About a week ago, sweeping reform was passed by both houses in the Illinois Legislature which will help ensure better patient care and safety of some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Senate Bill 326 as originally introduced was to amend the Older Adult Services Act and in provisions concerning the development of a plan to restructure the State's service delivery system for older adults, provides that the Read More
Exposing the Greatest Corporate Malfeasance?
I am often questioned how the Toyota cases will "end up" in the Court system. No way to tell yet. At least for the class action cases. A recent article by The Wall Street Journal here, said a decision is expected in weeks as to the class action "venue" or where the cases could be consolidated and heard by attorneys vying for the "rights" to lead the charge. Ben Barnow of Chicago, an attorney I co-counseled with on Read More
Toyota Hid Damaging Information per Ex-Toyota Attorney…
In a breaking news story here on CNN, former in-house Toyota defense attorney, Dimitrios Biller, declares that he has some 6,000 internal Toyota documents that are "very damaging." According to the CNN article, Biller claims such documents were routinely withheld from Plaintiff's lawyers in product liability and negligence cases. Disturbingly, Biller says: 'There is a regular pattern and practice of not producing Read More
2nd Lawsuit Filed Against Toyota…This Time A Death Involved…
Today, I filed the second lawsuit in Chicago, Illinois (Cook County Case No. 2010-L-002399) on behalf of Willette Green against Toyota alleging strict liability and negligence. This one involved the death of a pedestrian and injuries to Plaintiff after her 2006 Lexus ES 330 was unable to stop. The lawsuit alleges: On August 26, 2008, the Plaintiff was involved in an automobile accident at or near the intersection of Read More
The Attorney That Answers His Own Phone…24/7/365
A colleague of mine, friend and great attorney in Wisconsin, Jonathan Groth, noted the signs of an attorney who listens and cares on his blog here when he said: I just finished a jury trial in Milwaukee County. During the trial preparation my client and I were talking about how long we’ve known each other. I was the attorney that answered the phone when he called in the very first time soon after the collision. He Read More
First Suit Against Toyota in Chicago and Illinois…
According to Robert Langendorf, one of the attorneys for Mr. Izenstark, and an attorney I am working with on Toyota cases, we believe we have filed the first suit against Toyota in Chicago and perhaps Illinois for the gas pedal problem. Mr. Langendorf was quoted in the front page of the Business Section of the Chicago Tribune on February 6, 2010 here. In addition, unique to this case is that we also sued Hertz for Read More
Suit Filed Against Toyota For Gas Pedal Sticking…
Today, we filed a lawsuit in Chicago, Illinois (Cook County Case No. 2010-L-001675) against Toyota and Hertz alleging strict liability and negligence. Hertz actually rented the 2010 Toyota Corolla long after Toyota noted potential problems with gas pedals in various models. The lawsuit alleges: TOYOTA, by and through its agents, employees or representatives, was then and there guilty of one or more of the following Read More
Toyota Gas Pedals Admittedly Sticking…
According to a Toyota press release, Toyota intends to recall 2.3 million vehicles to fix accelerator or gas pedals. Toyota claims its engineers "have developed and rigorously tested a solution that involves reinforcing the pedal assembly in a manner that eliminates the excess friction that has caused the pedals to stick in rare instances." Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.'s President and Chief Operating Read More
Nursing Homes Investigated by Authorities
According to an article published January 23, 2010 here, authorities in both Illinois and Indiana are investigating numerous nursing homes for patient safety problems. According to the article, an Indiana nursing home named Northlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center run by a for-profit company may avoid likely closure. The primary investor of the nursing home is nursing home operator Eric Rothner and Many of Read More
Insurance Company? Witnesses? Should You Talk to them?
After an auto or other accident (auto, malpractice, slip and fall--or any incident such as a breach of contract, sexual harassment incident, assault and battery, nursing home negligence and abuse or any incident you can possibly imagine), insurance companies will most likely be the first to contact you. Next, will be other individuals or entities--all trying to investigate and obtain information to build a defense Read More
