Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer - Personal Injury

State Farm Sued After Producing Fraudulent Medical Reports

Jamie G. Goldstein — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:31:35 GMT

State Farm has long been reluctant to pay injured victims insurance money they rightfully deserve. As noted in previous blog posts, they prefer to use the delay, deny, defend tactic. While implementing this delay, deny, defend policy, State Farm also calls on what defendants like to call "Independent Medical Examiners" to examine a plaintiff to determine if he or she is injured.

These exams are far from "independent". The defense attorney chooses who is going to examine the plaintiff. It is not an independent person chosen by agreement between the parties. Often the doctor examinig the plaintiff has been hired on numerous occasions in the past by State Farm.

A lawsuit that was recently filed in New York states the reports generated by these so called "independent medical examiners" were fraudulent in nature. There are documents and testimony that are believed to show the doctors hired by State Farm were told to leave out certain opinions that would favor the injured person. The claims of the injured person would then be denied by State Farm as not medically necessary.

If this is true, there could be many more problems to come for State Farm. These independent medical examiners are also used during trials and there opinions impact the jury's final decision as to fault and compensation. If the reports are not accurate, many victims may be wrongfully denied compensation.

Only time will tell what the outcome will be, but injured victims have the right to be compensated fully for their injuries. If you or someone you know has been injured at the hands of another, contact an attorney to learn what your legal rights are.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Cough Syrup Sends Children to Hospital

Jamie G. Goldstein — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:35:27 GMT

It is not uncommon for children to wind up in the emergency room after ingesting too much cough syrup. In fact each year it is estimated that approximately 7,000 children end up in the emergency room after receiving too much cough medicine. The CDC has recently posted warnings about the dangers of giving children under 2 cough medicine.

Most of the children sent to the emergency room after ingesting cough medicine are under 2 years of age. Many of these children are often told the medicine is candy and are encouraged to take it, however, the CDC warns that this message confuses children and may cause them to take the medication on their own if they come in contact with it. It should be made clear to children that they are taking medication to make them feel better and not candy.

If you believe your child has become sick as a result of ingesting too much medication you should contact your physician immediately. Many times children become sick as a result of too much medication, but there are times the dosages are improper for young children. If your child has become sick after ingesting the proper amount of medication whether it is cough medicine or other medication, contact an attorney to learn your legal rights. You may be able to take action against the prescribing doctor or the manufacturer of the prescription drug.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Greyhound Bus Traveling from Chicago to Indiana Crashes

Jamie G. Goldstein — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:35:01 GMT

A greyhound bus traveling along interstate 65 crashed in the early morning hours injuring at least three. The bus was traveling from Chicago to Indianapolis when it possibly blew a tire. It was in Boone County at the time of the accident.

The injured people on the bus may have a legal right to recover for any expenses incurred due to the Greyhound accident. They may also be able to recover for pain and suffering and any lost time at work. Those who were injured should contact an attorney to learn what their rights are and what action may be taken against Greyhound.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Airline, Cruise, Bus, and Other Mass Transit.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Chicago Cop Being Investigated for Tasering an 82-Year Old Woman

Jenny Albano — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:46:58 GMT

Chicago's Police Department is investigating a cop's use of a taser gun on an 82-year old woman, who police say was swinging a hammer at them when they arrived.

Officials with the city's Department on Aging went to her home Oct. 29 to make a welfare check, and called police when they saw Fletcher in a window swinging a hammer back and forth, police spokeswoman Monique Bond said Tuesday.

Police officers went to the home to try and calm Lillian Fletcher down and one of the officers used their Taser gun. The department is now investigating whether the officer violated policy regarding the use of the Taser.

Fletcher was rushed to the hospital after being stunned, but was eventually released. Fletcher stated that the officers pushed their way into her home and just shocked her, but her granddaughter told authorities that Fletcher suffers from schizophrenia and dementia.

Taser guns use compressed nitrogen to shoot two barbed darts that can penetrate clothing to give a 50,000-volt shock to immobilize people.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Safety on Halloween Night

Jamie G. Goldstein — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:43:05 GMT

Halloween is an exciting time for people of all ages. Children and adults enjoying dressing up in costumes and being part of the Halloween spirit. While celebrating is fun, children and adults should take precautions to make certain that they are safe on Halloween night.

Be attentive to whether or not costumes are flame resistant. If you are not careful, you may be wearing a costume that is waiting to catch fire. Many costumes have labels showing they are flame resistant. Once you have your costume picked out, make sure that it has light colors on it so you can be seen at night. Use glow tape or reflective tape if your costume is too dark for people to see you.

Young children should be accompanied by adults when trick or treating and all candy should be checked before being consumed. Make sure your children do not eat any candy that is not wrapped or looks like it has been tampered with.

Most importantly...remember to have fun!!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Weekend Crash Kills One and Injures Another

Jamie G. Goldstein — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:54:52 GMT

Victorino Lopez-Mendoza was pronounced dead early Sunday morning after his vehicle was involved in an accident with a semi-trailer truck. Lopez-Mendoza was pulling out of a parking lot near Irving Park Road and Walnut when his side of the car was hit by the semi-trailer truck. Another man was also injured. No citations were issued, and there is no current information on who was at fault for the accident.

Lopez-Mendoza's family may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the truck driver and the truck company if it is determined that the truck driver was likely at fault for the accident. The injured man may be able to file a claim against one of the drivers for his injuries.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Woman Killed, Three Injured in DeKalb, Illinois Crash

Jamie G. Goldstein — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:06:38 GMT

A car crash involving one vehicle cut short the life of a 17 year old woman late Tuesday evening. The car was traveling in DeKalb, Illinois on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway. There were three other people in the car at the time of the crash. The other woman in the car was airlifted to a local hospital and was listed in critical condition. Two men in the car were also taken to the hospital.

There is no information on the cause of the crash, but police say that at least two people were ejected from the car. When they arrived at the scene the two women were laying on the grass while the men were walking. The injured parties in the accident may be able to recover for their injuries. The family of the woman that died may also be able to recover for her wrongful death. The recovery for the injured and the dead woman may include financial loss, medical bills, pain and suffering and emotional loss.

Fo more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Chicago Car Crash Injures Four

Jamie G. Goldstein — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:10:38 GMT

Two cars were involved in a crash on the Stevenson Expressway on August 22, 2007. The crash occurred at the Pulaski Road exit ramp in Chicago, Illinois. Four people were taken to area hospitals while three others refused medical treatment. No additional information on the cause of the accident is reported at this time.

The victims of the car accident may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. They may be able to recover for lost time at work, medical bills and pain and suffering depending on the injuries they received as a result of the accident.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Chicago Man Files Lawsuit After Driver On Cell Phone Causes Accident

Jamie G. Goldstein — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:04:14 GMT

James White filed a lawsuit on Monday after he was hit by a car while he was loading groceries into his trunk. White was pinned between his car and the other man's car and believes the accident happened because the other man was on his cell phone. As a result of the accident White was in the hospital for 14 days and had to have a vein from his right leg removed and placed in his left leg to fix circulation problems White was having after the accident.

White is thankful that the accident was not worse but is angry that the man was not using a hand's free device. Many cities, including Chicago, have instituted laws against driving and talking on a cell phone. White's accident occurred in Harwood Heights where there is currently no law against talking on your cell phone while driving.

Whether or not there is a law against talking on the phone while driving, a driver who causes an accident while on his cell phone can expect to have a lawsuit brought against him for injuries he has caused. If you or someone you know has been in an accident contact an attorney to find out if you may be able to recover for your injuries.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein

Rescue Efforts Halted in Utah Mine Collapse

Jamie G. Goldstein — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:06:38 GMT

Digging has been halted at the Crandall Canyon coal mine after 3 rescue workers recently died and six others were injured. Experts have examined the mine and say it is too dangerous to continue digging. The head of the federal Mine and Safety Health Administration, however, has said that if there are any signs of life they will continue rescue efforts.

Four holes have now been dug into the mine in search for Luis Hernandez, Manuel Sanchez, Kerry Allred, Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips and Don Erickson. There has been no sign of life but friends and family are stilling hoping the miners are found alive. Reports have varied on whether the air quality is enough to sustain life in the mine.

The mine owner has repeatedly stated that seismic activity caused the mine to collapse, but no seismic activity has been reported. Many problems with the mine had been reported in the past. Several lawsuits are likely to follow due to the deaths of the three rescue miners and the unknown fate of the trapped miners.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jamie G. Goldstein