News from September 2016
$35 million jury verdict for fatal 5-car crash pared back by $15 million
A combined $35 million judgment stemming from a fatal five-car crash has been pared back, after a judge took another look at the huge jury verdict.
Upsurge in retaliation claims prompts new EEOC guidelines; employers should take note, lawyer says
The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued its final Enforcement Guidance on Retaliation and Related Issues late last month, replacing its 1998 Compliance Manual section on retaliation. And employers should take note of the changes, which tighten regulations governing when employees might bring actions.
Wrongful death allegation made against Southpoint Nursing and Rehabilitation
An administrator of a deceased man's estate is suing Southpoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center LLC, which does business as Southpoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in a wrongful death claim alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Hillside Rehab & Care accused of allowing woman to fall
A deceased woman's family is suing Helia Healthcare Services LLC, which does business as Hillside Rehab & Care, in a wrongful death claim alleging negligence in nursing home care.
Gas station owners accused of not fixing crack in pavement which caused trip and fall
A woman says cracked pavement at a gas station caused her to trip and fall.
Radiologist accused of not interpreting MRI correctly
A patient is suing a radiologist and clinic, alleging negligence in medical care.
Edward Hospital accused of negligence in stillbirth
The family of a stillborn child has filed a wrongful death claim against several health providers, alleging negligence in medical care.
Judge dismisses constitutional challenge of IL Treasurer's unclaimed property program
The Illinois Treasurer’s Office will be allowed to continue its selling of unclaimed property after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that argued the practice amounts to an unconstitutional taking of private property.
Empire Today salespeople say flooring seller shorted them commissions, bonuses, blamed computers
A group of Empire Today salespeople have sued the suburban Chicago-based seller of home flooring and window treatments, saying their employer has wrongly blamed computer problems for allegedly consistently shorting them the commissions and other pay they believe they should have been owed based on their performances.
IL high court's remap rehearing denial erects 'roadblock that seems insurmountable' to reform: Dissent
Saying the Illinois Supreme Court missed out on an opportunity to provide helpful guidance to citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional rights, as well as to more fully explain its decision in light of longstanding precedent, the man who will serve as the court’s next chief justice, together with two of his colleagues on the state high court, teed off on the court majority’s decision to simply deny a request to rehear arguments over a proposed amendment intended to rewrite the ways Illin
River North hotel developers say partners schemed to fool them into handing hotel to them
A development firm, which plans to build a proposed 18-story River North restaurant and hotel, has sued its potential project partners for potentially more than $2 million, alleging the others schemed to fool PG into building the hotel and walking away.
Lawsuit accuses Polish Museum of America of duping Chicago residents into turning over desired items
Two Chicago residents are suing Polish Museum of America, saying museum representatives allegedly misled the plaintiffs into believing that items they found at their new property had been stolen and had to be turned over to the authorities for investigation, when the real motivation was for the museum to be able to acquire those items.
Worker blames Metra for injury aboard boom truck
A Metra worker is suing his employer over alleged negligence, violation of federal law and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Restaurant blames Trinity Roofing Service for fire, demands $8 million
A restaurant operation is suing a roofing company for more than $8 million, alleging that its improper use of propane torches led to a fire.
Former Walgreens store manager alleges retaliation, wrongful termination, sues for more than $1 million
A former store manager is suing Walgreens and district manager William Kennedy for more than $1 million, saying they wrongly fired her for pursuing her workers' compensation benefits.
Brooklyn Boulders rock-climbing facility accused of allegedly not supervising woman who fell
A woman is suing a rock-climbing center, alleging staff allowed her to use the facility without training, culminating in a 15-foot fall and injuries.
Coach who first accused Jackie Robinson West of cheating sues Little League for attempted cover up
An Evergreen Park Little League baseball coach who was the first to formally accuse the 2014 Jackie Robinson West Little League team of cheating has sued the national Little League baseball organization, claiming the youth baseball organization intentionally attempted to sweep his accusations against the Little League club from Chicago’s South Side under the rug to protect the positive publicity it had enjoyed in the wake of the team’s historic U.S. title run.
Judge: 'Not a close case,' Chicago GOP has right to exclude Dem voters from committeeman ranks
A federal judge has ruled Cook County Republicans have the constitutional right to attempt to weed out potential Democratic party operatives, who local Republicans worry have infiltrated their committeemen ranks.
Karmeier selected to serve as next chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court
Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier will be the next chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
New state law requires life insurers to check master death list against policies
A law has recently cleared the Illinois legislature that is designed to protect families from loopholes in life insurance policies that let companies that provide life insurance get away with not paying the beneficiaries in some cases.