Chicago Assault and Battery Lawyer - Article

Assault and Battery

Because they are so often mentioned together, many people do not realize that assault and battery are actually two separate charges. Assault is the act of threatening someone with immediate harm, while battery is the act of physically harming another person. Because battery is more likely to result in personal injury, let’s examine it first.

Battery

Illinois legally defines battery as intentionally and unlawfully touching someone in a way that causes injury or great offense. If the batterer inflicts violent injury or uses a weapon, the charge increases to aggravated battery.

Illinois law includes a separate offense for domestic battery. This is when one adult attacks another adult who is related to them by blood or marriage, is a current or previous partner, or who shares a child with them.

If you have sustained a personal injury after being battered, you may have grounds for filing a personal injury lawsuit in addition to whatever criminal charges your attacker may be facing. A personal injury suit would help you regain some of the money you lost to medical bills and missed work, and will compensate you for the pain and suffering you endured at the hands of your attacker.

Assault

A person commits assault when they put another person in immediate fear for their physical safety. This can be achieved with words or actions. Distant threats are not considered assault; the threat must be imminent.

It is more difficult to file a personal injury lawsuit against someone for committing assault, since it usually does not cause physical injury. It is not impossible, however.

What Can I do if I’ve Been Attacked?

Contact Chicago assault and battery lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake at (312) 466-8200.