Large Corps Use Bankruptcy to Try to Escape Legal Liability for Harms
The biggest corporations in the United States did not grow so large by accident. They grew through innovation, marketing and investment. They also do everything they can to avoid responsibility for when their products injure people.
That companies strategize to minimize their litigation costs is nothing new. Their responsibility to their owners and shareholders requires that they take every measure to avoid unnecessary costs. Costs to pay lawyers or to compensate victims of negligence are considered “unnecessary” to these corporations. Recently, the news has reported on many new…
Continue Reading Corporations Avoid Responsibility

 

During the winter Chicago weather, I get an increasing number of calls from people who have slipped or fallen on ice, snow, or a wet surface and have hurt themselves. Often times this happens in the context of a person going to or from work and I often get asked if this is a situation that will be covered by workers’ compensation.
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is not straightforward and can only be answered with a detailed and thorough examination of the actual facts surrounding the accident. Some of the important considerations include:- what condition caused you…
Continue Reading Judges Differ, Cases Won or Lost – In Some Cases, the Cause is Simply Frost

Enforcing Laws Promotes Justice

Jim Coogan joined The Ben Joravsky show this month to break down the latest coverage of various civil and criminal legal cases pending against the former President. Since the show began during the Trump Administration, Jim has been a regular guest on the show offering his unique insights into the legal system. The unusual nature of the Trump presidency and his business and personal entanglements has challenged State and Federal legal systems.
This time, Jim joins ben to review the widening investigations and explain how the law will apply to ongoing cases. There are civil lawsuits…
Continue Reading Jim Coogan Analyzes National Legal Events

New Law Signed to Protect Assault Victims
Non-Disclosure Agreements almost exclusively benefit the “bigger” party in transactions. Employers use them to silence employees. Companies use them to limit and restrict the spread of information by consumers. And while they can serve legitimate purposes, they can easily be abused. This is due partly to the unequal balance of power between the company requesting the NDA and the person who feels compelled to sign it.
One area where NDA’s have been caused particular harm to people is when employees are forced to agree to silence as a condition of employment, and the…
Continue Reading Non-Disclosure Rule Change

NIH Study: Hair Striaghteners Linked to Cancer Risk
Products used for hair straighteners have been linked to a cancer risk, including uterine cancer. Over the years, researchers have focused on whether the chemicals used in products for straightening hair can cause cancer. As far back as 2007, researchers at Boston University and Howard University examined the connection between relaxers and cancer. (Credit: Tameka Ellington; Yahoo! News)
Other researchers went on to examine the connection between the hair products and other types of cancer. But the biggest news came in October, 2022 when the National Institutes of Health released…
Continue Reading Hair Straightener Harm

SHOULD WE TAKE THE CASE?

Not every case is a ‘case’
The most important step in a successful injury case is also the first step: deciding whether to move forward with the case. Our lawyers discuss this with every potential client. Whether they are calling about a work injury or a complex medical case. For Plaintiff’s lawyers, we decide whether to invest our time, talent and finances into each case. So, the first step is always the most-important. Do we open the new case? Or does…
Continue Reading Jim Coogan Joins Lisa Wade – Nurse Consultant

United States Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Deserve Justice

Independence Built on Sacrifice
(July 9, 2022) – It is the time of year to celebrate America’s Independence. Americans spent time watching fireworks displays and eating barbecue with friends and family this week. We also took the opportunity to reflect with gratitude on the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Their commitment, dedication, and contributions secure our independence.

This year, the United States is honoring their contributions in a different way. This is because…
Continue Reading What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

If you are a bicyclist injured in a collision, you are entitled to most of the same damages that you could claim in any other personal injury case. These include medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and bicycle repair or replacement. Collecting compensation may be a challenge, but you have several different options.
Insurance Claim
If you were a cyclist injured in a collision with an automobile, you can collect the driver’s insurance information, just as you would if you were involved in the accident as the driver of a vehicle. You could then file a claim…
Continue Reading How To Get Compensation for a Bicycle Accident

PHILIPS ISSUES CLASS I RECALL
Breathing Machines from Philips Respironics May Cause Cancer

Philips Respironics machines’ foam breaks down and can cause cancer (Credit: Yated Ne’eman – https://yated.com/philips-cpap-recall-leaves-sleep-apnea-patients-in-confusion/)

According to the American Sleep Association, more than 50 Million Americans suffer from some type of sleep disorder. And more than 25 million of those are people with obstructive sleep apnea. Indeed, the CDC reports that more than 35% of American adults sleep less than seven hours per night.
With so many dealing with sleep apnea, millions of Americans have been prescribes different breathing systems to help them sleep better,…
Continue Reading CPAP DANGERS

Free Speech Has Limits

One of those limits is that the law protects people from false and defamatory statements.
In today’s media environment, spectacle sells. Many public actors take advantage of the shock value of bold statements, conspiratorial claims and wild accusations to get attention. That tactic definitely attracts eyeballs and ears. However, there are limits and some claims can cross the line.
In this episode, Ben & Jim discuss a recent development in an infamous defamation lawsuit brought against Alex Jones, the host of The Alex Jones Show and principal of the InfoWars media brands. The judge presiding over…
Continue Reading Defamation and Flouting the Law

Dangerous Products Can Injure
Key: Determining the Responsible Party
When an injury occurs as the result of negligence, one of the first questions is: who is responsible? When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the answer may be clear. But what if the driver was driving as part of their job? A good lawyer will dig into these questions and identify the proper parties.
But when a product fails–cutting, burning, exploding–finding the responsible party may be more difficult. In 2021, millions of Americans buy hundreds of millions of products through Amazon. It is the world’s largest online retailer.
Continue Reading Who Is Responsible When Amazon Product Injures?