blog | Lane Brown, LLC

Most of us love dogs. They are our friends, companions, and for some, members of our families. The image of a cuddly dog snuggling up with our children at night may bring a smile to our faces. But unnecessary dog bite attacks ruin that playful image of man’s best friend. We may be left wondering “what now?” if we become victims of such terrible attacks. Scars, both physical and emotional, may last a lifetime. When this happens, it’s important to speak to an experienced Chicago dog bite lawyer about your legal rights.

Here are Five Simple Tips to help prevent an Illinois Dog Bite attack from occurring.

Never Treat a Dog Unkindly.

Do not ever hit or kick a dog. Aggression leads to more aggression. A dog’s ears, tail, and paws can be very sensitive areas on their body, so don’t pull on these unless you are very familiar with the dog and its’ likes and dislikes.

Leave a Dog Alone While it is Busy.

Give plenty of space to dogs that are busy with small puppies, or dogs that are eating or playing with toys. The protective nature of animals can put them on guard if they feel threatened in any way around humans.

Stay Calm.

Avoid shouting around dogs, and always try to speak calmly or softly. Dogs can sense tense or stressful situations and often respond accordingly. Loud noises or aggressive language could trigger a violent response from the dog.

Don’t Approach a Dog You Don’t Know.

Leave service dogs alone. They may seem like beautiful, fascinating animals, but they have been specifically trained to work for their owners. Any other individual could appear as a threat to the dog. Do not approach dogs that are tied up in a yard. Dogs restrained by chains or ropes are more likely to bite due to increased stress, protectiveness, and vulnerability caused by the restraints. If you want to meet a new dog, always ask the owner for permission first before approaching the animal. If given the “ok,” hold your hand gently out for the dog to sniff your scent. Then, give the dog a gentle rub or scratch under the chin first before petting anywhere else on the dog’s body.

Be Still.

If you are outside, and a loose, aggressive dog approaches, stand straight, tall, and still. Avoid making eye contact with the dog, and don’t make any sudden movements. If a dog feels threatened or vulnerable, it often will act defensively. If you’re on the ground when an aggressive dog approaches, don’t get up. Curl into a ball, like a rock, and pull your knees into your chest. Cover your ears with your hands and do not make eye contact with the dog. Not only will this protect the vulnerable parts of your body in the event of an Illinois dog bite attack, but it also demonstrates that you are not a threat to the animal.

If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Chicago and have suffered serious injuries as a result, you may be entitled to compensation from the dog owner. The best way to know what the law allows is to speak with an experienced Chicago dog bite attorney about your case. One easy call to our personal injury lawyers at 312-332-1400 may be the right step toward getting the legal justice you deserve.

Category: Dog Bites

Labels:

There could be new legal changes in the works concerning generic medications, protecting the safety and rights of millions of Americans taking the cheaper versions of hundreds of these drugs everyday. If the suggested FDA changes occur, victims of defective medication side effects in Illinois will have grounds to take legal action against generic drug makers.

Like most of us, many of you may comb through pharmacy shelves, debating between the expensive name brand and the cheaper, generic forms of the drugs we depend on. You may ask yourselves, “Is this one really just as good as the other?” or “Why is this one so much cheaper if they are actually the same thing?”Then, usually our pocketbooks win out, and we go with the less expensive version.

Presently, about 8 in 10 prescriptions filled in the U.S. are for generic versions of these drugs. Even though the FDA regulations require the generic drugs to have the same active ingredients, and quality of performance as their name brand counterparts, the rival drugs do not actually fall under the same legal responsibilities in regards to liability.

As the law currently states, if a patient suffers catastrophic injuries from defective medications, he or she may only take legal action against the name brand manufacturer, provided the name brand version was the drug that caused the ill side effects. This, however, does not apply to generic brands. Why?

Name brand drugs are the original formulations of these specific chemical compounds. Generic versions are made under those specifications.
Generic drugs must carry the same warning labels as their name brand counterparts.
Essentially, the law states that the name brand manufacturers or creators are responsible for ensuring patient safety, because they are the ones that actually developed the drugs.

However, after years of legal battles, and countless side effects that left victims with catastrophic injuries and lifelong scars, the FDA is now examining the unfair consequences of these laws.

If the proposed medication regulation changes are implemented, generic drug companies will be responsible for making their own specific warning labels for their medications, opening up the door for these companies to be held accountable if defective medications cause devastating injuries to patients.

If you’ve been injured by defective medications, it’s important to speak with an experienced Chicago defective product attorney about your legal rights. Those responsible for your medical complications should be held responsible for their negligent actions, and it looks like there may be more hope yet for victims in the world of defective generic medication injuries. Call Lane Brown today at 312-332-1400 to get more information and speak with a skilled Chicago personal injury attorney.

Every day we may walk into any number of locations, purchasing groceries, renting a hotel room for a business trip or vacation, looking for a new apartment building to move into, or spending the day at an amusement park. Our places of interest are endless.

In each of these locations, we enter the premises, trusting that there is an unspoken level of security established to keep us safe while we’re there. Unfortunately, criminal activity still happens, even in these well-known places. In some cases, the only party at fault behind these crimes is the assailant. However, in other situations, these crimes could be preventable, but aren’t, a case known as negligent security in Illinois. If you have questions about your assault or premises liability claim, the Chicago premises liability attorneys at Lane Brown, LLC may be just the help you need.

Common Locations for Premises Liability Cases in Illinois

There are so many locations that we visit that operate with a basic understanding of providing patrons with a basic, core level of security while on the premises. Some of these include: apartment buildings, shopping malls, businesses, sports stadiums, grocery stores, condominiums/ gated communities, home rentals, amusement parks, and schools.

But, there is one location that may be guilty of negligent security in Chicago that many of us may overlook: hospitals. We go to hospitals, visiting others or seeking medical assistance and respite for any number of reasons, expecting to be safe during our stay. But, unfortunately, hospitals can also become prime locations for catastrophic assaults to occur.

Examples of Negligent Hospital Security Can Include:

Did the hospital provide adequate security systems in place (lock-down procedures, cameras, security personnel)?
Did the hospital have well-lit hallways, stairwells, entrances and exits, elevators, and parking garages/lots? Adequate lighting produces extra visibility in otherwise dark locations, and may reduce the chance of an attack occurring.
Did the hospital have high standards of hiring and training their security personnel, or are their security members inadequately equipped to keep visitors safe on the premises?
Does the hospital have a set “security policy” in place, that all employees are trained to follow, in the event of emergency situations? https://www.lanebrownlaw.com/blog/premises-liability-claim–don-t-trump-up-your-injuries.cfm
Does the hospital have a known history of crime on the premises? If so, they have a legal duty to take necessary and reasonable measures to reduce the likelihood of a criminal assault incident occurring.

Assault victims may suffer catastrophic head injuries, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, broken bones, gunshot wounds or even rape when proper security measures are neglected.

If you, or someone you love, were injured in an assault while on hospital property, you may be able to seek financial compensation for your victimization. Our skilled Chicago premises liability attorneys at Lane Brown, LLC have the knowledge needed to aggressively pursue catastrophic injury cases. Call today to schedule your free appointment: 312-332-1400.

Our children are our most precious resources. Their safety is always our main concern. Parents trying to ensure that their babies are safe are subjected to all kinds of corporate marketing…TV, billboards, magazines and other mass media campaigns that try to convince them to buy products. Products that are, above all, safe for our children. Unfortunately, corporate promises can be misleading, and babies’ health can be in danger as a result.

New Zealand dairy exporter, Fonterra, has recalled baby formula potentially contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, according to several news media sources. The New York Times (8/6, B3, Hutchison, Subscription Publication, 1.68M) reports that Fonterra apologized for the contamination of “an infant milk formula ingredient” with Clostridium botulinum, “traced to a pipe that had not been cleaned properly in one of its…processing plants.” Much of the infant formula was exported to China, where many “consumers prefer to buy imported products because of problems involving domestic brands.” Fonterra officials said the contaminated whey protein batches “were produced in May 2012,” but the company did not discover the contamination until testing was done in Australia in March.

The Wall Street Journal (8/6, B6, Howard, Burkitt, Subscription Publication, 2.29M) reports that New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, said that the contamination was damaging to both Fonterra and New Zealand, noting questions regarding how long Fonterra took to trace and announce the contamination and announcing that an investigation into the contamination would be conducted. Fonterra said that eight customers were informed about the contaminated whey protein, including three food companies, two beverage companies, and three animal feed manufacturers.
Reuters (8/6, Beckford, Rajagopalan) reports that Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings said bans on Fonterra products had not been imposed by China. Instead, restrictions on whey protein concentrate were put in place. The restrictions are expected to be lifted after Chinese officials receive a report on how the contamination occurred.

According to Fonterra officials, “90 percent of affected products are in warehouses and the company is working to take back the rest from retail stores’”, Bloomberg News (8/6, Lin) reports. Fonterra officials said that around 17 tons of the contaminated whey “was used by customers in Australia and New Zealand to make about 2,100 tons of baby milk powder,” and the remainder “was used by other customers including Coca-Cola (KO) in other products.”

The Wall Street Journal (8/6, Qi, Subscription Publication, 2.29M) reports that US-based Abbott Laboratories Chinese division was asked to recall two infant formula products by China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. The General Administration wrote on its website that New Zealand officials had indicated the two formulas produced by Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co, .Ltd., may have been tainted with Clostridium botulinum. And, according to Reuters (8/6, Tajitsu), 80,000 cans of baby formula produced by Cow & Gate has been recalled in Hong Kong and Macau.

If your child or someone you know has consumed contaminated baby formula, you may be able to take action. We can help! Please contact the attorneys at Lane Brown, LLC at 312-332-1400 or visit our website at lanebrownlaw.com.

Winning a vehicle accident lawsuit can be tricky at times, since there are so many different factors that go into deciding fault when a crash occurs. When the other vehicle involved in the accident is a government vehicle, that level of difficulty increases significantly.

Typically, because mass transit buses and other forms of public transportation are owned or managed under the jurisdiction of the government, winning a lawsuit can be difficult. Since many government entities tend to fall under “government immunity” laws, they are often exempt from being held responsible for traffic violations and accidents that occur. However, there are a few select instances when government employee drivers and agencies can be held liable for the injuries caused to other individuals after vehicle accidents in Illinois.

Tips to Win Your Case Against the Government After an Illinois Vehicle Crash

Was the driver of the government issued vehicle found to be at fault for causing the accident?
When filing a claim with the appropriate agency, provide a clear description of the time, place, and circumstances of the accident.
Always provide complete contact information for the person making the claim.
Be sure to file your claim quickly. In Illinois, the basic Statute of Limitations is two years after the original incident for personal injury cases. An attorney can help you work through the details of these laws.
Is there witness testimony to the bus driver’s behavior or actions to prove fault?

Chicago mass transit bus accidents can happen for any number of reasons. And, when they do, victims should receive justice, even if a government employee is at fault. Common causes of mass transit bus accidents can include:

Driver fatigue
Inadequate driver training
Overloaded or improperly loaded buses
Distracted drivers
Drivers under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

If you suffered significant injuries, pain, or suffering from a mass transit bus crash in Illinois, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Only a skilled Chicago auto accident attorney can help you understand and assert your legal rights. You can schedule a free consultation with the personal injury legal team at Lane Brown today by calling 312-332-1400.

The Chicago City Council approved a $10 settlement for a man who falsely confessed to the 1986 murders of an elderly couple after two Chicago police detectives working with police commander Jon Burge threatened and punched him, rupturing his eardrum, as he sat handcuffed in a chair in a south side police station. The confession was thrown out in 2011 and prosecutors dismissed the indictment after determining that they could not go forward without the tainted confession as evidence. The victim spent 25 years behind bars for the crimes he did not commit.

Lane & Brown, L.L.C. has handled numerous cases involving police brutality. If you, a family member or a friend have been the victim of police brutality, you may be able to take action. We can help! Please contact the attorneys at Lane & Brown, LLC at (312) 332-1400 or visit our website at lanebrownlaw.com .