Chicago Injury Attorney Blog

A $1.2 million civil settlement was paid to a man who sued Catholic Diocese of Belleville for clergy sex abuse. The plaintiff had accused Rev. Raymond Kownacki of molesting him when he was an altar boy at a parish in Salem, Illinois.

This is the first time since the early 90’s that the Belleville Diocese has paid to settle a clergy sex abuse victim’s injury case.

The plaintiff’s Illinois sex abuse lawsuit is not the only one naming Rev. Raymond Kownacki as the molester. Last year, a jury awarded Champaign resident James Wisniewski, who also accused Kownacki of molesting him, $5 million. Evidence that church officials knew the priest was molesting boys and girls during the 70’s and ‘80’s but did nothing to protect the public was presented during the civil trial.

The two plaintiffs were able to successfully argue that they were entitled to sue for Illinois child sex abuse even though the statute of limitations had expired. For them, the statute didn’t start running until when they realized that the molestation had psychologically damaged them.

A recent decision by the Illinois Supreme Court about the statute of limitations now virtually prevents sex abuse victims born before January 1, 1964 from suing over the abuse. On September 24, the court ruled that adult survivors of child sex abuse who became aware before 2001 of the trauma they suffered should have filed their complaints prior to 2003. A new amendment that year gave victims either 5 years after they realized they were abused or until they turned 28 to sue for sex abuse.

Sexual Abuse
The damages resulting from being a victim of sex abuse are often invisible to the naked eyes of others. However, for the victims, the emotional and psychological and sexual traumas they suffer from the molestation, sexual assault, or rape can last a lifetime.

Diocese pays $1.2 million to former altar boy to settle sex abuse lawsuit, BND, October 23, 2009

Illinois Supreme Court rules on sex-abuse statute of limitations, CatholicNewWorld, October 11, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Catholic Diocese of Belleville

Abuse in the Catholic Church, The Boston Globe

Continue reading "Clergy Sex Abuse: Catholic Diocese of Belleville Pays $1.2 Million to Settle Illinois Injury Lawsuit Against Parish Priest" »

The family of a former jail inmate is suing McHenry County, the county jail, two of its medical employees, and medical provider Correct Care Solutions for Illinois wrongful death and medical negligence. 35-year-old Steven Crook died from heart disease on May 29. His family claims that he is no longer alive because of the substandard medical care he was given while he was incarcerated last year. They are seeking over $50,000 in damages.

The Illinois wrongful death complaint contends that while in jail Crook was administered Haldol, an antipsychotic drug that is not recommended for people suffering from blood sugar conditions. The family says that Crook, who had diabetes, suffered a serious drug reaction, perhaps even neuropletic malignant syndrome, which led to his death.

The plaintiffs also say that jail employees neglected to monitor the 35-year-old’s blood sugar and improperly put him in isolation when they should have been monitoring him. They lawsuit also accuses the jail of improperly sending Crook to a prison facility.

Just because you or your loved one was an inmate in jail or in prison doesn’t mean that you no longer have civil rights. Prisoners and suspects also are entitled to proper medical care. This means that medical staffers must treat any illnesses or injuries or other health conditions, as well as (if warranted) monitor inmates with preexisting conditions.

If an inmate gets hurt, becomes sick, or dies because of negligent medical care, police brutality, or because law enforcement officers or the government was negligent or careless in any other way, the victim and his or her family may be entitled to Chicago injury or wrongful death compensation.

Inmate’s mom sues jail, Northwest Herald, October 28, 2009

Suit blames medical care in jail for McHenry man's death, Daily Herald, October 27, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Correct Care Solutions

National Commission on Correctional Healthcare

A jury has awarded a Chicago Traffic Management Authority supervisor over $1.5 million for police brutality. Jacqueline Fegan had accused four Chicago cops of causing her permanent injury on May 18, 2006 when she was handcuffed and thrown into a police motor vehicle because she wouldn’t toss out a parking ticket.

Fegan claims that Officer Robert Reid was angry because she wouldn’t cancel a parking ticket for his personal auto that was issued while he responded to a police call on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Fegan supervises parking-meters.

As she returned to her car, Reid allegedly said “You people better never meet us… even jaywalk.” Fegan says she was then handcuffed and arrested for jaywalking. She claims Reid allegedly pulled her arms back before cuffing her.

Fegan, who underwent wrist surgery, is on unpaid medical leave.

Fegan filed her Chicago police brutality lawsuit against the city, Reid, Michael Drew, James Young, and Dennis Doherty. In her complaint, she alleged imprisonment, false arrest, intentional infliction of emotional trauma, and battery.

The jury awarded her $1.25 million for emotional distress and over $300,000 for lost wages and medical expenses.

During the Chicago injury trial, attorneys representing the cops accused Fegan of being the one to throw around her authority. They she was arrested after shr walked into traffic on Magnificent Mile.

Chicago Police Brutality
Many people are afraid to report incidents of Chicago police brutality. The victims are scared of the repercussions or may not even know that what the officer did was wrong. Chicago cops are never allowed to use excessive force when dealing with civilians, including suspects or prisoners.

Chicago cop accused of false arrest over his parking ticket, Chicago Tribune, October 9, 2009

Traffic aide awarded more than $1 million in arrest for ticketing cop's car, Chicago Sun-Times, October 23, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Chicago Police Department

Chicago Meters

A 26-year-old motorcyclist died last night for injuries he sustained during a Chicago motorcycle crash on the Dan Ryan Expessway. Illinois State Police say Stefan Stave encountered a minivan that was stopped in traffic. He was unable to avoid the vehicle and rear-ended another passenger auto. The motorcyclist then fell onto the road where he was hit by a semi-truck.

Illinois State Police are investigating the Chicago motorcycle accident.

2008 Motorcycle Facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
• 121 Illinois motorcycle riders died.
• Nationally, there were 5,290 motorcyclists that died. That’s 116 more than in 2007.
• 96,000 motorcycle accident injuries.
• Motorcyclists have a 37 more likely chance of dying in a traffic accident and 9 times more likely chance of getting hurt than the occupants of passenger vehicles do (2007).
• Last year, motorcyclists made up 14% of all traffic deaths and 4% of all vehicle injuries.
• 47% of motorcycles involved in deadly accidents were involved in crashes with other vehicles.
• 77% of motorcycles involved in two-motor vehicle collisions were hit in the front.
• 25% of motorcycles involved in fatal accidents were in crashes with fixed objects.
• 35% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal traffic crashes were speeding.
• 29% of vehicle riders involved in deadly accidents were driving with a BAC of .08% or more
• 30% of motorcycle riders who died had a BAC of .08% or more.

In many traffic accidents involving motorcycles, it is usually the motorcyclists who are the worse for wear, sustaining traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and dying.

Our Chicago motorcycle crash lawyers have obtained successful results for many of our injury clients.

Motorcyclist killed in Dan Ryan crash, WBBM780, October 22, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Federal Highway Administration

The "Hurt Report" Summary

Continue reading "Chicago Motorcycle Accident on Dan Ryan Expressway Claims Life of Lombard, Illinois Rider" »

A sweat lodge ceremony that turned deadly has claimed the life of a third participant. Liz Neuman died of Saturday. The 49-year-old was in a coma and suffered multiple organ damage after she and more than 50 other people attended a two-hour ceremony in a 415-foot enclosure at a retreat hosted by author and self-help expert James Arthur Ray. Now, Neuman’s family says they intend to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

The other two people that died are Kirby Brown, 38, and James Shore, 40. The three victims and the other participants had each paid over $9,000 to attend Ray’s 5-day “Spiritual Warrior” event.

Before the sweat lodge, attendees spent 36 hours without food in the woods as part of a “vision quest.” They were served a buffet breakfast that morning.

Following the sweat lodge, participants were treated at hospitals for dehydration, organ failure, burns, respiratory arrest, and kidney failure. Sidney Spencer spent four days in a hospital because of multiple organ failure. She plans to sue Ray for personal injury.

Spencer’s personal injury lawyer says that when sweat lodge participants wanted to leave during the sweltering ceremony, Ray encouraged them to stay and fight the urge to exit the lodge. Another sweat lodge survivor, Beverley Bunn, told the Associated Press that Ray pushed participants too far. She says that although he didn’t force people to stay for the entire ceremony, he chided those who wanted to leave.

Police are trying to determine whether criminal charges need to be filed over the incident. At this time, they are treating the three deaths as homicides. Investigators are examining the sweat lodge to see whether it was constructed properly. They also want to find out what kind of medical care was available during the event.

Our Chicago wrongful death lawyers are following this story and will keep you abreast of developments.

Survivor cites fasting, pressure at sweat lodge, USA Today, October 21, 2009

Wrongful Death Suits Expected in Sedona Sweat Deaths; Brooklyn-Native Among Deceased, Brooklyn Eagle, October 19, 2009

1st sweat lodge survivor speaks out, AP, October 21, 2009

Related Web Resources:
James Arthur Ray

Wrongful Death Overview, Justia

Continue reading "With Sweat Lodge Deaths and Injuries, Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Lawsuits are Likely" »

The family of one of the men who fatally struck his head on an overpass while standing on the top level of a double-decker bus has filed an Illinois wrongful death lawsuit. Cameron Chana was 22.

The tragic Illinois bus accident happened on May 30 as a group traveled from Lake Shelbyville back to Eastern Illinois University. Chana, a Hinsdale Central graduate, was traveling with them.

He and 22-year-old Justin Sleezer struck their heads on the same overpass as the bus was driving under Interstate 57 on Illinois Route 16 outside Mattoon. The two men died from their traumatic head injuries.

According to the Coles County, Illinois wrongful death lawsuit, filed by Lori and Robert Chana, the defendants failed to supervise the behavior of passengers riding on the second level of the bus, neglected to take a different route that did not include the overpass, did not inform bus drivers about the dangers associated with certain bus routes, and did not properly train the bus drivers.

The Chanas' Chicago wrongful death lawyer also has pointed out that bus driver John F. Protz must have known that the overpass was a hazard because he drove a different route on the way to the lake. The Chicago injury attorney said that even though the bus had signs warning passengers not to stand when riding on the top level, the bus driver should have taken steps to ensure that people heeded the warning.

The Illinois wrongful death defendants include Protz, bus company Lincoln Springs Resort LLC, bus owner Graywood Enterprises. Inc., company owner Augustine G. Oruwari, and The Graywood Foundation.

While this type of bus accident might sound unusual or unexpected, this is not the first time anyone has died from getting struck by an overpass while riding a double-decker bus. In 2008, two men suffered traumatic head injuries during an overpass bus accident in the Washington DC area.

Getting struck in the head by a heavy or hard object can be fatal—especially when the impact occurs at a fast speed and the victim has no protection from the collision. Bus drivers and bus companies must ensure that their passengers do not do anything that could cause injury to themselves or others while on the bus.

Lawsuit filed in double-decker bus death, Pioneer Local, October 14, 2009

2nd Victim In Open-Top Bus Accident In D.C. Dies, The Washington Post, July 13, 2009

Two men die in Mattoon, Illinois bus accident after their heads strike an Interstate Highway 57 overpass, Chicago Injury Attorney Blog, June 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Brain Injury Association of America

Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Center

A woman has filed a Cook County injury lawsuit against Sears, Roebuck, and Co. for inadequate security. In her Chicago premises liability complaint, Christine Granberry is seeking over $100,000.

Granberry says that after shopping at the Sears on 1334 E. 795h Street, she went back to her vehicle, which she had parked in the store’s parking lot. When she got there she was assaulted by someone trying to steal her purse. She says the person “violently” knocked her to the pavement and kicked her multiple times, causing her to sustain permanent, serious physical injuries and experience severe, prolonged pain that will last for as long as she lives.

Granberry’s Chicago injury complaint accuses Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Sears Holdings Corp. of failing to maintain surveillance cameras that worked in the store’s parking lot, failing to monitor the area, failing to provide a security presence, and failing to help her during the assault.

Department stores can be held liable for Chicago premises liability if a hazard in the store or parking lot causes injury or death and the store owner and/or property owner could have acted to prevent the Chicago personal injury accident from happening.

Just last week, our Chicago injury lawyers posted an account about an octogenarian who settled her premises liability lawsuit against Target for $7 million. Claire Putnam fell after the store’s swinging door hit her. The door then struck her head after she had fallen. She sustained a traumatic brain injury from her Chicago fall accident. In September, Sears was sued for Chicago premises liability by another woman who says she slipped and fell on vomit and paper towel that had been left on a store floor.

On Friday, another woman sued another store for Chicago trip and fall. Claudette Minghetti says that on November 12, 2007, she tripped and fell because a box was left on the floor in the floral department of Treasure Island, a specialty store on the North Side.

Minghetti’s Chicago injury lawsuit accuses LD Trading and Wise and Treasure Island Foods of improperly leaving the box on the ground and neglecting to warn people it was there. She is seeking over $30,000 for damages she sustained from their alleged negligence.

Woman sues Sears after being mugged, Private Officer News, October 17, 2009

Woman sues grocery store after tripping over a box, WBBM Newsradio, October 16, 2009

Related Web Resource:
Proving Fault in Accidents on Dangerous or Defective Property, Nolo

Last week, McHenry resident Bret Wilkinson sued a Ringwood manufacturer for Illinois personal injury. In his Illinois brain cancer lawsuit, the 46-year-old accused Rohm and Haas of being responsible for the groundwater and air pollution that caused his inoperable grade 3 astrocytoma brain cancer. Wilkinson is the 30th plaintiff to sue the manufacturer for brain cancer.

Wilkinson grew up on the McHenry portion of the lake just a few blocks from where another brain cancer plaintiff used to live. He has resided close to the lake’s West shore since 1990.

At least 30 former and current McCullom Lake residents have filed Illinois brain cancer lawsuits seeking damages. The former chemical company is accused of dumping cancer-causing chemicals into the area. Some 1,000 people reside in the community. The state of Illinois says the population size is too small for a proper analysis of the area’s cancer rate.

Rohm and Haas bought the chemical plant from Morton International 10 years ago. The latter operated the plant for five decades and is accused of spending 20 years dumping toxic chemical waste into an unlined pit.

Eight of the nine patients diagnosed with astrocytoma brain cancer are deceased.

Rohm and Haas has admitted that chemicals were dumped in the pit, which spanned an eight-acre area. However, the company says it will fight the brain cancer lawsuits. Rohm and Haas claims tests prove that any contamination flowed away from the village. The plaintiffs, however, argue that testing occurred years after the company stopped dumping the chemicals.

30th plaintiff joins lawsuits over cancers, Northwest Herald, October 7, 2009

McCullom Lake Illinois Brain Cancer Lawsuits Filed on Behalf of 30 People, About Lawsuits, October 15, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Rohm and Haas

McCullom Lake, Illinois

Continue reading "McHenry County Resident Files 30th McCullom Lake, Illinois Brain Cancer Lawsuit Against Ringwood Manufacturer" »

A Chicago bus accident involving a van rear-ending a Chicago Transit Authority bus has left one woman dead and nine others injured. The catastrophic traffic accident happened on the afternoon of October 6 in the South Side Chatham neighborhood.

According to police, a CTA bus was stopped at Cottage Grove and 83rd Street when a van struck it from behind. 10 people were injured. 5 of the people who got hurt were riding in the van when the Chicago bus crash happened. Van passenger Patricia Blackburn was later pronounced dead at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

This is not the only deadly Chicago bus accident to happen in the past month involving a CTA bus. On September 17, a 51-year-old pedestrian died after he was hit by a CTA bus on Chicago’s South Side. The Chicago Transit Authority says the No. 14 Jeffrey Avenue bus struck Michael Cordell Payne as it pulled away from a bus shelter.

If you were involved in a Chicago bus accident, it is important to speak with an experienced Chicago motor vehicle accident law firm to explore your legal options. A good Chicago injury attorney can determine whether the bus driver, another driver, or another party, such as the municipality or a bus manufacturer, should be held liable for your Illinois bus accident injuries. In some cases, there may be more than one liable party.

Involvement in a bus accident can lead to catastrophic injuries for passengers in the bus and the occupants of the other vehicles involved in the Chicago traffic crash. Most buses are significantly larger in size than cars, pickup trucks, and motorcycles. This means the impact of colliding with a large bus—especially for pedestrians—can be fatal. Also, bus passengers usually do not have seat belts, which means they can easily be flung about during a bus accident and may be susceptible to spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious injuries.

Ten hospitalized after CTA bus crash, Chicago Sun-Times, October 6, 2009

Man struck and killed by CTA bus, WBBM, September 18, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Chicago Transit Authority

Regional Transportation Authority

The family of a young mother who died in a jail cell is suing the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for Chicago wrongful death. Jeannetta McDowell was arrested for stealing diapers on June 6, 2008. According to family members, the 26-year-old took the diapers because she has a 4-year-old son and she couldn’t afford to pay for them.

McDowell’s body was discovered in her cell three days after she was detained. Her autopsy report stated that there was dry vomit on her shirt. According to her grandmother, Darlene Warren, this indicates she was “crying out for help” but her pleas were ignored.

At the time of her death, McDowell, who was a drug user, had bronchial asthma and an inflamed heart muscle. Warren says that police should have asked her granddaughter if she had any preexisting medical conditions or if she was on any medication when they brought her in. McDowell’s mother told the media her daughter was carrying an inhaler in her purse.

Cook County is the largest single-site county jail in the US. In July, the US Attorney’s Office and the US Justice Department’s civil rights division issued their findings from a 17-month investigation of the facility.

The findings reported a “culture of abuse” that allowed guards to conduct organized beatings of inmates who verbally insulted them and made it possible for prisoners to commit violent acts against each other. Medical care deficiencies and serious sanitation problems were also noted. During the first four months of 2008, three Cook County Jail prisoners committed suicide and several others died because they did not receive adequate medical care.

Over 9,000 inmates waiting for criminal trials are housed at the jail, which is located on Chicago’s West Side. Many prisoners are mentally ill or old. The report stated that jail officers will sometimes hit a prison for getting dressed or undressing too slowly. Other deficiencies cied in the report:

• Inadequate staffing
• Poor supervision
• Making prisoners stay in cells for extended periods
• Plumbing deficiencies
• Inadequate lighting
• Extended lockdown in inhumane conditions
• Making prisoners share beds by rotating them in 8-hour shifts. This is known as “hot bunking”
• Poor sanitation
• Infection control issues
• Creating an environment where it is easy for prisoners to make weapons

A jail can be sued for Chicago personal injury or wrongful death if poor supervision, negligent care, inadequate security, negligent conditions, or unsafe or hazardous conditions contributed to the injury or death. A prisoner who was the victim of Chicago police brutality may also opt to file a complaint alleging civil rights violations.

Family Sues After Woman Dies In Cook County Jail, CBS2Chicago, October 9, 2009

Federal investigation rips Cook County Jail, Chicago Defender, July 22, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death Act

Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death Act, Illinois General Assembly

Cook County Sheriff's Office

An 81-year-old woman who was injured in a Rosemont Target store has settled her Chicago personal injury lawsuit against the department store chain for $7 million. Claire Putnam sustained traumatic brain injuries on June 21, 2007 when she walked into the store and the swinging door struck her. She fell to the ground and hit her head. The swinging door hit her head a second time.

Her Chicago traumatic brain injury lawyer says that Putnam, who was hospitalized following her Cook County fall accident, has a “diffuse brain injury” that resulted in permanent cognitive deficiencies. Putnam still can communicate but has a difficult time processing thoughts and words.

Since the Chicago premises liability accident, Putnam has been staying a nursing home. She will now go back to her family’s home and use some of the settlement to pay for medical help.

Prior to the Chicago injury accident, Putnam lived independently and cared for her adult daughter, who has special needs.

Putnam’s Chicago traumatic brain injury complaint accuses Target of failing to inspect and maintain the department store’s doors and neglecting to follow safety guidelines provided by Besam USA. The door manufacturer is also a defendant in the Chicago products liability complaint, which accuses Besam of failing to design a door that provided a way to shut down its fail-safe system and give off some sort of warning to let employees know when the door malfunctioned.

To ensure the best outcome possible for your Cook County injury lawsuit, it is important that you retain the services of an experienced Chicago personal injury law firm. There may be more than one party that can be held liable, as well as multiple grounds for suing the negligent parties for damages.

Woman settles for $7 million in Target injury lawsuit, Chicago Breaking News, October 6, 2009

$7 Million Trip to Target, NBC Chicago, October 6, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Premises Liability, Justia

Traumatic Brain Injury, CDC

Products Liability, Nolo

In Illinois, the family of Bernardica Saric was awarded a $4.5 million Chicago medical malpractice settlement in a case against Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Her widower, Andjelko Saric, and her five adult children are the recipients of the settlement.

According to the family’s Chicago medical malpractice attorney, Saric, a Bartlett woman, was first treated in 2000 when a polyp was removed from her colon. Following the surgery, she developed an infection and was readmitted to the Chicago hospital.

Doctors diagnosed Saric’s infection as E. coli. The family’s Chicago medical malpractice lawyer claims that the hospital chose to give her antibiotics that the bacteria is resistant to before sending her home.

Saric’s infection became sepsis. She then had a heart attack and suffered from multi-organ failure before dying earlier this year. The family’s Illinois medical malpractice lawyer says she suffered a great deal during the last nine years.

The Bartlett family still has a Chicago medical malpractice lawsuit pending against Saric’s doctor.

Medication Errors
Giving a patient the wrong medication can prove catastrophic and result in health complications, including nerve damage, blindness, brain damage, hearing loss, paralysis, a heart attack, infections, respiratory problems, infection, hemorrhage, coma, and death. Other common types of medication mix-ups include giving a patient the wrong dose or administering the medication in the wrong way. Medicine.net reports that seniors make up nearly 50% of deadly medication mistakes.

Medical providers are supposed to make you feel better. They are not supposed to make mistakes that can cause injury, health complications, or lead to wrongful death.

Bartlett family awarded millions in malpractice settlement, Daily Herald, September 22, 2009

Related Web Resources:
The Most Common Medication Errors, Medicine.net

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Agnes Wise is suing Blair and Blair Corporation for Illinois products liability. Wise says she sustained serious burn injuries when the sleeve of the bathroom she was wearing caught on fire as she walked close to a burning candle.

Wise says that Blair designed a robe was not made with flame retardant material. She also contends that the bathrobe had an unreasonably high propensity to combust. Her products liability lawsuit says that as a result, Wise was severely burned on December 18, 2008.

Wise claims she experienced disability, disfigurement, physical and emotional pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of a normal life. Her risk of future injuries increased and she now has medical bills for the treatments she had to undergo.

Wise is seeking over $200,000.

Flammable Clothes
Clothing manufacturers must make sure that the products they design do not have a high propensity to catch fire. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, and serious burn injuries can result. Granted, most clothing items will catch fire if you place them in flames. However, there are certain standards a piece of fabric must meet for fire retardant performance.

Burn injuries are no laughing matter. They are extremely painful and cause scarring, disfigurement, and medical complications, and they can take years to heal. Plastic surgeries and skin grafting may be required.

You may have grounds for filing a products liability lawsuit against a negligent clothing manufacturer.

Bathrobe manufacturer sued by woman who caught on fire, The Record, October 1, 2009

Related Web Resources:
The International Society for Burn Injuries

Products Liability, Justia

Continue reading "Woman Files Illinois Products Liability Complaint Over Bathrobe that Caught Fire" »

The second day of the US Department of Transportation’s Distracted Driving Summit is underway. Over 250 safety experts, lawmakers, industry representatives, and members of the public have come together to explore ways to end distracted driving. As US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood noted yesterday, every time a person takes their eyes off the road or talks on a cell phone, lives are placed at risk.

While distracted driving is not a new bad habit—people have found ways to distract themselves while on the road for years—the cell phone and text messaging era has turned distracted driving into a “menace to society," noted LaHood. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that distracted driving can be cited as a factor in 5,780 traffic deaths—that’s 16% of all motor vehicle deaths—and 515,000 auto injuries. In 2007, distracted driving was cited as a cause in 12% of all US traffic deaths.

Our Chicago injury law firm represents clients and the families of loved ones who died in car accidents, truck crashes, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle collisions, bus crashes, train accidents, and bicycle crashes throughout Will County, Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, and the other counties of Illinois. We have represented many people whose lives were wrecked because another motorist was distracted behind the wheel.

More Distracted Driving Facts:
• According to the National Safety Council, on any day last year, over 800,000 drivers had conversations on handheld cell phones while driving.
• From the University of Utah: A person who is talking on any kind of cell phone has a delayed reaction time equivalent to a person whose blood alcohol concentration is .08%--the legal driving limit.
• Carnegie Mellon reports that brain activity linked to driving goes down by 37% when someone uses a cell phone and drives.

There is no excuse for distracted driving and tragedy can ensue. A person injured in a cell phone accident or text messaging crash can be held liable for Chicago personal injury or wrongful death.

Distracted Driving Summit Continues in the U.S., The Gov Monitor, October 1, 2009

Govt: Nearly 6,000 deaths from driver distraction, AP/Google, October 1, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Distracted Driving, Cyberdrive Illinois

Distracted Driving Summit, US Department of Transportation