News from May 2018
Appeals court says no proof Chicago cops blocked exit door in deadly 2003 E2 nightclub stampede
An Illinois appeals panel has upheld a Cook County judge's ruling, which cleared Chicago police of causing the deaths of patrons by preventing them from leaving the E2 nightclub in Chicago during a stampede there in 2003 that took 21 lives and injured more than 50.
Franciscan Health Chicago Heights accused of negligence after surgical instrument allegedly left in patient's body
A woman is suing Franciscan Health Chicago Heights for alleged medical negligence.
Emergency Healthcare Physicians Ltd., others allegedly failed to properly reposition patient's lap band
A former patient is suing Dr. Vytas Saulis, Emergency Healthcare Physicians Ltd., Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital, Dr. Frederick Tiesenga and Tiesenga Surgical Associates SC, citing alleged negligence.
Andy Frain Services hit with class action over scans of employee fingerprints for use with punch clocks
A woman has filed a class action lawsuit against Andy Frain Services Inc. and Andy Frain Security Inc. for alleged breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, invasion of privacy, negligence and violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
Judge tanks ex-MWRD cops' lawsuit over termination because they broadcast private convo on IL State Police frequency
A federal judge has squelched a lawsuit brought by two former Metropolitan Water Reclamation District police officers, who said their rights were violated with the MWRD fired them after the Illinois State Police informed their employer a private conversation between the two officers was broadcast over the state police's secure radio frequency.
Judge rejects request to toss $36M fraud lawsuit vs Mizzi, Canadian private equity firm over senior living venture
A Cook County judge will allow a Chicago development group to proceed with their lawsuit, alleging a Canadian businessman and companies with which he is affiliated owe them $36 million for alleged fraud in an arrangement for the purchase of American senior living facilities.
Age discrimination law applies to job applicants, not just employees, appellate court finds
A health care products company may have violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act when it capped the number of years of experience applicants to its corporate counsel position could have, according to a divided federal appeals panel, which found anti-discrimination protections in place for employees should also be extended to job applicants.
Judge in massive opioid case watching plaintiff lawyer spending, orders them to fly coach
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - The judge overseeing multidistrict litigation against the opioid industry ordered plaintiffs’ attorneys to keep monthly records of the time they spend on their cases down to a tenth of an hour and imposed strict rules on who can collect fees, in an effort to prevent the excesses that have drawn criticism in other class actions and mass tort cases.
Judge: One unsolicited phone call on cell phone enough to allow class action lawsuit vs Allstate
A federal judge has denied a request to dismiss a class-action suit against Allstate for allegedly placing unsolicited sales calls to customers’ cell phones, even though the lead plaintiff received only one such phone call.
Cook County Assessor sues board of ethics over campaign contribution fines
While his days in office are numbered after losing in the Democratic primary election in March, Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios is suing the Cook County Board of Ethics and board members Peggy Daley, David Grossman, Thomas Szromba, Juliet Sorensen and Von Matthews for allegedly fining him for certain contributions that were made to his unsuccessful re-election campaign.
Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, others allegedly failed to properly perform shoulder and arm procedures
A woman is suing Dr. Craig Williams, Dr. Brian Donohue, the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute and several other health care providers, citing alleged negligence.
Philip Morris USA Inc., others allegedly failed to properly warn man about dangers of smoking cigarettes
A man is suing Philip Morris USA Inc., RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, Liggett Group LLC and several other companies, citing alleged negligence.
Symphony of South Shore allegedly failed to prevent man from repeatedly falling
A man is suing Symphony of South Shore, citing alleged negligence.
Chicago female paramedics sue over alleged pervasive sex harassment in Chicago Fire Department
A group of female paramedics have filed a lawsuit alleging pervasive sexual harassment in the Chicago Fire Department
Sheriff seeks to throw out officers' Cook County court suit over Merit Board's makeup, says Board is now legit
Even as he seeks to dismiss a similar case in Chicago's federal court, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is also aiming to pop a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court in which seven sheriff's officers have asked for their disciplinary cases to be tossed because the sheriff's disciplinary board was improperly seated. The sheriff contends the board is now properly constituted and at any rate, the previously improper panel never disciplined the officers, much less even heard the officer's cases, he has asserted.