In 2007, the drug maker Merck agreed to a $4.85 billion settlement with the individuals who suffered heart attacks, strokes or other injuries associated with the use of Vioxx, as well as with the families of those who died as a result of using the drug. The makers of this defective drug have now settled their case […]
Blog
New Cell Phone Ban for Commercial Truck Drivers
The Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has decided to ban the use of hand-held cell-phones for commercial vehicle drivers. The ban is the latest effort to reduce serious truck accidents caused by distracted driving. In 2010, the DOT passed a rule banning text messaging by bus and truck drivers. This […]
Baby Sling Leads to Wrongful Death Suit
The Eddie Bauer Sling & Hip Carrier is the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit filed last week in Cook County Court. The plaintiffs believe that the defective product caused their newborn daughter to suffocate while her father carried her. The family has named the retailer that sold the sling, as well as the manufacturers of the […]
One Cause of Truck Driver Fatigue Examined
With all the attention paid to cell phone use and the rise in distracted driving, it is important to keep sight of a problem that has been around since cars were invented-driver fatigue. After several high profile truck accidents cited sleep apnea as playing a role in the accident, some industry groups took notice. The Federal Motor […]
Driving Tips for a Safe Holiday Season
When the first snow falls, it can seem as if every driver around you has never driven in winter conditions before. The drivers who spent all summer risking serious motor vehicle accidents by tailgating, speeding and driving distractedly do not seem to realize that the danger has heightened. Some drivers behave as if their SUVs are unaffected […]
New Rules for Truckers Debated
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, under pressure from consumer safety groups and the Teamsters union, may suggest rule changes for how truck drivers operate. Advocates for the changes contend that any losses suffered by the trucking industry will be gained in reduced truck accidents. Opponents counter by suggesting that the new rules force truckers to […]
Baby Shampoo Contains Carcinogen
The cancer causing agent formaldehyde can be found in an unlikely product, Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo. Johnson & Johnson has promised to remove the preservative responsible for releasing the carcinogen, though no plan has been announced for how to deal with the contaminated products still on the shelves. Consumer groups are calling the decision a victory, […]
Construction Workers at Risk, Study Shows
The Center for Construction Research and Training has released a study showing elevated risks of illness and injury for construction workers. Three out of four construction workers suffer a disabling injury over the course of a 45 year career. The chances of suffering a fatal injury are 1 in 200. These numbers are significantly higher than those […]
New Ad Campaign Targets Texting by At-Risk Drivers
A group of states’ attorneys general have teamed up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council on a campaign to increase public awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. The campaign targets drivers in the 16-24 years old range, a group associated with a high rate of car accidents, as well […]
Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop, P.C., files medical malpractice lawsuit for delayed diagnosis of breast cancer
Rapoport Sims Perry & VanOverloop filed a medical malpractice case today in the Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois, on behalf of a 59-year-old woman for the delayed diagnosis of her breast cancer. The lawsuit alleges her doctors failed to perform regular breast examinations, failed to recommend she undergo regular mammograms, failed to advise her of the […]
The Hypocrisy of Tort Reform Advocates
Caterpillar is a well-known maker of industrial equipment, including construction vehicles, mining equipment, engines and more. As a board member of the Institute for Legal Reform, they are a leader in the movement to restrict the ability of individuals to sue after suffering a personal injury at the hands of a negligent corporation. This movement, under the […]
Aviation Safety on the Decline
The Government Accountability Office released a report last week outlining a significant increase in the number of mistakes by air traffic controllers over the last three years. In addition, the report shows an increase in the incidents of runway incursions at airports using control towers. Many aviation accidents occur on the runway, including the deadliest aviation […]
Veterans’ Propensity for Fatal Car Accidents
Many young men suffer from a feeling of invincibility that leads to poor choices behind the wheel. The problem may be exacerbated for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans are substantially more likely than non-veterans to be involved in a fatal car accident. Government leaders are attempting to address this serious problem which has life […]
Truck Fatally Strikes Woman in Wheelchair
A Tuesday afternoon truck accident claimed the life of a 60 year-old Chicago woman. The fatal truck accident is still under investigation and no criminal charges are pending at this time. The woman was crossing at a crosswalk in her motorized wheelchair when she was hit by a cement truck. The driver of that truck, […]
Medical Malpractice and Airline Safety
A senior health care official with the Obama administration believes that the medical field has something to learn from the aviation industry in terms of safety. By focusing on safety and efficiency, he believes that medical malpractice can be drastically reduced while simultaneously controlling the spiraling costs of health care. Too much care can be as much […]
Birthday Helicopter Tour Ends in Tragedy
Just moments after takeoff, a helicopter pilot realized there was a problem. The aircraft’s engine stalled and the vehicle spun out of control, eventually crashing into a nearby river. The pilot escaped the craft, as well as three of the four passengers onboard. One passenger, a woman celebrating her 40th birthday was not so lucky. She […]
Chicago May Ban Cell Phone Use While Biking
The Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee has proposed a city ordinance that would allow police officers to ticket people who talk or text on a cell phone while bicycling. The ordinance would require riders to use a hands-free device to use a cell phone while the bike is in motion. The measure is meant to […]
Worker Killed in Construction Zone Accident
A 28 year-old contract worker was hit and killed by a truck in a Will County construction zone this weekend. The driver of the semi tractor truck was issued a citation in connection with the fatal construction accident. Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident. The victim was a contract worker for the […]
Cell Phone Use and SemiTrucks
Lawmakers and safety experts all over the country are working to combat the dangers of distracted driving. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now recommending that commercial drivers be banned from using mobile phones while driving. The NTSB believes the measure could prevent many truck accidents caused by negligent semi drivers. The recommendation was […]
Common Causes of Car Accidents: Driver Behavior (Part IV)
This post is the final in a series of posts on the four most common factors that contribute to motor vehicle accidents. When car accidents happen, people tend to look for excuses to what caused the accident. While factors such as equipment failure, roadway design, and poor road maintenance may contribute to accidents, most accidents […]
