News from December 2018
BENESCH FRIEDLANDER COPLAN & ARONOFF: Benesch Attorneys Manish Mehta and Juan Morado, Jr. Named to 2018 “Most Notable Minority Lawyer” List by Crain’s Chicago Business
Benesch is pleased to announce that Manish Mehta and Juan Morado, Jr. have been honored by Crain’s Chicago Business as two “Most Notable Minority Lawyers.” The second annual list celebrates 58 men and women who represent a cross-section of the Chicago-area legal community, many of whom have practiced with distinction for decades.
Piatt County among latest local governments to sue opioid manufacturers, distributors
A central Illinois county has added itself to the growing list of governments suing the manufacturers and distributors of so-called opioid pain killers over allegations the drugs have cost millions in related health care costs.
Illinois State Bar Association Mutual Insurance says shouldn't need to defend lawyer vs lawsuit
A Chicago insurance company is seeking a declaration that it has no duty to defend law firm JGP Law against a lawsuit filed in a federal district court.
Wisconsin man brings class action vs Culligan, says called him without consent after ending service
A Wisconsin man has brought a class action against Culligan Water Technologies, accusing the company of calling him without his consent.
VEDDER PRICE PC: Francis X. Nolan, III Recognized Among Top 10 Maritime Lawyers in the World by Lloyd’s List
Vedder Price is pleased to announce that Global Transportation Finance Shareholder Francis X. Nolan, III has been named as one of the Top 10 Maritime Lawyers globally as part of Lloyd’s List’s 2018.
Lyft driver's class action alleges York Risk Services sent unauthorized texts regarding incident reports
A Georgia resident and Lyft driver has filed a class-action lawsuit against a New Jersey-based insurance provider over allegations it sends unwanted text messages.
NEAL GERBER & EISENBERG LLP: Steven Pflaum Honored by the Illinois Judges Association
Neal Gerber Eisenberg is pleased to announce that Steven Pflaum, partner and co-chair of the firm’s litigation department, was honored by The Illinois Judges Association (IJA) at their annual luncheon on December 7, 2018, for his esteemed service on the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee.
State lawsuit over Sterigenics emissions cites state permit as evidence of 'hazard'; Undercuts permit process?
The Illinois Attorney General's Office and DuPage County State's Attorney have partnered to sue Sterigenics over its alleged emissions of ethylene oxide. However, the state lawsuit has come despite no contention from anyone that Sterigenics violated the terms of its permit, issued by the state. Some worry about the message such a 'bizarre' course of action by the state may send to its businesses, many of whom have similar permits of their own.
HUGHES & SOCOL: Cathy Reiter presents 2018 Judge of the Year Award
SPRD’s Cathy Reiter, medical malpractice defense attorney, was recently recognized by the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) as one of the 2018 Top Women Lawyers in Leadership at the awards on November 14.
Man beaten on E. St. Louis train platform's stairs can sue transit agency; No tort immunity: Appeals panel
A downstate appeals court determined a St. Louis area transit agency can’t shield itself from a lawsuit brought by a man who was beaten on a train platform’s staircase on his way to board a train.
Appellate court: IL property tax appeals board wrong to reject East Peoria challenge of casino tax assessment
A state appeals court will allow the city of East Peoria another crack at overturning a tax board's decision to cut the property tax assessment for the Par-a-Dice hotel and casino.
Judge: Glenview lawyer can press suit accusing ex-husband, cop of false arrest, alleged plot to take kids
A Chicago federal judge has cut suburban Glenview from a civil rights lawsuit, but has refused to do the same for a Glenview detective and a surgeon, who are alleged to have framed the surgeon’s ex-wife on a false charge, to wrest from her custody of their children.
Ex-Chicago Park District employee says was discriminated against because he is middle-aged, Polish
A Cook County man has filed a discrimination suit against the Chicago Park District over his 2017 termination.
Palos Community Hospital, others named in widow's wrongful death suit
A widow alleges her late husband was not sent for appropriate cardiac workup by physicians and a Palos Heights hospital before his death.
Woman accuses Elk Grove facility of failing to protect resident from pressure ulcers
An Elk Grove Village care facility is alleged to have failed to monitor a former resident's skin condition.
MacNeal Hospital patient alleges he developed ulcers during hospital stay
A Cook County man is seeking damages from a Berwyn hospital over the care he received there.
Woman alleges Westbrook Senior Living failed to protect a female resident from falls
A Streamwood care facility is alleged to have failed to protect a resident from falls.
Appeals court: Containerboard buyers didn’t prove makers Georgia Pacific, Westrock fixed prices
A Chicago federal appeals panel has upheld a lower court ruling that boarded up a class action antitrust suit against Georgia Pacific and Westrock, which alleged they conspired to fix prices for containerboard. Judges again found the companies were not colluding, but rather making parallel moves in reaction to the market.
Lawsuit abuse still a problem in Illinois
The problems plaguing courtrooms throughout Illinois are well-documented. Our courts have seen ridiculous cases over having too many peanuts in a bag of mixed nuts or allegations of being “injured” by paying higher prices for products than their self-claimed worth.
Court: 'Poorly written' policy means State Farm on hook for $4M for 'stacked' fleet vehicle coverage
A state appeals court has ruled a man injured in a car accident could claim up to $4 million in underinsured motorist coverage under his employer's policy, rather than $250,000, because his employer maintained a fleet of 16 vehicles, and the total policy should include the full fleet, not just one car at a time, because the policy was "poorly written" and "ambiguous."