Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog

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). The inability of many to spend a few minutes not using their smart phones has caused needless injuries both in drivers and pedestrians.

In an impromptu analysis, one journalist noticed that “generally speaking… about one in 10 pedestrians [was walking while texting or emailing].” He further noted that ‘even people not using their smart phones kept them in their hands, like drawn weapons.”

Although there are many benefits to smart phones, needless injuries should always be avoided. As a Chicago personal injury lawyer, I encourage drivers and pedestrians alike to be aware of their surroundings.

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.

The National Weather Service has “issued a blizzard warning for the Chicago area as a dangerous storm swooping in from the South [that] could dump more than 18 inches of snow and … lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous.” Ice is another serious concern, as the high winds could cause waves to wash up on lakeshore drive.

Many Chicago area schools are closing early tomorrow, and are considering school cancellations on Wednesday. Please be careful and drive only when necessary in blizzard or white out conditions.

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. The woman, in town on business, was asleep at the time the individual entered her room. The suit alleges that the hotel acted negligently in failing to provide adequate security and allowing the hotel employee access to master key cards after his shift had ended. Chris Hurley can be reached with questions regarding the case at (312) 553-4900. View the CBS news report by Mike Parker here http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/26/suit-drunk-marriott-employee-sexually-assaulted-sleeping-guest/ The story is reported in the Chicago Sun -Times at the link below.
http://www.suntimes.com/3512392-417/hotel-suit-woman-employee-master.html

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.” Acetaminophen is a popular pain reliever found in drugs including Tylenol and Nyquil. However, regulators now say the drug is dangerous in the high dosages found in prescription medications, especially when it combines with other drugs for pain like oxycodone.

Acetaminophen is “the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. and sends 56,000 people to the emergency room annually,” taking the lives of 200 annually.

As a Chicago medical malpractice attorney, I am hopeful that federal regulators act quickly to make prescription painkillers safe.

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. They say 2 out of 5 kids have tooth streaking from too much fluoride. The splotches often are noticed only by dentists. But health officials think fluoride limits should be reduced.” At the moment, it’s unknown if there are any long-term dental or health consequences of too much fluoride in water.

As a personal injury attorney in Chicago, I am hopeful that further evaluations of fluoride levels in water will lead to more conclusive recommendations.

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.” (J. Mandak, AP Pittsburgh, 1/4).

Workers at the day care believe that the drain cleaner accidentally spilled on the diaper. Staff members did not notice the spill before putting the diaper on the child. Sadly, the diaper burned the child’s skin severely within two hours, and she now needs skin grafts.

As a Chicago personal injury lawyer, I would like to remind all parents and anyone handling young children to keep children’s products away from dangerous household chemicals.