Recent Blog Posts
Blood Pressure Medication Recalled Due to Cancer Concerns
Most adults take one or more medications each day. Rigorous safety regulations and testing procedures are intended to ensure that prescription and over-the-counter medications are safe. Unfortunately, these measures do not always prevent dangerous medications from reaching pharmacies. Just recently, two popular blood pressure medications were recalled after testing showed that the medications may contain cancer-causing ingredients. Dangerous or defective products like these are not uncommon. Fortunately, there may be legal remedies available to those who were harmed by a defective product.
Medication Recalled by FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently recalled two blood pressure medications produced by Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. The recall was issued due to concerns that the medications contain a “probable human carcinogen” or a substance thought to cause cancer in humans. Irbesartan tablets and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets were recalled after laboratory testing found unsafe levels of N-nitrosoirbesartan. Patients who currently take the recalled medications are encouraged to speak to their doctors about alternatives.
Ford Researching Futuristic Anti-Distracted-Driving Technology
The term “distracted driving” is used to describe everything from texting and driving to daydreaming behind the wheel. Distracted driving – especially involving an electronic device - is shockingly common. One study shows that 40 percent of drivers use their phones at least once an hour. Even more commonly, drivers are distracted by their own minds. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and contributes to thousands of injurious and fatal accidents every year.
Currently, scientists at Ford are conducting research on brain responses in hopes of creating technology that will recognize distracted driving and drowsy driving. The futuristic technology aims to detect when drivers are “zoning out” behind the wheel or becoming distracted by their thoughts.
Addressing Inattention Behind the Wheel
Most people cite drunk driving, drugged driving, or speeding as some of the top causes of car crashes. However, a surprising number of car accidents are caused by daydreaming or becoming lost in thought. In fact, one recent study shows that zoning out or daydreaming is the number one cause of fatal distracted driving accidents. When our minds are focused on other concerns, we do not pay close enough attention to the road. We may neglect to use a turn signal when changing lanes, drift into oncoming traffic or fail to stop in time to avoid a collision.
Can I File an Injury Lawsuit After a Bus Accident?
School buses, city buses, coach buses, and other types of buses transport millions of Americans across the U.S. Some people take a bus to school or work every day and never experience any problems. Unfortunately, other riders suffer serious injuries or even deaths. While rare, fatal and injury-causing bus accidents are not unheard of. Often, when someone is a victim of a bus accident, they face unique challenges recovering compensation for damages. Many buses are owned by government entities. This makes filing an injury claim against a bus driver or bus company particularly complicated.
Injuries Resulting from Bus Crashes
Bus riders assume that the vehicle is safe and that they will reach their destination without incident. However, bus accidents caused by negligent drivers, defective vehicles, poor vehicle maintenance, and other issues can lead to severe injuries. Bus accidents may involve:
Chicago Crane Accident Brings Up Questions About Construction Accident Injury Liability
In the busy city of Chicago, there are always construction projects going on. New buildings are erected while others are torn down. Structures are repaired and updated. Because construction sites are so dangerous, they are subject to strict laws and regulations. However, construction accidents can and do occur.
On October 6, 2021, a large crane collapsed mere feet from a residential building. Fortunately, no one was injured. However, the crane accident is a glaring reminder of the danger large construction equipment can pose to workers and non-workers alike.
Crane Collapse Forces Chicago Residents to Evacuate
Construction equipment can weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds. When large equipment like this fails, the results can be catastrophic. The crane collapse that occurred recently in Chicago left more than 100 residents without power and crushed several vehicles. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) lines were also temporarily closed but service has now been restored. At this time, investigators do not know what caused the crane to tip over, but everyone is thankful that the unexpected accident did not result in severe injuries or deaths.
How Is Compensation for Lost Income Calculated in an Injury Lawsuit?
Actions have consequences – even if they are unintentional. When a party acts irresponsibly or “negligently” and another party is harmed as a result, the negligent party may be liable for damages. This means that the party is responsible for compensating the injured party for the financial losses suffered as a result of the injury. Damages in a personal injury lawsuit involving a severe injury often include compensation for lost wages. Read on to learn how these damages may be calculated in a lawsuit.
Determining Lost Income from Missed Work
Car accidents, truck accidents, work accidents, and defective product injuries are just some of the situations that can trigger a personal injury claim. Most of the people who file a personal injury claim must take some time off of work to recover from their injuries. They may also need to take off additional time off work in the future for follow-up doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, or other ongoing medical care.
Can I Sue My Child’s School for Negligence?
As a parent with school-aged children, you probably trust that your children are safe and well-cared for when they are within the school property. You assume that teachers, custodians, administrators, cafeteria workers, and other school staff will uphold the high expectations you have of them. Unfortunately, some schools miss the mark. If your child was injured or killed due to unreasonably unsafe conditions at their school, you may be able to sue the school and recover damages. However, doing so is a complicated legal process.
When Is a School Liable for a Child Injury?
It is important to keep in mind that suing a public school is quite different than suing a non-government individual or establishment. In a typical personal injury claim, the injured person may sue a party because that party’s negligence, meaning carelessness or recklessness, caused the injury. However, public schools and other government entities are treated differently under Illinois law.
Signs That a Driver Is Impaired By Drugs
Right after a car accident, you may be under stress and not thinking clearly, especially if you are hurt. Even so, you will probably still notice immediately if the other driver is under the influence of alcohol. Drunk drivers typically smell like alcohol and may be stumbling or slurring their words. But what if the other driver is impaired by a drug other than alcohol? This may be less apparent, especially when you are still reeling from a crash. If you suspect that the driver who hurt you is intoxicated, you should mention this to the police when they take a report. Then, you should call a qualified attorney as soon as you can.
What Are Some Signs That a Driver is Impaired by Drugs?
Unlike a drunk driver, a driver who is “high,” or under the influence of another drug may be slightly less obvious. While alcohol - and cannabis - have distinctive smells that are easily recognizable to most people, this is not the case for all drugs. Prescription pain pills, for example, have no odor. Here are some signs that a careless driver may be under the influence of a drug:
3 Situations When a Bar or Club May Be Liable for Injuries
The environment in a bar or club, where many patrons are consuming alcohol and experiencing its intoxicating effects, can unfortunately contribute to a higher risk of accidental injury. If you are injured at a bar, you may assume that the actions of a drunk individual, or even yourself, are to blame. However, bars, clubs, and other establishments that serve alcohol are expected to serve responsibly and to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe for their customers. You may have a claim for compensation from the bar itself due to the negligence of the owner or an employee.
Here are three common situations in which a bar or club could be liable for a person’s injuries:
Drunk Driving Accidents
Illinois has a legal statute known as the “dram shop” act, which holds that a bar or club that serves alcohol may be liable for injuries that directly result from the intoxication of a patron. This statute can apply, for example, when a person was drinking at a bar and attempted to drive home under the influence, in the process causing a car accident and seriously injuring someone else. The victim in such a case may be able to recover compensation from both the driver and the bar where the driver was drinking. In order to recover compensation under the dram shop act, it may be necessary to show that the bar overserved the driver, or served the driver after knowing they were intoxicated.
4 Reasons Why Serious Car Accidents Are Common at Night
According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 50 percent of fatal car accidents happen at night, despite the fact that only about 25 percent of motor vehicle travel takes place during the night hours. Clearly, your chances of being involved in a serious or fatal car accident increase substantially when you are on the road at night. Understanding the common factors that contribute to these serious accidents may help you avoid them, or recognize signs of negligence that could bolster a personal injury claim if you are injured in a nighttime car crash.
Alcohol Intoxication
There is a stark difference between the number of alcohol-related car crash fatalities during the day and at night. According to the NHTSA, while alcohol is a factor in less than 20 percent of car crash fatalities during the day, it contributes to around 60 percent of nighttime car crash fatalities. Drivers at night are much more likely to be traveling after spending time at a bar or social gathering where alcohol was served, putting others on the road at risk.
Common Injuries Caused By Nursing Home Neglect
Throughout the U.S., elderly nursing home residents are at risk of preventable injuries due to a variety of causes. Some of these injuries are the result of medical or surgical errors on the part of doctors, while others are the result of physical or sexual abuse on the part of nursing home staff. However, it is also unfortunately common for residents to suffer injuries simply due to negligence or neglect in the facilities where they live. It is important to recognize some of the injuries that can be caused by nursing home neglect so that you can protect yourself or your loved ones and hold any negligent parties accountable.
Injuries in Illinois Nursing Homes
Nursing home neglect can happen because of a staff member’s disregard for their duties, but it is often a symptom of more systemic problems within the facility, like understaffing, overcrowding, or insufficient training of staff. Some of the injuries that can happen as a result include:
Contact a Lake County Vehicle Accident Attorney Who is Ready to Help You
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our office. Call 847-662-3303 to set up a free initial consultation at one of our four convenient locations. There is no risk because we only collect fees if you collect compensation. With offices in Libertyville, Waukegan, Richmond, and Chicago, we represent clients in Lake County, Cook County, DuPage County, and McHenry County.