News from September 2024
Former Deli Clerk Sues Grocery Chain for Sex-Based Discrimination
Chantelle Walker has filed a lawsuit against Jewel Food Stores Inc., alleging sex-based discrimination and retaliation after reporting harassment at work. The case highlights serious allegations involving workplace misconduct and seeks various forms of relief including back pay and damages.
Former Employee Alleges Age Discrimination Against Manufacturer
Robert Murphy has filed a lawsuit against Semler Industries alleging wrongful termination due to age discrimination under federal and state laws. Represented by Michael A. Faccenda from Faccenda Law Group LLC., Murphy seeks compensatory and punitive damages among other reliefs.
Former Employee Alleges Discrimination and Retaliation Against Nonprofit Organization
Norecia Williams has filed a lawsuit against Safer Foundation alleging severe racial discrimination and retaliation during her employment. Filed in federal court on September 3rd, Williams seeks damages for emotional distress and lost wages due to what she describes as an intolerable work environment exacerbated by discriminatory practices.
Meet the Class: Daniel Caicedo, LLM, ‘25
Daniel Caicedo, ’25, joins the Law School this fall from Ecuador, where he earned a law degree from Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil and a master’s degree in procedural law from Universidad Espíritu Santo.
Shook Partners Named in Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators
Lawdragon has selected 27 Shook partners for The 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America.
Jury awards $50M to man who said was wrongly imprisoned as accomplice to murder
Marcel Brown had been sentenced to 35 years as an accomplice in a 2008 murder, after he drove an accused gunman to a city park to take part in a feud among rival groups. Cook County prosecutors dropped charges 10 years later, saying Brown was denied a lawyer during questioning that led to a confession
Walgreens Accused of Selling Cancer-Causing Generic Mucinex
A new class-action lawsuit alleges that Walgreens sold generic store-brand Mucinex containing benzene—a chemical linked to cancer—without warning consumers. Filed by Miriam Birdsong and Cheryl Mikel on behalf of all affected customers, the suit seeks damages for those who unknowingly purchased the contaminated product between May and August 2024.
Parents Sue Medical Entities Over Alleged Negligence During Childbirth
Rachael and Paul Adamian have filed a lawsuit against multiple medical entities alleging professional negligence during their son Dylan's birth at Good Samaritan Hospital in DuPage County. The Appellate Court has now ordered the case transferred from Cook County back to DuPage due to jurisdictional appropriateness.
Driver Alleges Race-Based Discrimination Against Former Employer TForce Logistics
Nicola Hadwah has filed a lawsuit against TForce Logistics alleging race-based discrimination and harassment during his tenure as a driver from January to July 2024. The suit seeks redress under multiple civil rights laws and aims to proceed as a collective action for similarly affected employees.
Plaintiff alleges local government entities liable for wrongful imprisonment due to clerical error
Stephen Durr's appeal regarding wrongful imprisonment due to a clerical error was dismissed by the Illinois Appellate Court for lack of jurisdiction. His initial complaint targeted local government entities for damages after being detained beyond his sentence because of an incomplete mittimus form.
Defendant accused of Property Encroachment
A recent Illinois Appellate Court decision underscores the necessity for timely legal actions in property disputes involving boundary encroachments between neighbors Hattie Jackson and Sabrina Hunter.
Retainer agreement arbitration clause can't defeat malpractice claim vs attorneys, IL appeals panel says
Panel rules an Independence, Missouri, firm never explained contract details to client who sued over chemical exposure allegations
Former Employee Alleges Wage Violations Against Security Service Provider
Shaunda Ephraim has filed a collective action lawsuit against American Heritage Protective Services alleging systemic wage violations under FLSA regulations. The case highlights claims of unpaid work before and after shifts affecting numerous employees across multiple states.
Plaintiff alleges baby product manufacturer deceived consumers with false 'BPA-free' claims
A new class action lawsuit accuses Medela LLC of misleading consumers by claiming its baby bottles are made without BPA while allegedly containing harmful microplastics. Filed by Stephannie Felsenthal in Illinois federal court on July 5th, the suit seeks monetary damages for affected customers nationwide.
Hyundai Accused of Inflating Sales Figures Through Fraudulent Practices
Several Napleton dealerships have filed a lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America Corporation alleging fraudulent business practices aimed at inflating sales figures artificially. The plaintiffs claim significant financial harm due to Hyundai's selective rewarding system favoring compliant dealers while punishing others.
Prominent Pediatric Hospital Sued Over Massive Data Breach Affecting 800,000 Patients
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago following a significant data breach that exposed sensitive information of approximately 800,000 patients. The plaintiffs allege negligence and inadequate security measures by the hospital.
Plaintiff alleges systemic civil rights violations by Cook County
Kevin J. Keeler has filed a lawsuit against Cook County alleging numerous civil rights violations spanning several years involving wrongful arrests, detentions without cause, inadequate jail conditions, and systemic failures within the judicial system.
Former Employee Sues Chicago Board Of Education Over Wrongful Termination And Defamation
Nichelle Nemo has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education of Chicago Public Schools alleging wrongful termination following an investigation into her PPP loan application. The suit claims negligence on part of CPS's Office Of Inspector General leading to defamation and emotional distress for Nemo.
Veteran Nurse Alleges Age Discrimination Against Department of Veterans Affairs
Rachel White has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs alleging age discrimination and retaliation after years of alleged harassment following her transfer within the organization. The case seeks compensatory damages along with other reliefs.
Digital Media Company Sues Fast-Food Chain Over Unpaid Advertising Services
Townsquare Media Rockford LLC has filed a lawsuit against Beef-A-Roo Inc., alleging unpaid advertising services amounting to over $95k provided during their restaurant expansion efforts.