News from May 2018
Michael M. Maghrabi DPM PC allegedly failed to properly perform foot surgery
A man is suing Dr. Michael Maghrabi and Michael M. Maghrabi DPM PC for alleged negligence.
Judge slams door on class action vs Zillow; 'Zestimate' may be 'gimmick,' but not deception, fraud
Saying plaintiffs had effectively pleaded themselves out of court, a Chicago federal judge has slammed the door on an attempted class action lawsuit accusing operators of real estate website Zillow of breaking state consumer fraud and deceptive practices laws by using their “Zestimates” – an online home value estimation tool – as a “marketing gimmick” to drive business to Zillow’s preferred real estate agents and undercut home sellers’ ability to sell their home for what they believe it should be worth.
DuPage judge strikes down law requiring divorced parents to fund kids' college education
Saying the law is essentially antiquated and violates the equal protection rights of divorced parents, a DuPage County judge has found a state law requiring divorced couples to fund their children’s college education to be unconstitutional.
Class action suit says drug companies caused opioid crisis, heightened insurance costs
A Chicago class-action lawyer has filed a 97-page lawsuit in Chicago federal court against 13 drug companies and distributors, on behalf of a woman who alleges the companies promoted opioid use, knowing such painkillers were dangerously addictive, jacking up people's health insurance costs.
Fair Maps Amendment not called for vote, deadline passes to place it on November 2018 ballot
Illinois voters will not get a chance to weigh in on the question of whether Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and other legislative leaders in the Democratic-controlled Illinois General Assembly should continue to hold the keys to drawing the state's legislative district maps, after the leaders of the state House and Senate refused to call a vote for a constitutional amendment designed to curtail their influence over the process.
DeVry University hit with another suit alleging it distorts graduate job placement stats to attract students
A DeVry University graduate has filed a putative class action in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging the nationwide electronics and business school has exaggerated the employment rates of graduates, so as to lure new students. The complaint is similar to a lawsuit from a different plaintiff and legal team now pending in federal court on the same claims.
Widow of man who died of heart failure on trading floor sues CME
A woman is suing CME Group Inc., Glenstar Asset Management LLC, Chicago BT Property LLC, Glenstar Properties LLC and Chicago BT Property TRS LLC for alleged negligence.
North American Polymer sued by woman whose son allegedly died from fumes while refinishing bathtub
A woman is suing North American Polymer Company Ltd., citing alleged design defect and loss of consortium.
Bransfield & Bransfield PC allegedly failed to properly represent client in dispute over family trust
A woman is suing a law firm and two of its lawyers, citing alleged legal malpractice.
Amtrak accused of negligently exposing employee to toxic substances
A woman is suing Amtrak for alleged negligence.
Converting Values: Condo owners on wrong end of deconversions lament lack of legal protections
Throughout the Chicago area, real estate investors are using condo deconversions to scoop up condo buildings in the city and suburbs to feed the continued strong market demand for rental apartments. But for those caught on the wrong end of the process, proscribed by a state law process some compare to eminent domain, few options are at their disposal other than to fight for the value of their unit in court.
Judge: Burbank owes Hispanic church, lawyers $410K for using zoning law to block new sanctuary
A federal judge has ordered the city of Burbank to pay a church and its lawyers $410,000 for settling a complaint alleging it blocked the congregation from opening a new building in a certain zoning district.
Feds OK to use article about company's bankrutpcy to rescind Obamacare Navigator grant
A federal judge in Chicago recently granted summary judgment in favor of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in a case brought by a company that claimed it had been wrongly stripped of its designation to act as a "Navigator" to help people purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.
Ingalls Memorial Hospital, others allegedly violated Illinois' biometric data rules
A woman has filed a class action lawsuit against Ingalls Memorial Hospital; UCM Community Health & Hospital Division Inc.; and Becton, Dickinson and Company, citing alleged unlawful collection of biometric data.
Skyhawks Sports Academy Inc., others allegedly refused to pay commission
A company is suing Skyhawks Sports Academy Inc., Dave Berto, Jeff Heimbigner and Chris Stiles, citing alleged breach of contract.
UCM Community Health Hospital Divisions, others allegedly failed to timely detect infection
A patient is suing UCM Community Health Hospital Divisions Inc., which was formerly known as Ingalls Health System; Women's Healthcare Associates of Illinois S.C.; and Dr. Biren Shah for alleged negligence.
Aperion Care Midlothian, others allegedly failed to prevent woman from developing pressure sores
A patient's relative is suing Aperion Care Midlothian, Aperion Consulting LLC, Aperion Financial LLC and a nurse for allegedly failing to provide adequate medical care.
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, others allegedly failed to timely detect fatal medical condition
An estate representative is suing Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Dr. Bruce Donenberg, Dr. Eileen Margaret Walls-Collins, a nurse and several other health care providers, citing alleged breach of duty and medical negligence.
Appeals panel lets woman renew lawsuit vs hotel whose security guard allegedly raped her in her room
A state appeals panel will allow a woman and her husband to resume their lawsuit against the owners of a Skokie hotel where they say a security guard raped the woman.
Former state's attorney Alvarez threatens ex-Springfield reporter, current state's attorney with defamation suit
Cook County former top prosecutor Anita Alvarez has threatened to sue prominent Illinois journalist Kerry Lester and Kim Foxx, who succeeded Alvarez as Cook County State’s Attorney, unless Lester agrees to retract statements attributed to Foxx in Lester’s new book on sexual harassment in Illinois politics, in which Foxx claims Alvarez failed to act to stop ongoing sexual harassment within her office because the alleged harasser was a friend.