News from April 2017
Newly elected Cook County judge facing discipline for refusing to accept assignment to traffic court
A Cook County judge just a few months into his term in office could be subject to discipline from the state board that handles complaints about judicial misconduct after he refused to accept orders from his judicial superiors to begin his judicial career – just as most new judges - presiding in Cook County traffic court.
Federal judge throws out negligence suit against Dollar Tree for lack of evidence in slip and fall
A Chicago federal judge has dismissed a suit filed by a woman claiming she suffered shoulder injuries requiring medical attention after slipping on what she says was vomit at a Chicago Dollar Tree store.
Man claims Uber driver drove off before he had left car, causing partial thumb amputation
A man is suing Rasier LLC, Uber Technologies Inc. and driver Carlos Polk, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence after he suffered a hand injury while a passenger.
Campus bookstore managers say Follett stiffed them overtime pay
Two employees have filed a class action lawsuit against Follett Corporation and Follett Higher Education Group Inc., citing alleged unpaid wages and violation of Workers' Compensation acts.
Fifth Third Bank harassed consumer over phone about disputed debt, suit claims
A consumer is suing Fifth Third Bank, citing alleged violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Pub patron sues restaurant, owner and attackers, claiming negligence by Pop's Pizza
A man is suing Pop's Pizza & Pub Inc., Rafidia Development LLC and Munir G. Rafidia, pub owner, as well as two other men, who were alleged attackers, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.
Mother claims undiagnosed condition in newborn led to his death
A woman is suing Presence St. Francis Hospital, Presence Chicago Hospitals Network and three doctors, alleging negligence by hospital staff in misdiagnosing a condition in her newborn son led to his death three months later.
North Carolina bike maker says Utah-based bike repair shop defamed it on YouTube
A North Carolina bicycle maker is suing Blue Monkey Bicycles LLC, citing defamation for alleged falsehoods it included in a YouTube video about the plaintiff's products.
Dominos, takeout restaurants fight potentially onerous FDA Obamacare calorie counting rule
Takeout restaurants, where the majority of the orders are placed online or over the phone, are making a last push to stop a new regulation that requires all calorie counts to be listed on store menus.
Wife of bankruptcy lawyer Geraci doesn't get to have special elevator access to avoid dogs, jury says
The wife of prominent Chicago area bankruptcy lawyer Peter Francis Geraci has failed to persuade a jury her post-traumatic stress disorder, which she claims was triggered by a dog attack years ago, should allow her to use federal disability law to force the association that manages the Chicago condo building in which she lives to give her the right to ride alone in the building’s elevator, to avoid sharing the elevator with her neighbors’ dogs.
Junk fax lawsuit results in $3.3M settlement deal; $1.1M to plaintiffs' lawyers
A settlement in a junk fax class action lawsuit, which is pending in Chicago federal court, would give about $330 to each fax recipient and more than $1 million to three lawyers who represented the plaintiff.
Lawsuit: McDonald's website, mobile app not accessible to the blind, violates ADA
A blind man has sued McDonald’s, claiming the fast food giant has discriminated against him under federal disabilities law because it has not made its smartphone app or website accessible to those with visual impairments.
Dollar General ruling strengthens EEOC's hand to widen discrimination claims into 'fishing expeditions'
The ruling of a Chicago federal judge in favor of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforcement case against retail giant Dollar General will strengthen the EEOC’s hand in bids to widen single claims of employment discrimination into "company-wide fishing expeditions," say two Chicago attorneys and labor law experts.
Surrogacy company sues competitor for allegedly violating trademark case settlement
A surrogacy company is suing Conceiveabilities Inc., and Nazca Fontes, owner, citing alleged unfair competition for violating the terms of a trademark case settled late last year.
Patient at Kindred Hospital developed severe sepsis due to improper care, suit alleges
The administrator of an estate is suing Kindred Hospital/Chicago-Lakeshore, Kindred Healthcare Inc. and two of their doctors, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.
River Valley Capital says Mount Prospect business defaulted on six-figure vehicle lease
An Iowa corporation is suing A & A Global Inc., and Shamil Semenov, its owner, citing alleged breach of contract for failing to pay a lease.
Von Technologies failed to pay network engineers overtime wages, class action claims
An IT professional has filed a class action lawsuit against Von Technologies LLC, a network services company, citing alleged unpaid wages and violation of Workers' Compensation acts.
Patient sues Northwestern Memorial for negligence, claims she developed Stage 5 bedsores
A patient is suing Northwestern Memorial Hospital, citing alleged insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries and negligence.
Judge lets juvenile detainees continue suit vs Cook County over filming of TV show "Empire"
Juvenile detainees will be allowed to continue part of their class action complaint of rights violations against Cook County prison officials and television network Fox after a federal judge in Chicago refused to dismiss the entire case, claiming the county had wrongly surrendered control of large portions of the county’s juvenile detention center while the studio filmed episodes of hit television show, “Empire.”
Plumbing company says property owners haven't paid nearly $38,000 for services
A Prairie View plumbing company is suing Meadows Market Two LLC, Bank of America, and various individuals, citing alleged breach of contract and unjust enrichment for failing to pay for services completed.