News from December 2015
Hip pain patient accuses Zimmer U.S. of faulty prosthetic design
CHICAGO – A Shelby County man is suing a medical device manufacturer, alleging a faulty design in the unit with which he was implanted.
Mother blames West Suburban's doctors for newborn’s brain damage
CHICAGO – A Cook County mother is suing doctors at an Oak Park hospital, alleging a 68-minute absence of fetal monitoring left her child with permanent brain injuries.
Daughter blames Alden Lakeland staff for 82-year-old mother’s death
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing a Chicago long-term care facility, alleging their negligence caused the death of her 82-year-old mother.
Chicago, Park Grill investors launch appeals, counter-appeals over rulings in Millennium Park restaurant deal fight
The legal fight over the fate of the Park Grill restaurant in Chicago’s Millennium Park will continue in the courts in 2016 and perhaps beyond, as the city of Chicago and the restaurant’s operators each prepare for appeals and counter-appeals of a Cook County judge’s decisions in a case over an allegedly crooked restaurant deal that has already cost taxpayers millions of dollars in legal fees and court costs.
Artificial turf installers staking positions for court fight over O'Hare turf install contract, patent rights
A turf war has spilled into federal court over the rights to a city of Chicago contract worth as much as $25 million to install new artificial turf in place of grass along a new taxiway at O’Hare International Airport. On Dec. 18, FieldTurf USA Inc., the maker and installer of artificial turf in stadiums and other settings throughout the U.S., filed suit in Chicago federal court against Chicago-based rival turf installer AvTurf.
Bus passenger blames CTA for causing his injuries
CHICAGO – A Chicago man is suing the CTA, alleging he was struck by a handicapped ramp while aboard a CTA bus.
Attorney accuses colleague of mishandling divorce case
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing his lawyer, alleging legal malpractice in a dispute involving the handling of the plaintiff's divorce.
Client accuses two law firms of malpractice in personal injury case
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing two law firms, alleging they made mistakes in handling his personal injury case.
Customer alleges slippery carpet at Orland Toyota caused injuries
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing a Tinley Park car dealership after she says she slipped and fell on slippery carpet at the dealer.
Shopper blames Mariano's for injuries caused by broken chair
CHICAGO – A Highland Park woman is suing owners of a supermarket, alleging she was injured by sitting in a broken chair at Mariano’s Fresh Market in Vernon Hills.
Client blames divorce lawyer for loss of more than $200,000
CHICAGO – A Lake Zurich man is suing his divorce lawyer, alleging his mishandling of the case caused the plaintiff to lose more than $200,000.
Happy returns? Restaurateurs, lawyers watch to see how no-tipping policies impact profits, labor litigation
As the calendar moves into 2016 and beyond, the hospitality industry could see a growing shift among restaurants to no-tipping policies, should restaurateurs across the country see many happy returns for the handful of dining establishments that have already eliminated tipping – and see whether the change might help delete lawsuits over the treatment of tipped employees from the country’s litigation menu.
No new trial for ladder maker ordered to pay Wheaton man $11 million for fall, head injuries
A ladder manufacturer will not be granted another chance to persuade a court a jury wrongfully awarded a Wheaton man more than $11 million after he fell when the ladder on which he was perched collapsed.
IL Supreme Court: Plaintiffs don't get to change judges simply because they withdraw, refile suit
The Illinois Supreme Court has shot down a plaintiff’s attempt to change judges after she dropped a lawsuit and then re-filed it, saying her attempt to “reset the clock” on the process was a loophole those who wrote the rules did not intend to be exploited. State law allows each party to a lawsuit to request one substitution of judge without cause, as long as the motion is made before the judge has ruled on matters of substance in the case.
2016 brings changes in statewide labor and employment laws
As 2016 approaches, many new labor and employment laws are set to take effect come January 1. Because the bulk of the legal changes will occur at the state and local levels, legal observers advised employers to stay informed of important changes that may affect their employment practice.
Chicago Curry House owner files $500,000 lawsuit against landlord
CHICAGO – A Cook County man alleges the owners of the property where he and a partner leased restaurant space owe him for five years of ongoing water damage to his business.
Condo dwellers blame Groundswell coffee vendor for offensive fumes
CHICAGO – A Chicago condo association is suing a neighboring coffee roasting business, alleging its offensive, noxious fumes are creating a public nuisance for the homeowners.
Customer accuses Jewel Food Stores of unsafe conditions
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing Jewel, alleging it failed to provide a safe means of entering and exiting at one of its Chicago stores.
Wife alleges deceased friend's speeding caused husband’s crash death
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing the estate of her husband’s friend, alleging the friend’s reckless driving caused the accident that killed them both.
Patient alleges Vista Memorial misdiagnosed spinal infection
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing a number of health care providers, alleging her doctors’ misdiagnosis of a severe spinal infection led to permanent injury.