In the year 2012, almost $4 billion were paid to victims of medical malpractice in the U.S. The injuries include death, permanent physical injury, temporary physical injury,  emotional injury, and minor physical injury. They may be related to any facet of medical care, including diagnosis, surgery, treatment, medication, monitoring, and anesthesia. However, a bad experience or outcome does not necessarily imply negligent medical care.

The following basic elements must be present before an incident may be considered to be a potentially viable medical malpractice case:

Nowadays it may seem everyone has a social media account, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. We share statuses, photos, and videos about our daily whereabouts, happenings, and the highs and lows of our life. Friends, and sometimes ourselves, may be guilty of "over-sharing" and divulging too much information. While over-sharing and TMI might be commonplace within your feed, it could become highly damaging if you or someone close to you has legal case pending. 

So, how do you keep yourself from damaging your case?

Last week's sidewalk snow removal guidelines for homeowners prompted the question of legal liability. It's courteous to pedestrians to keep sidewalks clear, but is it required by law? Can a homeowner be held responsible for injuries arising from a snow- or ice-related fall? The answers are no, and probably not. 

It is not required by Illinois law for homeowners to shovel their sidewalks, and the law even grants a special civil immunity to homeowners from sidewalk slip-and-fall lawsuits. (Businesses, on the other hand, are not immune from liability.)

As tempting as it may be to stay indoors sipping hot chocolate during this "polar vortex," many of us have to venture out into the cold to go to work, school, or to run errands. Homeowners have one extra reason to brave the cold: shoveling. 

Not only will pedestrians appreciate it, but you'll avoid the risk of being fined if your local municipality requires you to clear your sidewalk. Here in Chicago, many people rely on walking and public transit as a means of transportation, meaning snow and ice can become a big problem when it obstructs pathways.

In the City of Chicago, homeowners have different time frames to clear sidewalks depending on the time of snowfall and the day of the week: