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By: The Collins Law Firm, PC

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margaret collins
shawn collins
Timothy Collins
margaret galka
Leonard Hudson
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The Collins Law Firm
P.C.
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Thomas Sheridan

Latest from Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Who’s protecting the residents of Cicero and Stickney, IL, from the tons of toxic chemical emissions migrating from the massive, 36-acre Koppers coal tar plant at the corner of Laramie and Pershing roads? The danger is that these chemicals from Koppers are blowing into nearby residential neighborhoods and that the residents are breathing them. And they don’t even know it.
But I don’t see anyone protecting the residents against this threat.  I don’t see anyone testing, for example, throughout these neighborhoods, and regularly, to see what concentrations of these toxic chemicals are getting to the residents and winding up in their…
Continue Reading THE DANGERS OF THE TOXIC CHEMICAL EMISSIONS FROM THE KOPPERS PLANT IN CICERO, IL

For the last 50 years, EPA has buckled to pressure from the chemical industry, and basically done nothing to protect millions of Americans from breathing a life-threatening, cancer-causing chemical known as “ethylene oxide” (ETO).  Along the way, EPA even repeatedly violated federal law – the “Clean Air Act” – by refusing to periodically make rules necessary to protect Americans against dangerous chemicals like ETO.
Let me say that again: EPA repeatedly violated the law.  And it did so to benefit the corporations that profit from making, selling, using, and polluting with ETO.
Finally, on March 14, 2024, after being pressured…
Continue Reading EPA is 50 Years Too Late in Cutting Emissions of Cancer-Causing Ethylene Oxide

Many accidents on the road involve more than one car, especially accidents that occur in hazardous winter conditions or on the highway.  Multi-car accidents often involve more serious injuries and bigger liability than two car crashes. In addition, once the accident has happened, the danger has not necessarily passed. Moreover, liability—or who is responsible—can be especially difficult to determine. So, how can you figure out who is at fault, and what should you do if you have been involved in a multi-car accident?
Consider Your Safety First
If you have been in a multi-car crash, your first priority should be…
Continue Reading Multi-Car Accidents: How to Stay Safe and Determine Who’s at Fault

Many accidents on the road involve more than one car, especially accidents that occur in hazardous winter conditions or on the highway.  These multi-car accidents often result in more serious injuries and greater liability than two car crashes. In addition, once the accident has happened, the danger has not necessarily passed. Moreover, liability—or who is responsible—can be especially difficult to determine. So, how can you figure out who is at fault, and what should you do if you have been involved in a multi-car accident?
Make Safety Your First Priority after a Multi-Car Accident
If you have been in a…
Continue Reading Multi-Car Accidents: How to Determine Fault and Stay Safe

Many accidents on the road involve more than one car, especially accidents that occur in hazardous winter conditions or on the highway.  Multi-car accidents often involve more serious injuries and bigger liability than two car crashes. In addition, once the accident has happened, the danger has not necessarily passed. Moreover, liability—or who is responsible—can be especially difficult to determine. So, how can you figure out who is at fault, and what should you do if you have been involved in a multi-car accident?
After a Multi-Car Accident, Ensure Your Own Safety First
If you have been in a multi-car crash,…
Continue Reading Multi-Car Accidents: How to Determine Fault and Protect Your Legal Rights

A recent study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed the presence of a toxic chemical, chlormequat, in popular oat-based foods such as Cheerios and Quaker Oats. Chlormequat, is an agricultural chemical used to modify plant growth.

Past research has linked chlormequat to adverse reproductive and developmental effects in animals. More specifically, the studies have linked the chemical to reduced fertility, altered fetal growth, and delayed puberty.

EWG’s recent research also highlighted a troubling trend: Chlormequat has been detected in a significant majority of Americans tested, with detection rates steadily rising over the years. In 2017, chlormequat was…
Continue Reading Toxic Chemical Chlormequat Found in Oat-Based Food and Humans, Raising Concerns for Reproductive Harm

Attorney Shawn Collins, founder and partner of The Collins Law Firm in Naperville, Illinois, was instrumental in forging a $408 million settlement of the cancer claims of more than 800 plaintiffs in In re Willowbrook Ethylene Oxide Litigation, venued in Illinois State Court (Cook County). The claims arose after a federal government report announced in 2018 for the first time that a sterilization plant in Willowbrook, IL–operated by Sterigenics, LLC, and its predecessors–had been emitting a chemical known as ethylene oxide 24 hours a day into the residential community’s air for more than 30 years. Once it left the Sterigenics’…
Continue Reading Collins Law Partner Shawn Collins Helps Negotiate $408 Million Settlement for Cancer Victims

We are proud to announce that our $363 million verdict in Kamuda v. Sterigenics U.S. LLC, et al., was named the number one jury verdict in Illinois in ALL practice areas in 2022 by Top Verdict. In addition, this verdict was the second highest personal injury verdict in the entire United States and the number 10 verdict in ALL practice areas in the U.S. in 2022, according to Top Verdict. Congratulations to Collins Law partners Shawn Collins and Edward Manzke and associate Margaret Galka for their work on the trial team that secured justice in this important environmental toxic…
Continue Reading Top Verdict in Illinois in 2022

The personal injury attorneys at The Collins Law Firm are representing a passenger injured in the recent train crash in Chicago and preparing to file a case against the Chicago Transit Authority.
The CTA train crash—which occurred when a Yellow Line train struck a CTA snow plow train doing scheduled training in the Howard rail yard– injured 38 people and was the largest train crash in decades. This tragic and unexpected crash sent 23 people to the hospital, including three in serious condition. Commuter train crashes like this are relatively rare, but when they do happen, they can injure or…
Continue Reading The Collins Law Firm Preparing to File a Case Against CTA for Train Crash Victim

PCBs – the common term for polychlorinated biphenyls – are toxic manufacturing compounds that do not occur in nature and have been linked to various health problems with the liver, thyroid, skin, and eyes. Moreover, they have been classified as probable human carcinogens by the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), based on animals studies that provided conclusive evidence that PCBs cause cancer. And they are commonly found in light ballasts and building materials in schools. 

 PCBs were manufactured by Monsanto for use in a multitude of products, from floor finishers and oil paints, to caulk,…
Continue Reading Toxic PCBs in Schools: Why Aren’t States Protecting Children?

A new bill has passed the Illinois General Assembly that will help make it easier for victims of gun violence to receive justice, and to protect Illinois residents before they experience the horrifying consequences of gun violence themselves. Both the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate have passed the Bill, and Governor J.B. Pritzker only needs to add his signature for the Bill to officially become law. Pritzker has already confirmed his intention to do so.

House Bill 218, also referred to as the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, aims to open gun manufacturers to civil lawsuits from the Illinois…
Continue Reading Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill to Hold Gun Manufacturers Accountable

The big pesticide companies are once again being accused of manipulating science to get what they want; this time by withholding evidence of pesticide toxicity from European Union (EU) regulators in order to get their pesticides approved. The tactic is not only unethical but is against the law. And finally, researchers are starting to shine a light on this scandal.
New research from Swedish researchers, chemist Axel Mie and toxicologist Christina Ruden, published in the journal Environmental Health reveals that several pesticide manufacturers withheld unfavorable results of toxicity tests for the developing brain from European authorities. The manufacturers–including Bayer, Syngenta,…
Continue Reading Pesticide Companies Accused of Withholding the Truth from Regulators

As the weather warms up, many motorcycle riders are eager to hit the road and enjoy the freedom and thrill of riding in the summer months. However, it’s important to prioritize motorcycle safety to ensure an enjoyable and accident-free riding experience. Here are some top motorcycle safety tips for summer to keep in mind before you rev up your engine and head out on your next ride.
 Tune-Up Your Bike
While it is a given that you should maintain your motorcycle regularly, it is important to pay extra attention before summer arrives. If your vehicle has not been on the…
Continue Reading Top Motorcycle Safety Tips for Summer Rides

As the weather warms up, many motorcycle riders are eager to hit the road and enjoy the freedom and thrill of riding in the spring and summer months. However, it’s important to prioritize motorcycle safety to ensure an enjoyable and accident-free riding experience. Keep these top safety tips from our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in mind as you rev up your engine and prepare for  your next ride.
 Motorcycle Safety Tip #1: Tune-Up Your Bike
While it is a given that you should maintain your motorcycle regularly, it is important to pay extra attention before summer arrives. If your vehicle…
Continue Reading Top Motorcycle Safety Tips from a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Particulate matter is in the air all around us. Emitted from sources like industrial plants, fossil fuel burning, power plants, and wildfires – they are everywhere and can have dire consequences for human heart health. Regulatory agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are in place to ensure that things like particulate matter are kept sufficiently in check to protect American citizens. But are they doing enough to curb particulate matter to truly keep Americans safe? 
 Two facts: 

  •   The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) summarizes its mission on its own website in one unambiguous sentence: “The mission of EPA is

    • …
    Continue Reading EPA’s Air Pollution Standards for Particulate Matter are Too High to Protect Against Heart Disease

    Dogs are often referred to as man’s best friend, but sometimes these furry friends can be dangerous and bite. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States. This equates to about one in every 73 people. Our dog bite attorneys regularly represent people who have been injured in an unprovoked dog attack.
    Why Do Dogs Bite?
    Dogs may bite for various reasons. They may feel threatened, scared, or anxious. They may also be protecting their territory, food, or puppies. Some dogs may bite because they…
    Continue Reading Have You Been Bitten by a Dog? Here’s What You Need to Know