Illinois Lawyer Blog
SOCIAL MEDIA AND COURTROOMS
March 2nd, 2011
Some interesting news in the Winter issue of Litigation, the quarterly publication from the American Bar Association Section of Litigation. Seems like social media has indeed entered the courtroom. According to research done by Reuters Legal, going back to 2008, at least 45 verdicts have been challenged due to jurors twittering, blogging or using the internet.…
Read More
Read More
Categories: IN THE NEWS
Share
ASBESTOS CASE LEADS TO IMPORTANT CHANGE IN HOW DISCOVERY DEPOS MAY BE USED IN ILLINOIS
February 17th, 2011
The Berry v. American Standard case is tough to read. Howard Berry was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma in 2003. In 2004 he filed suit against 47 different defendants, alleging that he was exposed to asbestos at their jobsites. Because of Berry’s failing health, his attorney sought to preserve his testimony by taking Berry’s evidence deposition…
Read More
Read More
Categories: Uncategorized
ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT CLARIFIES "OPEN AND OBVIOUS" IN PARKING GARAGE CASE
February 14th, 2011
Just noticed an interesting premises liability decisision handed down in November by the Illinois Appellate Court, Alqadhi v. Standard Parking. The plaintiff tripped and fell over raised concrete while leaving a parking garage. She suffered injuries to her knees. She alleged that the defendants failed to mark a 3/4 inch rise in concrete leading to a wheelchair…
Read More
Read More
Categories: CASES IN THE NEWS
ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT EXPLAINS THE "DELIBERATE ENCOUNTER" EXCEPTION
January 25th, 2011
Several months ago, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court handed down an well-written opinion involving an injury resulting from wet asphalt. The case, Morrissey v. Arlington Park Racecourse, involved the injuries a young man suffered when he was injured while exercising some horses. The key facts are pretty straightforward – the Arlington r…
Read More
Read More
Categories: ILLINOIS LAW
LEAKS IN YOUR NEW HOME?? ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT CLARIFIES TO WHOM WARRANTY OF HABITABILITY EXTENDS
January 3rd, 2011
Saw a recent Illinois Appellate Court opinion the other day clarifying who can be sued on implied warranty of habitability claims. In 1324 W. Pratt Condominium Association v. Platt Construction Group, multiple homeowners were suing the developer, Platt Construction. The homeowners had actually purchased the units from an unrelated developer. Platt never had an…
Read More
Read More
Categories: ILLINOIS LAW
A Blog Recommendation
December 29th, 2010
Every year, the American Bar Association publishes its list of the Best 100 Law Blawgs. Sadly my little blog has yet to crack the list. Perhaps next year… But enough about me. I read the article this morning in court while waiting for the judge to grace us peon lawyers with his presence. One of the blogs on the list is the Namby Pamby, written anonymousl…
Read More
Read More
Categories: AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
THE END OF DROP-SIDE CRIBS
December 16th, 2010
On Wednesday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission[CPSC] unanimously outlawed drop-side cribs, after dozens of infant deaths and massive recalls. The manufacture, sale or resale of cribs that have a side rail that moves up and down are now banned. The new standard, calling for cribs to have fixed sides becomes effective in June, 2011. Hotels and child care c…
Read More
Read More
Categories: IN THE NEWS
ILLINOIS ALCOHOL-RELATED INJURIES: LOOKING BEYOND DRAMSHOP
December 14th, 2010
Interesting decision recently handed down by First District Appellate Court in an alcohol-related death claim. The opinion, Hicks v. Korean Airlines Company, unfortunately, does not provide a comprehensive summary of the facts. It appears that on October 4, 2001, Tracy Kim, an employee of Korean Airlines Company attended a dinner with some other Korean Air emp…
Read More
Read More
Categories: ILLINOIS LAW
"FLEXIBLE PREMIUM" LIFE INSURANCE PRODUCTS NOT SO FLEXIBLE
December 2nd, 2010
Recently retained by a client to go after a large surance company after one of their “investment advisers” sold her a “flexible premium multi-funded life insurance policy”. The premiums for these products can be very, very expensive. One of the ways they market them is to assure prospective clients that you can “suspend” pay…
Read More
Read More
Categories: Uncategorized
COOK COUNTY VERDICT UPHELD IN FALLING TREE BRANCH CASE
November 18th, 2010
Interesting case involving a falling tree branch was discussed in the November 16, 2010 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. In May, 2003, Maria Ortiz, along with her husband and two children, was riding her bike on the north side of the City. The group somehow got separated, so Ms. Ortiz waited for her family on the 900 block of North Wilson. Strong winds were noted i…
Read More
Read More
Categories: CASES IN THE NEWS
