Back injuries — specifically, lumbar and cervical disc injuries — are some of the most common injuries caused by trauma in motor vehicle crashes, falls, and other accidents. In our cases, we are routinely faced with defense lawyers and insurers who try to argue that these injuries to our clients are “degenerative,” and therefore unrelated… Read More
$1.385 Million Tractor-Trailer Premises and Product Liability Settlement
Passen & Powell recently settled a case on behalf of an injured man against a tractor-trailer repair facility and a jack stands manufacturer for $1,385,000. Our client suffered severe leg injuries when the trailer he was working on at the repair facility fell onto his legs. The defendants argued that our client was negligent in the… Read More
Untrained Temp Workers Increasingly Injured or Killed on the Job
Since the economic recession in 2008, many companies have turned to using temporary workers for factory, construction and warehouse jobs. This cuts back on costs, but at the expense of an increasing trend of injuries and sometimes even death. The temp industry now employs a record 2.8 million workers. An analysis of workers’ compensation claims… Read More
Holiday Safety Tips
Passen & Powell would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. Please keep in mind the following safety tips offered by the National Safety Council especially for the holidays: DECORATING SAFETY Never place lighted candles near trees, curtains, or near any flammable material Keep small children away from holiday plants,… Read More
Benzene Exposure and its Link to Leukemia
Benzene is a component of products derived from coal and petroleum and is found in gasoline and other fuels. Benzene is used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. People that are exposed to benzene for a time period anywhere from 3 years to 35 years have developed Leukemia and died from… Read More
Study Finds Brain Imaging Can Predict Pain Intensity
Pain and suffering is often difficult to measure, even by the most experienced pain specialists. Patients are typically asked to rate their own pain on a scale of 1-10. Although there are objective ways to confirm physical and psychological injuries consistent with pain, the nature and extent of pain is typically measured by the patient’s… Read More
Civil Liability in the Penn State Scandal
There are no words to describe the terrible tragedy that has come to light at Penn State University of the course of the last few weeks. Countless lives have been ruined – indeed, we may never know the full scope of the abuse that occurred, or exactly how many young men were abused. For the… Read More
Signing of Release Precludes Negligence Liability: IL App. Ct.
Our Chicago personal injury attorneys are sometimes asked to represent clients whose injuries may have been contemplated by a contract between the client and the possible defendants. Where a potential plaintiff has signed a waiver or release that may cover the claims at issue, obtaining relief can become more difficult. Experienced personal injury attorneys such… Read More
Slip & Fall Injuries: High Court to Consider ‘Natural Accumulation’ Rule
Our Chicago personal injury lawyers are always staying abreast of legal developments in our area of law. Last month, the Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments in Krywin v. Chicago Transit Authority, a case concerning whether the “natural accumulation rule” — stating that persons may only recover for injuries sustained on unnatural accumulations of ice, snow,… Read More
Another Preventable Mining Explosion Disaster Causing Wrongful Death
On Monday, the world was yet again shocked by the deaths of American miners in an underground mining accident. This time, the event was reportedly caused by an explosion resulting from the ignition of built-up methane gas. At least 25 miners lost their lives, making this the worst mining disaster in over two decades. Four… Read More
