Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois swimming pool accidents pose summer threat to small children

June 2, 2010 | By Dave Abels

The end of the school year is a good time to talk to your children about swimming pool safety. Chicago swimming pool accidents occur almost exclusively between Memorial Day and Labor Day and speaking with children about safe swimming is a good way to get the summer off to a safe start.

Drownings and near drownings are complex medical and legal cases. In particular, long-term issues with dexterity, coordination and cognitive ability are possible in near-drowning victims and may not be readily apparent following an accident. Tragically, children are the most frequent victims. If you are dealing with a drowning or near-drowning accident, the Illinois swimming pool accident attorneys and the Chicago child injury lawyers at Abels & Annes offer a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights.The Illinois Department of Health has adopted strict safety standards and guidelines for the owners of residential and commercial swimming pools. The Illinois Swimming Pool Safety Act (210 ILCS 130) also outlines requirements for safe pool operation.

In particular, water parks, hotels, and other community swimming pools have an obligation to ensure the safety of guests. The state requires that Illinois’ 3,500 swimming pools meet water-quality and safety standards, as well as safe design and engineering standards. Additionally, an increasing number of accidents involve faulty pool equipment, including drain covers, which can lead to very serious or even fatal entrapment injuries.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has launched a nationwide Pool Safety Campaign aimed at reducing the number of fatal swimming pool accidents involving small children.

-Each year an average of 385 children younger than 15 are killed in swimming pool accidents in the United States — nearly 4 in every 5 cases involve a young child under the age of 5.

-In the last three years, emergency rooms have treated an average of 4,200 cases involving pool or spa submersion injuries to children under the age of 15.

The following swimming pool safety tips are provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

-Never leave a child alone near a pool.

-The adult supervising children near a pool should be trained in CPR.

-All pools should be protected by a gated fence or other enclosure.

-Rescue equipment and a telephone should always be kept near the pool.

-Do not use air-filled swimming aides as a substitute for approved safety vests.

-Toys should be removed from the pool area when not in use so children are not tempted to enter the pool area.
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Two Chicago area priests removed due to sex abuse allegations

May 31, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Two priests in Joliet, Illinois have been removed for allegedly sexually abusing a student in the 1970s, according to the Herald-News. The abuse allegedly occurred at different times while the victim was a student at Providence Catholic in New Lenox and Joliet Catholic High School, which is now called Joliet Catholic Academy. The victim is now in his 40s and resides in Florida. The names of the victim or the priests have not been made public.

On Friday a news conference was held by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) in Joliet. The investigation was made public a that time and Snap demanded more action be taken regarding the priests.

After the news conference, the Joliet diocese announced that the priests had been removed from the ministry.

Fatal Chicago pedestrian accident, 10-year-old boy killed

May 29, 2010 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois car vs. pedestrian accident has taken the life of a 10 year old boy in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. CBS News is reporting that the driver is suspected of DUI, as he was found slumped over at the wheel.

The boy was crushed to death as he walked between two parked cars just before 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. As the child was waiting for traffic to clear and cross the street in the 6900 block of North Ashland, the at fault driver hit a parked SUV with his van, causing a chain reaction accident that crushed the boy. The victim was walking with his father, brother and sister.

The Chicago Police Department is reportedly questioning the driver and they believe alcohol may have played a roll.

State officials launch Motorcycle Awareness Month in effort to reduce Illinois motorcycle accidents

May 27, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Gov. Pat Quinn, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation have proclaimed May Motorcycle Awareness Month and urge motorists to be vigilant in looking for motorcycles.

Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog recently reported a pair of serious Chicago motorcycle accidents in April as riding season begins in earnest and we encourage all motorists and riders to ride and drive safely.”Start Seeing Motorcycles” will be the primary message geared toward motorists as the state seeks to continue the decrease in Illinois motorcycle accidents and traffic fatalities. Overall traffic fatalities decreased last year to 911, from the 1,043 reported in 2008, while fatal motorcycle accidents dropped slightly, to 130 compared to the 135 recorded in 2008.

“We are very encouraged to see a drop in the number of motorcycle fatalities on our roads and would like to see that trend continue,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “This campaign reinforces the importance of motorcycle safety. We urge every motorist on the road to be on the lookout for motorcycle riders and to ‘Share the Road’ with them.”

Celebrities backing the Illinois campaign include mixed martial artists and motorcycle riders Matt Hughes and Gray Maynard, as well as Stephanie Reaves, the first woman to earn a professional drag racing license through the American Motorcycle Association.

“Motorcycle safety is a fundamental topic close to my heart and thousands of riders in Illinois and across the nation,” Reaves said. “Whether I am racing on the track or traveling on the road, I make sure to wear the proper riding gear and am always aware of my surroundings.”

Additionally, officials are pushing all riders to take advantage of free riding courses being offered to beginning and intermediate riders. Last year, IDOT trained 16,701 students in its Cycle Rider Safety Training Program.

“The Illinois State Police is committed to sustaining the downward trend of traffic crash fatalities in Illinois, and ensuring the safety of motorcyclists,” said Acting Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken. “Troopers throughout the state will continue to monitor speed limits, check license endorsements, and enforce “Fatal Five” moving violations.”State Police offer the following safety tips:

– Don’t drink and ride.

– Wearing a helmet, protective body wear, boots and gloves is strongly recommended.

– Wearing brightly colored clothing can improve your visibility during the day — wear reflective clothing at night.

– Ride within your skills and capacity. Riding beyond 80 percent of capacity leaves no margin for error, or for the unexpected.

– Stay alert to what’s ahead. Don’t become fixed on what’s just beyond your front tire. Be alert to what’s 12-16 seconds ahead, including vehicles, potholes, roadway obstructions, and other potential hazards.

– In an emergency, remember that motorcycles have a far better stopping capacity than larger vehicles. As you avoid a hazard, scan for a safe escape route and keep watch for vehicles approaching from behind.

– At intersections, check left, check front, check right, and check left again. Checking left first and last is important because it is the first lane of oncoming traffic. Continue to scan the intersection in a clockwise pattern. Take special care to watch for vehicles approaching from the front, in case that vehicle turns left in front of you — 77% of motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle occur when a vehicle makes a left turn in front of an approaching rider.

To learn more about the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program visit www.startseeingmotorcycles.org.
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Police hunting driver of SUV involved in fatal weekend Chicago pedestrian accident

May 25, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Police are questioning a suspect in a fatal hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident that occurred shortly before midnight Friday, according to the Southtown Star.

A 38-year-old Indiana woman was struck while crossing 95th Street after leaving a bar to buy cigarettes at a nearby gas station. Witnesses told police she was dragged 50 or 60 feet down 95th Street by a Suburban that then turned onto Ridgeland Road, the Sun-Times reported.

She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead at 12:58 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Reward offered for arrest of driver in Chicago taxi cab accident that killed student

May 24, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A 32-year-old Near West Side man died on Saturday as a result of injuries sustained in a Chicago taxi cab accident, the Tribune reported.

Authorities say the victim was leaning in the window, perhaps arguing with the cab driver, when the cab took off, dragging him for more than a block and running over his legs. He was pronounced dead at 5 p.m. Saturday by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

His parents say the victim was a full-time MBA student and a die-hard Cubs Fan. He was hospitalized at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for more than a week before dying as a result of his injuries.

Illinois traffic fatalities down, despite spate of Chicago car accidents over Mother’s Day weekend

May 23, 2010 | By Dave Abels

Through early May, a total of 258 people have been killed in fatal Illinois car accidents, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Forty-five deaths involved drunk driving accidents, while another 36 fatal crashes involved unlicensed drivers. To date, 13 fewer fatal crashes have occurred this year than during the same period a year ago.

Mother’s Day weekend Chicago car accidents included:

A rollover accident on I-57 near 99th and Halsted streets sent six people to the hospital on Mother’s Day. The accident occurred in the Far South Side’s Washington Heights neighborhood at about 3 p.m., the Breaking News Center reported.

Fatal Chicago area DUI car accident results in guilty verdict

May 22, 2010 | By Dave Abels

A man from Aurora, Illinois has been found guilty in a criminal court bench trial of reckless homicide and aggravated drunk driving for hitting and killing a pedestrian and his dog in Batavia in 2009, according to the Daily Herald . He was found not guilty of first degree murder. The sentence on the DUI charge is 3 to 14 years and sentencing is scheduled for July 23rd.

The defendant had reportedly drank and smoked marijuana prior to taking a car without permission. The car belonged to the girlfriend of a friend.

The victim was walking his dog before going to work at an auto parts store when he was hit. He was taken to St. Charles Hospital and died a short time later.

Chicago pedestrian accident victim that was dragged by cab in critical condition

May 21, 2010 | By Dave Abels

It has been a week since a Chicago pedestrian was seriously injured when he was dragged by a taxicab for 40-50 yards, according to WGN News. The accident happened in front of the victim’s residence near 1600 North Honore Street around 3:30 in the afternoon last Friday. The Chicago pedestrian was leaning into a taxi when the cab suddenly accelerated without warning.

The victim was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. CT scans are showing he has sustained brain damage and may not recover, and may be in a permanent vegetative state if he survives.

Witnesses state that before the accident the victim and cab driver were involved in an argument right before the accident. At some point the driver attempted to leave the scene while the victim’s body was still half way inside the cab. There was reportedly a blood trail from the scene where the pedestrian was dragged.

Anonymous donor posts bail for teen charged in hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident

May 20, 2010 | By Dave Abels

An anonymous donor has posted bond for a North Shore teenager accused in a hit-and-run Chicago pedestrian accident that critically injured a fellow student, ABC7 reported.

The 18-year-old allegedly left the scene after striking a 16-year-old girl outside New Trier High School at Green Bay and Winnetka roads. She was stopped by police about half-an-hour later. The victim suffered a brain injury and is in critical condition.

The judge set bail at $500,000, saying the high bail reflected the fact that the accused teenager admitted that she smoked marijuana the night before the crash. Toxicology results are pending, which could affect the case.