Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog

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. “ Unfortunately, a car that needed a jump-start was left running in a garage below the room.

A maid dialed 911 after peering through the window and seeing unconscious bodies. Upon investigation, police found that “a door leading to a staircase up to the room had been left open, and high levels of carbon monoxide were found inside.”

This is a terrible tragedy for all the families involved. As a personal injury attorney in Chicago, I am saddened by this tragedy. Carbon monoxide is a silent and deadly killer that it difficult to discern. Carbon monoxide detectors are a worthwhile investment in all homes, and, especially, in all hotels, motels and other rental properties.

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. Experts say, however, that the drivers did the right thing by staying put and not risking being lost on foot in blizzard conditions. (Buffalo NY AP, 12/15).

However, where shelter is visible, it may be wise to try to get to shelter. Nonetheless, experts advice passengers “to stay in your car if stranded is especially true if there's no other shelter in sight and there's still gas in the engine to power the heat. It's best to just use your cell phone and stay in your vehicle until we can get out there and get somebody to get you out of there," Indiana State Trooper Jones said.

The Department of Homeland Security further urges “travelers to know what they're headed into when they get on the road, and to be prepared with a disaster kit that includes blankets and a shovel. The must-haves for winter driving Include: fully charged cell phone, small shovel, food and water, heavy gloves, scarf and hat, and a warning device to signal other drivers, like flares or reflective triangles.” Stranded drivers should turn on and run the engine for approximately 10 minutes every house to warm up, but should crack the window and ensure the tailpipe is clear of snow to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

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. Condon, 12/8). The jury awarded the plaintiff $700,000 in compensatory damages, and $1.1 million in punitive damages.

The plaintiff, was prescribed Levaquin several years ago for treatment of bronchitis. However, after only a few days on the drug, he ruptured both of his Achilles tendons. Beginning in 2008, the Food and Drug Administration required Johnson & Johnson and makers of similar drugs to print warnings on the risk of tendon injuries.”

As a medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago, I applaud the jury for awarding the plaintiff the just compensation he deserves.

Continue reading "Jury rules against Johnson & Johnson in antibiotic suit" »

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. The recall involves all styles and sizes of Roman shades and roll-up blinds sold by Lowe's - about 6 million shades and 5 million roll-up blinds.” (Washington AP, 12/1). The recalled blinds were shelved and sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide from 1999 through June of 2010.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that two children found their way to the exposed cords on the backside of the Roman shades and became entangled in it. Both times, the children were looking out of the window. These terrifying near tragedies involved “a 2-year-old boy in Colorado [who] was found with the inner cord wrapped around his arm and neck… [and] a 4-year-old boy from South Carolina [who] suffered a rope burn to his neck after getting tangled in the cord of a shade.”

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled products and contact the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) for repair kits at 800-506-4636 or visit