Latest from Ankin Law Office Blog - Page 3

Ankin Law and its founder are among many in Chicagoland who are saluting an in-state team that’s headed to college basketball’s national championship weekend.  Illinois men’s basketball qualified for their first Final Four in 21 years on March 28 with a win over Iowa in Houston. It completes a memorable tournament run where the Illini won four-straight games – two in Greenville, South Carolina before a sweep in Texas. It’s the sixth Final Four that Illinois has made in program history and just the third in the modern era. It completes a major rebuild for the program under head coach
Continue Reading Congrats to the Final Four-Bound Illinois Fighting Illini!

Tuesday was a big day for a Chicago personal injury law firm as it celebrated another “birthday.” March 31, 2026 represented the 29th anniversary of the founding of Ankin Law by Attorney Howard Ankin in 1997.  It was a major venture for a young Chicagoan just a few years out of University of Illinois-Chicago Law School, and it was a humble beginning. A handful of staff started the practice at 200 North LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago with a few desks and chairs.  Over the next three decades, Ankin Law would grow its attorney roster and staff, expanding each year as the firm
Continue Reading Happy 29th Anniversary, Ankin Law!

Lawsuits against Meta and YouTube are gaining momentum. Two groundbreaking verdicts in the same week are signaling new protections for children in social media addiction cases.  Parents across the country are facing a growing concern: social media addiction and its impact on their children’s mental health. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok are not just sources of entertainment. They are addiction boxes designed to keep users engaged for hours, often exposing young people to harmful content and unhealthy patterns of use. Now, two separate jury verdicts are changing the conversation. In California, a jury found Meta and Google liable
Continue Reading Two Landmark Verdicts in the Same Week: New Protections for Children in Social Media Addiction Cases

When it comes to being a lawyer, there’s no one better than the founder of Ankin Law. It’s also great when he can fit in with something trending, too. But this recent one on social media was right in Attorney Howard Ankin’s wheelhouse.  Recently, people have been asking for and posting memories of themselves, relatives or co-workers for the “’90’s Challenge,” which celebrates how people were during that decade.  A lot happened for Howard during that time as he graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago Law School, began to practice law on his own for the first time, and then
Continue Reading How Howard Fits in With a Social Media Trend in 2026

Ankin Law attorney, Scott Goldstein recently represented a data center critical operations technician who injured his left elbow. The injury occurred when the technician was moving a broken 5,000-pound gate. During arbitration Mr Goldstein was able to secure a favorable decision for the injured worker that should see him feeling back to normal and back at work after some medical treatments. The arbitrator awarded the critical operations technician:

  • Payment of reasonable and necessary medical services in the amount of $16,018.99
  • Authorization and payment for left elbow open Nirschl surgery recommended by the doctor.
  • Payment of all post-surgical care required to

  • Continue Reading Scott Goldstein Secures Elbow Surgery for Injured Data Center Employee

    Airbnb sexual assault lawsuits arise when guests experience harm due to unsafe conditions, inadequate screening of hosts or guests, or poor security measures at a property. In these situations, victims may have legal rights to pursue compensation and hold responsible parties accountable. Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb have transformed the travel and hospitality industry. Millions of travelers use these services each year to book homes, apartments, and private rooms for vacations or business trips. While many stays occur without incident, safety concerns have become an increasing focus as reports of assaults in short-term rentals gain public attention. If you or
    Continue Reading Airbnb Sexual Assault Lawsuits: When Short-Term Rentals Become Unsafe

    When social media platforms enable child grooming, the harm can quickly lead to emotional trauma, coercion, exploitation, or in-person abuse. Families often discover too late that a predator used private messages, disappearing content, fake profiles, or recommendation features to build access to a child over time. In these situations, parents are often left asking whether the offender is the only liable party, or whether the platform itself may also bear responsibility. Social media is now part of everyday life for many children and teenagers. Young users rely on these platforms to communicate with friends, follow trends, share content, and participate
    Continue Reading When Social Media Platforms Enable Child Grooming: Legal Options for Families

    Massage therapy is built on trust. Clients seek treatment for pain relief, relaxation, or recovery, often in vulnerable physical and emotional states. Licensed massage therapists are expected to follow strict professional boundaries and ethical standards. When those boundaries are violated, the consequences can be serious for survivors. Massage therapist sexual abuse cases involve a breach of both personal trust and professional duty. Survivors may feel uncertain about what steps to take or whether legal action is possible. In many cases, civil lawsuits provide a path to accountability and financial recovery. If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct by
    Continue Reading Massage Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawsuits: When Trust Is Violated in a Professional Setting

    A girl who was hit by a car in Chicagoland received all the help she would need from Ankin Law. It’s one of the “Client Wins” that Attorney Maria Merman was eager to talk about.   The personal injury attorney and partner at Ankin Law recalled this case in which the girl was going to school when she entered a crosswalk. A driver entered this area without looking and struck the girl head-on. Seriously injured in the accident, she got medical treatment and then her family called Ankin Law. Merman along with legal assistant Adrianna Carrillo was able to get her
    Continue Reading Hit by a Car in Chicagoland? Here’s Evidence Ankin Law Can Help

    Ankin Law and WGN have made its way to the western suburbs of Chicago to find another award-winning educator making a big difference in student’s lives. Mr. Matt Sniadecki of Naperville North High School in Naperville has been named the Teacher of the Month by the law firm and television station for March 2026. Nominated by student Molly Groves for the award, Sniadecki is lauded for his teaching English in a creative way along with his contributions to athletics as a cross country & track coach.  Social Media Manager Larry Hawley was on hand to present a $1,000 check to
    Continue Reading Naperville English Teacher Gets an Honor from Ankin Law & WGN

    Hospitals are expected to provide safe, timely, and effective care to every patient. However, many facilities across the country are facing staffing shortages that can affect the quality of treatment. When hospital understaffing leads to delayed care, medical errors, or overlooked symptoms, patients and families may begin to question whether those failures rise to the level of medical malpractice. Hospital understaffing is not just an operational issue. It can become a legal issue when inadequate staffing contributes directly to patient harm. Understanding when understaffing crosses that line is essential for anyone affected by poor hospital care. If you or a
    Continue Reading Can Hospital Understaffing Be Medical Malpractice?

    Chicago, IL (March 23, 2026) – A multistate outbreak of E. Coli has been linked to RAW FARM brand block and shredded cheddar cheese, with 7 confirmed illnesses and 2 hospitalizations confirmed in California, Texas, and Florida. The product was distributed nationwide. The FDA has recommended these products be recalled, but RAW FARM is refusing to initiate a recall at this time, despite evidence linking their product to the outbreak.  Key Takeaways

    • A multistate E. coli outbreak has been linked to RAW FARM raw cheddar cheese products, with confirmed illnesses and hospitalizations across several states.
    • Despite FDA recommendations, the company


    Continue Reading Product Safety Warning: Raw Cheese Linked to E. Coli Outbreak

    Truck drivers operate under strict safety regulations designed to protect everyone on the road. However, some drivers report intense pressure from employers to meet unrealistic deadlines, exceed hours-of-service limits, or ignore maintenance issues. When truck drivers are forced to break safety rules, the consequences can include serious accidents, regulatory violations, and legal disputes. In these situations, many drivers ask an important question. If an employer pressures them to violate safety regulations and an accident occurs, can truck drivers forced to break safety rules pursue legal action against the company? If you or someone you know has been involved in a
    Continue Reading Truck Drivers Forced to Break Safety Rules: Can They Sue Their Employer?

    When debris falls from a truck on the highway, the results can be serious. Cargo that spills or breaks loose can strike nearby vehicles, force sudden swerves, or create dangerous roadway hazards. If you suffer injuries in this type of incident, determining who is responsible becomes an important step toward recovering compensation. Unlike a simple fender-bender, truck-related incidents often involve multiple parties, commercial insurance policies, and federal safety regulations. Understanding how liability works when debris falls from a truck can help you protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need. If you were injured in a highway incident involving
    Continue Reading Who Pays for Injuries When Debris Falls From a Truck on the Highway?

    When an assault occurs on apartment property, one of the first legal questions is whether the owner or management company could have done more to prevent it. In many cases, that question turns on whether the incident was foreseeable and whether the property owner failed to take reasonable security measures in light of known risks. So, can you hold apartment complexes liable for assaults on their property? Key Takeaways

    • Apartment complexes have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for tenants and lawful visitors.
    • A property owner may be liable for an assault if they ignored known security risks or


    Continue Reading Are Apartment Complexes Liable for Assaults on Their Property?

    One of the more memorable films in Chicago has a connection to Ankin Law.  That’s because of the filming location of one of the most memorable scenes of the film, which happened around the personal injury law firm’s office in the Loop. “The Fugitive” was a 1993 filmed that followed Dr. Richard Kimble’s travels through Chicago to prove his innocence in his wife’s murder. He was gathering clues for his case while the FBI was trying to bring him into custody. One of the major scenes features Kimble, portrayed by Harrison Ford, trying to elude FBI agents, one of which
    Continue Reading How Ankin Law’s Office Found Its Way Into a Major Chicago Movie