Personal Injury Law

CPSC recalls millions of box fans for fire risk

Posted on March 29, 2011
This week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of millions of box fans citing ?an electrical failure in the fan?s motor,? which can pose a fire hazard. (AP, 3/24). The recall affects just under 5 million Lasko Products fans. Although no injuries have been reported to the CPSC, Lasko has been notified of at least seven fires associated with motor failures...

FDA Tackles food imports from affected area of Japan

Posted on March 29, 2011
Amid detection of low levels of radiation in the United States, he Food and Drug Administration says ?it will halt imports of dairy products and produce from the area of Japan where a nuclear reactor is leaking radiation.? (M.C. Jalonick, AP Washington, 3/22)...

Kids are safest in rear-facing car seats until age 2

Posted on March 22, 2011
According to recently updated advice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics, ?Children should ride in rear-facing car seats longer, until they are 2 years old instead of 1.? (C. Johnson, AP Medical, Chicago AP, 3/20)...

Government Public database for safety complaints

Posted on March 15, 2011
The government has created and launched ?a public database that allows people to report and search safety complaints on thousands of products.? (J. Kerr, Washington AP, 3/11). A Chicago personal injury lawyer, I commend the government has taken this step to find out about safety issues sooner and disseminate information to consumers...

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Chicago Tribune Reports ?Dangerous Doctors are slipping through the Cracks?

Posted on March 04, 2011
As a Chicago personal injury lawyer, I am very concerned by the following Chicago Tribune story. An inadvertent discovery by a Crestwood police officer of psychiatrist Joel Carroll?s office led to the discovery of an office space in complete disarray including ?roaming cats, a Colt AR-15 assault rifle and other guns, ammunition, military-grade smoke grenades, sex toys, and pornography...

Recent Product recalls: Exercise bands and bicycles

Posted on March 01, 2011
Recent recalls affect exercise equipment including bicycles and exercise bands. As a products liability lawyer in Chicago, I encourage all consumers to stay informed about product recalls and cease use of recalled products. The recall of exercise bands ?involves the Everlast Resistance Stretch Tubing, Everlast Pilates Stretch Tubing, Sportline Resistance Stretch Tubing and Pineapple Pilates Stretch Tubing...

Recent Product recalls: Exercise bands and bicycles

Posted on March 01, 2011
Recent recalls affect exercise equipment including bicycles and exercise bands. As a products liability lawyer in Chicago, I encourage all consumers to stay informed about product recalls and cease use of recalled products. The recall of exercise bands ?involves the Everlast Resistance Stretch Tubing, Everlast Pilates Stretch Tubing, Sportline Resistance Stretch Tubing and Pineapple Pilates Stretch Tubing...

Nearly 10,000 babies suffer crib injuries each year

Posted on February 22, 2011
Almost 10,000 ?infants and toddlers are hurt in crib and playpen accidents each year, according to the first nationwide analysis of emergency room treatment for these injuries.? (L. Tanner, AP Medical, 2/17). As a Chicago personal injury lawyer, I have been concerned by crib injuries for a long time...

Dangers Lurking under water

Posted on February 14, 2011
The Chicago Tribune reported last week that drain covers in pools and spas are being used even though the product ?underwent flawed safety evaluations, then failed subsequent, more stringent, tests.? (P. Callahan, 2/7/11). The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates pools, ?has received complaints for two years that some models weren't working properly?but the CPSC didn't launch an investigation until July...

Daley says Chicago, overall, handled blizzard well

Posted on February 08, 2011
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says, ?overall, the city responded well to this week's blizzard and defended the decision to close the Lake Shore Drive.? (Chicago AP, 2/3). As a Chicago personal injury lawyer, I agree with the Mayor, and am pleased that the roads were cleared as quickly as possible such that no serious injuries were reported...

Smart phones foster dumb habits among pedestrians

Posted on February 01, 2011
While smart phones and other electronic devices ?changed popular culture by offering an ability to always stay connected, they have so swiftly turned into such a compelling need that a simple walk down the street is considered wasted time.? (D. Bauder, AP New York, 1/25)...

Blizzard warning issued as massive storm takes aim

Posted on February 01, 2011
A tribune staff report cautions citizens about the dangers of the impending storm. As a Chicago personal injury attorney, I join them in encouraging people not to under estimate the impact of a storm this size ? please take all necessary safety precautions, and do your best to avoid the roadways...

Marriott Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assualt of Hotel Guest

Posted on January 27, 2011
On Wednesday January 26, 2011, Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. filed suit on behalf of a young woman alleging that she was sexually assaulted by an intoxicated employee of the hotel known as the Marriott Schaumburg. The suit alleges that the hotel employee gained access to the woman?s room using a hotel master key card after his shift had ended and after he had become intoxicated on the premises...

FDA orders lowering pain reliever in Vicodin

Posted on January 17, 2011
Federal health regulators are ?limiting a key ingredient found in Vicodin, Percocet and other prescription painkillers that have been linked to thousands of cases of liver damage each year.? (Washington AP, 1/13). The Food and Drug Administration says ?it will cap the amount of acetaminophen in the drugs at 325 milligrams per capsule...

US says too much fluoride in water

Posted on January 09, 2011
Though fluoride in drinking water ?is credited with dramatically cutting cavities and tooth decay?now federal officials say it may be too much of a good thing.? (M. Stobbe, AP Medical, Atlanta, 1/7). As a result, the ?U.S. government wants to lower the recommended levels of fluoride in city water supplies...

Drain cleaner burned baby at day care

Posted on January 05, 2011
A recent Pennsylvania case highlights the need to keep household products and infant care products in separate places. A Pennsylvania personal injury attorney says ?a 7-month-old girl was burned by drain cleaner that soaked her diaper while she was at a Pittsburgh-area day care...

5 dead in Fla. motel carbon monoxide poisoning

Posted on December 28, 2010
Fire officials say ?five friends are dead likely from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a running car in closed garage underneath their South Florida motel room.? (AP, 12/27). Police say the teens rented the room on December 26, 2010 ?to celebrate one of teens' 19th birthday...

Drivers stranded by snowstorms did the right thing

Posted on December 21, 2010
As a Chicago personal injury attorney, I want to spread this safety information, which can be critical during the winter months. Three intense winter storms in New York have made a nightmare for many come true for some drivers ? being stranded on the roadway for hours...

Jury rules against Johnson & Johnson in antibiotic suit

Posted on December 12, 2010
A federal court jury has ?ordered pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson to pay damages of $1.8 million in the case of an 82-year-old Minnesota man who sued over claims the antibiotic Levaquin caused him severe tendon injuries.? (Minneapolis AP, P...

Lowe's recalls about 11M blinds, Roman shades

Posted on December 06, 2010
As a Chicago personal injury attorney, I attempt to make the public aware of product recalls. The following is a recent recall, that has serious consequences. If you own these products, please take action quickly. Lowe's recalled approximately 11 million blinds and Roman shades on Wednesday following concerns that children could strangle on the cords of the products...

Holiday Cheer requires increased safety precautions

Posted on November 29, 2010
Parents of toddlers beware! The holiday season is a time of great joy, but can also be a time of great tragedy if proper precautions are not instituted. Authorities in Ohio say ?a toddler fell into a septic tank and was critically injured while being watched by a woman putting up outdoor Christmas lights...

Better US standards mean safer holiday toys

Posted on November 20, 2010
The government says ?tougher safeguards for toys mean better choices for families this holiday season.? (D. Melendy, AP Washington, 11/18). The Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued less recalls this year than in years past, in party, they say, due to tough U...

Feds move to ban alcoholic energy drinks

Posted on November 20, 2010
A New York senator says ?federal regulators are expected to move to ban caffeinated alcoholic drinks as soon as this week.? (Washington AP, 11/16). After much recent publicity, the Food and Drug Administration is expected ?to find that caffeine is an unsafe food additive to alcoholic drinks...

Omega-3 pills fail to work in Alzheimer's patients

Posted on November 08, 2010
As a Chicago area attorney with extensive nursing home experience, I too am discouraged by the latest disappointment in Alzheimer?s research. Although omega-3 fatty acid pills were thought to promote memory, researchers are reporting the disappointing news that the pills did not ?slow mental and physical decline in older patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer?s disease...

Safety officials advising flame-resistant costumes

Posted on November 01, 2010
As a personal injury lawyer in Chicago, I hope all parents take the following safety warning into consideration ? now and in the future. Although Halloween is an annual night of fun, mixing flammable costumes with jack-o-lanterns can create serious safety hazards, especially for children...

4 infant deaths prompt Graco stroller recall

Posted on October 24, 2010
As a Chicago personal injury and product liability attorney, I strongly encourage all parents to stay on top of any product recalls, especially those involving infants and young children. Parents with the affected strollers should replace their strollers immediately in order to ensure the safety of their infant...

Dangerous runway incidents down by half

Posted on October 19, 2010
Transportation officials say ?the number of runway incidents that pose a danger of planes colliding dropped by half over the last 12 months.? (J. Lowy, Washington AP, 10/8). During the federal budget year ending in September 6, 2010 saw only 6 incidents in which a plane was on the wrong runway or risked colliding with another plane as compared to 12 incidents last year...

Kids' science kits may take hit from safety ruling

Posted on October 08, 2010
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been ?mired for weeks in deliberation as it writes guidelines on what makes a product a "children's product." That guidance, expected Wednesday, is supposed to help sort out which products have to be tested under legislation passed by Congress over two years ago that requires rigorous safety checks for lead, chemicals, flammability and other potential dangers...

Fisher Price Recalls Millions of Toys

Posted on October 03, 2010
Toy manufacturer Fisher-Price announced Thursday that it has ?recalled about 10 million toys because they were dangerous to children.? (CNN Wire, 9/30). The toy manufacturer states that the recall involved just less than 3 million baby play areas with inflatable balls because of reports of choking...

Govt: Distracted driving deaths fall in 2009

Posted on September 27, 2010
Encouragingly, the government says ?the number of people killed in crashes connected to driver distraction fell last year but still remain an epidemic.? (K. Thomas, AP, 9/20). The Transportation Department released information showing that 5,474 people were killed in crashes reportedly due to distracted driving in 2009...

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