Blog

Dog Bite Cases 101

I recently settled a dog bite case. Unlike most personal injury cases in Illinois, dog bite cases are often “strict liability,” meaning that the owner or controller of the dog is liable without the bitten victim having to prove negligence. Does this mean a person bitten by a dog is just handed a…
Read More
Categories: Personal Injury

Can You Drive Stoned?

A 2022 crash that killed six high schoolers prompted Jennifer Homendy, the Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, to urge parents to warn their teen drivers about the risks of driving under the effects of marijuana. She alluded to the perception that many believe it is safe to drive whil…
Read More

Pros and Cons of Pro Se—What Say You?

Recently, I acted as the lead arbitrator on a panel of three to decide a case. This particular case involved a plaintiff who had filed a case pro se, meaning without a lawyer. Somehow she had navigated the legal system from filing, to service, to arbitration. Easy enough to miss something, so kudos…
Read More
Categories: Personal Injury

Estate Planning For Personal Injury?

Why would a personal injury lawyer encourage you to get an estate plan done? What does an estate plan have to do with a personal injury case? By the way, what exactly is an estate plan anyway? Estate Planning—What is It? Simply, it is what you want to happen when you die, and, in some instances, i…
Read More
Categories: Personal Injury

There’s a Fingernail in my Taco—What Can I Do?

I get questions all the time on various websites geared for people to ask for general legal advice. One of the questions I see regularly is something along the lines of “I got something gross in my food. Can I sue?” Most of the time, the general answer I give is that almost anyone can sue just a…
Read More
Categories: General

Being Social Can Be a Bad Idea

Back in the day, when I mostly looked at my own shoe tops and occasionally communicated in grunts (most people call that high school), I was encouraged by my very outgoing mother to be “more social” and to “talk to people.” I did not quite understand how to do that, so I did not. At least in…
Read More

Get Off My Lawn…But Have a Drink First

As I approach 60, it is clear I have turned into many of my deceased relatives. I have my grandfather’s exacting cleanliness and order, along with his long-windedness. I have my father’s skepticism, coupled with a general crankiness and impatience, but I’m a generally social and happy human. A…
Read More
Categories: Uncategorized

The Long And Winding Road of Workers’ Compensation

How long will my case take? I get this question all the time. I’ll bet, over the past thirty-four years of handling personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, I have answered this question thousands of times. Of course, since I’m a lawyer, the answer is mostly “it depends.” Personal…
Read More
Categories: Work Injuries

Is Your Pharmacy Acting Like It’s On Drugs?

Recently, Walgreens pharmacists across the Chicago area have been on strike, leading up to a “Phed Up” event in May at the company’s headquarters. Pharmacists have been working without a contract for nearly a year. Why are they striking and how does this affect your health? Worker Rights for P…
Read More

Is Your Bad Driving Making Insurance Companies Rich(er)?

Auto insurance companies are reporting record profits. This is happening because premiums are rising. That much makes sense. But why are premiums going up so much? Could it have something to do with your driving behavior? Pandemic and the Advent of Angry Driving Those who read my blogs regularly kno…
Read More
Categories: General