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Four potential medical negligence settlements could cost Cook County taxpayers about $24 million. In the first case, a civil lawsuit filed in a Cook County court alleges that a three-year-old boy sustained extreme brain damage as a result of an elective outpatient surgery performed at Stroger Hospital in December 2011. While in recovery from the operation, the child allegedly suffered cardiac arrest and his pulse stopped for as long as 15 minutes. The lawsuit also alleges that the boy went without oxygen for at least five minutes before medical staff began performing CPR. The child allegedly suffered irreversible and permanent brain damage and will require treatment for the rest of his life.

According to reports, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez’s Office has recommended the county board agree to what would purportedly be the largest settlement in the history of Cook County. The structured settlement would reportedly be paid out of a self-insurance fund that was created specifically for cases of medical negligence. In addition to the child’s case, the Cook County Board will also be tasked with reviewing three other proposed medical malpractice settlements that supposedly arose at the same hospital.

According to County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, the four medical negligence lawsuits resulted from independent errors and are not part of a larger pattern. Additionally, Suffredin stated Dr. Ramanathan Raju, Head of the Cook County Public Health System, has instituted a new risk-management system that was designed to prevent additional medical mistakes.

Unfortunately, patients of all ages are placed at risk of being injured or killed by the intentional or careless acts of medical providers. Medical negligence results when a surgeon, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, or other health care professional fails to provide his or her patient with the prevailing standard of medical care and the patient suffers an injury as a result of that failure. Sadly, preventable surgical mistakes like the one in this case can potentially cause lifelong damage or tragic death. If you were hurt or a close relative was killed by a physician or other medical provider’s negligent act or omission, you should discuss your case with a skilled medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
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Red light cameras are increasingly popping up in communities across the nation. Although relatively rare just 15 years ago, the devices are now installed at traffic intersections in about 700 cities located in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to monitoring drivers who fail to stop at traffic signals, red light camera technology is purportedly being utilized to keep tabs on vehicle speeds, compliance with high occupancy lane requirements, and stop sign violations. Proponents of the cameras claim the devices decrease potentially deadly traffic violations. Critics allege the increase in red light cameras has more to do with increasing city revenues than safety. Red light cameras are currently banned in at least nine states and anti-red light camera technology bills have recently been introduced in at least two more.

According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 700 people were killed and 90,000 were hurt as a result of an alleged red light violation in 2009. Since then, the rate for such injuries and fatalities has reportedly decreased. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2011 claims the use of red light cameras decreased traffic fatalities by approximately one-fourth in cities that used the technology.

A 2005 study conducted by the Federal Highway Administration reportedly found that although red light cameras decreased certain types of crashes, they actually increased rear-end traffic wrecks. Agency officials cautioned municipalities against installing red light camera technology before pursuing other engineering modifications at intersections. For example, the agency allegedly found that increasing the length of yellow lights by just one second can decrease red light crashes by as much as 40 percent.

Red light cameras can potentially generate millions of dollars in fines for both large cities and the companies that provide the technology. In the past, some technology companies were accused of shortening the length of yellow lights in an effort to increase violation revenues. In Chicago, about $300 million in fines were reportedly paid to the city since 2003. After a number of resident complaints, a spokesperson for the company that operates the cameras said an internal investigation into the matter was ongoing. The same company was recently barred from re-bidding on the city’s red light camera contract after an investigation revealed the company made inappropriate purchases for the city official who oversees the traffic light program.

Unfortunately, car crashes are one of the leading causes of personal injury and death throughout the Chicago Metro. A driver or passenger in a rear-end or other motor vehicle accident may suffer back and neck injuries, a spinal cord injury, severe head trauma, broken bones, and other harm. The victim in a Chicago traffic collision may be eligible to recover compensation for lost wages and benefits, pain and suffering, medical expenses, any disability that resulted from the wreck, and other damages. Additionally, certain family members of an individual who was killed in an automobile crash may also be able to file a wrongful death case. A skilled personal injury attorney can explain your right to recovery in more detail.
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In late January, an 18-year-old college freshman unexpectedly drowned in a swimming pool located at the Moody Bible Institute’s River North campus in Chicago. According to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro, the young man was discovered unresponsive in a pool at a facility located on North Wells Street. Emergency responders reportedly transported the teen to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office stated the young man drowned and ruled his death an accident.

Data from the nation’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about 10 people die in the United States every day as a result of accidental drowning. Between 2005 and 2009, more than 3,500 people drowned in non-boating related accidents. The CDC claims that approximately 80 percent of drowning victims are male and children under 14 account for about one-fifth of all accidental drowning deaths nationwide. In addition, kids between the ages of one and four reportedly suffer the highest risk of drowning. Sadly, about 30 percent of deaths for children in that age group result from drowning.

Property owners in Illinois must keep their premises reasonably safe and secure. If a property owner fails to comply with local laws and pool safety standards or creates a dangerous condition around a pool, the owner may be held liable for any injury or death that results. In addition, if the owner constructs an attractive nuisance such as a slide near a pool and fails to ensure a fence or other safety equipment is installed, the property owner may be held financially responsible for any injury that occurs. Because Illinois is a comparative negligence accident state, someone who was injured as a result of another person’s actions may be able to recover financial damages for their harm even if he or she is somehow partially to blame.

Drowning accidents often result from a lack of a barrier or fence around a pool, failure to properly supervise children, not wearing a life jacket, alcohol use, and a number of other factors. Even a nonfatal drowning incident may cause permanent disability and brain damage. If your child or other loved one drowned in a private pool, you may be entitled to recover damages for your loss. Contact a skilled Chicago personal injury attorney to discuss your case in more detail.
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The public comment period recently ended for a proposed federal law that would require black boxes to be installed in all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States by September 1, 2014. Although privacy advocates have reportedly expressed concern over the proposed law, many automakers have already installed such devices in their vehicles. In fact, some models have been recording accident data since the 1990s. The black boxes allegedly record driver actions and responses in an automatic and continuous information loop.

Information stored in a motor vehicle black box may be used to determine the speed an automobile was traveling immediately prior to a collision. In addition, sensors may be used to determine whether the brakes were engaged, a seat belt was worn, or a motorist was steering erratically before a crash. The devices are allegedly designed to assist accident investigators and improve roadway safety. The data collected by black boxes is also increasingly being used in lawsuits. For example, such data was reportedly utilized when drivers claimed Toyota vehicles unexpectedly accelerated without warning.

In late 2012, a federal law required that car manufacturers begin disclosing the existence of black boxes in each vehicle owner’s manual. There are purportedly no federal privacy policies in place to prevent misuse of the information that is collected by automobile black boxes. In addition, car owners cannot currently opt out of installation and it is apparently tough to disable the devices. When a device is installed, automakers collect at least 15 different data points.

In addition to a federal black box requirement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reportedly considering whether to require the devices to collect an additional 30 data points. Although some auto manufacturers are currently collecting information regarding a motorist’s seat position, passenger safety belt use, and whether a vehicle’s electronic stability technology was engaged prior to a wreck, many do not. Safety engineers have purportedly identified in excess of 80 data points that may be collected in the future.

Despite purported privacy concerns, the NHTSA claims it does not have the authority to place restrictions on the use of data collected by an automobile black box. Still, as many as a dozen states have implemented a privacy law regarding the use of device information. According to Gloria Bergquist, Vice President of the Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers, a federal data recorder requirement is unnecessary. She said more than 90 percent of new vehicles are already equipped with such devices. Bergquist also stated black boxes help safety engineers understand how automobiles perform in real world conditions.

Traffic accidents may be caused by many factors including driver inattention, carelessness, or impairment. Inclement weather, motor vehicle defects, hazardous road conditions, and other factors can also cause an unexpected wreck. If you were hurt in an automobile collision, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation for any injuries or medical expenses that you incurred as a result of the accident. Unfortunately, obtaining the damages you deserve following a collision can be complicated. You should contact a skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer to discuss your rights in more detail.
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The athletic director at a local high school was tragically killed in a recent one-car accident in Carroll County. The 54-year-old Carl Sandburg High School employee was reportedly northbound on Loran Road when his vehicle went off of an embankment near Indian Trail Road and rolled. According to the Carroll County Coroner’s Office, the Orland Park man was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The wreckage was allegedly found more than 12 hours after the 54-year-old was reported missing in Orland Park. The exact cause of the fatal traffic accident is currently under investigation by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.

Sadly, single-vehicle accidents like this one occur all too often. Motorist impairment, speeding, unexpected vehicle malfunctions, road hazards, swerving to avoid an object in the roadway, and hazardous weather conditions are just a few common causes of one-car wrecks. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims 532 individuals were killed in a single-automobile crash in Illinois in 2011. This means one-car accidents accounted for more than half of the 918 fatal traffic crashes that occurred in our state. In general, most single-car wrecks took place in urban areas like the Chicago Metro.

Although it is unclear whether the victim in this accident did so, individuals traveling in a motor vehicle in Illinois are required to wear a safety belt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 12,000 lives were saved by seat belt use across the nation in 2009. In addition, using a seat belt reportedly decreases the risk of serious injury and death for people riding in the front seat of an automobile by almost half.

In 2011, an estimated 84 percent of Americans fastened their seat belt when riding in a car or truck. Safety belt use is allegedly higher in primary enforcement states like Illinois. Primary enforcement means a police officer may stop a motor vehicle based solely on a violation of the seat belt law. Drivers and passengers are reportedly more likely to travel in a vehicle without utilizing a safety restraint at night. Additionally, one-car crashes are more likely to take place at night. Approximately half of all traffic deaths happen at night despite that only about one-fourth of all vehicle miles are driven in the dark.

If you were injured while riding as a passenger in a single-vehicle crash, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. Because Illinois is a comparative negligence accident state, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for any injuries you sustained in a car accident even if you failed to wear your safety belt or were otherwise partially to blame for your harm. Certain surviving family members of someone who was killed in a one-vehicle collision may also be entitled to recover for the wrongful death of their loved one. A quality personal injury lawyer can explain your options for recovery in more detail.
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According to researchers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), physicians and other medical professionals who use standard written safety checklists when responding to surgical crises have better outcomes than those who do not. In fact, doctors are reportedly 75 percent more likely to ensure that all necessary critical care steps are taken when using a checklist. According to AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, it has long been established that written checklists improve patient outcomes following routine surgical procedures. Clancy said the research was the first time evidence has shown similar checklists can benefit patients during a surgical emergency.

As part of a study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, investigators reportedly simulated operating room emergencies such as heart attacks, an air embolism, severe allergic reactions, an unexplained drop in blood pressure, and heavy bleeding. Researchers then analyzed the response of 17 randomized surgical teams from three Boston area hospitals. Each team reportedly included a mock surgeon, surgical technologists, nurses, and anesthesia staff. In half of the scenarios, the teams were provided with written checklists to adhere to. In the other half, each team was required to use life-saving measures without a written guide. According to researchers, the checklists aided the operating room teams in eliminating missed steps about three-fourths of the time. In addition, 97 percent of those who participated in the study said they would want such checklists used in the event of their own surgical crisis.

Unexpected surgical crises reportedly require operating room staff in Illinois and across the nation to respond both quickly and correctly. Failure to appropriately respond to a surgical crisis can have life-threatening implications. Dr. Atul Gawande, Senior Study Author, Surgeon, and Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, said the research proves that simple, carefully crafted, evidence-based surgical checklists can improve patient safety during unexpected crisis events.

The use of written checklists is rapidly becoming a standard for routine surgical care. Medical negligence occurs when a physician, nurse, or other health care professional does not provide a patient with the prevailing standard of medical care. Medical malpractice can also result when a doctor fails to properly diagnose or treat a patient’s medical condition. If you suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence in Illinois, you have up to two years from the date you learned of the injury to file a lawsuit. If you were hurt or a loved one died as a result of negligent medical care, you should contact a skilled medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your case.
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Lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. recently settled a claim for well known telenovela actress Katie Barberi. Ms. Barberi has played roles in several television series, including Grachi, Mi corazón insiste… en Lola Volcán, and Doña Bárbara. She also played a role in the NBC series The Bronx Zoo. Click here for her complete filmography.

In 2011, Ms. Barberi was injured when she was visiting a home in the Chicago area. As she descended a carpeted residential stairway, a step gave way causing Katie to fall. She struck her upper back on the stairs.

A subsequent inspection of the stairway revealed that the step was in fact broken and the nature of the step was unknown to Katie due to the obscuring carpet. The property owners had previous notice of the defective condition.

Katie suffered an upper back injury and underwent physical therapy to manage her pain and recover.

Abels & Annes, P.C. brought a claim on Katie’s behalf against the homeowner’s insurance policy covering the property and successfully settled the matter without having to file a lawsuit.

Fortunately Katie made a complete recovery and was able to continue her acting career soon after. The amount of the settlement is confidential.

Defective stairway injuries are not uncommon. Often builders and property owners cut corners when constructing and maintaining stairs. They often violate local building codes and ordinances. We have investigated and resolved several of these claims over recent years. In many cases we retain architects to inspect the property at issue to help us better determine if there is a viable case.

If you have been injured in a premises liability accident, whether it was a fall down stairs, or a slip and fall in a store, contact the injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. for a free consultation. Our experienced accident attorneys are here to answer your questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 855-LAW-CHICAGO.

The above statement was made with the express written consent of our client, Katie Barberi.
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Two men apparently died in a recent fire at a 16-story apartment building on Chicago’s South Shore Drive. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, a man in his 30’s and a 50-year-old both suffered a massive heart attack as a result of smoke inhalation. Both were reportedly found on the seventh floor of the building and later pronounced dead at local hospitals. A woman also allegedly suffered a heart attack in the lobby of the building. After paramedics performed CPR on the woman, she was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center for further treatment. Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford stated one firefighter suffered minor injuries while battling the unexpected blaze.

According to Langford, the extra alarm fire broke out on the seventh floor of the building and spread to the eighth floor. At least ten ambulances were reportedly summoned to the scene as firefighters used ladders to battle the blaze on one side of the building and rescue building occupants on the other. It allegedly took less than an hour for firefighters to put out the flames.

The damaged building is reportedly one of hundreds of residential structures erected prior to 1975 that has no fire sprinkler or internal communication system installed. In 2004, a Chicago ordinance required the owners of all such buildings to install modern safety measures by January 1, 2012. Unfortunately, that deadline was later extended to January 1, 2015. Tom Lia, Executive Director of the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, stated much of the fire damage at this particular building could have been prevented by a sprinkler system.

Although most of those injured in this tragic case suffered smoke inhalation, many people are burned in building and other fires each year. In fact, the American Burn Association estimates that about 450,000 Americans required medical treatment for a burn injury in 2011. More than half of those burned reportedly required hospitalization and about 3,500 died as result of their burns. Approximately 68 percent of individuals admitted to a specialized burn center were purportedly hurt at home. In addition, about 10 percent of severe burns occurred at work and seven percent resulted from a traffic accident.

Burn accidents may be caused by building fires, electrical accidents, car wrecks, scalding, and industrial accidents. Sadly, the victim of a serious burn will normally require long-term medical care. If you were severely burned due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to collect compensation for your pain, suffering, loss of income and benefits, medical expenses, and other damages. Contact a skilled personal injury attorney to discuss your options for recovery.
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For the first time, researchers have reportedly identified signs of brain damage in living former National Football League (NFL) players. The research is currently being hailed as a positive step towards identifying Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in patients who have suffered a concussion or other head trauma. According to Dr. Julian Bailes, Co-Director of NorthShore Neurological Institute in Evanston and study Co-Author, the discovery may assist physicians with improving CTE treatment in the future.

As part of a study recently published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, brain scans were allegedly performed on five former NFL football players using a patented imaging tool. Each of the former players sustained at least one concussion during his football career. In addition, the age of the players ranged from 45 to 73. The scans reportedly revealed an abnormal protein that causes CTE existed in each player’s brain. The protein purportedly causes dementia, depression, and memory loss by strangling brain cells. Prior to the research study, CTE could only be identified post-mortem.

Dr. Gary W. Small, Lead Study Author and Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA, said the research may be used to identify preventative CTE treatments in the future. Although the results are only preliminary, researchers are hopeful that the information may be used to monitor current NFL players for signs of CTE before the disease takes hold. The tragic disease became highly publicized after the unfortunate suicide of former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson and others.

Although this research study focused on the effect of concussions received while playing professional football, many high school athletes also suffer dangerous head injuries. Since 2011, all school boards in Illinois must adopt a concussion policy that complies with Illinois High School Association (IHSA) guidelines. Additionally, the IHSA must provide all Illinois school districts with educational materials regarding the risks associated with head injuries in children. A school board’s current head injury policy must be provided in writing and signed by both parents and student athletes prior to participation in any school sporting event.

Even a mild concussion can cause lifelong injuries for your son or daughter. Traumatic brain injuries in children may be caused by unexpected accidents as well as sporting events. Head injuries often cause dizziness, headaches, confusion, double vision, and mood swings. The victim of a traumatic brain injury may be entitled to compensation for any resulting disability, the cost of their medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. If your minor child suffered a preventable head injury, you should discuss your rights with a skilled personal injury attorney.
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According to a Chicago Tribune report, about 1,700 Chicago children between the ages of five and 18 were hit by a motor vehicle within one block of a school between 2007 and 2011. Such collisions accounted for about 10 percent of all pedestrian accidents that occurred during the five years examined. In addition, approximately 22 percent of the 16,500 pedestrian accidents throughout Chicago between 2007 and 2011 reportedly left a child injured.

According to Chicago Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein, the city has not yet successfully reduced its rate of fatal pedestrian accidents despite new measures designed to increase pedestrian safety. Klein stated Chicago officials have created a new pedestrian safety program, increased the enforcement of traffic laws, and introduced measures designed to calm traffic. He added that it could take several years before quantifiable pedestrian safety increases are achieved.

Illinois Department of Transportation data shows that Chicago enjoyed a 17-year low for pedestrian traffic deaths in 2010. During that year, only 32 people traveling on foot were killed by a motor vehicle. Still, one-fourth of pedestrian fatalities in 2010 were children. Preliminary data from the Chicago Police Department claims that 48 pedestrians died in Chicago in 2012. Overall pedestrian crash rates in Chicago have reportedly remained steady at around 3,000 incidents for several years.

A study released by the Chicago Department of Transportation in 2011 found that about 80 percent of severe or deadly pedestrian accidents in the city happened at or near a crosswalk. In addition, children are allegedly more likely to be struck by a vehicle on the West and South sides of Chicago. The most frequent cause of pedestrian accidents is purportedly motorists who simply fail to yield.

Annually, almost 6,000 pedestrians are hit by a motorist throughout the State of Illinois. Despite that a pedestrian may be struck by a car anywhere, most crashes occur in urban areas like Chicago. Unfortunately, most pedestrian collisions result in a severe injury or tragic death. In 2011, over 100 pedestrians in Illinois died in an accident with a car, truck, or other vehicle. If you were struck by a Chicago motorist while crossing the street, you may be compensated for any injuries you suffered. Pedestrian accident victims may be entitled to collect damages for their medical expenses, lost benefits and wages, pain and suffering, and more. A skilled pedestrian accident attorney can explain your options for recovery in more detail.
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