News from May 2016
Chicago parent accuses health care service provider of abusing daughter
CHICAGO — A Chicago mother is suing a number of health providers, alleging their negligence caused her daughter to be battered and abused.
Episcopal Church can't seize breakaway diocese's funds - and it must pay their legal fees, too
An Illinois appeals panel has upheld a lower court’s ruling that the Episcopal Church must pay penance, by picking up the tab for the legal fees of a breakaway downstate diocese fighting a frivolous suit by the church and further refraining from making any further claims on the diocese’s $3.6 million treasury.
IL ARDC: Attorney discipline complaints down for 3rd year, most involve lawyers 50 or older
CHICAGO – While disciplinary complaints among Illinois attorneys are down overall for the third year in a row, a trend likely to continue, more than half of such complaints in 2015 were aimed at older, seasoned attorneys, a newly released report says.
Cook Circuit Court adds wifi to juror assembly rooms
ROLLING MEADOWS — Prospective jurors reporting for service at three Cook County courthouses join others with new access to Wi-Fi in assembly rooms.
North Suburban Health Foundation says Niles high schools need to repay grant for closed clinics
A charitable fund associated with Evanston-based NorthShore University Health System is suing a near northwest suburban school district, alleging the district accepted foundation grant money to open school-based health care clinics, but then chose to close the clinics after less than a year in operation, essentially wasting the foundation’s money.
Advocate hit with another home health care nurse class action, after settling similar case for $4.75 million
On the heels of a settlement announced in a similar class action brought by in-home physical therapists and other home-based health care workers, another group of home care nurses are also taking aim at Advocate Health, arguing the company owes them overtime pay after allegedly improperly claiming the nurses were exempt from certain federal and state wage laws.
Illinois man blames Grant Park property owners for unsafe restroom
CHICAGO — An Illinois man is suing the owners of a Grant Park restroom facility, alleging their negligence caused him to fall and suffer injuries.
Hoffman Estates father blames motorist for daughter's death
CHICAGO — A Hoffman Estates man is suing a motorist, alleging his negligence caused his daughter's death.
Widow blames Chicago police officer for husband's death
CHICAGO — A Chicago woman is suing Chicago and a city police officer, alleging excessive force in the shooting death of her husband.
Widow blames Riverdale, motorist for husband's death
CHICAGO — A Homewood woman is suing, the village of Riverdale and a motorist, alleging their negligence led to her husband's death in a car crash.
Attorney accuses medical providers of negligence
CHICAGO — An attorney-in-fact is suing Hoffman Estate health care providers, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence for her client.
SCOTUS ruling for N.J. police officer's free speech rights could affect employers nationwide
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a former Paterson, New Jersey, police officer who claimed he was unjustly demoted after his boss mistakenly believed he was involved in a political campaign.
Woman alleges dentist fractured tooth during dental procedure
CHICAGO – A Chicago woman alleges that a Northbrook dentist negligently conducted dental procedures upon her teeth, mouth and bones.
Woman files malpractice suit after allegedly faulty knee replacement surgery
CHICAGO – A woman alleges that a knee replacement was negligently performed and is seeking damages.
State can force IL child care, home care workers to be represented by union, federal judge says
While the U.S. Supreme Court declared two years ago that the state cannot compel independent home care and child care workers from paying money to public employees unions out of the checks they receive for their work from the state, a Chicago federal judge said the Constitution does not similarly forbid the state from requiring those same workers to be represented by a union.
Lawyer needed to have verbal fee-sharing agreement in writing to enforce his claim: Appeals panel
An Illinois appeals court has upheld a McHenry County judge’s ruling that a Chicago lawyer is not obliged to give a slice of his $1.4 million legal fee to the suburban lawyer who referred a malpractice case to him, because the referring lawyer didn’t abide by rules requiring he inform the client the fee would be split.
Patient alleges nursing home negligence caused her injuries
CHICAGO — A woman is suing a Chicago nursing home, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and suffering.
Guardian alleges health care providers' negligence led to ailments
CHICAGO — A guardian is suing Chicago health care providers, alleging their negligence cause a disabled person's health to deteriorate.
Lawsuit says Wiener Circle's 'hostile environment' led to broken arm, wins appeal
A state appeals court’s ruling has ordered up yet more legal trouble for the owners of Chicago’s famous Wiener Circle restaurant, who a woman said don’t do enough to protect her and other customers should the restaurant’s renowned rowdy atmosphere spark altercations, like the one the woman claimed resulted in her suffering a broken arm.
IL Supreme Court to hear arguments in special evening session May 17, in Lisle May 19
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court has again invited the state's lawmakers and chief executive to a special evening session to observe the court in action. And two days later, the court will convene before an auditorium filled with students, teachers and other members of the public in Chicago's western suburbs during a rare session outside of Springfield, offering many a chance to see the court in action who may not otherwise get the chance.