McHenry County Personal Injury Lawyer
Dedicated Lawyer Serving McHenry County Residents
Robert H. Hanaford has devoted a career of over 30 years to helping accident victims and the owners of small businesses. Whether litigating a high-profile lawsuit in the state’s highest court, serving in the Illinois government, or fighting for the rights of injured workers, Mr. Hanaford works diligently every day to improve the lives of those around him. If you were hurt in an accident in Barrington, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, or the surrounding area, injury attorney Robert H. Hanaford can help you get your life back on track.
Protect Your Rights After an Auto Accident
Mr. Hanaford has extensive experience litigating cases based on highway collisions. He served as co-lead counsel in the case arising from the 1995 Fox River Grove accident involving a high school bus and a commuter train. After 10 years of litigation and two trips to the Illinois Supreme Court, the case eventually settled for $28.3 million in compensation to the families of the seven high school students who died.
If you have been harmed in an accident caused by another driver’s carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries. In the event that you have endured the tragic loss of a loved one, you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek justice in an Illinois court.
Both personal injury and wrongful death claims require showing the four elements of duty, breach, causation, and damages. This means that you must prove that the defendant had the obligation to act as carefully as a reasonable person would behave in similar circumstances and did something that fell short of that obligation. You also would need to prove that your injuries were directly caused by the defendant’s carelessness, and that you incurred actual damages as a result. These can range from pain and suffering to missed wages, past and future medical expenses, and property damage.
Injured Workers Can Take Legal Action
Employees hurt at work are protected in Illinois by workers’ compensation, which is a no-fault insurance system that compensates workers involved in job-related accidents for their lost wages and medical bills. The injured employee does not have to prove the employer was at fault. However, a worker cannot bring a lawsuit against his or her employer, even if the costs arising from the accident exceed the cap on compensation.
It is in your best interest to have an attorney help you file a worker’s compensation claim. This system is supported by insurance companies, which are motivated to keep costs down and pay out as little as possible. An experienced lawyer will help you present your case to an insurer and fight hard to seek the compensation that you need for injuries.
Knowledgeable Advice on Business Litigation
A commercial dispute can take valuable time and resources away from the primary purpose of your business. Robert H. Hanaford is familiar with helping local businesses resolve contract, insurance, or real estate conflicts efficiently. In the event that litigation is necessary, he can rely on his three decades of litigation experience to argue your case at trial. Mr. Hanaford also has developed the skills needed to handle libel and slander lawsuits. He can help you recover compensation for the damage inflicted on your reputation by the false statements of others.