Federal officials may force electric and hybrid carmakers to make their vehicles louder. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently proposed a rule that would require car manufacturers to make their hybrids produce more noise when traveling under 18 mph. This is because hybrid and electric car drivers are more likely to be involved in>> Read More

In our last post we discussed a fatal Chicago car crash which killed three people. It is unknown whether any of the occupants of that car were using a seat belt at the time of the crash, or whether seat belt use played a factor in the severity of the accident. Seat belt use is>> Read More

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prohibits the drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) from entering characters into an electronic device or reading from that device. This prohibition includes email, instant messages, instant messaging, and surfing the Internet. It also includes voice communication if it requires pressing more than one button to initiate or end>> Read More

Many after school activities, particularly athletic activities, require parents to sign a waiver if they want their children to be able to participate. If their child is subsequently injured, they might be left to wonder if they are allowed to sue the school or other parties responsible for the injury. School sports waivers may contain>> Read More

A girl suffered a permanent brain injury and is suing the Chicago Police Department for the physical and sexual assault she suffered after being left in a notoriously dangerous neighborhood. For more than 18 months, the court has been silent on the issue, but has now rejected the city’s attempt to stop the case. The>> Read More

Recalls of defective children’s products are common. Children are among the most vulnerable individuals to suffering serious personal injuries from poorly designed or manufactured consumer products such as toys or restraining devices. Two of the most recently recalled children’s products are toddler trampolines and children’s water bottles. The children’s water bottles were sold at H&M>> Read More

What sounds like a freak accident happens more than most people think. Every year, children suffer serious injuries or are killed by televisions falling and crushing them. Three Chicago-area children have died in recent accidents involving televisions. The issue is so prevalent that the Child Injury Prevention Alliance and the Center for Injury Research and Policy>> Read More

The Associated Press reports that concussions are set to be the next wave of personal injury litigation in the United States. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury typically caused by violent shaking or other trauma. Common sources of concussions include car accidents, falls, and sports injuries. Concussions are extremely common in contact>> Read More

In our last post we discussed one of the most recent recalls issued by a compounding pharmacy. The recall was announced by the Food and Drug Administration after inspectors found particles contaminating vials of the Massachusetts-based pharmacy’s products. Compounding pharmacies are facing an increasing amount of product liability litigation as more consumers become sickened by>> Read More

Workers on construction sites depend on OSHA rules and safety regulations to keep them safe on site. A new government study suggests that the agency takes an average of eight years to adopt new safety regulations. This could leave Chicago and Illinois workers vulnerable to serious accidents, injury, and preventable death. Critics believe that the setbacks are>> Read More

In our last post we discussed a $932k fine imposed against Norfolk Southern Railway Co. for allegedly firing two injured workers. In both workers’ cases, it appears that the railroad sought to limit its liability for their workplace injuries by alleging that the workers lied about the nature and seriousness of their injuries. One of>> Read More

A Downers Grove teen has died after suffering a severe brain injury in a bicycle accident. Authorities say that the 15-year-old boy was hit a truck while riding his bike last year and suffered a brain injury that left him unable to move. Despite enduring multiple surgeries and returning home, the teen had lost almost>> Read More