News from June 2016
Theater group hooks insurer into growing legal actions over sinking of 'haunted barge' at Navy Pier
Another lawsuit has been added to the pile of legal actions already filed in the 2014 sinking of a “haunted barge” attraction at Navy Pier.
Chicago lawyer says non-compete clause shouldn't apply to Jimmy John's employees
The attorney general for Illinois has filed a lawsuit against fast food franchisor Jimmy John’s and several Jimmy John’s franchisees operating in Illinois, over its non-compete agreements.
Questions raised over number of defendant companies named in asbestos suits; can number in hundreds
The average number of companies targeted by some of the biggest asbestos firms in their lawsuits is in the triple-figures, according to recent statistics, forcing some, especially those in claims management, to question the strategy of plaintiffs’ lawyers.
State agency wrong to yank doctor's license because he was suspended by Medicaid, panel says
A state appellate court upheld a lower court’s decision that a doctor’s inability to participate in Medicaid was not adequate grounds for a state licensing agency to suspend his license.
SCOTUS ruling may increase patent infringement lawsuits, settlements for fear of 'enhanced damages'
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision discarding strict standards for awarding enhanced damages in patent infringement cases could increase the number of patent cases filed in the U.S., a Chicago intellectual property attorney believes.
History not a guide for possible Chicago Public Schools bankruptcy
Even as Illinois' governor has openly discussed the possibility the Chicago Public Schools could seek bankruptcy protection, a municipal bankruptcy expert has noted only four school districts have declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy in the past 62 years, and two of those abandoned the process.
Tax bills heading up for Chicago property owners
CHICAGO – Chicago residents are already grumbling about the likelihood of paying significantly higher property taxes this year, and the bills haven’t even been sent out yet.
Woman says back-pain treatment was incorrect
CHICAGO — A woman is suing William K. Payne, M.D., individually and as agent, servant and/ or employee of Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC and/ or Wellgroup Health Partners, LLC and/ or Franciscan Alliance, Inc., d/b/a Franciscan St. James Health-Chicago Heights and/ or St. James Hospital and Health Centers, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Woman whose child died during birth alleges negligence
CHICAGO — A mother is suing Julie Kim, M.D., and Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare, d/b/a Elmhurst Memorial Elmhurst Clinic, Edward Hospital & Health Services, Edward-Elmhurst Health, Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare System and Edward-Elmhurst Health System, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Man claims wrongful termination following harassment
CHICAGO — A former employee is suing William V. MacGill & Company, alleging that he was wrongfully terminated because of his race and because he complained to a supervisor about a co-worker's harassing and intimidating behavior.
Man accuses property owners of negligence
CHICAGO — An individual is suing Division Street Place, LLC, Lee & Associates Asset Management, LLC, a/k/a Lee & Associates of Illinois, LLC, National Life Real Estate Holdings, LLC a/k/a National Life Insurance Company a/k/a NVL Financial Corporation a/k/a Life Insurance Company of the Southwest and Centurion Service Group, LLC, property owners, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Estate administrator says surgery patient wasn't evaluated properly
CHICAGO — An administrator of a deceased person's estate is suing Advocate Health and Hospitals, Advocate Health and Hospitals d/b/a Advocate Medical Group, Lisa Montelpasse, M.D., Silver Cross Hospital and Medical Center d/b/a Silver Cross Hospital, Adel Mouradi, M.D., Maggie Boban, RN, Melissa Zaragoza, RN, Anthony S. Rinella, M.D. S.C., d/b/a Illinois Spine and Scoliosis Center Anthony S. Rinella, M.D., Douglas Stevens, PA-C, Allied Anesthesia Associates S.C., and Boris Nulman, M.D., medical
Illinois AG seeks $60,000 in penalties for Ford Heights tire fire
CHICAGO – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit against a suburban recycling company following a tire fire that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) claims jeopardized air and water quality.
Judge's decision not to block Advocate, NorthShore merger sign of 'shifting tide,' nod to market pressures
The decision by a Chicago federal court not to block a merger between Advocate and NorthShore University health systems may be a glimpse into a trend under which market pressures will push more hospitals to merge in order to survive, a health care attorney said.
Patient claims errors by care providers
CHICAGO — A patient is suing Advocate Sherman Hospital Cep America LLC, Cep America Illinois, P.C. and Dr. Adam Glassman, medical care providers, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Woman claims lack of proper evaluation by dentist
CHICAGO — A patient is suing Steve Kleronomos, D.D.S., and A&W Dental Associates, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
Man accuses Weldbend Corporation of retaliation
CHICAGO — A former employee is suing Weldbend Corporation, citing alleged failure to uphold Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Woman says ad violated her rights
CHICAGO — A woman is suing University of Chicago Medical Center and Access Community Health Network, doing business as Access Grand Boulevard Health Specialty Center, citing alleged violation of rights of publicity.
Health professionals accused of negligence that culminated in death
CHICAGO — The administrator of a deceased woman's estate is suing Michael Kryza, M.D., The Epic Group-Emergency Physicians An Illinois Concern S.C., Morris Hospital, Daniel Jurak, D.O., and Family Physicians of Coal City, medical health providers, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries that culminated in the woman's death.
Appeals court tosses $245K asbestos verdict for plasterer who judges said suffered no harm
A state appellate panel in Springfield has scrapped a jury verdict that awarded $245,000 to a man whose lungs were scarred by asbestos, saying, despite the scarring, they did not believe the man suffered any impairment.