North Chicago & St. Louis Injury Updates

Recent Product Recalls

Published on: August 17, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Defective Products | August 17, 2016

The Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a running list of recent product recalls so that consumers have one place to easily find the information they need. A quick scan of this list shows that a new product makes the list every few days; there are usually a handful of products that are announced every week. Below are a few current examples.

1. A chest of draws made by Sauder Woodworking has been recalled because it’s too easy for it to tip over if it is not anchored to the wall. This can be a serious hazard, especially to young children, who could be injured or even killed if the chest falls on them.

5 Main Types of Medical Malpractice

Published on: August 11, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Medical malpractice | August 11, 2016

Medical malpractice comes in many forms, as all it takes is negligence for a doctor to breach the duty of care that is owed to you as a patient. That said, there are trends with this issue, and many cases fall into a few broad categories. Below are five of the main types of medical malpractice in Illinois. If you believe you were a victim of medical malpractice, contact our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP today.

Failure to diagnose or a misdiagnosis. These cases are especially dire when the mistake means that treatment on a progressive illness — like cancer — is not started as quickly as it should be.

What Do Drivers and Pedestrians Need to Know About Pokemon Go?

Published on: July 25, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Legal Articles | July 25, 2016

The popular app Pokemon Go is getting people out of the house and exercising. However, distraction may be a dangerous issue involving the game.

The latest gaming craze among kids and adults alike, Pokemon Go, has millions of people across the country getting off the couch and out in the fresh air. After downloading the smartphone app, many people in Chicago and elsewhere have walked miles in search of the virtual monsters. The app has been applauded for inspiring people to get outside and move, but is also a source of concern when it comes to dangerous distractions. If fans of the game are not careful how they play or use the app incorrectly, it can lead to injuries, including those caused by distracted driving.

Medical Malpractice And Hospital Working Conditions

Published on: July 18, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Medical malpractice | July 18, 2016

People make mistakes when they get tired. Fatigue is a known safety hazard in many industries. One of the reasons for establishing the 40-hour work week was to cut down on the number of fatal workplace accidents. The Fair Labor Standards Act codified this limitation on working hours in 1938 as part of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. The FLSA was a step forward for workers, but not every job was included in its protections. Salaried employees and professionals do not qualify for overtime pay and are often expected to work more than 40 hours in a week. In fact, according to a Gallup survey, the average work week for full-time employees is 47 hours. For medical residents, 40 hours is an unusually long shift.

Fatigue Affects Everyone

Drivers Urged to Watch for Child Pedestrians During Nsc Safety Campaign

Published on: July 14, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Legal Articles | July 14, 2016

Children are particularly in danger walking to school. During the National Safety Council’s Back to School month, drivers are reminded to be careful.

During the summer, many children can be seen on Chicago streets walking or riding their bikes to and from their friends’ houses, playgrounds or around their own neighborhoods. Soon enough, they will start school again, and drivers will encounter children walking in the early mornings and afternoons as they head to and from school. It can be easy to miss a child around all of the other traffic distractions and hazards, which is why the National Safety Council has designated August as Back to School Month. This is to draw attention to the dangers that young pedestrians face, and to get drivers accustomed once again to the idea of paying attention to school zones and buses.

Report: Pedestrian Deaths on the Rise in Illinois

Published on: July 8, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Legal Articles | July 8, 2016

The number of fatal pedestrian accidents in Illinois and across the country is increasing, according to recent reports.

In a collision between a vehicle and a person, it goes without saying that the individual will bear the brunt of the impact. In Illinois and across the country, these pedestrian accidents happen at an alarming rate.

1 Killed and 2 Badly Injured in Rainy Accident

Published on: July 8, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Car accidents | July 8, 2016

The Illinois State Police are reporting that one person died in a car accident on the Fourth of July, while two others were injured. The injured parties were both drivers in their respective cars, while the person who died was the passenger in one of the vehicles.

The crash happened at around 4:03 p.m., while it was raining heavily. A 19-year-old man was driving down Eden Road, right by Pearce Lane. He was behind the wheel of a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, and he was heading north. The passenger who was killed was in his car — his or her name has not yet been given out by the authorities.

The Role of Breakers in Preventing House Fires

Published on: June 28, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Defective Products | June 28, 2016

A lot of homeowners think that breakers and fuse boxes are a constant annoyance. Whenever a circuit gets overloaded, it trips the breaker or blows a fuse. This cuts off power to the circuit, and everything shuts down.

This can be frustrating. For example, newer kitchens often have multiple circuits because of the amount of appliances that are used these days. Older homes, though, may just have a single circuit. A home built in 1926 wasn’t designed for a fridge, a microwave, a toaster, a hot plate, a coffee maker and more. This means the circuit can trip when you use everything at once.

How to Give Doctors More Details

Published on: June 14, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

Medical malpractice | June 14, 2016

Sometimes, it feels like doctors don’t want you to give them any more details. They just ask you questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, when you really want to talk about how something happened or why it happened. Below are some tips to break through and provide more information.

— Don’t let the doctor control the conversation. The doctor may interrupt you when you try to keep going with your answer, and many people then fall silent, thinking the doctor is in charge. This isn’t true. You’re equals in this setting. Push on and provide the information you want to provide.

Spotting Elder Abuse

Published on: June 9, 2016 | by Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP

nursing home abuse | June 9, 2016

For many elderly people, the need for in-home care or relocation to a nursing home arises because of an accident or injury. The older we get, the more likely we are to suffer injury in a slip and fall or other domestic accident. The fact that injuries are more common for older people makes spotting situations of elder abuse difficult. It is important to know what to look for when visiting with elderly loved ones to make sure they are being cared for properly.

It is not always easy to watch your parents, grandparents or other loved ones age. The people who cared and nurtured you may eventually need your help to stay safe from abuse. That can mean having uncomfortable conversations about some topics that are considered taboo. One of the most common forms of abuse is financial abuse. If you find that your loved one has changed his or her spending dramatically, that is a red flag. If a caregiver moves in or is clearly dependent on your loved one for financial support, that is a red flag. It is fair to wonder at the motivations of someone who is newly close to your loved one, even if that person is also a relative.

Seidman, Margulis, & Fairman Blog