Wrongful Death

Check CPSC Recall List before Christmas Shopping to Prevent Injury in Chicago from Defective Products

November 20, 2011 | By Dave Abels

As the year winds down, it’s time to start thinking about the holidays and the year’s year-end shopping blitz. It’s also a good time for a reminder to check with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) for defects and recalls, especially when dealing with products for children.

Recalled items are defective and can result in serious injury in Chicago and elsewhere. It’s important for consumers to check out the recall list from the CPSC year round. Many items on this list are common household products or are popular children’s toys.Our Chicago defective product attorneys understand that consumers may not always know about recalls. The CPSC is charged with protecting consumers from products with known defects. The agency notifies the public about products that pose mechanical, chemical, electrical, fire and other various hazards. But too many defective products go undetected. Others must injure or kill consumers before a recall is issued.

Recent recalls that may affect your family:

Children’s Frog Masks

Nearly 3,500 masks have been recalled from Target stores around the country. When the frog mask is on your child’s face, the CPSC has determined that it poses a serious suffocation threat. This item has the UPC code 06626491474, which can be found on the tag that is attached to the mask. They were sold at Target stores from August to September of 2011.

Lithium-Poly Battery Pack from Electric Motion Systems, LLC

This item has been recalled because it could cause a potential fire hazard because the battery can overheat. About 70 were sold. The batteries that fall under this recall have the EMS# 11819-101 and have a serial number between 10001 and 10200. The items were sold at bike shops around the country and on the company’s website. They were sold from October of 2009 to November of 2010. They cost between $900 and $2,700.

Twist ‘n Sort Toys by Guidecraft

These items were recalled because they can be a choking hazard for small children. Nearly 1,000 were sold from specialty stores, online and from catalogs from September of 2009 to November of 2010. The toys cost about $20.

LittleLife Baby Carriers by Lifemarque

LittleLife Discoverer Child Carriers is recalling carrier because they were sold without the proper bolts used to attach the main frame to the metal stand. Without these bolts, the two can disconnect and pose a fall hazard to children. The items were sold in 40 states and in Canada. The recall applies to models LS55060. This number can be found on the care label. They were sold from January 2011 to July of 2011.

Many more items are on the list and parents and consumers of all ages are urged to check the CPSC website, particularly when making a new purchase.
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Deadly weekend for Chicago car crashes on the Dan Ryan and elsewhere

October 3, 2011 | By Dave Abels

There were two serious Illinois auto accidents on the Dan Ryan Expressway this past weekend, according to the Chicago Tribune.

One of the collisions involve a fatality. The crash occurred on Saturday around 9:30 AM in the area of 89th St. in the southbound lanes. The incident involved three vehicles and one person was killed, while three others were injured.

The victim fatally injured, a 45-year-old Chicago man who resides in the 2600 block of E 76th Street, was taken to Roseland Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. Two other people involved were rushed by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, both in critical condition. The other person injured was also critical and was transported to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, according to fire department officials.

The motorist killed was driving a 2001 BMW SUV when he was reportedly changing lanes. Unfortunately, the driver of a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix changed lanes at the same time, and the two cars collided with one of them striking a 2011 GMC Yukon. The victim’s BMW drove across all of the lanes and slammed into a concrete barrier before flipping. The Yukon also hit the wall.

The Illinois State Police are handling the crash reconstruction, and their investigation is still ongoing.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times

The above accident was unfortunately not the only role over on the Dan Ryan this weekend. Early Sunday morning around 3:15 AM a suspected DUI motorist flipped her car over when trying to exit the Dan Ryan at 18th St. moving southbound. State police handled this accident as well.

Four people were injured in the rollover, with one person being ejected from the vehicle. Luckily, none of the injuries are reportedly life-threatening. Paramedics from the Chicago fire Department took all of the injured to local hospitals in serious to critical condition.

The alleged intoxicated motorist had two warrants outstanding for her arrest.

It has not been reported if there is a Chicago injury lawyer involved in either of the above accidents yet, or if any civil lawsuits have been filed.

Just before the weekend started, another Illinois auto accident resulted in injuries to a 31-year-old Chicago resident. He remains in serious condition due to his Ford Explorer getting trapped under a semi truck that reportedly attempted an illegal turn in Rosemont on Thursday. The driver had to be extricated by rescue personnel and was taken by ambulance to Lutheran General in Park Ridge.

The crash occurred by the Lee Street exit ramp coming off of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway around 7:50 AM. The truck driver, a 32-year-old Riverdale resident, was not hurt. Investigating police officers ticketed him with failure to yield while making a left turn. The Rosemont police handled the investigation.

The location had to be closed to through traffic for five hours during the crash investigation.
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Chicago pedestrian killed in accident, another seriously injured in separate collision

September 24, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Two separate pedestrian collisions in Chicago have left a man dead and a woman seriously injured on Friday, according to the Chicago Tribune. Both accidents occur downtown.

In the fatal incident, a pedestrian was crossing Lakeshore Drive in the area of Monroe Street around 1:15 AM when he was struck and killed. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County medical examiner’s office is stating he has not been identified yet, pending notification to the victim’s family.

The accident was initially reported is a hit-and-run, but it was later said that a 45-year-old driver was taken into custody. Police are also saying the motorist may have been driving under the influence, however no charges have yet been filed.

In the second pedestrian accident, a woman was seriously hurt after she was hit by a Chicago Transit Authority bus on Michigan Avenue in the area of Wacker Drive. The Illinois bus accident was caused when the driver reportedly failed to stop at a red light just before 5 PM and collided with the woman in the 200 block of N. Michigan Ave., according to Chicago police officials.

The woman sustained serious head injuries and lacerations, and a fractured elbow. She was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for medical attention.

The CTA bus operator was ticketed for running a red light and hitting a pedestrian.

The Chicago Police Department’s major accident investigation unit is reportedly handling both incidents. It has not been reported if there are pedestrian accident lawyers involved in either case yet.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, so far this year 651 people have been killed in motor vehicle related accidents statewide, and 150 of those fatalities took place in what were considered alcohol-related crashes, meaning there was information reported showing some indication of alcohol being used in relation to the collision.

The state further reports that in 2010 there were 5215 Illinois pedestrian accidents which resulted in 115 fatalities. 5067 of those collisions, or 97%, occurred on what would be considered urban roads.

Motorists in the downtown Chicago area have to be on the lookout for pedestrians, even late at night. Typically these types of accidents result in serious injury to the pedestrian, and sometimes death.
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Bizarre & deadly Illinois car crash – vehicle hits home, resident killed, marijuana operation discovered

September 12, 2011 | By Dave Abels

An odd Chicago area auto accident has occurred in unincorporated Will County, according to the Chicago Tribune. On Saturday, a Lockport area home was struck by a neighbor’s vehicle, resulting in the death of a resident who was home at the time of the accident.

The victim, a 28-year-old man who lives in the 400 block of Conner Street, was trapped under the vehicle after it drove through the front of the house and finally stopped at the back of the house. The vehicle’s driver, a 63-year-old woman who resides across the road, was trying to back her 1995 Mercury Marquis down her driveway around 12:15 PM. At that time, she claims that her gas petal became stuck, which in turn caused her to reverse that a high rate of speed across the street and crash into the house. Neither the driver or passenger were seriously injured.

The victim was reportedly in the front part of the house when the accident occurred and was found under the automobile when emergency crews arrived after receiving a 911 call a couple minutes later.

Chicago Injury Attorneys Wish you a Safe and Enjoyable Fourth of July

June 29, 2011 | By Dave Abels

Fewer motorists are expected to hit the roads this Fourth of July weekend than last, but it’s all relative; with AAA estimating 39 million Americans on the road you are still at greater risk for a Chicago car accident through the long travel weekend.

The Chicago Tribune reports higher gas prices and the shaky economy are to blame for the 1 million fewer drivers expected to travel at least 50 miles from home.AAA Chicago estimates 1.9 million drivers will hit the road in Illinois — 3.3 percent fewer than last year. While gas in the Chicago area has fallen by 29 cents in recent weeks — to an average of $3.93 a gallon — that’s still 37 cents more than the national average and nearly $1 a gallon higher than last year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 32 Illinois traffic fatalities over the 2009 Fourth of July holiday period.

While our Chicago personal injury lawyers wish each of you a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend, we also would like to remind you of risks away from the road.

Chicago fireworks injuries: Last year, 135 people were seriously injured in Illinois fireworks accidents, according to the State Fire Marshal Even those fireworks people often think of as harmless were responsible for serious injuries, including sparklers (13) and bottle rockets (16). Seventy-eight people suffered serious burns, 10 suffered loss of eyesight and six suffered dismemberment.

More than half of those injured in Illinois fireworks accidents were under the age of 21. Injuries to the hands, fingers and eyes were most common.Illinois Boating Accidents: Independence Day is the height of the summer boating season in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports a total of 102 boating accidents in 2009 — claiming 25 lives and injuring 70. Common causes are drinking and boating, lack of training and failure to wear life vests or follow other established safety procedures. If your weekend plans involve being out on the water, please stay safe and take responsibility for making sure those around you are safe as well.

Chicago swimming pool accidents: Family gatherings this time of year often occur at the home with the pool. As such, many are not familiar with pool safety. Children are at particularly high risk. An adult should always be assigned to watch children. Even those using small backyard portable pools. CNN recently reported that more than 244 submersion accidents involving small portable pools have been reported in the last decade. In 209 cases, the incident resulted in a fatality.
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One person killed in Will County, Illinois truck accident

May 22, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago area car vs. truck crash has resulted in the death of a 60-year-old Park Forest woman, according to the Southtown Star. One other person was also injured in the collision that occurred Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 80.

The accident involved two semi trucks and a passenger vehicle, and occurred just after 2:15 PM on the interstate’s westbound lanes in the area of Interstate 355. The car was struck from behind by one of the trucks, causing the vehicle to spin into another lane where a second truck slammed into it.

The injured driver was taken by ambulance to Silver Cross Hospital. The name of the victim fatally injured has not been released.

1 dead in Chicago hit-and-run accident – police asking for help locating driver

April 21, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A man is been killed in a Chicago pedestrian accident, and now police are asking for help in finding the driver that fled the scene, this according to the Chicago breaking news center. The accident occurred on the South Side on Tuesday around 7:54 PM at 449 E. 35th Street. The victim, a 50-year-old male, was only two blocks from his home when he was killed.

Chicago police officers found the victim lying in the street. At first they thought he might have fallen due to a medical condition. However, the Medical Examiner’s Office indicated he suffered head trauma due to an accident. The Chicago Police Department‘s major accident investigation unit then started an investigation due to the apparent hit and run fatality. Police have no description of the vehicle involved.

Anyone with information regarding accident is being asked to call Chicago police at 312-745-4521.

Child killed in Chicago area roller coaster accident

April 4, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A three-year-old boy from Dalton has died in an Illinois premises liability accident on Saturday after falling from a children’s roller coaster, according to the Naperville Sun. The accident occurred around 7 PM at an establishment called Go Bananas, which is described as a family entertainment center located at 4516 N. Harlem Ave. in Norridge, Illinois. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy was performed on Sunday and it showed that the boy died of multiple injuries sustained in the accident. Further, his death has been ruled an accident.

Is being reported that the victim and his twin brother were riding a small roller coaster when the child somehow freed himself from a safety bar and then became stuck between two cars, and then fell 3 or 4 feet from the moving coaster.

1 killed in Northwest Suburban Chicago pedestrian accident

March 24, 2011 | By Dave Abels

An Illinois car versus pedestrian accident has resulted in the death of a man in northwest suburban Lake Zurich, according to Trib Local. The collision involved three vehicles and occurred at southbound US Route 12 and Honey Lake Road.

Police are reporting that a vehicle moving south on Route 12 around 3 PM drove off the roadway and struck a second vehicle and a person standing outside that vehicle. The second vehicle was knocked into a third unoccupied vehicle. The pedestrian standing outside the vehicle was about to get in the car at the time of the collision, and was tragically killed in the accident.

A Lake Zurich Fire Department ambulance transported the driver of the first vehicle to Good Shepherd Hospital due to injuries sustained in the collision. Reportedly that driver will be asked to give a blood sample to determine if drugs or alcohol played a role in the deadly accident. 2 other people involved in the accident were also taken to Good Shepherd Hospital.

Southern Illinois truck crash – 1 dead

March 23, 2011 | By Dave Abels

A man is been killed in an Illinois truck versus car crash that occurred in downstate Murphysboro, Illinois on Tuesday, CBS news is reporting. The collision occurred at the intersection of Country Club Road and Route 13 in front of a Walmart around 9:30 AM.

After the truck crash, the 72-year-old driver of the car involved in the accident, who is a Murphysboro resident, was transported by ambulance to an area hospital and pronounced dead less than an hour later. The driver of the box truck was not seriously hurt.

The accident reportedly occurred when the car turned left in front of the truck, however the traffic signals at the intersection were not described in the news story. Further, it’s being reported that the truck driver was cited by the Illinois State Police for logbook violations.