Synopsis: Illinois WC Appellate Solid Ruling on Disputed Work-Related Death of “Traveler” Leaves Us Guessing… Subway v. IL WC Commission.  Editor’s comment: First, the term “traveling employee” isn’t defined anywhere in the IL WC Act or Rules. The IWCC and courts can interpret it, as they feel it best. Typically, the lack of statutory direction means we are going to see unexpected outcomes related to indefinable “travelers” when such cases reach our usually liberal IL WC reviewing court. Welcome to the People’s Republic of Illinois, as my old friend would say. This ruling is less than liberal and is crystal clear to…
Continue Reading April 2026; Disputed Work-Related Death of "Traveler" Reviewed; AI and Workers Comp and more

Second Circuit: Long-Term Interior Residents Are Not “Seeking Admission” — Bond Hearings Required, Circuit Split Now Open Cunha v. Freden, No. 25-3141 (2d Cir. April 28, 2026) | Judge Bianco, writing for the panel (Cabranes, Bianco, Nathan, Circuit Judges.) The … Continue reading →
Continue Reading Second Circuit: Long-Term EWI Residents Are Not “Seeking Admission” — Bond Hearings Required | Cunha v. Freden

Most car accident claims never see the inside of a courtroom. Negotiations happen, both sides land on a number, and everyone moves on. That’s the typical path. But some cases don’t follow it, and if you’re dealing with an insurer who won’t budge, a disputed liability situation, or injuries serious enough that no reasonable offer ever materializes, a lawsuit may be exactly where your case needs to go.
Settlement vs. Litigation
Settling is faster. It’s more predictable. You agree on a number, sign a release, and it’s over. Litigation takes longer, involves more moving parts, and comes with more uncertainty…
Continue Reading When a Car Accident Becomes a Lawsuit in IL

For millions of Americans, rideshare apps like Uber® and Lyft® have become a convenient way to get around. But behind the convenience, serious safety concerns have emerged.
In recent years, reports of sexual assault by rideshare drivers across the country have come to light and only continued to climb, raising questions about whether or not companies are doing enough to protect passengers.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Uber and consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) to address the issue of rideshare safety and seek justice for survivors.
We spoke with Firm Partner Ellyn Hurd, an Uber assault…
Continue Reading Q&A with Uber® Assault Attorney Ellyn Hurd

On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a proposed rule that would set a single standard for joint employer status under the FLSA, FMLA, and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (“MSPA”). The proposed rule would offer clarity for employers around when multiple employers are jointly responsible for protecting employee wages and other rights.
Continue Reading DOL Issues Proposed Rule on Joint Employer Status Under FLSA and FMLA

Question:
I am a partner in a three partner firm in Fresno, California. We handle exclusively personal injury plaintiff work consisting of auto accidents, slip and fall cases, premises liability, etc. We do not handle medical malpractice, products liability. or mass tort or class action cases. We have no associates working in the firm at the present time. While we have had associates in the past we have not had good experience in recruiting and retaining associates. In addition to a receptionist we have four paralegals.
I am 73 and still trying cases and my other partners are 62 and…
Continue Reading Law Firm Succession and Transition – What is the Best Strategy?

Car accident witnesses can play a major role in strengthening a Chicago car accident claim because they may provide unbiased accounts of what happened, help prove who was at fault, support injury claims, and challenge false statements made by insurance companies or opposing drivers. In many Chicago crashes, witness testimony can become critical evidence when police reports are incomplete, drivers disagree about fault, or insurance companies try to reduce compensation. Whether the collision happens on the Kennedy Expressway, Lake Shore Drive, or a busy Chicago neighborhood intersection, a credible witness can help protect your rights and improve your chances…
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Motorcycle accidents can cause some of the most serious injuries seen on Chicago roads. Unlike people inside passenger vehicles, motorcycle riders have very little protection during a crash. Even when wearing a helmet and protective gear, riders can suffer severe harm when they are hit by a car, thrown from a bike, or dragged across pavement. Common injuries from motorcycle accidents include road rash, broken bones, head injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, burns, and life-changing trauma that may require months or years of recovery. In some cases, these injuries lead to permanent disability.

In a busy city like…
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Food truck collision claims in Chicago can be more complicated than ordinary car accident claims because they often involve commercial vehicles, business insurance policies, multiple liable parties, and serious injuries. If you were hurt in a crash involving a food truck, you may have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. The value of a claim often depends on who caused the crash, the severity of the injuries, and whether a food truck owner, driver, company, maintenance provider, or another party may be responsible.

Chicago streets are full of food trucks…
Continue Reading Food Truck Collision Claims Chicago: What Victims Need to Know After an Accident

Every HR pro knows this little workplace miracle.Just as your office or plant is winding down for Memorial Day—or some other prime-time long weekend—boom: your employee’s chronic condition suddenly flares up like a Roman candle.What timing.A total and complete coincidence, right?Enter Andrew, who worked as a conductor for CSX Railroad and a chap whose story I highlighted at my recent FMLA & ADA Master Class [see recording details below].Andrew’s FMLA leave (coincidentally) clustered around holidays, and CSX relied in part on that holiday timing and broader aggregate statistics to support its suspicion that something was amiss.Like…
Continue Reading When FMLA Has Impeccable Timing Around a Holiday, This is What Employers Shouldn’t Do.

Just like the federal protection of consumers from robocalls, violations of the no call list, and unwanted faxes, the CAN-SPAM Act is designed to protect your email from unwanted or fraudulent communications and assesses penalties on those who abuse email. If you are using email commercially or for marketing, some of the rules to follow to avoid civil suits and penalties include:

  • Do not use false header lines or subject descriptions.
  • Disclose if the communication is an advertisement.
  • Disclose a valid physical postal address.
  • Provide an opt-out opportunity.
  • Honor opt-out requests.

    • If you have any concerns about your email marketing…
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    You’re still dealing with lingering pain, missed work, and calls from the other driver’s insurer — and now there’s a check on the counter with a release form attached. Before you sign anything, our Chicago car accident lawyer team at Disparti Law Group wants you to understand exactly what that release means for your case.
    Signing that release form means waiving your right to any additional compensation, regardless of what your recovery looks like six months from now. Once you sign, Illinois law does not allow you to reopen a settled claim — no matter what medical bills arrive after…
    Continue Reading Don’t Sign That Settlement — A Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Explains

    Getting hurt on someone else’s property is incredibly stressful. You might feel embarrassed, second-guess yourself, or write the incident off as your own clumsiness. However, it is important to recognize that property owners have a legal responsibility to keep you safe. If you think there is even a chance you might have a case, it […]
    The post When Can a Property Owner Be Sued for Unsafe Conditions? appeared first on SAM LAW OFFICE LLC.
    Continue Reading When Can a Property Owner Be Sued for Unsafe Conditions?

    What’s trade dress? If you’re a guitar person, you know which brand is associated with a slanted headstock. If you enjoy vodka, you know which brand is sold in a skull-shaped bottle. If I describe a shoe with a distinctive red lacquered sole that contrasts with the rest of the shoe, you know exactly what brand I’m talking about. How about a tall, narrow drink can with large blue and white rectangles and some red text? Or a fast-food kids’ meal container with two arches on the top?
    I didn’t say any of those names. No logo. Just a description…
    Continue Reading The Cult of the Copycat: Protecting Your Brand’s Look and Feel with Trade Dress Trademarks

    Car accidents happen every day, but many of them can be prevented when drivers understand the most common crash risks and how to respond to them. The common car accidents people face most often include rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, side-impact accidents, head-on collisions, single-vehicle crashes, parking lot accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, hit-and-run accidents, and accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists. In many cases, these crashes happen because of distracted driving, speeding, poor road conditions, driver fatigue, or simple mistakes behind the wheel. Learning how these accidents happen and taking practical safety steps can help reduce your chances of being involved in one.
    Continue Reading 9 Common Car Accidents and How to Help Avoid Them

    If you are wondering how to choose Chicago car accident attorneys with 24/7 availability near you, then look for a law firm that offers around-the-clock access, quick emergency response, strong car accident experience, local Chicago knowledge, transparent communication, and a proven history of helping injured victims when they need legal support the most. After a crash, timing matters. Evidence can disappear, insurance companies can move fast, and injured victims often need answers right away. That is why choosing a lawyer who is available day or night can make a major difference.

    A car accident can happen in seconds, but the…
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