News from January 2016
FAA: Privately owned drone aircraft must be registered before they are flown
The Federal Aviation Administration is requiring that privately owned drone aircraft weighing up to 55 pounds be registered before they are flown.
Dispute over who should develop Pullman Park property headed to appellate court
A dispute over who should get to develop a piece of land just off the Bishop Ford Freeway (Interstate 94) on Chicago’s South Side appears ticketed for state appellate court, after a Cook County judge rejected a lawsuit brought by a veteran of the Chicago real estate development sector against an organization which bills itself as dedicated to encouraging economic development in Chicago’s low income areas.
Judge clears lawsuit alleging Chicago cops urged lenders to repossess impounded cars
A group of people who claimed the city of Chicago seized their cars, refused to give them back even after it should have, and even pressured their lenders to repossess the automobiles, has received a green light to pull ahead with a class action against the city over its vehicle impound policies.
97-year-old man's injuries trigger lawsuit against Atrium Health
CHICAGO – The daughter of a 97-year-old man is suing a nursing care facility claiming its negligence caused injuries to her now-deceased father.
Pedestrian alleges Presence Mercy liable for injuries from icy sidewalk
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman says she slipped and fell on an uncleared icy patch as she attempted to enter the emergency room of a local hospital.
Appeals panel: Airlines aren't breaching contract when put passengers' checked bags on separate flights
An airline is under no obligation to make sure passengers and their baggage are transported on the same flight, an Illinois appeals court ruled, upholding a decision of a Cook County judge in dismissing a class action lawsuit on the question. Plaintiff Gina Spadoni had filed a single-count class-action lawsuit against United Airlines in Cook County Circuit Court in 2014, claiming the airline breached its contract with her when it placed her baggage on a different flight.
Ill. man blames Horizon Village Apartments for not keeping walkway safe for pedestrians
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing the owners of an apartment building for injuries he allegedly suffered in a slip-and-fall incident two years ago.
Patient sues Midland Orthopedic surgeon for foot surgery allegedly gone awry
CHICAGO – A Cook County man claims doctors at an orthopedic practice allowed him to walk with a broken foot bone, leading to ongoing injuries.
Glenview Terrace Nursing Center accused of violating Nursing Home Care Act
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing a nursing home, alleging its neglect of a resident led to her untimely death.
Judge clears nationwide lawsuit to proceed vs Rustoleum over 'latent defects' in Restore deck products
A federal judge has given the green light to a class action against the makers of Rustoleum, saying, to this point, the plaintiffs in the nationwide warranty and consumer fraud litigation over “latent defects” in the Restore deck restoration product have produced enough evidence and legal precedent to move forward with their case.
Judge says Chicago Police aren't eligible for pay under FLSA for after hours emails via Blackberry
CHICAGO — A federal judge has ruled Chicago Police officers are not entitled under federal law to overtime pay for off–duty work done on mobile devices, like Blackberrys, issued by the Chicago Police Department. And this decision could have consequences for all employers, according to a legal observer.
Physician sued after man dies during hair restoration surgery
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing a physician, alleging negligence, after her husband died while undergoing an elective hair restoration procedure.
Fall on ice leads to suit against Rush University Medical Center; judge dismisses lawsuit
CHICAGO – A judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Matteson woman suing a local hospital for injuries suffered after she allegedly fell on an icy walkway at the facility's parking garage.
Laborer says Power Construction to blame for injuries from fall off ladder
CHICAGO – A Cook County man is suing a construction company and local health care provider, alleging they provided faulty work equipment that caused his injuries from an 8-foot fall.
Class action alleges American Homes 4 Rent charges tenants excessive late fees
A California-based residential property management company believed to collect rent on at least 200 homes in Illinois has been served with a class action alleging it has wrongly charged excessive fees to tenants late on rent. On Dec. 30, named plaintiff Clarence Davis Jr., represented by attorneys with the firm of Edelman, Combs, Latturner and Goodwin, of Chicago, filed the complaint in Cook County Circuit Court against the parent company of American Homes 4 Rent.
Napleton Auto Group RICO suit says Fiat Chrysler dealer incentive program inflates sales figures
The owners of the Napleton network of auto dealerships have brought a federal racketeering action against Fiat Chrysler, alleging the automaker has used a dealer incentive program to falsify its vehicle sales figures, while also jiggering its dealership market configurations to place dealers located in wealthier metropolitan areas, like those operated by Napleton, at a competitive disadvantage for leverage.
Mother alleges Advocate Health Care wrongly diagnosed daughter
CHICAGO — A mother is suing a health care network, alleging her daughter was improperly diagnosed and underwent surgery that left her permanently injured.
Chicago surgery center OK'd to sue malpractice insurer for refusing settlement, costing $4 million
The 900 North Michigan Surgical Center can proceed in its bad faith lawsuit against its malpractice insurers, after a Chicago federal judge said there was sufficient evidence to believe the medical practice has a legal leg to stand on in contending its insurers needlessly cost the practice $4 million by deciding to take a malpractice case to trial and refuse a “sympathetic” plaintiff’s offer to settle the matter for $1 million.
Supreme Court rejects latest attempt to revive $5.4 billion judgment in Price vs Philip Morris
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court has denied attorney Stephen Tillery's request to recall a mandate the Court issued a decade ago after it struck down a $10.1 billion judgment against Philip Morris. In the same announcement posted this afternoon, the Court also referred to Justice Lloyd Karmeier Tillery's move to recuse or disqualify Karmeier from hearing the matter. Karmeier then denied that request, as well.
Patient blames St. Bernard Hospital, Reymar Clinic for bowel surgery complications
CHICAGO – A Cook County woman is suing doctors at St. Bernard Hospital and Reymar Clinic alleging they mishandled two abdominal surgeries, leaving her with ongoing complications.