Posted on June 24, 2021 in Personal Injury

Bicyclists understand that they are at risk of injury when riding near vehicles. However, drivers are responsible for sharing the road safely with bicycles and taking the proper measures to avoid bicycle accidents. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to live up to this responsibility. If drivers do not notice bicycles near their vehicle, or if they act unsafely when bicycles are on the road, they can cause serious injuries to bicyclists. One way people in vehicles can injure bicycles is through “dooring.”

What Is Dooring?

When drivers park on the side of a busy road, they will likely be aware of other vehicles, and they will be looking to protect their own safety when they open their doors and exit their vehicle. However, drivers and passengers often fail to look for bicycles in these situations, including those who are traveling in bike lanes or who are riding in a lane of traffic near parked vehicles. If a person in a vehicle opens their door without checking for bicycles, they may block a bicyclist’s path or strike a bicycle.

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 Posted on June 17, 2021 in Defective Products

Of the different types of dangerous products that can cause harm to people in the United States, herbicides are among the most toxic. Weedkillers are commonly used on farms throughout the U.S., and they often contain dangerous chemicals that can cause multiple health problems for those exposed to these substances. Paraquat, a chemical that is included in some widely-used herbicides, has been found to cause multiple health issues. Those who have suffered injuries after being exposed to these herbicides may be able to pursue compensation from a manufacturer by working with an experienced attorney.

Illnesses Caused by Paraquat Exposure

Herbicides that contain paraquat have been used since the 1960s. Even though this substance is highly toxic, the use of these herbicides has increased in recent years in response to weeds that have become resistant to other herbicides, such as Roundup. Paraquat is a “restricted use” chemical, and before using it, a person must receive training and obtain certification. Anyone who works with this chemical should use the proper protective equipment, including chemical-resistant gloves and aprons, safety goggles or face shields, and respiratory protection.

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 Posted on June 10, 2021 in Defective Products

There are many types of dangerous products that put people who use them at risk of injury. While multiple government organizations regulate the products that are made available to consumers, some products are not properly tested, or they may be found to be dangerous after they have been used by large numbers of people. Roundup, a popular weedkiller, is one of these products, and large numbers of people who have been exposed to the chemicals in this product have contracted cancer.

Roundup Lawsuits Addressing Injuries to Consumers

Roundup is one of the most commonly used pesticides in the world. In addition to being made available for retail sale and used by homeowners and people in the landscaping industry, it is also used by many farmers to protect crops such as corn and soybeans. Roundup contains the chemical glyphosate, and breathing this chemical into the lungs or absorbing it through the skin or eyes may have harmful effects.

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 Posted on June 03, 2021 in Defective Drugs & Treatments

In April of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement requesting that the popular drug Zantac be removed from stores. This was done because laboratory tests had found that the drug contained a substance that could potentially cause cancer. Following this statement, manufacturers recalled all prescription and over-the-counter drugs containing the drug ranitidine, including the name-brand Zantac and generic equivalents. While this recall may have helped some people avoid being exposed to harmful substances, it did not address the harm caused to those who had used Zantac in the past. Those who have contracted cancer after using drugs containing ranitidine will need to understand their options for taking legal action against the manufacturers of these medications.

Litigation in Zantac Injury Cases

Prior to the recall, Zantac and its generic equivalents were commonly used to treat conditions that affect the digestive system, such as heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Independent laboratory tests that were conducted in 2019 found that ranitidine drugs contained unacceptable levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine, which is more commonly known as NDMA.

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 Posted on May 25, 2021 in Car Accident

There are many reasons why a person may receive a traffic ticket for violating the laws that apply to drivers of motor vehicles. Drivers who disobey the law threaten the safety of themselves, their passengers, and others who use the roads, including people in other vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When car accidents occur because of traffic violations, a driver who broke the law will usually be at fault for the collision, and they may be held liable for the injuries suffered by victims.

Dangerous Traffic Violations That May Cause Collisions

Drivers commonly commit the following types of violations, and when doing so, they put themselves and others at risk:

• Speeding - Speed limits are meant to ensure that drivers travel at speeds that are safe based on the activity on a certain road. Residential neighborhoods usually have lower speed limits, and speed limits are set appropriately on roads where drivers frequently slow down to make turns or stop at intersections. When drivers exceed the speed limit, they may be unable to slow down in time to avoid colliding with a vehicle that is making a turn or with bicyclists or pedestrians who have entered the road. On roads with higher speed limits, drivers who speed may lose control of their vehicle and collide with other vehicles or obstacles to the side of the road. In addition to violations for driving above the speed limit, drivers may be cited with violations such as Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident or Driving Too Fast for Conditions.

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 Posted on May 18, 2021 in Defective Drugs & Treatments

UPDATE: The recall discussed below, which took place in 2014, was for two lots of ParaGard devices that were not known to be fully sterile. The ParaGard IUD has never been subject to a full recall. However, in the years since this recall, many patients have reported issues with the devices, and multiple lawsuits are currently pending against the manufacturer.

The primary issue that has been reported with the ParaGard IUD is the possibility that it will break, usually when being removed from a patient's uterus. This can leave fragments of the device inside a person's body, and these fragments may need to be surgically removed to prevent further damage to the uterus or other organs. Since 2013, there have been more than 3,000 reports of device breakage made to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nearly 2,000 of these events were considered serious, and 102 people have been hospitalized or faced life-threatening complications. It is likely that the issue is much more widespread, since there are many more people who have not reported incidents to the government or who are unaware of the risks they may face.

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 Posted on May 11, 2021 in Catastrophic Injuries

The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of the body’s nervous system. Since the spinal cord connects the brain to the nerves in the rest of the body, injuries that affect the spine can disrupt the messages sent and received by the brain. Depending on the location of the injury and the extent of the damage, a person may experience severe pain, tingling, or numbness. In severe cases, a spinal cord injury may result in partial or complete paralysis that affects different parts of the body, and the loss of use of these body parts will likely result in permanent disabilities.

While some spinal cord injuries may occur because of diseases or health conditions, in many cases, another person is to blame for causing physical harm to a person. Car accidents are a common cause of injuries to the spine. People may also suffer spine injuries in slip and fall accidents, and elderly people are especially susceptible to serious harm in these cases. Those who have suffered serious injuries because of someone else’s negligence or intentional actions will want to work with an attorney to determine how they can receive financial compensation that addresses the harm done to them and their family.

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 Posted on May 04, 2021 in Personal Injury

Injuries can occur for a wide variety of reasons, and in many cases, they are accidental. However, there are some situations where injuries may be intentionally inflicted. Bar fights are one such situation, and even if a person was not looking to start a fight, they may act aggressively toward someone else and cause them harm. As more bars and entertainment venues begin to open to the public after being closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that fights will occur. Those who are injured in these types of fights will want to understand their options for receiving financial compensation. By identifying the parties who were responsible for their injuries, victims can take action to hold these parties liable and receive compensation for their damages.

Liability for Bar Fight Injuries

Whenever a person acts in a way that causes harm to someone else, they can be held liable for the injuries and damages that were inflicted. In cases involving bar fights, a person may be charged with assault and battery, but even if they are not convicted of these charges, they may be held liable for injuries they intentionally inflicted on someone else. Depending on the extent of the victim’s injuries and whether a person acted with reckless disregard for others’ safety, they may be required to pay punitive damages in addition to compensating the victim for the ways they have been affected.

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 Posted on April 23, 2021 in Personal Injury

For many, warmer weather means that it is time to get out on the water. The Arlington Heights area has many opportunities for fishing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing, or lounging on the deck of a pontoon. Unfortunately, severe and even fatal accidents can occur during a boating excursion. If you or a loved one were hurt in a boat accident in a boat that was rented, you might be unsure of your rights in this scenario. Is the boat rental company liable for the accident? Who will pay for your medical bills?

Understanding Liability for a Boat Accident

Boat accidents can happen for countless reasons. In some cases, a boat collides with the shore, a submerged object, or another watercraft. Injuries may also occur when a boater slips and falls on the boat deck. Boat defects may cause the boat to flood, resulting in injuries or even death due to drowning. After a boat-related injury, the legal options available to you are primarily based on the reasons for the boat accident. The cause of your boat accident may include:

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 Posted on April 16, 2021 in Car Accident

Large commercial trucks such as delivery trucks, tanker trucks, and 18-wheelers can cause severe damage during a car accident. Over 4,000 people lost their lives in truck accidents in 2019 and thousands more were injured. If you have been hurt in a trucking accident, it may be possible to sue the trucking company or other liable parties for damages. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Liability for a Large Truck Accident

Truck accidents are often especially complicated because of the number of factors that may contribute to the accident. The truck driver may have made critical errors behind the wheel that caused or worsened the accident. The trucking company may have failed to properly maintain and inspect the truck for issues that could reduce the driver’s ability to drive safely. Product designers or manufacturers may even share liability for the crash if the truck components or equipment was flawed. Determining which parties are liable for a truck collision is an essential element of a successful truck accident lawsuit.

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