In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a national ban on asbestos-containing products. Unfortunately, that ban came after decades of asbestos use in construction. Removing that dangerous material leads to new levels of exposure, and it remains a problem to this day. Case in point: The U.S. Department of Labor recently alleged a subcontractor knowingly exposed employees to asbestos during the demolition of a Waukegan hospital.

Asbestos exposure can sometimes manifest in a severe form of cancer known as mesothelioma. Although the American Cancer Society reports that only 3,000 cases of mesothelioma-related cancer are diagnosed each year, those results can devastate a family. It is especially troublesome when you consider that exposure to asbestos could be mitigated to prevent mesothelioma. Getting tested for mesothelioma is the first step toward dealing with the disease.

When asked what her secret to longevity is, famous TV adjudicator Judge Judy said, “To live a long life, don’t fall.” That is good advice, which is why many folks take proactive measures to “fall-proof” their homes. Unfortunately, once you leave home, you are at risk of a slip and fall accident due to possible negligence that can result in a wide range of injuries. For instance, how often do hip fractures happen after falls? The answer might shock you.

According to information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 95% of hip fractures result from falls. The senior population is most vulnerable to these types of injuries. Sadly, the CDC also reports that “one-half of all older adults hospitalized for hip fracture never regain their former level of function.”

Medical researchers have found that our brains can provide the same kind of computing power as the biggest supercomputers but with only a fraction of the energy needed to make those computations. Remarkably, that brain power is generated from an extremely fragile organ protected by just a thin layer of bone. That is why a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a car accident can be devasting.

The online advocacy group Treat Now reports that someone suffers from some brain injury every 23 seconds. It also finds that 50,000 people die from TBIs. They also report that car accidents account for 14% of brain injuries, with a majority of the victims being children and young adults. How often do brain injuries occur after car accidents, though? Read on where we address that question.

In 2023, The Windy City saw 90,043 crashes, 85,982 of which involved motor vehicles, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation. Those same statistics reveal that at least 19,404 fatalities resulted from these auto accidents and 1,583 individuals suffered serious injuries in them. Those casualties would be alarming to almost anyone — and those don’t account for most of our suburbs, but instead the city center.

Every time you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you know to remain wholly focused on the road and the operation of your vehicle. There are some areas that you may travel into on a daily basis where you need to be extra vigilant to avoid becoming involved in a crash, though. Below, we highlight what are the most dangerous intersections in Chicago so you can exercise a bit more caution when in or around them.

Large trucks transport goods across Illinois’ roads, highways, and interstates. When you drive, you will need to share the road with these massive vehicles. However, you need to exercise a heightened level of caution and awareness around these trucks.

You may have heard of “no-zones” around trucks, but what are they? These areas are hazardous spots around large vehicles, like commercial trucks. If you happen to drive in these posts, you need to proceed with caution.

At Schweickert Ganassin Krzak Rundio, LLP, we have handled many truck accident cases, many of which happen within these spaces.

So, what are truck no-zones, and how can you avoid them? Here are a few pointers that you will want to know to stay safe on the road.

Spikes on tractor-trailer tires, often referred to as “lug nut covers” or “wheel spikes,” have sparked both curiosity and concern among U.S. drivers.

These accessories, which are intimidating to some, can be seen on the wheels of many large trucks, adding an aggressive aesthetic to the vehicles.

But…are the spikes on tractor-trailer tires dangerous?

Let’s look at some of the reasons truckers use these wheel spikes, what (if any) safety implications surround them, the ongoing debate regarding their use, and whether they contribute to damages in an Ottawa, IL trucking accident.

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer, one that’s primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. About 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the United States every year, and roughly 80% of these cases report asbestos exposure, according to the American Lung Association.

Making one’s way from diagnosis to treatment and its repercussions can be an overwhelming experience, and then having to navigate the complexities of taking legal action to get fair compensation can add another layer of difficulty and frustration.

This is where a specialized mesothelioma lawyer becomes invaluable.

In a collision between a semi-truck and a car, the truck will dominate. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a semi-truck can outweigh a car by 30 times. Even a slight “tap” from a truck can result in a devasting accident that results in a car being totaled and the driver being severely injured. Under what conditions is spine fusion surgery required after a truck crash?

Summers are for fun, and if you have a backyard swimming pool, that fun level goes way up. Sadly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, there are 4,000 unintentional drownings. That breaks down to 11 deaths per day, and a vast majority of those deaths occur in swimming pools. That is why many local and state legislators stepped in to enact measures that promote safety. Do backyard pools need to be enclosed in Illinois?

Nursing homes are entrusted with the care of some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. Yet, while most facilities provide compassionate care, abuse and neglect unfortunately still occur.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 2 in 3 nursing homes and long-term care facility staff admit that they’ve committed some form of elder abuse in the past year. Recognizing the subtle signs of nursing home abuse or neglect is crucial for protecting the well-being of residents.