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Last Entry: November 12, 2009 at 18:46:25

Glen Ellyn youth hockey tournament evacuated due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Posted on November 12, 2009
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can cause serious short and long-term health problems. Unfortunately, the danger is even more serious since the gas has no smell, taste, or color to identify it by, so people can be exposed to it for long periods of time without realizing that anything is wrong...

Nursing Homes & Felons: A Dangerous Mix

Posted on November 09, 2009
Mentally ill criminals and others on society's fringes housed in nursing homes pose a threat to other residents, especially if they are not carefully assessed, treated and monitored. In January, 21-year-old Christopher Shelton allegedly raped a 69-year-old woman in her own room...

Employers may be liable for Drivers? Multitasking

Posted on September 11, 2009
It should come as no surprise that the use of personal electronic communications devices while driving is unsafe. In fact, a recent report reveals that driving while using hands-free cell phones and other communications devices is nearly as unsafe as driving while using hand-held devices...

Study Reveals Bus Companies Evade Safety Compliance Via Reincarnation

Posted on July 31, 2009
A recent study revealed that many tractor-trailer and bus companies that had been ordered out of service due to federal safety violations have stayed on the road by 'reincarnating', or using a different name. The violations range from suspended licenses to possible drug use...

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UNLIKELY CONSEQUENCE OF HIGH PRICE OF GAS: Motorcycle Crashes on Rise in Chicago Area

Posted on July 29, 2009
According to a seven-county Chicago Sun Times survey, motorcycle crashes are on the rise as many people have turned to motorcycles as an alternative to driving cars. Simply put, motorcycles get good gas mileage and as such provide an economically efficient mode of transportation during these tough times...

Rockord Canadian National train derailment kills one, injures three

Posted on June 20, 2009
Yesterday, in Rockford, a Canadian National train derailed. The freight train had several tank cars which were carrying ethanol, a highly flammable and highly explosive substance. When the Canadian National train derailed, the tank cars carrying the ethanol caught fire and exploded...

Record wrongful death electrocution jury verdict

Posted on June 13, 2009
Last week, jury in South Carolina rendered a $9 million wrongful death verdict, a record for that county. The lawsuit involved a young man who died after being electrocuted by a high voltage line which landed on his driveway. The young man sustained serious electrical burns, but was initially able to respond to medical staff who attempted to care for him...

Running engines in garage poses carbon monoxide risk to people in the house

Posted on June 11, 2009
Two recent news stories show that it is not safe to leave gas powered equipment running in the garage. This allows carbon monoxide into the house, putting residents of the house at risk for death or serious injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning. In Connecticut, two men suffered carbon monoxide poisoning after they left a generator running in an adjoining garage...

Cta Section 41 Notice Repealed

Posted on June 08, 2009
Claimants and attorneys can breathe a sigh of relief. On Monday, June 1, 2009, Governor Pat Quinn signed Senate Bill 84 (CTA Section 41 Notice Repeal) into law, which repealed in its entirety the Section 41 notice requirement. CTA Section 41 required an injured party to provide notice of any injury and/or accident to the CTA within 6 months of the date of accident...

With some car crashes, there is more than meets the eye

Posted on June 07, 2009
Not every car crash requires the help of a personal injury lawyer. Coming from an Illinois personal injury attorney that may strange, but for some car accidents, especially those with soft tissue injuries, the car accident victim may come out ahead economically by dealing directly with the insurance company without the assistance of a lawyer because the lawyer may not add enough to the settlement to justify the fees and costs incurred...

Class Action Lawsuits

Posted on May 21, 2009
We hear about class action lawsuits all the time. Victoria's Secret. Vioxx. The list goes on… Most recently in Illinois, a class action lawsuit has been filed against the Village of Crestwood in regards to its supplying contaminated drinking water to its residents...

Village of Crestwood Supplies Contaminated Water to Residents

Posted on May 20, 2009
A Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that for more than 20 years, residents of Crestwood, Illinois, have been unknowingly drinking contaminated tap water. The water was contaminated with toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems. At least 22 years ago, state environmental officials advised Crestwood village officials that dangerous chemicals related to a dry-cleaning solvent had contaminated water in a certain well...

South Side Crash leads to death, injury for pedestrians

Posted on April 06, 2009
A Northwestern Memorial Hospital manager was killed and a 7-year-old boy was severely injured on Saturday morning at Ashland Avenue and 95th Street after two vehicles collided near the intersection. The driver of one vehicle was cited with failure to yield on a left-hand turn...

Mentally Ill Patients Pose Danger to Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Posted on March 24, 2009
There has been a significant increase in the number of mentally ill patients residing in nursing homes. And, mixing frail elderly with younger and stronger mentally ill patients in nursing homes has resulted in violence throughout the country.

Illinois Dram Shop Law And 2009 Liability Limits

Posted on March 03, 2009

Safety Issues Lead CTA to Sideline Accordion-Style Buses

Posted on February 20, 2009
The CTA removed nearly 200 of the 60-foot-long buses from service on Thursday as a precaution after serious cracks were found in one vehicle’s chassis. The articulated buses can carry up to about 125 passengers—61 people seated and 64 standing...

Local Nursing Homes Fall Short in Government Ratings

Posted on February 10, 2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created a Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, families and caregivers to compare nursing homes with greater ease. Nursing homes receive an overall rating between 1 and 5 stars a separate rating in the areas of health inspections, staffing, and quality measures...

Three-vehicle Auto Accident in Sugar Grove

Posted on February 09, 2009
Just before 7 a.m. this morning, three vehicles were involved in an automobile accident that left three people, all drivers, seriously hurt. The accident took place along Illinois 47 just north of Jericho road. A two-mile stretch of the road was shut down as a result of the crash...

Allstate reports consumers reducing coverage

Posted on January 30, 2009
With tough economic times all around, Allstate Insurance Company announced that many consumers are reducing the amount of automobile liability insurance coverage they are obtaining. Of course, with many consumers reducing the amount of coverage they buy, one also suspects that many are simply doing without, even in the face of Illinois' mandatory automobile insurance law...

Possible Criminal Violations at Peanut Corp. of America Plant

Posted on January 28, 2009
There are more troubles for the Peanut Corp. of America plant linked to the recent salmonella outbreak. Not only has the plant been shut down and workers have been laid off, but now officials have called for a federal probe regarding possible criminal violations at the Blakely, Ga...

Staph Infections on the Rise in Kids: Wash Hands Frequently

Posted on January 22, 2009
A new national study, published in the Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, found that the incidence of such infections as ear, nose, and throat, blamed on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) grew by 16 percent from 2001-2006...

Peanut Butter Recall List Expands

Posted on January 21, 2009
More than 125 products have been recalled in the recent salmonella/peanuts investigation. All products were made with peanut butter or paste at a Peanut Corp. of America plant. The Blakely, Ga., plant has suspended production. According to investigators, tests have found salmonella at the plant...

Salmonella Outbreak: FDA says avoid foods with peanut butter

Posted on January 19, 2009
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is urging the public to avoid eating foods that contain peanut butter until more is learned about the recent deadly salmonella outbreak. According to the FDA, most peanut butter sold in jars at supermarkets seems to be safe, and there is no indication that major national name-brand jars are linked to the recall...

Saefty Group Advocates Total Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving

Posted on January 16, 2009
The National Safety Council is the first major national safety group to call for a total ban on using cell phones while driving, including hand-held and hands-free cell phones. The group also says businesses should prohibit employees from using cell phones while driving on the on the job...

CDC releases report on Great Lakes pollution, health risk connection

Posted on January 14, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report Tuesday that there is not enough evidence to connect industrial dumping contamination throughout the Great Lakes to specific health threats. Last year, a draft version of the same report was leaked to the press...

Buyer Beware: Dangerous Toys for Children

Posted on November 24, 2008
It’s officially the holiday shopping season, and Black Friday is just around the corner. If you have any intention of shopping for children’s toys this year, however, you should read the below information regarding some potentially dangerous toys on the market...

CTA Bus Accident near St. Ignatius College Prep

Posted on November 20, 2008
A westbound No. 12 Roosevelt bus collided with two vehicles Tuesday morning on the Near West side. The accident took place at West Roosevelt Road and South Blue Island Avenue, just outside Saint Ignatius College Prep. Preliminary reports indicated that the bus was stopped at an intersection when it was struck by a car...

Mundelein Car Crash

Posted on November 20, 2008
A car collided with a gravel truck in Mundelein on Wednesday morning, resulting in serious injuries to the female driver. The accident took place at Route 83 and Hawley Street. The woman was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. No one else was injured...

8 People Hurt in Northwest Side Ambulance Crash

Posted on October 31, 2008
The crash took place about 9:10 a.m. at Addison Street and Menard Avenue near Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center on Chicago’s Northwest side. The ambulance was en route with two patients to Our Lady of Resurrection. According to police, preliminary reports indicated that the ambulance was eastbound on Addison when it was hit by a vehicle southbound on Menard, which vehicle then flipped over and slid into a vehicle headed northbound on Menard...

River North Scaffolding Collapse

Posted on October 28, 2008
A scaffolding collapse in River North resulted in serious injuries to two construction workers. The collapse happened in the 300 block of West Ohio Street on Monday morning. According to authorities, something apparently broke, which caused the scaffolding to collapse against a building...

LaSalle County School Bus Crash

Posted on October 21, 2008
A school bus and a pickup truck collided this morning in unincorporated LaSalle County. The accident took place northwest of Sheridan at North 42nd Road and Hoxsey. After the vehicles collided, the bus, which was transporting 21 students, rolled over...

Chicago-area grocery store tested for Legionnaires' bacteria

Posted on October 21, 2008
Six cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported recently: five people in Tinley Park and one person in Orland Park. All people have been successfully treated and released from hospitals. Three of those persons who contracted the disease reported shopping at EuroFresh Market, a Tinley Park grocery store located at 1600 Harlem Avenue...

2 Motorcyclists Killed in I-80 Accident

Posted on October 09, 2008
Back to back accidents resulted in 2 motorcyclist deaths on I-80 early this morning. The accidents took place just west of Larkin Avenue in Joliet. About 2:25 a.m., a motorcycle with 2 riders crashed into the rear of a semi truck. Immediately after that, a second motorcycle crashed into the first wreck’s debris...

Batavia Head-on Crash Results in Death, Injuries

Posted on October 02, 2008
About 5:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, a tragic head-on collision took place west of Batavia in unincorporated Kane County. According to police, a Ford Econoline van was northbound on Fabyan Parkway between Main Street and Hughes Road when it passed cars in a no-passing zone and struck a Chevy TrailBlazer...

Two College Students Killed in Downstate Illinois Car Crash

Posted on October 01, 2008
Kevetta Davis, 19, and Yasmin Jackson, 19, were killed when a driver for the VH1 reality show “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels” veered into the oncoming lane and struck their sports-utility vehicle. The tragic accident took place on Friday night when Dennis Hernandez, 38, a crew member for the reality show, was driving to the TV series’ next stop...

Metra Train Kills Pedestrian

Posted on September 26, 2008
A Union Pacific Northwest Line train inbound to Chicago struck and killed a pedestrian near the Arlington Heights Station, located at Northwest Highway and Evergreen Avenue. The tragic accident took place this morning just after 7:30 a.m. This is the second fatality on the tracks this week...

Chicago Loop DUI Crash Injures 2 People

Posted on September 25, 2008
A motorist crashed his car into a van late Wednesday evening in the Chicago Loop. The rollover crash happened at South Michigan Avenue and East Congress Parkway, according to police. Authorities reported that although both motorists were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, neither motorist had life-threatening injuries...

Hit-and-Run Driver Seriously Injures Bicyclist

Posted on September 18, 2008
A hit-and-run driver stuck a bicyclist Wednesday afternoon while she was riding on the shoulder of Huntley Road in West Dundee, Illinois. The Carpentersville woman was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital. Witnesses believe the car was a silver Honda Civic...

After the Flood: Safety Tips

Posted on September 14, 2008
Many Americans suffered the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike and resulting inclement weather. Here in Chicago, we experienced record rainfall and the worst flooding in years due to the remnants of Ike. In fact, Cook County was placed under a state of emergency due to the high flood waters...

Chicago-bound Amtrak Train Derails Outside Joliet

Posted on September 09, 2008
An Amtrak train derailed on Monday evening after a set of wheels jumped the track. There were 112 passengers aboard Lincoln Service Train 304. The train remained upright, and no one was injured, according to Amtrak. The train was headed from St. Louis to Chicago...

City of Chicago to Increase Bike Safety through Enforcement of Bike Laws

Posted on August 27, 2008
More and more people are getting out on their bikes these days in an effort to save the environment and to save money, and the City of Chicago supports the increase in bicyclists. Along with this increase comes a greater need for safety awareness and precautions, for all those on the road...

Bike Helmet Safety: Use your head

Posted on August 12, 2008
It should come as no surprise that wearing a helmet while biking might help reduce your risk of injury in the event of a fall or accident. But, are you aware of just how dangerous not wearing a helmet can be? Lack of helmet use is a leading cause of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which occurs as a result of a blow to the head that causes damage to the brain...

Back to School: Child Backpack Safety

Posted on August 05, 2008
The start of August means that another summer will soon be a distant memory. It also means for many kids that less time will be spent at pool parties and more time will be spent gearing up for the next school year. This is not all bad news, though...

Cell Phones & Cancer: A Controversial New Warning

Posted on July 25, 2008
Talking less on your cell phone might save more than just minutes. For the first time, an academic cancer research institute has made a warning linking cancer and cell phone use. Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, issued a warning to faculty and staff Wednesday to limit cell phone use due to the possible risk of cancer...

Man v. Car: Pedestrian Safety Tips

Posted on July 24, 2008
On Tuesday morning, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a car while crossing the street on the Chicago's South Side. In 2006, there were 138 pedestrian fatalities in Illinois alone. Nationally, 4,784 pedestrians were killed and 61,000 were injured in traffic crashes...

Attention New Nursing Home Residents: Put Down That Pen

Posted on July 19, 2008
When you enter a nursing home, you expect that you are in good hands and will be afforded the best possible health care. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Disputes arise due to nursing home negligence, which can result in injuries, falls, painful bedsores, infections, and even death...

RTA Finds CTA Rail Safety Needs Improvement

Posted on July 04, 2008
A recent review of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) revealed that the CTA is safe enough to ride but is in vital need of upgrades. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which is responsible for overseeing local transportation operators in the Chicago area, conducted its Triennial review last August...

Salmonella and Other Foodborne Illiness Prevention Tips

Posted on June 30, 2008
After all that talk about tomatoes, it turns out that they might not be the actual source of the most recent salmonella outbreak. In fact, according to the FDA, of the 1,700 tomato samples collected, none have tested positive for the rare salmonella saintpaul strain...

Chicago Bicycle Accident Highlights Importance of City Bike Safety

Posted on June 26, 2008
On any given day, you will see dozens of bicyclists navigating through the busy City streets. Yet, statistics show that biking during the summer in urban traffic can be downright deadly. In fact, since October, a total of 5 cyclists have been killed in Chicago alone...

Preventing Falls Among Senior Citizens

Posted on June 23, 2008
It has happened to all of us (even the most well coordinated). You are walking, sun is shining, IPod playing, smiling to your fellow walkers who too are enjoying their walks. Then suddenly and without warning, you lose your footing and ungracefully tumble to the ground...

CTA Green Line derailment

Posted on May 28, 2008
Earlier today, a CTA Green Line train derailed, resulting in several being hospitalized. The early reports are that the derailment of the train occurred at a switch track. The operator went through a red signal and then overrode a safety which would have otherwise stopped the train...

Truck crashes into CTA el station

Posted on April 25, 2008
A truck speeding down the Cermak exit to the Dan Ryan expressway left the roadway and crashed into a CTA bus stop and el station at rush hour today. Commuters waiting for the bus and leaving the trains at the CTA's Cermak Red Line station were struck by the truck as it jumped the curb and plowed into pedestrians...

Magnet Dart Boards Recalled Due to Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

Posted on February 24, 2008
Family Dollar, in conjunction with the CPSC, is recalling about 250,000 FUN 'N SAFE Magnetic Dart Boards because the magnets pose aspiration and intestinal hazards. Small magnets at the ends of the darts can detach. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated...

Video of Chicago Amtrak crash shows train speeding

Posted on December 04, 2007
One of the unusual features of the recent Chicago Amtrak crash is that the event was captured on video. In most personal injury cases, descriptions of the events come entirely from eyewitnesses who may describe the same event in very different ways. IThe Norfolk Southern security shows the violence of the train crash as the Amtrak train smashes into the back of the stopped freight train.

Chicago train crash injures dozens

Posted on November 30, 2007
An Amtrak train coming into Chicago from Grand Rapids, Michigan ran into the back of a stopped freight train this afternoon. The crash happened on Chicago's south side. The engine from the Amtrak train hit the rear end of a Norfolk Southern freight train which was hauling shipping containers...

Mother Sues After Four-Month Old Died From Cough Medicine

Posted on November 15, 2007
Dimitria Alvarez's four-month old son died from taking over-the-counter cough and cold medicines on Oct. 8, 2001, and she has since sued the two sued two distributors of the drugs, claiming they should have known the dangers of the main ingredient and cautioned consumers...

Six hospitalized in bus crash

Posted on October 07, 2007
On Saturday, a CTA bus driver lost control of his bus and crashed into a fence near Roosevelt and Kolmar. Six were hospitalized, one with severe injuries.

Teen suffers infection from dog bite

Posted on August 26, 2007
A 13 year old New Jersey boy was bitten by a pit bull recently while he was out going to restaurant. The pit bull was being walked by a walker when he lunged after the boy, biting him in the calf. The boy was badly wounded as a result of the attack, with wounds requiring 146 stitches to close...

Man Killed in Fatal I-275 Motorcycle Crash

Posted on August 22, 2007
Nicholas C. Kopplin of Overland, Missouri, was riding his motorcycle on Tuesday night at a high rate of speed when he lost control and ran it into the guard rail of the median dividing I-275.

Cold and Cough Medicine May be Risky for Children

Posted on August 16, 2007
The FDA will be discussing the safety and efficacy of cold and cough medicines for children in a meeting that will take place in October. Some doctors and health officials have questioned the safety of these medicines for children, especially toddlers...

Cold and Cough Medicine May be Risky for Children

Posted on August 15, 2007
The FDA will be discussing the safety and efficacy of cold and cough medicines for children in a meeting that will take place in October. Some doctors and health officials have questioned the safety of these medicines for children, especially toddlers...

Pit bull attacks deputy

Posted on July 26, 2007
A Michigan sheriff's deputy was bitten recently by a pit bull when the deputy resp[onded to a call that the pit bull had attacked another dog who was chained in his yard. The deputy had to shoot the pit bull to bring the attack to an end. The deputy suffered bite wounds to his arm which required medical attention

Project results on 75% reduction in bed sores

Posted on July 25, 2007
Researchers in New Jersey recently announced the results of a project which was intended to reduce the development of bed sores in patients in health care institutions. Bed sores are technically known as pressure ulcers and are caused by unrelieved pressure on the skin, usually on bony prominences...

Equipment failure kills laborer

Posted on July 24, 2007
A California laborer was struck in the chest when the shovel of a steam shovel came loose and landed on top of him. At the time of the accident, he was working in a trench on a construction project. The laborer suffered fatal injuries as a result of being hit by the shovel.