2 Injured in Lake Zurich Auto Accident

A Chevy Camaro traveling southbound on Route 12 collided with a black sedan injuring 2 in Lake Zurich. Current conditions of both injury victims are currently unknown, the accident remains under investigation.

Bob Edens is a Lake & McHenry county personal injury and auto accident lawyer. Contact our offices today for a free, no-obligation consultation at 847-395-2200.

 

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C.

Alcohol a Factor in Cary Boating Accident

Authorities are saying a boating accident that occurred on July 4th involving a pontoon boat and a speed boat involved alcohol.  The pontoon boat was stopped in the Fox River in near the intersection of Midway Street and River Road in Cary when it was struck by the speed boat.  3 people from the accident scene were taken to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital to treat their injuries.

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens represents injury victims throughout Lake, McHenry and Cook Counties.  Contact any of the 6 convenient locations today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

 

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C.

Street Racing: Another form of reckless driving

Movies may portray street racing as a glamorous and exciting pastime for car lovers, but they fail to show the darker side.  Street racing is illegal, and for good reason.  It is not mere ‘prudishness’ that led to laws banning street racing, as illegal racing has led to hundreds of deaths around the country, and countless other drivers have been arrested, fined and even jailed for engaging in such behavior.  What often goes without notice by those who engage in this deadly pursuit are the damaging consequences to innocent bystanders.  Property damage and bodily injury do not discriminate between willing participants and those who are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Street Racing in the News

While the death of actor Paul Walker is a sad reminder of the dangers of driving at high speeds, it should also act as a warning to those who wish to emulate his on-screen behavior.  When watching the carefully planned and executed stunts in the Fast and Furious franchise, copycats fail to remember what is arguably the most important message Mr. Walker ever provided to his viewers; simply put, “Be Smart, Drive Safe.”  Last year, this message was not heard by the now well-known Antioch Township teen whose negligent driving caused the death of his passenger.  While his defense attorney may characterize his behavior as merely “bad judgment,” there are plenty of teens who are of driving age that choose to not engage in such reckless behavior.  The teen was sentenced according to the law, but has since proven that his “bad judgment” was arguably not corrected by the sentence imposed.

Penalties and Effective Enforcement

Illinois law considers street racing to be a criminal act, punishable by fines, driver’s license suspension, and/or imprisonment of up to 12 years in aggravated situations.  After continued incidents of racing on Illinois streets, some may wonder whether it is time for stricter penalties to be enforced against those who choose to engage in this reckless behavior.  What many individuals who engage in street racing may not realize is that they may also be opening themselves up to liability under civil negligence statutes.  Someone who has been injured by a driver engaging in negligent or reckless behavior may be able to bring a claim for damages against the driver for negligent infliction of emotional distress; a claim which can often lead to thousands upon thousands of dollars in monetary damages due to the difficult nature of trying to put a price on emotional harm.  Illinois law allows for such claims by those who have been harmed by negligent behavior, and a finding by a jury that a driver engaged in illegal behavior (i.e. street racing) may go a long way toward proving a driver’s negligence during a civil lawsuit.

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C.

If you or someone you know has been injured by someone else’s careless driving, call the team at the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C.  Our Chicago professionals have over 20 years of experience helping clients recover the damages that they deserve.  Merely because someone chooses to engage in behavior that shows “bad judgment” does not mean that his or her victims should be left without recourse.

 

Two Vehicle Accident at Algonquin and Randall Roads

A male driver driving southbound on Randall Road and turning left onto Algonquin Road was cited for failing to yield after a two-vehicle auto accident in Algonquin on Sunday.  All individuals involved in the accident refused medical treatment on scene.

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens is a personal injury and auto accident law firm representing injury victims in McHenry, Lake and Cook Counties.

 

The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C.

 

 

Medical Malpractice: More than a Rule Violation

When people think about the word “malpractice” they may immediately think of legal malpractice, insurance fraud, or maybe even an accountant-gone-rogue who decides to breach his duty to embezzle millions from his employer.  It is often not the first thought that a professional’s decision to cut corners and not follow rules can have very personal side effects, but this is exactly what happens when a physician commits malpractice.

Medical Malpractice: What is it?

Sick patients trust that they are in the best hands possible, especially if they are facing major surgery.  The situation that these patients often find themselves in is one that involves a proverbial rock and hard place; specifically, a doctor fitting them in on a busy schedule, and not having the recommended surgery.  When the latter option is not available, as in cases involving terminal situations, some patients are left with no choice but trust.  It is the breach of this trust that is considered medical malpractice, and can carry with it serious consequences.

Slip of the Knife or Callous Act?

Every medical procedure carries with it some element of risk as evidenced by the multitude of forms that patients must complete before undergoing surgery.  However, what many people may not realize is that a doctor’s responsibility to provide a high level of professional care is not something that can be signed away in a rush of pre-surgery paperwork.  The question that will need to be asked is whether the injury suffered by a patient was within the normal dangers faced by the particular surgery, or whether a physician utilizing reasonable care could have avoided the damage suffered?

Doctors are professionals and like with any other profession they owe a duty to perform up to the standards of their chosen position.  While true that doctors are human, and also that all humans can make mistakes, if a doctor breaches his or her duty to a patient it generally means that they have done something so egregious that it cannot be considered a mere mistake.  Examples include objects left in patients after an invasive procedure, the use of unclean equipment during surgery, and medication dosage errors.  Any of these can and do occur in surgeries across the country, especially when a doctor is over-worked and cutting corners in order to fit more and more patients into one day.  Further, these types of negligence cases are fairly straightforward, and being able to show that a doctor did not meet the proper standard of care in more complicated cases can take weeks, months or even years depending on the situation.  During this time an injured patient and their family are often left adjusting to life post-injury, including rising costs of medical care and changed routines, while hospital staff and doctors continue with business as usual.

Waukegan Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Medical negligence and malpractice can cause serious injury to patients and cause long-lasting debilitating effects or even death.  If you or a loved one has been injured by the careless actions of a busy doctor, you do not have to face the healthcare industry alone.  Call the professionals at the Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C and we can answer your questions about the pathway to recovery.

 

Possible Superbug transmission linked to medical error at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

It has been reported that there is a possible “superbug” transmissions which have occurred at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital following GI endoscopy procedures. The Superbug has been reportedly linked to possible three dozen infections, with two patient having died as a result. All of these infection occurred during procedures in 2013. If you, or someone you know, has had an infection following a GI procedure please call Robert T. Edens to schedule an appointment to discuss your injuries and any potential claim you may have against the doctors involved.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported similar instances: “‘Superbug’ infects eight patients at Philadelphia hospital” (February 6, 2015).
Read the SUPERBUG Article