News from May 2016
Ameristar Casino lawsuit: Union harassing customers at their homes, businesses over boycott
Indiana’s Ameristar Casino and a group of the casino’s patrons have sued a local union, claiming the labor group has gone too far in its dispute with the casino by personally targeting the customers with a campaign of fliers, phone calls and other messages to pressure them to join the union’s boycott of the casino. On May 19, Ameristar Casino East Chicago filed suit in Chicago federal court against Chicago-based labor union Unite Here Local 1.
Peoples Gas settles for $18.5 million over main replacement costs; rate reductions not promised
CHICAGO – Peoples Gas customers may find some relief after the gas company settled with the Illinois Attorney General office over an investigation into the undisclosed costs of its gas line replacement program.
Gurnee companies accuse Colorado company of incorrectly preparing tax forms
CHICAGO – Several Gurnee limited liability companies allege that a Colorado accounting firm failed to properly prepare tax returns.
Family files suit alleging negligent medical care caused injuries
CHICAGO – A minor and his parents have filed a suit against several doctors and health care facilities alleging negligent care during a pregnancy.
IL Supreme Court: If home seller has waived warranty, new buyer can't sue builder for defects
Saying any other conclusion would place a potentially “unreasonable” burden on the state’s home builders, a unanimous Illinois Supreme Court has ruled a man whose patio collapsed cannot sue the builder who built the home, because the previous owner from whom he purchased the home had waived her rights to an implied warranty and so could not pass the warranty to future owners of the home.
American Family didn't defraud by refusing to pay full amount for collision repairs, judge says
While American Family Insurance may have intentionally chosen to pay less than the full cost of repairing vehicles damaged in collisions with its insured drivers – even when the driver insured by American Family was entirely to blame for a crash – that does not mean the insurer has committed fraud, or that motorists stuck with the remainder of the repair bill should be allowed to sue the insurer under Illinois law, a Chicago federal judge has ruled.
Patient accuses orthopedic medical devices manufacturer of negligence
CHICAGO — An Illinois patient is suing the manufacturers of orthopedic implants, alleging their negligence led to the plaintiff suffering injuries.
Doctor accuses fellow medical professionals of malpractice
CHICAGO — A doctor is suing a group of medical professionals, alleging their negligence caused him permanent injuries.
Washington state couple blames Boeing for injuries aboard plane
CHICAGO — A Washington state couple is suing Boeing, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries on a flight.
Patient accuses U. of Chicago Medical Center of malpractice
CHICAGO — A patient is suing the University of Chicago Medical Center and a doctor, alleging their negligence resulted in a damaged colon and esophagus.
Chicago condo associations back Airbnb rules, but don't leave enforcement to City Hall
Condominium associations are generally favorably disposed toward regulations, like those being proposed in Chicago, that would require condo owners renting their units through online "sharing" services like Airbnb to register with the city or pay a licensing fee - even though most associations already prohibit such rentals, said a Chicago condo association attorney.
Judge, Orland Park Library foes end years-long legal spat sparked by library internet porn policies
A years-long legal battle involving a group of Orland Park residents, a New Jersey blogger and an Orland Park library employee who each accused those on the other side of spreading lies about them in an attempt to bring the other side to heel in a fight over library policy, has ended in Chicago’s federal courts, after a judge dismissed the library employee’s last attempt at continuing her lawsuit against the blogger.
Family blames nursing home, staff for relative's death
CHICAGO — An estate administrator is suing a number of health care providers, alleging their negligence resulted in the death of a patient.
Couple blames construction company for injuries
CHICAGO — A couple is suing three businesses, alleging their negligence led to the husband suffering injuries at a Lemont construction site.
Wrigley rooftop sellers must pay back amusement taxes as condition of sale, appeals panel says
A group that sold its interest in one of Wrigley Field’s famed rooftops remains on the hook for a six-figure tax bill, after a state appeals panel said a lower court was correct to determine the former business owners had an obligation to pay the unpaid city amusement taxes owed by their rooftop entertainment business, and not just taxes owed on the real estate itself, to allow the sale of the property to truly be free and clear.
No movement on bill to reinstate lawsuit protections for paramedics, police, firefighters
With just days left in the Illinois General Assembly's spring legislative session, there has been almost no movement on a bill that would reinstate the so-called public duty rule, a legal principle protecting police, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency responders from lawsuits brought by people who may believe those responders didn't provide the level of care the accusers thought was appropriate.
Guardian alleges hospital's negligence led to injuries
CHICAGO — A guardian is suing University of Chicago Hospitals, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.
Family blames Chicago rehabilitation center for relative's pain, death
CHICAGO — An estate administrator is suing Chicago health providers, alleging their negligence caused her relative pain and ultimately death.
Customer blames Jewel-Osco for injuries
CHICAGO — A customer is suing Jewel-Osco, alleging the store's negligence caused her to fall and suffer injuries.
Indiana real estate company accuses Illinois business of fraud
CHICAGO — An Indiana real estate company is suing an Illinois business, alleging fraudulent schemes to prevent the plaintiff from recovering payment for property sold.