorneys will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Trucking Accidents

Trucking accidents are often far more severe than standard car accidents due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. Victims of trucking accidents can suffer catastrophic injuries, resulting in long-term or permanent disabilities. These cases are also more complex because they often involve multiple parties, including:

The truck driver
The trucking company
Maintenance contractors
Cargo loaders

Our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling trucking accident cases. In fact, attorney Kelly Sheets has gained hands-on experience in semi-truck operations to enhance her legal approach in truck accident cases. She trained for two days with industry leaders in Montana, learning to drive various types of trucks, including flatbeds, tankers, and enclosed trailers. This experience enables her to communicate effectively with truck drivers, employers, and defense attorneys and to analyze accident reconstruction reports with a deeper understanding of the complexities truck drivers face on the road.

Our team understands the specific federal and state regulations that govern the trucking industry, and we will thoroughly investigate to determine the cause of the accident. Whether the accident was due to driver fatigue, improper maintenance, or overloaded cargo, we will fight to hold all responsible parties accountable and secure the compensation you need to recover.

Premises Liability

Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a safe condition. When they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, they can be held liable under Indiana’s premises liability laws. Common premises liability cases include:

Slip and fall accidents
Dog bites or animal attacks
Inadequate security
Hazardous conditions

Our attorneys have successfully represented clients in premises liability cases by proving that the property owner’s negligence directly caused the injury. We will work to gather evidence, such as surveillance footage, witness testimony, and maintenance records, to build a strong case on your behalf. Our goal is to ensure that you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Unnecessary Surgeries

Unnecessary surgeries are a form of medical malpractice that can have severe, life-altering consequences for patients. These surgeries may be performed without proper medical justification or due to a misdiagnosis, leading to physical harm, additional medical procedures, and long-term health complications. If you have undergone an unnecessary surgery, you may be entitled to compensation for the damage caused.

Our injury attorneys in Merrillville, IN, are experienced in handling unnecessary surgery cases. We will work with medical experts to review your medical records, determine whether the surgery was essential, and establish if medical malpractice occurred. We will pursue compensation to cover medical costs, lost wages, and any pain and suffering you have endured due to the unnecessary procedure.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. Common examples of this malpractice can include:

Misdiagnosis
Delayed diagnosis
Surgical errors
Birth injuries
Medication errors
Hospital negligence

Proving medical malpractice can be complex, as it requires demonstrating that the provider’s negligence directly caused the injury.

Our Merrillville personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of success in medical malpractice and other personal injury cases. We work closely with medical experts to analyze your case and establish whether the provider’s actions deviated from the standard of care. Whether you have suffered harm due to a doctor, nurse, hospital, or another healthcare professional, we are dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve.

Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one is a devastating experience, and it is even more heartbreaking when someone else’s negligence causes the death. In Indiana, the surviving family members of a deceased individual can file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for the financial and emotional losses they have suffered. A wrongful death claim can arise from various situations, including:

Car or truck accidents
Medical malpractice
Workplace accidents
Defective products

The compassionate attorneys at our Merrillville personal injury law firm understand the emotional toll of losing a loved one. We are here to help you navigate the legal process with care and empathy. We will fight to secure compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and other damages, helping to ease your financial burden during this difficult time.

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and severe burns, have life-altering consequences. Victims may face long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation, and permanent disabilities that affect their ability to work and lead a normal life. These cases require a skilled personal injury attorney who understands the long-term impact of these injuries and can pursue maximum compensation.

Our Merrillville injury lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of catastrophic injuries obtain the compensation they need to cover ongoing medical care, lost wages, and other damages. We work with medical experts, rehabilitation specialists, and financial planners to ensure that your settlement or verdict reflects the full scope of your injuries and future needs.

Product Liability

Defective products can cause serious injuries or even death. Under product liability laws in Indiana, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held liable for injuries caused by defective products. These cases can involve dangerous consumer products, defective medical devices, or faulty automotive parts.

Our attorneys have experience handling product liability claims and are prepared to take on large corporations to hold them accountable for their defective products. We will work to prove that the product was defectively designed, manufactured, or lacked proper warnings and fight for compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and other losses.

Nursing Home Negligence

Nursing home negligence and abuse are heartbreaking realities for many families. When elderly or vulnerable loved ones are entrusted to the care of a nursing home, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, nursing home negligence and abuse are common, leading to serious injuries or even death. Common forms of nursing home negligence include:

Bedsores and pressure ulcers
Falls due to lack of supervision
Malnutrition or dehydration
Physical, emotional, or financial abuse

If you suspect that a loved one is being neglected or abused in a nursing home, our Merrillville personal injury attorneys can help you take legal action. We will investigate the facility’s care practices, review medical records, and interview witnesses to build a robust case in your favor. Our goal is to hold negligent nursing homes accountable and ensure that your loved one receives the care they deserve.

Construction Accidents

Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and workers often face significant risks on the job. When safety protocols are not followed, workers can suffer severe injuries or even death. In Indiana, injured construction workers may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, but in some cases, they can also file a personal injury claim against third parties, such as equipment manufacturers or subcontractors.

The legal team in our injury law firm is experienced in handling construction accident cases. We will work to identify all responsible parties and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Whether defective equipment, unsafe working conditions, or another form of negligence caused your injuries, we will fight to secure the compensation you deserve.

The Importance of Timing in a Personal Injury Accident

The statute of limitations in Indiana sets a legal time limit for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Being aware of these deadlines is essential because failing to file within the specified time frame can result in losing your right to seek compensation.

For most personal injury cases in Indiana, such as motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, or product liability, the statute of limitations is two years from the injury date. This means that you must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident or incident that caused your injury. If you fail to do so, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you may lose your opportunity to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations

While the two-year limit applies in most cases, there are certain situations where the statute of limitations may be extended or shortened:

Minors: If the injury victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may be delayed until they reach the age of 18. In such cases, the injured individual may have up to two years from their 18th birthday to file a claim. In medical malpractice claims, injured children under six have until their eighth birthday to file a claim.
Government claims: If your injury involves a government entity, such as a city or county agency, Indiana law requires that you file a tort claim notice within 180 days of the injury for city or county entities and within 270 days for state government entities. Failing to meet this notice requirement could prevent you from pursuing a lawsuit.

If you believe you have a personal injury claim, it is essential to act quickly. Even though two years may seem like ample time, gathering evidence, consulting experts, and negotiating with insurance companies takes time. Working with our experienced Merrillville injury law firm ensures that all deadlines are met and that your case is prepared thoroughly and efficiently.

If you are unsure whether you are still within the statute of limitations for your claim, contact our injury lawyers for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case, help you understand your legal rights, and ensure you meet all necessary deadlines to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Our Personal Injury Law Firm?

Choosing the right personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. At Theodoros and Rooth, P.C., our Merrillville personal injury lawyers bring over 110 years of combined legal experience to the table, offering clients both proficient legal representation and compassionate support. Since 1988, our firm has been dedicated to fighting for the injured across Northwest Indiana, securing life-changing results for countless clients. Our team takes a personal approach to every case, understanding the emotional and physical toll accidents can take on you and your loved ones.

We handle a wide range of personal injury cases, and our attorneys have a proven track record of obtaining substantial settlements and verdicts. What sets us apart is our deep knowledge of the law and our commitment to putting clients first, ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. When you choose Theodoros and Rooth, P.C., you are selecting a firm known for its dedication, results, and care.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

Do not wait to seek legal representation from a personal injury law firm if you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence. Our Merrillville personal injury lawyers at Theodoros and Rooth, P.C. are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you need to recover. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step toward justice and healing.