Matt Passen and Jordan Powell reached a $1,000,000 settlement on behalf of a woman who was sexually assaulted by her treating physician during a routine gynecological examination. The undisclosed physician touched her inappropriately and made other inappropriate comments of a sexual nature during the exam. The settlement was paid by a confidential healthcare facility.
IL Attorney General Investigates Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Claims
Over the past several years, information about rampant sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the Catholic Church has slowly begun to come to light. In August of this year, the Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, opened an investigation into this abuse following the release of a Pennsylvania grand jury report that identified at least seven… Read More
New Law Allowing Corporate Liability for Online Sex Trafficking
For years, classified advertising websites like Backpage.com, Craigslist, eBay Classifieds, Eros, Massage Troll, Cityxguide and others have become a primary channel for sex trafficking. These internet companies provide a forum for anonymous individuals to sell or solicit prostitution, as well as sex trafficking of children. Until now, these online companies have been shielded from criminal and… Read More
Corporate Civil Liability for Sexual Abuse
Most people are unaware that for nearly every criminal act, there is a corresponding civil cause of action. For instance, survivors or criminal sexual assault, abuse or molestation always have a viable civil cause of action against the perpetrator for the common law and statutory “torts” of sexual assault, abuse or battery. The problem is that… Read More
Adoption Negligence or Wrongful Adoption Actions
It’s difficult to think of a more selfless act than adopting a child, especially considering that according to recent foster care statistics there are over 415,000 children currently in the foster care system. Adoptive and foster parents rely on the information the agency involved gives to them about the adopted child to make an informed decision about… Read More
Title IX Sexual Assault Cases
One of today’s biggest hot topic issues is that of sexual assault on college campuses. In 2014, almost 100 colleges in the U.S. reported incidents of 10 or more rape cases occurring on campus, with some totaling over 40 incidents at a single school. This year alone (and there are still two full months remaining… Read More
Passen Law Publishes Civil Justice for Crime Victims Outline
For every crime there is a corresponding tort — and therefore, a corresponding claim for civil justice. Most victims of crime are unaware of this fact. Passen & Powell has experience representing crime victims in civil actions — not just against the criminal defendant, but against other individuals or corporations that enabled the crime through their negligent or reckless… Read More
Stephen and Matthew Passen Present to Crime Victim Advocates on Civil Remedies
Passen & Powell regularly represents victims of crime, such as sexual abuse, in civil actions against the perpetrators or entities whose negligence made the crime possible. Often, crime victims are unaware that they may be able to pursue a civil cause of action against those individuals and corporations responsible. Therefore, in November Stephen Passen and… Read More
$2.25 Million – Chicago Police Chase
$2.25 Million for Estate of 14-Year-Old Traumatic Brain Injury and Wrongful Death Victim who was Struck by Chicago Police Vehicle During Police Chase The case involved a Wrongful Death action on behalf of the estate of a 14-year-old child struck while crossing 71st Street by a Chicago Police Department vehicle, which was traveling in the… Read More
Car Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers in Illinois
A Tragic Death Last winter, a 39 year-old male caused a motor vehicle accident when he crashed into a car containing two women and an 11 year-old boy in the back seat. The women were at a complete stop due to another accident up ahead of them. The driver of the SUV, who was found… Read More