All Posts By

Etzler Lawhead Legal Group, PC

Plaintiff alleges infant formula manufacturers’ negligence led to child’s severe illness

By Personal Injury No Comments

A tragic case has been filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Division, involving a premature infant who suffered severe injuries after being fed cow’s milk-based infant formula. On February 21, 2025, Kandice Carter, acting individually and as the parent and next friend of her minor child Rylen Edwards, initiated legal proceedings against…

Read More

Appeals court: CTA can’t be sued over death of woman struck by L train while retrieving dropped phone

By Personal Injury No Comments

A state appeals court has ruled the husband of a woman who was struck and killed by an “L” train while retrieving her cell phone from the tracks where it had fallen cannot sue the CTA over his wife’s death, because the court said the man can’t prove the train operator or a security guard on the platform were anything…

Read More

In denying claim for unborn fetus, judge declines ‘invitation to create new law’

By Personal Injury No Comments

Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel granted judgment to the United States on Feb. 18 against a claim that an unborn fetus can recover damages under the Illinois Survival Act. “The court respectfully declines the invitation to create new law,” she wrote, She quoted Seventh Circuit appellate judges who wrote, “Federal courts are loath to fiddle around with state law.”…

Read More

Yandle excludes attorney Bleyer as expert witness in legal malpractice claim

By Personal Injury No Comments

U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle excluded lawyer Joseph Bleyer of Marion from testifying as an expert at a trial about legal malpractice in a St. Clair County case. On Feb. 23 she wrote, “He has never handled a legal malpractice case and has no particular knowledge, experience or training in the area of legal professional responsibility. “His anticipated testimony will…

Read More

Plaintiff alleges negligence against VA hospital leading to wrongful death

By Personal Injury No Comments

Veronica Jones, acting as the Independent Administrator of the Estate of Jane Paschall, has filed a lawsuit against the United States of America. The complaint was submitted on February 10, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The case revolves around allegations of negligence leading to wrongful death at a VA hospital. The complaint…

Read More

Appeals court upholds $6M malpractice verdict vs doctor accused of fueling woman’s opioid addiction

By Personal Injury No Comments

A state appeals panel upheld a Cook County jury’s decision to award $6 million to the family of a woman who died of respiratory failure and blamed the doctor who prescribed opiates, alleging she should’ve known the patient was already abusing such drugs. Jose Ramirez, the independent administrator of the estate of the late Ebeilda Ramirez, sued Dr. Holly Carobene…

Read More

Pain complaint supports compensability finding for repetitive trauma claim

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

An Illinois appellate court said an injured worker’s subjective complaint of pain was sufficient evidence to support a determination that her repetitive trauma claim was compensable. Dora Potts claimed a repetitive trauma injury to her left shoulder over the 14 years she worked as a dental hygienist for Tazewell County. A doctor in April 2019 diagnosed her with acute pain…

Read More

Bill would create heat, cold standard for workers

By Workers' Compensation No Comments

Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill to create rules for employers whose workers are exposed to extreme temperatures. S.B. 2501, introduced Friday, calls on the state’s director of labor by Jan. 1, 2026, to adopt rules to establish “excessive heat and excessive cold standards” for when temperatures fall below 40 degrees or above 90 degrees. The bill provides guidelines on…

Read More

Plaintiff alleges pharmaceutical giant responsible for child’s illness due to misleading infant formula

By Personal Injury No Comments

In a compelling legal battle, a parent has filed a lawsuit against a major pharmaceutical company, alleging that their cow’s milk-based infant formula caused severe health issues in their premature child. On February 4, 2025, Nidaal Askar lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Abbott Laboratories. The lawsuit claims that the…

Read More

Fifth District upholds $3.3 million lung damage verdict against Lewis and Clark Fleeting

By Personal Injury No Comments

Madison County Circuit Judge Sarah Smith properly preserved a trial that a witness nearly spoiled and her jury properly awarded Kevin Mogensen $3.31 million for lung damage, Fifth District appellate judges ruled on Feb. 4. They found Smith didn’t abuse her discretion when she struck the pleadings of SCF Lewis and Clark Fleeting and proceeded only on damages. They found…

Read More