Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog

Illinois Man Accused of Child Sexual Abuse

2010-03-09T15:56:41Z

A Maine Township, IL, man has been charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse following accusations that he repeatedly molested a child. The accused, 43 year old Christopher Johnson of the 9400 block of Bay Colony Drive, is being held on $100,000.00 bond following his arrest on Wednesday. The Cook County Sheriff’s Department has stated that the abuse may have gone on for as long as ten years. The alleged sexual abuse reportedly occurred at multiple locations. Johnson was also arrested in 2000 pursuant to a Chicago Police investigation regarding allegations of child sexual abuse. Johnson was found not guilty of that charge.

According to reports, Johnson worked as a part-time patient care technician and physical therapy aide at hospitals and clinics in the northwest suburbs. The names of these facilities have not been released pending a police investigation. Police are currently investigating whether or not other children may have been subjected to sexual abuse. Anyone with information related to this matter is encouraged to call (708) 865-4896.

Many sexual abuse victims are frightened of coming forward to expose predators. The Klest Law Firm has over 30 years of experience handling cases involving childhood sexual abuse. In fact, the founding partner, Joseph G. Klest, helped write the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases in Illinois. To speak with an experienced Chicago area sexual abuse attorney, please click here.

Chicago Man Killed in Workplace Accident

2010-03-05T21:34:55Z

A Chicago worker was killed on Wednesday following a construction site workplace accident downtown. The fatal accident claimed the life of 39 year-old Michael Gryga. According to reports, the fatal Chicago work injury occurred as Michael and another Peoples Gas employee were testing equipment in the downtown area below street level. The men were working near the Willis Tower around 1:45 p.m. when the tragedy took place. While the workers were testing a gas pipe with compressed air, a section of the pressurized pipe struck them. Kevin Spillers, a Chicago Board of Trade employee who was passing by, jumped to the aid of the injured workers.

Both of the men were taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition according to a spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department. The workers were helping with the Wacker drive reconstruction project when the fatal accident occurred. The accident is still being investigated by Peoples Gas, the Illinois Commerce Commission, and a federal agency.

If you have been the victim of a workplace injury, you should contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights. The Klest Law Firm handles workers compensation cases for all types of workplace injuries. To speak with an attorney regarding your workplace injury, please click here.

Chicago Car Accident Seriously Injures State Police Officer

2010-03-02T18:19:52Z

An Illinois State Police officer was seriously injured when she was struck by a motorist on Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway near 63rd St. last Saturday night around 9:00 p.m. According to reports, the Chicago car accident occurred as the police officer was handling a traffic stop on the busy expressway. The 29 year old female state trooper was conducting a stop near the right shoulder of the expressway when she was struck. The driver, 19 year-old Kimisha Moore, was allegedly using her cellular phone when the Illinois car accident occurred. She was indicted for aggravated reckless conduct with bond set at $50,000. Reports indicate that Moore had been warned of the shifting traffic pattern by a passenger in her vehicle just prior to the collision. Moore reportedly lost control of her car as she attempted to regain control of the vehicle after her passenger grabbed the wheel to steer clear of the stopped officer.

The victim of the accident, who has been identified as Starlena Wilson of the State District of Chicago, was rushed to the intensive care unit of Chicago’s Stroger Hospital following the Chicago car crash. Reports indicate that the victim suffered broken legs and a broken pelvis. She was still under hospital care as of Monday March 1st.

Illinois expressway car accidents can be particularly dangerous as they often occur at very high speeds. If you have been the victim of an expressway car accident and would like to speak with an experienced Chicago injury lawyer as to how to protect your rights, please click here.

Illinois Supreme Court Strikes down Medical Malpractice Caps

2010-02-26T22:38:53Z

The Illinois Supreme Court determined that a 2005 Illinois law limiting damages awards in medical malpractice cases violates the state constitution earlier this month. The law limited non-economic damages such as pain suffering and not actual damages such as present and future medical bills. The case before the high Court, LeBron v. Gottleib Memorial Hospital, involved a young girl that suffered a severe brain injury as she was delivered. The Court determined that a limit on the amount that a jury could award in such a case violated the separation of powers clause of the Illinois Constitution. The Court found that the caps violated a jury’s right to determine damages.

Such non-economic caps are legislatively created to specifically target medical malpractice claims. Interestingly, there are no caps on non-economic damages in other catastrophic injury cases such as drunk-driving car accidents. However, many do not realize that medical malpractice is the leading cause of injury in the United States accounting for about 180,000 injuries per year or three times the number of those injured by drunk drivers. The Illinois Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for those injured by hospital or doctor negligence.

The Klest Law Firm has almost thirty years of experience handling medical malpractice claims. To speak with an attorney regarding the Supreme Court decision or any other matter related to Illinois medical malpractice, please click here.

Arizona Bill Proposing One Year Window for Sexual Abuse Victims through Committee

2010-02-25T01:10:32Z

The Arizona Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would give sexual abuse victims an entire lifetime to sue their abusers and also open one year window for those abused within the past 35 years. The bill, SB 1292, would allow former sexual abuse victims one year to file suit even if the time limit for filing a claim has previously run out. The measure passed through the Senate committee without dissent. The bill will now be considered by the entire Arizona Senate.

The passing of the bill was preceded by a plea from Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeau who told legislators last week that he was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. Babeau noted the importance of providing a civil remedy for those that were harmed by sexual abuse and a means of exposing sexual predators. The acting director of the National Center for Victims of Crime agreed testifying that, “Pedophiles don’t retire. Even when the victim waits 30 years to disclose the abuse, if the perpetrator is still alive, we find them at 70 or 80 years old, in walkers and wheelchairs, continuing to molest kids.”

The one year window would offer an opportunity for many victims to finally seek justice for the harms they have suffered. Similar measures have been successful in other states in exposing sexual predators. The Klest Law Firm has almost thirty years of experience handling civil sexual abuse cases. If you have any questions regarding civil sexual abuse cases, please click here.

Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse Gets New Judge

2010-02-19T22:29:34Z

A Joliet, IL, priest that is currently facing allegations of predatory sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault was assigned a new judge yesterday. The criminal case is aimed at Alejandro Flores, a 37 year old former Joliet, IL, priest. Prosecutors allege that Flores assaulted a young boy from January of 2005 until he was arrested last month. The allegations of childhood sexual abuse arise from a time in which Flores was a semarian at St. Mary’s Carmelite Church in Joliet, IL. The church was made aware of the allegations against Flores through an investigation by the West Chicago Police Department. Flores had most recently spent time as a priest in Streamwood, IL. Flores has just recovered from a suicide attempt by jumping off a church balcony after St. Charles Police were notified of the sexual abuse accusations.

The sexual abuse case against Flores has now been re-assigned to Associate Judge Jordan Gallagher. Flores’s attorney had asked that the case be re-assigned after it was placed on Judge Allen Anderson’s court call. The defense has the right to exercise a substitution of judge in any given case. Flores is next scheduled to appear in court on March 11, 2010.

The Klest Law firm has almost thirty years of experience handling civil cases involving sexual abuse. If you would like to speak with a Chicago area injury lawyer or have any questions regarding sexual abuse victims’ rights, please click here.

Sacerdote Accused de abuso sexual obtiene nuevo juez.

2010-02-18T16:59:14Z

Un sacerdote de Joliet, IL ha sido acusado de cuatro cargos de penal y dos cargos de agresión sexual criminal tras las denuncias que él molesto a un nino de 13 años - en una iglesia de Chicago occidental. Reverendo Alejandro Flores, un sacerdote de 37 año de edad, recientemente, al parecer, había intentado suicidarse por caída de un balcón de 20 pies desde un en la Iglesia de Santa María de carmelita en Joliet, Illinois. Flores fue encontrado inconsciente en el piso de la Iglesia el 6 de enero. Las denuncias de abuso de la infancia sexual son de cuando Flores estaba en semarian en Santa María. La iglesia se hizo consciente de las denuncias contra Flores a través de una investigación de el. La policía estaba planeando en entrevistar a Flores es mismo día en que cayó desde el balcón. El ex sacerdote fue lanzado desde el hospital directamente a la custodia de las autoridades del Condado de Kane ayer.

Cargos Formales y cargos de asalto fueron cargados contra Flores el vienes pasado. Su fianca se fijó en 1 millón de dólares. Flores va a recibir una detección para determinar si debe de estar en observacion de suicidio segun el teniente Pat Gengler . El Dijo que un intento de suicidio similar a la conducta de Flores generalmente merece atención especial.

Si han sido víctima de abuso sexual o le gustaría hablar con un abogado con más de veinte ocho años de experiencia en casos de abuso sexual, por favor oprima aquí.

Fatal Cicero, IL, Fire Kills Seven; Cause of Fire Remains Unknown

2010-02-16T17:13:26Z

A tragic blaze left seven people dead on Sunday morning in Cicero, IL. The Chicago fire damaged several houses located on the 3000 block of 48th Court leaving more than 20 people homeless. The fire claimed the lives of 20 year-old Byron Reed, 19 year-old Sallie Gist, and their sons Rayshawn Reed and Byron Reed. The inferno also took the lives of Gist’s brother Elijah Gist, sister Elisha Gist, and family friend Tiera Davidson. The relatives had reportedly congregated at the Cicero, IL, residence to celebrate the birthday of a family member. The building, located at 3034 48th Court, contains two two-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom apartments

Five of the deceased, including the three children, were found in the attic of the residence according to Cicero Assistant Fire Marhall Ron Opalecky. It remains unclear whether or not anyone was living in the attic when the fire started. The total number of individuals that were in the building when the fire started is still unknown. The City of Cicero took 23 persons who were in the building and surrounding areas to a public safety facility. The town promises to investigate occupancy regulations in the coming days.

The victims of the deadly fire should pursue an investigation into the blaze as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence. An experienced Chicago injury lawyer can help investigate the fire and protect your rights. If you wish to speak to a Chicago personal injury lawyer, please click here.

Three Vehicle Chicago Car Accident Leaves Six Injured

2010-02-11T22:53:42Z

A high speed car accident on Chicago’s Eisenhower Expressway left six people injured early Thursday morning on the near West Side. The Chicago car crash occurred around 1:15 a.m. when three vehicles collided in the inbound lanes of the busy Chicago expressway near Racine Ave. According to Illinois State Police, the three car wreck was initiated when one vehicle rear-ended another. While one of the vehicles involved in the rear end collision was stopped in the expressway a third vehicle struck the back of that stopped vehicle.

The Chicago Fire Department transported five people from the scene of the accident to area treatment facilities. The victims of the Chicago car crash included two children. One of the injured was taken to John H. Stroger Hospital, two were taken to Rush University Medical Center and two went to the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. A spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department did not have information regarding whether or not the injured children were taken to the hospital. None of the cars were left operational following the car crash. No traffic citation had been issued as a result of the accident as of 10:30 a.m. today according to Illinois State Police.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a Chicago car accident, or if you would like to speak with an Illinois personal injury attorney, please click here.

Weekend Chicago Car Accident Results in One Death

2010-02-09T15:51:47Z

A Chicago car accident along Interstate 80 resulted in one death on Sunday night. The accident occurred about three miles east of the convergence of I-80 and I-355 in the Chicago suburb of Mokena, IL. The Chicago area car crash claimed the life of a 57 year-old University Park man. According to reports, a man driving a 2004 Chrysler vehicle was westbound on 1-80 when he lost control of his vehicle and flipped over the median wall. His vehicle landed on top of an eastbound 2000 Chevy Impala. The man driving the Impala was killed as a result of the car crash. The Illinois State Police have not released the name of the man that was killed in the accident..

The accident also involved a 2003 Honda Civic driven by a 23 year old Downers Grove man and a 1996 Chevy Tahoe operated by a 50 year old Tinley Park man. The driver of the Civic was taken to Silver Cross Hospital and the driver of the Tahoe drove himself to Palos Community Hospital. The fatal Chicago car accident is still under investigation.

If you or anyone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or would like to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney, please click here.

Three Killed in Northwest Chicago Car Accident

2010-02-02T17:07:52Z

Three individuals were killed and two others were critically injured in a two-car accident on Monday night in Chicago’s Kelvyn Park neighborhood. The accident victims included a toddler. The Chicago car accident occurred at the intersection of North Cicero and West Parker avenues. According to reports, the victims were all occupants of a Honda that was struck by a Toyota. The driver of the Toyota was issued a citation for negligent driving. No other charges have been filed in the matter and police are continuing to question the driver as of this morning.

The victims of the tragic car accident were identified as 20 year-old Orlando Rodriguez and 13 month-old Joshua Molina of the 200 block of North Tripp Avenue. According to initial reports, the Toyota was travelling southbound on Cicero when it struck the Honda. The identity of the third fatality, identified as a 21 year-old man, has been withheld pending the notification of relatives. Early reports indicated that four individuals were taken to area hospitals in serious to critical condition. Molina was taken to Children’s Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:39 p.m. Rodriguez was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he died around 11:43 p.m. The other individuals involved in the Chicago car accident were transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital and Our Lady of Resurrection Medical Center respectively. Both of those individuals were initially listed in critical condition.

If you have any questions regarding Chicago car accidents or would otherwise like to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney, please click here.

Sexual Abuse Allegations in Nursing Homes Largely Unprosecuted

2010-01-27T19:13:56Z

An investigation by the Chicago Tribune has found that of the 86 cases of sexual abuse and violence reported within Chicago nursing homes since July of 2007 only one has resulted in an arrest. The investigation determined that rape or other sexual assault allegations were reported in about 30 nursing homes in and around the city. While the bulk of the reported abuse cases alleged abuse by fellow residents, there were also reports of abuse at the hands of nursing home employees.

One speculated reason for the proliferation of nursing home sexual abuse in Chicago is Illinois’ use of nursing homes to house psychiatric patients with sometimes violent criminal records. The Tribune study found that the 30 Chicago facilities that reported rapes were twice as likely to house mentally ill patients and convicted felons as other nursing homes. Of the 23 Chicago nursing homes which the federal government has investigated for substandard staffing levels, 21 were rated ‘below’ or ‘well below’ average staffing levels.

The stunning lack of prosecution has been linked to several factors. Some experts point to the fact that many sexual abuse victims suffer from dementia and delusions which render them unable to assist investigators. Others contend that many of the sexual abuse victims are afraid of speaking out due to the proximity of the abusers, fear of alienating the caregivers, and anxiety about facing police questions and forensic examination. Still others have pointed the finger at the nursing homes themselves which have reported many of the incidents as ‘consensual’.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual abuse and would like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

Comedian Andy Dick Arrested on Charges of Felony Sexual Abuse

2010-01-25T17:24:42Z

Comedian Andy Dick was charged with two counts of felony sexual abuse in West Virginia on Saturday. Dick was arraigned on Saturday afternoon by a Cabell County Magistrate Court. The charges stem from an incident at a bar called Rum Runners in which Dick is accused of grabbing a bouncer’s crotch and groping a male club patron. Bail was set at $60,000 for the comedian who is due back at court on February 2nd for a preliminary hearing.

The present sexual abuse charges are not Dick’s first legal troubles. The Hollywood comedian is presently on probation from a July 2008 incident in which Dick was accused of pulling the shirt of a teenage girl exposing her breasts. Dick pleaded guilty to drug and sexual battery charges arising out of that incident. Dick was also arrested in 1999 for possession of cocaine and marijuana.

If you know anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse or would like to speak with an attorney who has over twenty eight years handling sexual abuse cases, please click here.

Joliet, IL, Priest who Attempted Suicide Charged with Sexual Abuse

2010-01-21T19:44:30Z

A Joliet, IL, priest has been charged with four counts of criminal sexual abuse and two counts of criminal sexual assault following allegations that he molested a 13 year-old boy at a West Chicago church. Rev. Alejandro Flores, a 37 year old priest, had recently reportedly attempted suicide by falling 20 feet from a balcony at St. Mary’s Carmelite Church in Joliet, IL. Flores was found unconscious on the floor of the church on January 6th.
The allegations of childhood sexual abuse date back to Flores’s time as a semarian at St. Mary’s. The church was made aware of the allegations against Flores through an investigation by the West Chicago Police Department. The police were planning on interviewing Flores the same day that he fell from the balcony.

The former priest was released from the hospital directly to the custody of Kane County authorities yesterday. Formal sexual abuse and assault charges were brought against Flores last Friday. His bond was set at $1 million dollars. Flores is to receive screening to determine whether he should be on suicide watch according to Lt. Pat Gengler of the Kane County Sheriff’s Department. He said that a suicide attempt similar to the conduct of Flores generally warrants special attention.

If you have been the victim of sexual abuse or would like to talk to a lawyer with over twenty eight years of experience in sexual abuse cases, please click here.

Sacerdote Accused de sexual abuse obtiene nuevo juez, Joliet, IL

2010-01-21T16:03:29Z

Un sacerdote de la área de Chicago presuntamente saltó desde un balcón de Iglesia de 20 pies de alto ayer cuando una investigación de abuso sexual comensaba. Reverendo Alejandro Flores, 37 año, Vicario parroquial de la parroquia de Santa familia en Shorewood, IL, al parecer, fue encontrado inconsciente situada entre los bancos de la Iglesia de Camelite de Santa María en Joliet, Illinois. El sacerdote sobrevivió a la caída, pero ha sufrido. Él sigue hospitalizado en los cuidados intensivos en Joliet desde ayer. El sacerdote se encuentra en condición crítica pero estable.

Flores sólo había sido colocado en licencia administrativa pendiente una investigación de denuncias al sacerdote de un niño de trece años de edad. El Condado de Kane tanto la (DCFS) está investigando las denuncias de abusos sexuales contra el sacerdote. Flores había sido colocado en residencia de diócesis en Joliet donde fue estrechamente monitorear y mantenido sin contacto con los niños. Los Detectives estaban en camino a Joliet para entrevistar el sacerdote con respecto a las denuncias de abuso sexual cuando huyó de la residencia de la Diócesis de Joliet. Fue encontrado en la iglesia de Santa María, que estaba abordar y vacante, pasaron tres y media horas después de que él desapareció. Flores al parecer llevaba una chaqueta, teléfono celular, gafas, un gran cuchillo y una botella de licor cuando cayó desde el balcón. La investigación de abuso sexual está en curso. \

Las víctimas de abusos sexuales a menudo no saben dónde acudir o qué hacer. Si han sido víctima de abusos sexuales o desea hablar con un abogado, por favor prima aquí.