Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog

A three-car crash at Milwaukee and Oriole in Niles claimed the life of a Chicago woman on Monday afternoon. The crash involved a Jeep that collided with the victim’s car while turning left onto Milwaukee Avenue when she was also trying to turn left. After being struck by the Jeep, the victim’s car was facing the wrong way on Milwaukee when it was hit head-on by a Ford SUV, which was the cause of her death.

In cases involving wrongful death, claims brought in a civil action may arise out of the Illinois wrongful Death Act, See, 740 ILCS 180/ (the “Act”). The Act entitles the injured party to maintain an action for the wrongful or negligent acts of the responsible party. With over 29 year of experience, The Klest Injury Law Firm continues to represent individuals and families who have lost loved ones as a result of a fatal accident.

To speak with an experienced attorney from the Klest Injury Law Firm, click here, or dial 866-264-7639 for a free consultation.

© Joseph G. Klest, 2011.

Losing a loved one in a fatal accident or because of someone else’s negligence can leave you without knowing where to turn. In some cases, it may even be difficult to determine who was responsible.

When the death of a family member leaves you without the love and support of a parent, spouse or child, you need an experienced attorney to help protect your rights and secure fair compensation for loss.

For a free consultation with an experienced attorney from the Klest Injury Law Firm, please click here, or dial 866-264-7639.

© Joseph G. Klest, 2011.

Lake Zurich police are still searching for the driver of a light colored SUV that struck three teens from behind who were walking to the annual Alpine Fest at Lions Park along the shoulder of Church Street after 9:00 p.m. last Friday evening, killing Gabriella Drozdz, 18, and injuring her friends.

No course of legal action can ever bring back a loved one who was killed by a motorist. It is especially hurtful when justice is forestalled by a hit and run driver who continues to evade police and refuses to come forward to take responsibility for his cowardly actions.

Although a family can never truly be made whole after the devastating loss of a loved one, Illinois law does provide recourse for some insurance policy holders. Illinois statute requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage. It is meant to protect a policyholder who is injured or killed by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, even in cases where a hit and run driver strikes a pedestrian and the driver or vehicle owner’s identity is unknown.

The Klest Injury Law Firm has been handling high profile personal injury cases in the Chicago area for over 29 years. We have offices located in downtown Chicago and Schaumburg, Illinois. If you or someone you love has been involved in a serious accident, click here or call (866)264-7639 for a free consultation.

© Joseph G. Klest

This morning, a 2005 Pontiac Montana minivan barreled into two vehicles that were stopped and waiting for traffic on the Jane Adams Memorial Tollway, killing a 20-year-old Rolling Meadows, IL, woman and injuring several others.

According to officers with the Illinois State Police’s Tollway District, the suburban Chicago car accident happened just before 1 a.m. in the westbound lanes of the Jane Adams approaching the Devon Toll Plaza. The 40-year-old driver of the Pontiac Montana struck two vehicles, a Ford Explorer and a 1998 Ford Windstar minivan. The force of the impact caused the 20-year old victim, a passenger of the Ford minivan, to be thrown from the vehicle. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, she was pronounced dead at 3:20 this morning. None of the other accident victims were seriously injured. Nevertheless, police stated that all of them were taken to area hospitals.

An Illinois State Police sergeant said that the driver of the Pontiac was given citations for speeding and for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash. Police also stated that an autopsy is scheduled for later today for the 20-year-old Rolling Meadows Woman who died this morning after the crash. Local police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal car accident.

The Klest Law Firm is experienced in handling personal injury cases involving vehicle collisions. To speak with an attorney from the Klest Law Firm, please click here.

A Chicago woman now faces DUI charges stemming from a Chicago car accident that occurred on May 1st on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The accused, Joannie Pittman, has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. Pittman’s bond was set at $350,000.00. According to reports, Pittman lost control of her vehicle on the busy expressway on the outbound lanes of the Dan Ryan near the 75th St. exit. She reportedly struck a guardrail before rolling the car over and ejecting the children and striking another vehicle.

One infant was killed as a result of the car crash while seven other individuals were injured including three children. Sources indicate that the baby and other minor passengers were all in the vehicle that Pittman was driving. The Chicago car accident shut down all outbound lanes of traffic. Eleven month old Everett Branlett of Chicago was taken to Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital where he died. Three other children were also taken to Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital for treatment. Two of the injured adults were taken to University of Chicago Hospital in serious condition, one was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL, and another was taken to Stroger Hospital. A State Police statement has indicated that alcohol definitely played a role in the fatal Chicago car accident.

If you would like to speak with a lawyer about alcohol related car accidents or any other matters, please click here.

A Chicago woman was struck and killed on Tuesday evening in a crosswalk on Columbus at Illinois in downtown Chicago. Witnesses to the accident have indicated that the Chicago pedestrian accident victim had the right of way in the crosswalk when she was struck by a large tour bus. The bus accident victim was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. She was pronounced dead at 7:04 p.m.

The bus driver, 47 year old David Soto, was taken into police custody following the fatal accident. At that point he allegedly tested positive for cocaine. He had worked for the Pontarelli Group Charter company for six months prior to the accident. Bail for Soto was denied yesterday at a bond hearing. Police allegedly found an investigative alert for two sex offenses when they ran Soto’s name after his arrest. He was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault in 1993 and was released from prison in 1997 and paroled until 2000. There were also sexual abuse allegations logged against in December of 2008. His driver’s license was reportedly suspended on August 3, 2008, when he received citations for speeding and driving without insurance. His license was valid at the time of the Chicago bus accident. He reportedly claimed that he did not see the accident victim crossing within the crosswalk and thought that he had struck a curb.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a wrongful death vehicle accident, you should contact an attorney to investigate the matter and preserve crucial evidence. To speak with a seasoned Chicago vehicle accident lawyer, please click here.

A Chicago woman has been charged with DUI following a Chicago car accident that left eight people seriously injured and two others dead. The accused, 39 year old Kimberly Bradley of the 1300 block of North Parkside Ave. in Chicago, IL, crashed her SUV hear on into a Ford Probe early last Saturday morning. The DUI car accident occurred around 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of North Kostner Ave. According to reports, the accused was northbound on Kostner Ave. when she swerved her vehicle into the center lane and struck 1995 Ford Probe head on. There were reportedly 11 people inside the SUV at the time of the crash.

The collision allegedly caused the SUV to roll over throwing several passengers out of the vehicle. Eight ambulances were dispatched to the scene of the Chicago car accident. One passenger was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash while another was later pronounced dead at John Stroger Hospital. Two other crash victims were taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital with critical injuries. The six other DUI car accident victims had injuries ranging from minor to critical. The driver of the Ford was not injured.

Bradley has been charged with two counts of aggravated DUI involving an accident resulting in death, seven counts of aggravated DUI involving an accident resulting in great bodily harm and one count of DUI involving an accident resulting in great bodily harm to a passenger under 16. Bond has been set at $250,000.00 for Bradley who reportedly remained hospitalized as of Monday afternoon.

If you have any questions regarding alcohol related car accidents in Illinois or would otherwise like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

A Chicago area car accident led to three deaths on Friday April 15th in north suburban Northfield, IL. The car crash occurred around 7:45 p.m. in the 2200 block of Willow Rd. According to eyewitness reports, a woman was operating a vehicle eastbound on Willow Rd. when she drifted across the center line into oncoming traffic. She then allegedly struck another vehicle head-on. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was identified as 22 year old Sylvia Garcia of the 6400 block of N. Damen Ave. She was pronounced dead at Evanston Hospital around 11:34 p.m. according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The other motorist involved in the Chicago car accident presented in critical condition to Evanston immediately following the accident. The Northfield Police have indicated that the accident victim was 63 year old Soo-Hurn Shin of the 160 block of Princeton Ln. in Glenview, IL. The car accident victim was pronounced dead at Evanston Hospital at approximately 4:05 p.m. on April 18, 2011, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy of the crash victim was scheduled for last Tuesday. The fatal Chicago car accident is still being investigated through a joint effort of the Northfield Police Department and the Major Crash Assistance Team.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a fatal car accident, you should speak with a Chicago wrongful death lawyer to assess the tragedy and protect your rights. To speak with an experienced Illinois car accident attorney, please click here.

A Chicago resident and mother of four was killed on February 4th when a vehicle in which she was a passenger was struck on Illinois 394 near Ford Heights, IL. According to reports, the vehicle in which the Chicago car accident victim was a passenger was struck by a wrong way vehicle on I-394 just south of the I-94. The wrong way driver was reportedly the city clerk for the Village of Lynwood, IL. The wrong way driver, sixty four year old Roel N. Valle, has been charged with one count of reckless homicide and one count of aggravated DUI involving death. His vehicle reportedly stuck the vehicle in which the deceased was a passenger prior to colliding with a vehicle being driven by the deceased’s husband. The deceased’s husband was treated for an undisclosed leg injury. The Chicago car accident occurred around 1:15 a.m.

The wrong way driver was also seriously injured and remains hospitalized. Reckless homicide while operating a vehicle carries a punishment of 2-5 years in jail and DUI causing death carries a sentence of 3-14 years. The driver of the vehicle in which the deceased was a passenger was also charged with DUI and other traffic violations.

If you have any questions about alcohol related car accidents and would like to speak with an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney, please click here.

Residents in and around Bourbannais, IL, are mourning the loss of a loss of a 20 year veteran of the police auxiliary and special education teacher that was killed in a bus accident on Monday. The tragic accident occurred at the busy intersection of North Convent and John Casey roads in Bourbannais as the victim was escorting a special needs student to a local convenience store. Reports indicate that the bus accident victim was struck and killed as he pushed the special needs student out of the way of the bus. The driver of the River Valley Metro Mass Transit bus told police that she did not see the victim prior to the collision. Police continue to investigate the tragic bus accident and no citations have been issued to date.

The accident victim, Thomas ‘Jim’ Dunn, is now being mourned by the community in and around Bourbannais, IL. Dunn had worked as a computer technician in the Kankakee public school district prior to his becoming an aide at Camelot Therapeutic Day School in Bourbannais. He was an avid history buff and was frequent participant at adaptive baseball games and French-Indian war reenactments. The mother of the special education student whom Dunn saved was quoted as calling the deceased an ‘angel from heaven’.

For more information about accident victims rights in Illinois, please click here.

A North Dakota woman was killed earlier this week in a fatal West Side Chicago car accident. The car accident victim was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle that struck a tree in the 1600 block of West Harrison St. early last Sunday morning. Preliminary reports indicate that the white vehicle in which she was a passenger was found resting against a Rush Hospital parking structure after striking the tree. The Chicago Police Major Accident Investigations Unit reports that charges are pending against the driver of the vehicle.

The Chicago car accident victim, who was later identified 25 year old Angeline De Leon of Fargo, North Dakota, was taken to John H. Stroger Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 2:38 p.m. The 23 year old driver of the vehicle was also taken in critical condition to John H. Stroger Hospital in Cook County while a 4 year old rear seat passenger was listed in stable condition after being rushed to University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. The fatal Chicago car accident is still being investigated by the Chicago Police Department’s Major Investigation Unit.

If you have been involved in a Chicago area car accident, you should contact an experience attorney to discuss potential avenues of recovery. Even a passenger in a one vehicle accident may have viable personal injury claim in certain situations. To speak with an experienced Chicago car accident attorney, please click here.

The Klest Law Firm scored a noteworthy triumph for victims of drunk driving accidents in Illinois earlier this year when the First District Appellate Court reversed a trial court ruling that had dismissed a wrongful death claim. The trial judge had determined that the Illinois Dram Shop Act preempted all alcohol related liability on summary judgment. The case itself, Hicks v. Korean Airlines, involved a Chicago car accident victim that was killed by a drunk driver leaving a work sponsored event. An investigation into the facts surrounding the tragedy indicated that the intoxicated driver had attended a Korean Airlines work function that may or may not have been a Korean Airlines promotional event. Furthermore, it was uncovered that the consumption of large amounts alcohol at the event may have been not only culturally accepted but even somewhat compulsory for employment.

The complaint contained a count alleging negligence against Korean Airlines under a theory of respondeat superior. In other words, the negligence count was based on the allegation that the at-fault intoxicated driver was within the scope of employment at the time of, and leading up to, the fatal crash. The First District Appellate Court reversed the trial court determining that whether the allegedly intoxicated driver was within the scope of her employment was a question of fact to be determined by a jury. In doing so, the First District rejected the idea that the Illinois Dram Shop Act preempts all alcohol related liability.

The decision is a significant victory for those injured by intoxicated individuals in Illinois. The attorneys at the Klest Law Firm were able to take a case that many other lawyers had rejected and turn it into a success for accident victims throughout the State of Illinois. If you would like to speak with an attorney from the Klest Law Firm, please click here.

A north suburban resident was killed earlier this week when she was struck by an allegedly intoxicated driver on the 200 block of North Green Bay Road in Waukegan, IL. According to reports, the victim, a resident of Waukegan, had just left her home and was heading to a local laundry facility when her vehicle was struck. The Chicago car accident occurred at the intersection of Green Bay Rd. and Westwaukee roads in Waukegan, IL, around 4:00 p.m. on Monday December 13th. The victim’s 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier was entering Green Bay Rd. when she was struck by the allegedly intoxicated driver on the driver’s side door.

The Chicago car accident victim was rushed to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan, IL, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 4:20 p.m. The deceased was a substitute teacher in the Waukegan School District and had moved to the area about five years ago. She was the mother of two teenage boys. Responding police reported smelling alcohol on the other driver’s breath upon arriving at the scene. She was also taken to Vista East Medical Center where she was treated for minor injuries and her blood was drawn. She has been charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving under the influence of alcohol, and aggravated DUI causing a death, a class 2 felony. The matter is still being investigated by local authorities.

If you would like to speak with a Chicago lawyer experienced in handling alcohol related car accidents, please click here.

A North Suburban Chicago car accident left one man and two toddlers dead earlier today in Avon Township, IL. The fatal Chicago crash occurred near the intersection of Rollins Rd. and Route 45 in the northern Chicago suburbs. According to Lake County Sheriff’s Police, the car accident victims were all backseat passengers in a Jeep that was struck at the intersection by a 2008 Lincoln Navigator that was eastbound on Rollins Rd. Reports indicate that the driver of the Navigator ran a red light before striking the Jeep. The impact of the collision tore the back half of the Jeep open ejecting the three backseat passengers.

The Chicago car accident victims included one 26 year old Lake Villa male and two young children. The children were rushed to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, IL, where they were treated for massive head injuries. They were later airlifted to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. The adult male was pronounced dead by the Lake County Coroner this afternoon. Both the driver and a front seat passenger in the Jeep were also taken to Advocate Condell in Libertyville, IL, with undisclosed neck and back injuries. The driver of the Lincoln Navigator and her two year old passenger were treated on the scene and did not seek further medical care. The tragic multi victim Chicago car accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

If you have any questions regarding Chicago area car accidents or would like to speak with an attorney with over twenty nine years of experience handling car accident claims in and around Chicago, please click here.

A one vehicle car accident claimed the life of two individuals last Friday afternoon in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. The fatal Chicago car accident occurred in the 500 block of West 111th Street in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. According to authorities, an Oldsmobile Achieva was eastbound on 111th street when it ran a stop sign, crossed the center line, and hit a curb and a tree. Both a 13 year old boy and a 34 year old woman were pronounced dead on the scene of the crash according to a spokesperson from the Chicago Fire Department. Both of the Chicago car accident victims were in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the crash. Neither was related to the at-fault driver and the relationship between vehicle occupants remains unknown at this time. The Chicago car accident victims were both residents of Chicago’s South Side.

The driver and one other passenger survived the Chicago car crash. They were both transported to an area hospital following the accident where they were treated and released. The driver of the vehicle was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol according to Chicago Police. She is scheduled to appear in Traffic Court on December 14th for the DUI charges while investigation of the accident by authorities remains ongoing.

If you have any questions regarding alcohol related car accidents in or around Chicago and would like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

An Illinois teen has been charged with reckless homicide and four counts of aggravated DUI following a fatal one car accident in suburban Bolingbrook, IL. The Chicago car crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday November 13, 2010. According to reports, the accused is a 17 year old teen driver had been at a nearby night club prior to the fatal crash. The driver was allegedly driving erratically and doing donuts in the parking lot of the nightclub before the accident. Reports indicate that he almost hit a nightclub bouncer leaving the parking lot. The teen driver allegedly crashed his car into a garden level apartment while attempting to park his vehicle upon returning home. The driver allegedly hit the gas pedal of his vehicle on mistake catapulting the vehicle into a garden level apartment. His car pinned the Chicago car accident victim to her bed, causing her death.

The teen driver’s blood alcohol level was .204 according to a Hospital blood draw performed right after the fatal crash. The driver and a passenger allegedly attempted to flee the scene of the fatal car crash but they were grabbed and held by a neighbor. A Will County judge set his bail at $1 million dollars on Monday.

Alcohol related car accidents often end in tragedy. If you or someone you know has been involved in an alcohol related car accident and you would like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

A Chicago woman was fatally struck by a vehicle early last Saturday morning on Chicago’s South Side. The tragic Chicago car accident occurred on the 7300 block of South Racine Ave. around 2:15 a.m. on November 6th. According to reports, the Chicago car accident victim was crossing the street near that location when she was struck by a motorist. Her sister witnessed the tragedy first hand. The accident victim was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL, where she was pronounced dead at 2:42 a.m. according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy of the Chicago vehicle accident victim showed that Hicks died of multiple injuries resulting from the alcohol related Chicago car accident.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the victim now faces one count each of aggravated DUI accident causing death, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level of at least .08. failure to reduce speed, failure to stay within a lane, not yielding to a pedestrian, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Further information regarding the individual that caused the deadly Chicago car crash is not available at this time.

Alcohol related car accidents claim about 17,000 lives each year in the U.S. If you have any questions regarding DUI related car accidents or would otherwise like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

A Chicago woman who had spent years working with senior citizens in Cicero, IL, was
killed this morning in a tragic west side car crash. The Chicago car accident occurred at
the intersection of Laramie and 32nd Place around 7:20 a.m. According to reports, the
victim was driving her 2001 Kia Sephia southbound on Laramie when a northbound Ford
Explorer crossed into the southbound lanes and struck her vehicle. The Kia came to a rest
in the southbound lanes of Laramie Ave. near the northwest corner of the intersection.

The Chicago car accident victim was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago where
she was pronounced dead at 9:40 a.m. The driver of the Explorer was treated for non-
life threatening injuries at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, IL. The victim of the crash
has been described as a well-liked town worker for the town of Cicero, IL. Police have
indicated that the at-fault driver may have suffered a ‘medical emergency’ causing him
to lose control of his vehicle and swerve into oncoming traffic. Police have indicated that
alcohol was likely not a factor in the tragic Chicago car crash. The matter is still being
investigated and reviewed by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

If you have been the victim of a car accident in or around Chicago area, you should
contact a Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible to investigate the accident
and preserve crucial evidence. To speak with an Illinois attorney with over twenty eight
years of experience, please click here.

A Chicago woman who had spent years working with senior citizens in Cicero, IL, was
killed this morning in a tragic west side car crash. The Chicago car accident occurred at
the intersection of Laramie and 32nd Place around 7:20 a.m. According to reports, the
victim was driving her 2001 Kia Sephia southbound on Laramie when a northbound Ford
Explorer crossed into the southbound lanes and struck her vehicle. The Kia came to a rest
in the southbound lanes of Laramie Ave. near the northwest corner of the intersection.

The Chicago car accident victim was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago where
she was pronounced dead at 9:40 a.m. The driver of the Explorer was treated for non-
life threatening injuries at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, IL. The victim of the crash
has been described as a well-liked town worker for the town of Cicero, IL. Police have
indicated that the at-fault driver may have suffered a ‘medical emergency’ causing him
to lose control of his vehicle and swerve into oncoming traffic. Police have indicated that
alcohol was likely not a factor in the tragic Chicago car crash. The matter is still being
investigated and reviewed by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

If you have been the victim of a car accident in or around Chicago area, you should
contact a Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible to investigate the accident
and preserve crucial evidence. To speak with an Illinois attorney with over twenty eight
years of experience, please click here.

A fatal Chicago area car accident left one woman dead and another individual injured earlier this morning in Barrington Hills, IL. The car accident occurred at about 8:17 a.m. on Algonquin Rd. between Bateman and Helms Roads in Barrington Hills, IL, near Carpentersville, IL. According to reports, responding officers witnessed a Ford Escort operating erratically on westbound Route 62. The Escort apparently crossed the center lane just west of Bateman road striking an eastbound 2003 Acura head-on. The driver of the Acura was rushed to St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford Escort was pronounced dead at the scene. A portion of Algonquin Rd. between Bateman and Helm Roads was closed while police investigated the crash. The Barrington Hills Police Department and Major Crash Assistance Team are still investigating the fatal suburban Chicago car accident.

The area of road that was the site of the fatal crash is somewhat notorious due to the high speed of most vehicles traveling down Algonquin Rd. Chicago drivers should take extra caution when operating motor vehicles at a high rate of speed in and around the city and suburbs. If you have any questions about high speed car accidents or would like to speak to an attorney experienced in handling fatal Chicago car accidents, please click here.

A Chicago resident has entered a plea of not guilty to drunk driving charges stemming from a fatal car accident that occurred on in late June in Wilmette, IL. The fatal Chicago area car crash occurred near the 700 block of Sheridan Rd. in Wilmette around 2:30 a.m. on June 28, 2010. According to reports, the Defendant was speeding in a black Nissan at that time and location when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a fire hydrant and a tree.

Two of the five individuals in the vehicle died as a result of the car accident. The two deceased passengers, both teenage girls, were in the backseat of the vehicle. Reports indicate that the driver, a 20 year old resident of Chicago, had picked four girls up that evening and taken the group to the movies. The group then allegedly purchased a bottle of vodka which was consumed prior to the deadly car accident which claimed the lives of two teenage passengers. A third passenger was hospitalized while the fourth did not suffer any injuries. The allegedly intoxicated driver suffered a broken ankle. He has been held on a $2 million bond that was set on June 30. He pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated last Monday. A status hearing for the case is set for September 15th.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an alcohol related car accident, you should speak with an attorney immediately to protect vital evidence. The Klest Law Firm has over twenty eight years of experience advocating on behalf of accident victims in Illinois. To speak with an attorney from the Klest Law Firm, please click here.

A study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has found that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are responsible for around 1.7 million hospital visits and about 52,000 deaths per year. This number accounts for nearly one third of injury related fatalities in the United States. However, the most disturbing aspect of the study was the documented increase in TBI-related emergency room visits and hospitalizaton. The study, entitled “Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Death" determined that traumatic brain injury related ER visits increased 14.4% and hospitalizations increased 19.5% over the course of the 2002-2006 survey period.

The statistics show that the groups most susceptible to traumatic brain injuries include young children, teens and the very elderly. The highest rate of death is seen in seniors over the age of 75 years old. The top cause of TBI injuries are slip and fall situations with the highest rate of falls seen in children under 5 and seniors 75 years or older. Car accidents make up the second leading cause of TBI injuries and also the leading cause of TBI deaths. According to the study, 31.8% of TBI deaths result from serious car accidents.

The statistics were compiled as part of the CDC’s ‘Head’s Up’ program which was implemented to provide information to health care professionals and patients regarding traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries have both short term and long term consequences including altered thoughts, perceptions and emotions.

The Klest Law firm has over twenty eight years of experience handling civil cases involving traumatic brain injuries. To speak with an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney, please click here.

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.

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.

An off-duty Lockport, IL, police officer was involved in a three vehicle accident that left one dead on Chicago’s Stevenson Expressway last night. The crash occurred around 9:35 p.m. near the Cicero Avenue exit. According to reports, all three vehicles were travelling north on the busy Chicago expressway when the vehicle in the far left lane, which was being operated by the off duty officer, lost control and spun to face the middle lane. Man Wong, a 29 year old resident of the 2000 block of S. Wentworth in Chicago was operating his vehicle in the middle lane when he hit the officer head on. Wong was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital at 10:16 p.m. last night according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The City of Lockport has confirmed on its website that one of their officers was involved in the car crash. At least one source has identified the officer as Edward Stapinski. It is unclear whether or not alcohol played a role in the fatal Chicago car accident. The Illinois State Police are investigating the accident along with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The crash held up traffic for six hours on the busy Chicago expressway. No traffic citations have been issued to this point.

Expressway car accidents often occur at very high speeds. As such, these Chicago car crashes are some of the most deadly. If you have been involved in an expressway car accident or would otherwise like to speak with an attorney, please click here.

Debris from an unexpected explosion at a Belvidere, IL, factory killed a truck driver yesterday at a roadside oasis nearly a quarter mile away from the facility. Ronald Greenfield, a 63 year old driver from Chesterton, IN, was fatally wounded when an explosion at a crystal manufacturing facility sent exterior panels flying through the air. The explosion occurred at the NDK America plant which manufactures crystals used in liquid crystal displays. The facility was constructed with special exterior panels designed to break away during an explosion. The panels did exactly that as one flew nearly a quarter mile before striking the accident victim.

Belvidere Fire Chief David Worrell reports that the blast occurred around 2:30 p.m. in a highly pressurized chamber where crystals are made. The breakaway design of the factory sent one piece of exterior panel spanning several feet through the air before it struck Mr. Greenfield. Witnesses of the explosion claim that the blast felt similar to an earthquake. One factory worker that was inside the building escaped the workplace accident unharmed. The explosion is still under investigation by the Belvidere Police Department, the Boone County Sheriff, and the State Fire Marshall.

The family of the explosion victim may have a claim against the crystal manufacturing outfit for the loss that they have suffered. If you have any questions about fatal workplace accidents or would otherwise like to speak to an attorney, please click here.

A Southwest side man has been charged with DUI following a Thanksgiving day car crash that left one pedestrian dead. Anthony Morales, a 31 year-old resident of the 5500 block of South Homan Avenue in Chicago has been charged with felony driving under the influence after he was involved in a car accident that claimed the life of 21 year-old Elias Nunez. Prosecutors report that Morales’s blood alcohol content was .33 at the time of the crash, nearly four times the legal limit. Morales has also been ticketed with failure to avoid an accident, following too closely and leaving the scene of an accident arising out of the first car crash.

According to Chicago police, Morales was driving north on Cicero avenue early Thanksgiving morning when he swerved into the southbound lanes. Morales collided with a southbound car as a result of his erratic driving and then attempted to flee the scene of the accident. Morales subsequently struck and killed Nunez who was standing outside of his vehicle about three blocks north of the site of the original accident. Nunez was reportedly dragged under the vehicle for about three blocks after he was hit. He suffered from massive internal bleeding and severe brain injuries as a result of the Chicago car accident.

DUI car accidents often have devastating consequences for both intoxicated drivers and victims. The family of the car accident victim may have a claim against the DUI driver. If you have any questions regarding DUI car accidents or would otherwise like to speak to an attorney, please click here.

A Park Forest, IL, woman died last Sunday when she was hit by a vehicle near the corner of 209th St. and Western Avenue in Chicago Heights, IL. The accident claimed the life of Ruby Matthews of the 128 Ash St. in Park Forest, IL. According to an Olympia Fields Police Department spokesperson, Matthews was involved in a minor car accident with a Chevrolet Cavalier while she was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer in the southbound lanes of Western Avenue. Matthews and the unidentified teenage driver of the other vehicle were examining the damage to the two cars in the northbound lanes of Western Ave. when they were hit by another car. The teenage driver suffered a broken leg as a result of the collision.

Matthews was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL, where she was pronounced dead around 10 p.m. The South Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team is still investigating the fatal accident. Charges have not yet been filed in the matter.

The family of the deceased car accident victim may have a wrongful death claim against the driver that caused her death. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a Chicago car accident and would like to speak to an Illinois attorney, please click here.

A truck driver was killed early this morning while attempting to place warning triangles around his broken down semi. The fatal accident occurred on Chicago’s Tri-State expressway (I-294) near the Cermak road exit. The truck accident claimed the life of 41 year-old Kenneth A. Brown of Crest Hill, IL. According to Illinois State Police Tollway District Master Sgt. John Creedon, the tragedy occurred when the semi-truck trailer became separated from the cab around 1:07 a.m. on Thursday morning. The trailer and the cab were separated by about ten feet when the breaks on the truck locked. The truck was stopped in a lane of traffic when the accident occurred.

According to reports, the Kenneth Brown exited his vehicle and attempted to place triangular markers along the Chicago expressway to warn other drivers of his predicament. While he was placing the markers, Brown was reportedly hit and killed by a southbound Chevrolet van. The van clipped the rear of the immobile truck before it hit the trucker. The injured trucker was taken to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital around 1:30 a.m. The DuPage County Coroner’s office confirmed the death but refused to release any further details. The driver of the van reportedly suffered no injuries. The accident is being investigated by accident reconstruction specialists.

The family of the deceased trucker may have both personal injury and workers’ compensation claims following the tragedy. If you have any questions about personal injury or workers’ compensation law, please click here.

A Chicago man was killed yesterday after he fell through an elevator shaft in Downtown Chicago’s Cabrini Green apartment complex. Clarence Walker, a 61 year-old resident of the Cabrini building at the 360 block of West Oak St, fell through the shaft around 9:30 p.m. The cause of the fall remains unclear according to Chicago Police News Affair Officer Ron Gaines. The Chicago Fire Department reports that no one was transferred to the hospital from the accident site following the fatal fall. The investigation is being handled by the Chicago Police Department.

An unidentified resident reported that a male fell from the seventh floor of the elevator shaft. Another resident, 54 year-old Dorothy Jackson, said that police were not allowing residents to enter or leave the building as of 11:10 p.m. on the day of the tragic accident. The area around the accident site was categorized as a crime scene. An autopsy of the body has been scheduled for Tuesday July 28th. Belmont area detectives are investigating the fatal Chicago accident.

The family of the victim may have a wrongful death claim pending an investigation of the tragic fall. If you have any questions or would otherwise like to contact a lawyer, please click here.

Tragedy struck Minee Subee Day Care in suburban Lincolnshire, IL, earlier this month when 16 month-old Benjamin Kingan died suddenly from a serious head injury. What authorities initially believed to be the result of either a seizure or something congenital is now being treated as a homicide. Melissa Calusinski, of Carpentersville, IL, has been charged with first degree murder and is now held on $5 million dollar bond for her alleged role in the death of the toddler. She is accused of throwing the young boy to the floor because he would not remain quiet. According to Lincolnshire Police, the boy then crawled to his favorite bouncer seat before he became unresponsive and died. Calusinski reportedly admitted to throwing the boy to the ground in a videotaped statement. There were seven other children and one other adult in the room at the time of the incident. The other worker in the room claims to have not seen Calunski throw the child. Day care staff attempted CPR and called 911 at approximately 3:51 p.m – almost a half hour after the incident. The boy was pronounced dead at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville an hour later.

Calusinski, who has been placed on administrative leave by Minee Subee, plans to plead not guilty to the murder charges. The day care facility is licensed to care for up to 145 children between the ages of 6 to 12 years old. A subsequent investigation of the incident has revealed that Minee Sublee had received several complaints regarding Calusinski as a caretaker in the past.

Continue reading "Lincolnshire Day Care Worker Charged with Murder of Toddler" »

A Cook County wrongful death lawsuit has been filed following a tragic helicopter accident that left four dead. The accident occurred on October 15, 2008, when an Air Angel medical helicopter struck a radio tower cable in Aurora, IL. The helicopter was carrying 14 month-old Kristin Blockinger of Leland, IL, from Valley West Hospital in Sandwich, IL, to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL. Also aboard the aircraft were Air Angels crew members Ron Battalo and William Mann. All three passengers were killed in the accident along with 69 year-old pilot Del Waugh. The suit names Waugh as a defendant claiming that the accident was a result of negligent and careless operation by the pilot. More specifically, the suit alleges that Waugh’s advanced age, multiple in-flight responsibilities, and recent divorce related stress contributed to the fatal aviation crash.

The suit also named Air Angels and parent company Reach Medical as defendants claiming that the entities failed to follow federal recommendations for medical helicopter flights. The suit alleges that the flight was not equipped with a terrain warning and awareness system, a risk assessment program, or a two pilot team at the controls. The plaintiffs argue that each of these provisions would have helped prevent the tragic crash. The West Chicago and Bolingbrook based Air Angels recently ceased operations for two months while it conducted its own investigation. The outfit has since resumed operation finding nothing to prevent the resumption of service. A preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board “NTSB” offers no immediate explanation for the cause of the crash. The NTSB hopes to conclude its investigation of the incident in time for a February hearing on medical helicopter safety.

Continue reading "Aurora, IL, Helicopter Accident Leads to Wrongful Death Lawsuit" »

A DuPage County strip club has lost its bid to be excluded from a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a deadly drunk driving accident. The State Appellate Court ruled last Wednesday that the owners of the West Chicago area Diamond’s Strip Club must remain as co-defendants in a wrongful death suit filed against John Homatas. Homatas, a 26 year-old Wayne resident, is currently serving a 12-year sentence following a jury trial in which he was convicted of reckless homicide and aggravated drunken driving. Homatas plead not guilty to those crimes in June 2007 following a head-on collision that killed two adults and one unborn child. The car accident occurred on January 4, 2006, on Illinois Highway 25 between Kenyon Rd. and U.S. Highway 20. After leaving the club, Homatas steered his northbound Jeep across the center line and struck a Chevy Tahoe driven by 27 year-old April Simmons of Yorkville, IL, killing her and her unborn child. John Chiarello, the passenger in Homatas’s car, was also killed in the collision.

The owners of Diamonds claimed that they had no part in the tragic DUI car accident because the strip club does not serve alcohol. The Appellate Court rejected this contention finding that the strip club owed a duty to the deceased plaintiffs when it ejected Homatas from the club and placed him in his vehicle knowing he was intoxicated. While the club does not serve alcohol, it does allow patrons to bring alcoholic beverages onto the premises for personal consumption. The wrongful death lawsuit claims that Diamonds employees started Homatas’s car and watched him drive away after ejecting him from the bar for vomiting in the bathroom. Police reports indicate that Homatas had alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine in his system at the time of the accident. Diamonds owner Ari Pomerantz has vowed to continue to fight the suit.

Continue reading "Illinois State Appellate Court: DuPage Strip Club Must Remain as Co-Defendant in Wrongful Death Case" »

A deadly car accident left two teens dead and four more injured in South Suburban Worth, IL, on Monday night. The crash occurred on the 6600 block of West 107th Street around 9:30 p.m. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the accident killed the driver, 18 year-old Arthur Cepulcha of 8326 Nashville Ave. in Burbank, IL, and 18 year-old Adam Skora of 5554 W. 85th in Burbank, IL. Four other teen passengers suffered critical injuries in the crash. The injured teen passengers were taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL, and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. All six of the teens had to be extricated from the severely damaged white four-door vehicle. The extrication took about forty minutes.

Accident investigations have been undertaken by both the Worth Police Department and the Chicago Ridge Police Department. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the deadly automobile accident however published reports speculate that icy roads may have been the culprit. The white four-door car was found wrapped around a tree on its driver side. Regarding the damage, Worth Fire Chief Gary Swiercz reported, “There was not much of a car left.” It is unclear whether alcohol or excessive speed may have contributed to the accident. The accident serves as a sobering reminder of the potentially deadly effect of winter weather on Chicago roadways.

Continue reading "Worth, IL, Car Accident Kills Two Teens, Injures Four More" »

Stephanie Buzek, a 27 year-old resident of Hoffman Estates, faces criminal charges following a fatal drunk driving accident on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The accident occurred at the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Devon Avenue at about 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 14th. Buzek was allegedly speeding north on Milwaukee when her vehicle collided with the rear end of a stopped car. The victim, 35 year-old Sergio Correa of 3141 N. Hamlin Ave. in Chicago, had stopped for a red light at the intersection. The collision broke Correa’s neck despite the fact that he was wearing his seatbelt. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital pronounced Correa dead at 2:57 a.m. on Sunday according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Bond was set at $100,000 on Monday for Buzek, who remains hospitalized following the car accident. According to police News Affairs Officer John Henry, Buzek has been charged with driving under the influence, aggravated driving under the influence, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and negligent driving. The Cook County State’s Attorney Office alleges that Buzek and a friend had dinner and at least three beers on the night of the accident. Buzek remains hospitalized at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL, having suffered a broken leg as a result of the collision. Her injuries are not believed to be serious. Buzek’s preliminary hearing for the criminal charges is scheduled for December 30th.

Continue reading "Hoffman Estates, IL, Woman Charged with DUI Following Deadly Chicago Car Accident" »

Tragedy struck North Lawndale College Preparatory High School on Chicago’s West Side last Friday November 14th as the school lost three of its most promising students. The young men were attending a school-sponsored eight-day retreat at suburban Camp Algonquin in Algonquin, IL. According to reports, the teens launched several paddleboats into the nearby Fox River in the middle of the night. The boats had been winterized and therefore each was missing a cork-sized bottom plug necessary for proper flotation. One of the boats was quick to take on water and capsize. Reports indicate that two boys on the shore attempted rescue and went missing soon thereafter. Ultimately, three boys drowned in the river.

According to the director of the camp, the thirty-one students on the retreat were accompanied by four adult chaperones from the school. The chaperones were asleep when a group of the boys launched six boats into the river. In his investigation of the incident, Sgt. Brett Scroggins of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports that the paddleboats had not been securely stored away, but rather left on the ground near the cabins. Fire Department Officials found all six boats along the banks of the river and are still investigating the total number of students that were involved in the tragedy.

The drowning victims, 18 year-old Jimmie Avant, 17 year-old Melvin Choice III, and 16 year-old Adrian Jones, have been described as successful students who planned to attend college. The teens were active in a high school group called Minority Men consisting of about thirty scholastically inclined students who help each other with academic work, travel to visit colleges together, and attend leadership events such as the Algonquin retreat. The successes of these young men is, in part, a reflection of North Lawndale Prep High – a small west side charter school boasting a nearly 100 percent graduation rate. The school has been described as a model of success for charter schools in the City of Chicago. The retreat was run by Vision quest, a national organization devoted to working with teens.

Gerardo Castillo of Chicago was killed by fumes that were released when some substance was mixed into the chocolate. OSHA and the Chicago Fire Department are investigating the cause of his death and trying to determine the source of the fumes. The investigation may take several weeks

I would encourage the family of Mr. Castillo to retain a knowledgable experienced lawyer to help preserve any evidence. While OSHA may do a thorough job of investigating, because of cut backs they may not have the resources to develop all of the evidence necessary to prosecute a wrongful death claim should some third party company be responsible for the fumes. It might benefit the family if they had their own attorney help look out for their interests.They should retain someone who has more than just workers compensation experience as there my be others that are liable for the injuries that caused his death.

Continue reading "A Chicago worker was exposed to toxic fumes which resulted in his death at a Chicago chocolate factory" »

The unexpected death of a loved one is a very difficult loss to deal with, and the thought of calling a personal injury attorney during this sorrowful time can seem very distasteful. Most wrongful death cases, however, can be lost or won depending on how soon after the death of your loved one that an investigation into the deadly accident took place.

Chicago Wrongful Death Attorney Joseph G. Klest has represented clients in wrongful death cases for more than 25 years in Chicago and in other cities throughout Illinois. He usually can determine after a brief phone call whether an investigation is warranted immediately or can wait.

The term "wrongful death" is used to describe the death of person who died because another person or party was negligent, careless, or reckless. For example:

* A car, truck, or motorcycle driver was careless on the road and a pedestrian or another motorcycle driver was killed.
* A toddler died after swallowing a magnet that wasn't properly attached to her toy.
* A construction worker dies because the tractor he was driving malfunctioned.
* A mother died during childbirth because the doctor failed to properly monitor her heart.
* An elderly woman died after being brutally beaten by a nurse at an elder care facility.

Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
The death of your loved one can leave surviving family members heartbroken, and while suing the liable party for money can never make up for your loss, your compensation can help you gain some relief and compensation to help you cover your financial costs—especially if the decedent is someone that your family depended on for financial support.

The kinds of wrongful death damages you can claim will depend on your relationship to the decedent. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives can file wrongful death claims in Illinois, where damages sought can include medical costs and suffering related to your loved one's injuries that led to the wrongful death, loss of financial support, loss of emotional support, loss of companionship, mental trauma, burial/cremation/funeral costs, and punitive damages meant to punish the liable party.

Sometimes, a dispute can arise among surviving family members regarding who is in charge of a wrongful death claim because of estate issues. Mr. Klest has helped resolve this kind of dispute before for many clients in the Chicago area.

At Joseph Klest, Attorney at Law, we provide zealous and personalized representation to all our personal injury clients. Mr. Klest will personally handle your wrongful death case. Not only is he someone that you can talk to, but he will handle your case properly so that you can maximize your return on your settlement.

Mr. Klest has successfully handled many wrongful death lawsuits. He is a Chicago native, and he understands the local jury cultures in Will County, DuPage County, Lake County, and Cook County. He and his team of experts and expert witnesses will work hard to obtain the best outcome possible for you.

To schedule your free consultation with Joseph Klest, Attorney at Law, call us at (630) 529-7848, (312) 527-2779, (847) 969-9510, or contact us online.