On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. on Friday, May 18, 2012
Many Chicago residents and internet viewers laughed along with narrators as the driver of a bright yellow Lamborghini tried to show off on suburban roads over the weekend, only to end up cartoonishly wedged between two other cars. No one was injured in the accident and there appeared to be only minor property damage to the three cars involved.
Police reports indicate that the driver of the vehicle was a Chicago resident who reported losing control of the car after he accelerated. Reporters reached the man at this home earlier this week but he declined to answer any questions about the accident. Police issued a ticket for failing to reduce his speed to avoid the accident.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in brain injury on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Over the past few years, the public has become more and more aware of the long term damage that contact sports can do to a player's brain. The class action lawsuits being brought against the NFL will likely be a powerful force for change in the rules and in safety equipment, as coaches and teams at all levels become aware of the dangers of head trauma and brain injuries.
Researchers continue to pursue definitive answers about the condition known as CTE, which has been documented in the brains of many professional athletes that play contact sports. Originally referred to as "punch drunk" syndrome when it was first recognized in 1928, CTE is characterized by build-up of the same unhealthy proteins in the brain as is present in Alzheimer's patients. The distribution of the protein is clustered in CTE, whereas it is spread out in Alzheimer's patients.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in car accidents on Friday, May 11, 2012
For the second time this year, one of Mike Ditka's sons has had DUI charges dropped. The children of the former Chicago Bears coach have been in legal hot water recently since two of his sons faced drunk driving allegations. Charges were dropped against the older brother in February, and then for the younger son this past week.
Drunk driving is dangerous behavior and is one of the leading causes of car accidents each year in Illinois and around the country. Those who break the law and cause a car accident are liable for the injuries that result, which can be significant in some cases. Many of the people who cause drunk driving car accidents have had no prior offenses and may not be subject to significant criminal penalties, but should still be held responsible for the harm done to victims.
By Jenny Odegard posted in car accidents on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Recent information released by the Illinois Department of Transportation shows some results that won't be surprising to many Chicago drivers. Those who live and drive here would probably be able to guess some of the entries on the "20 most dangerous intersections" list, but few would know how many accidents actually take place at these crossings each year.
The intersection of Stony Island Avenue and 79th Street, for example, say 63 crashes in 2010. This was the highest of any intersection within a six county region. The intersection is crossed by about 70,000 vehicles each day and is consistently among the top locations for car accidents in the city.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in workers' compensation on Friday, May 4, 2012
Although no convictions have been made, there are serious fraud allegations against the general population of prison guards at Menard prison in Illinois. The specific issue is about a large number of workers compensation claims that were made between 2008 and 2010. Apparently many workers filed claims that they were injured and developed carpal tunnel syndrome in their wrists and elbow from turning cell door keys repeatedly.
Workers compensation is a system of payment available for people who are injured while they are at work. The Illinois Workers Compensation Statute protects all employees in the state and compensates them for any medical bills that are incurred and any permanent disability that results from a workplace injury.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in car accidents on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
It's clear at this point that most people agree that distracted driving has become a significant contributor in causing car accidents. From cellphones to passengers to other in-car technology, drivers have many things vying for their attention besides the road. While drivers may think they're only taking their eyes off the road for a second, this can be dangerous behavior especially at high speeds on the highway.
About 94 percent of drivers agree that texting while driving is a serious threat to safety, but more than one third of drivers still admit to texting behind the wheel. Experts say that the proportion of people who actually text and drive is probably much higher, since respondents are unlikely to admit to illegal or frowned upon behavior. Violating a local texting ban is also strong evidence of negligent behavior in the event of a car accident, which can lead to significant liability for the driver.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in workers' compensation on Friday, April 27, 2012
OSHA, the agency charged with protecting workers, is now facing criticisms that its bureaucracy is putting workers at risk. The results of an accountability study indicate that it can take an average of eight years for OSHA to adopt a new regulation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration creates workplace safety standards and responds to employee complaints about unsafe condition on the job. The agency is instrumental in helping people establish claims for workers compensation, which allows for employees to be paid when they are injured at work.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in medical malpractice on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
A couple has reached a settlement with a Chicago area hospital in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The settlement is for $8.25 million, which is the largest such settlement on record in the state. They initiated the lawsuit after they lost their only child at the Advocate General Hospital. The death was caused by a medication error in the dosage of an IV given to the child.
The hospital has admitted that it did make a mistake that resulted in the death of the child. They said that the mistake originated when someone entered the wrong dose into the machine that mixes IV formulas. They have since changed the procedure to guard against this type of error, so that hopefully no one else will be injured by the same mistake.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in car accidents on Friday, April 20, 2012
No charges have been filed as the investigation continues into a fatal car crash that took place early Friday morning on the South Side. A suspected drunk driver crossed into a lane of oncoming traffic and hit a car carrying three women. One woman was killed and the other two were hospitalized, along with the man who caused the crash.
A spokesperson for the Chicago Police department said that they believe alcohol played a role in the car accident and that they are still looking into any other factors that could have contributed. The Major Accident Unit of the police department is investigating the two car crash.
On behalf of Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen Ltd. posted in brain injury on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
In the aftermath of a car accident or other event that causes a concussion or serious brain injury, patients and their families are often faced with a series of complex medical decisions about their treatment and continued recovery. A new study out this week reveals that one of the many complications from a brain injury is the ability to make those decisions soundly.
Researchers looked at several different dimensions of decision-making, including: reasoning, understanding, appreciation, expressing choice, and reasonable choice. They studied 86 patients who had head injuries and 40 who were healthy to evaluate the differences. The patients with injuries had varying degrees of damage, so researchers also determined that the severity of the injury impacts decision making.
