Experts estimate that tens of thousands of elderly Americans suffer abuse each year – in their own homes, in the homes of relatives, and in nursing homes or other facilities designed to provide elder care. In fact there are over 500,000 reported cases of elder abuse each year in the U.S., and this figure does… Read More
Public Denied Access to Physician Malpractice History, Criminal Background
The Chicago medical malpractice attorneys of Passen & Powell believe that one way to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of physician misconduct or medical malpractice is to have access to a doctor’s malpractice history. In Illinois, until recently patients could access, at a minimum, some of the necessary information about potential physicians directly… Read More
Bill Aims to Prevent Personal Injury and Wrongful Death in Nursing Homes
This past week, our lawmakers in Springfield at last took steps to stem the tide of violence and injury in Illinois’ nursing homes. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys applaud the legislature for enacting this important law. Over the past year, this epidemic of injury and death has been brought to light by an investigative series… Read More
Brain Injuries’ Massive Societal Costs
For the past month, our brain injury attorneys have been conducting an ongoing series on the various types and causes of brain injury. As national Brain Injury Awareness Month comes to a close, today we take a step back to look at the dramatic societal costs of these various neurological conditions. Brain injuries are more… Read More
Chicago Worker Killed in Loop Gas Explosion Accident
Our Chicago construction accident attorneys are all too familiar with the potential hazards faced by Chicago construction and utility workers. Yesterday, tragedy struck two such workers and their families. According to several news reports, one worker is dead and another was critically injured following an explosion in a construction hole in the Chicago West Loop. … Read More
No Expert Testimony Required for Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
The Illinois Supreme Court has made it easier for personal injury lawyers and their clients to prove a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress. In Thornton v. Garcini, 2009 WL 3471065, No. 107028 (Ill. Oct. 29, 2009), the Supreme Court held that “expert testimony is not required to support a claim for negligent infliction… Read More
Probable Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Michael Jackson’s Doctor
Ever since Michael Jackson’s death, we have been bombarded with news reports concerning the cause of his death, and the possible link to Mr. Jackson’s personal cardiologist, Dr. Conrad Murray. Dr. Murray was retained by Michael Jackson, for a fee of $150,000 per month, to serve as his personal doctor and “keep him healthy” during… Read More
Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits
In the simplest terms, wrongful death is where someone is killed as a result the negligence, recklessness or wrongful conduct of another. In the personal injury context, wrongful death may occur as a result of transportation-related accidents, construction accidents, defective products and medical negligence. A wrongful death claim generally consists of the following four elements:… Read More
Choosing Venue in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits
As any top personal injury lawyer knows, filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in a more plaintiff-friendly venue, such as Cook County, Illinois, as opposed to a more conservative venue, can affect the value of the case significantly. Therefore, lawyers must carefully consider the venue (or location where a case is filed) before… Read More