DGAA bLAWg

At some point in their lives, most people have probably used some form of baby powder, and this product has been a staple of many American families for decades. However, recent reports have found that what appeared to many to be a safe and useful substance may actually have posed a cancer risk. If you have become ill after using baby powder, you should work with a product liability attorney to determine whether you may be eligible to receive compensation.

As parents, we go to extraordinary lengths to keep our children safe, and we expect others to do so as well. The manufacturers of children’s products should take care to ensure that these items are safe for children and parents to use, and there are a multitude of laws in regulations in place that are meant to keep dangerous products from entering the market. Unfortunately, some companies fail to follow these regulations, or they commit oversights when rushing a product to market, and as a result, defective or dangerous products are sold to consumers.

Since children are especially vulnerable to harm, they can suffer serious injuries because of defective toys, clothes, baby care products, child safety products, and much more. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates most children’s products in the United States, and when dangerous products are discovered, the CPSC may require the company to recall the product.

Some recent recalls of children’s products include:

- Rocking infant sleepers - Two manufacturers have recalled all models of their infant rocking sleeper beds. Multiple babies died of suffocation after rolling onto their stomachs because they were not properly restrained while in these sleepers.
- Child bed canopies - A light-up canopy for children’s beds was recalled because the lights could overheat and cause the canopy to catch on fire, leading to serious burn injuries.
- Wooden toys - Multiple types of toys made of wood were recalled, because they contained small parts that could come loose and present a choking hazard for children.
- Clothing - Clothing manufacturers have recalled children’s sleepwear and bathrobes because they did not meet standards for flammability, causing the risk of serious burn injuries for children. Other types of clothing, such as jackets, snowsuits, and shoes, were recalled because of choking hazards from zippers or other components that could become detached.
- Bed rails - One company recalled portable rails for children’s beds because they could cause entrapment and suffocation for children.
- High chairs - One manufacturer recalled convertible high chairs because the legs could become detached, causing fall injuries that could result in brain injuries, broken bones, or dislocated joints for children.
- Baby carriers - A child carrier was recalled because of a defective clip that could cause dangerous fall injuries for babies.
- Bath seats - A support seat to use while bathing infants was recalled because it did not meet the standards for stability. The seats presented a drowning hazard because they could tip over, or a child could slip out of the supports.
- Playground equipment - Some playground parts have been recalled because gaps in railings or handholds are too large, presenting a risk of entrapment and strangulation for children.

Contact a Rolling Meadows Product Liability Lawyer

If your child has been injured while using a defective or dangerous product, the attorneys at Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC can help you understand your options for pursuing compensation from a negligent product manufacturer. We will fully investigate the circumstances of the injury and determine whether can recover damages because the product had a design defect or manufacturing defect or because the proper instructions or warnings were not provided. To schedule a free consultation, contact our Barrington personal injury attorneys at 847-934-6000.

About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.

Sources:
https://www.fatherly.com/gear/product-recalls-what-parents-should-know/
https://www.safekids.org/product-recalls
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls

Now that 30 states (including Illinois) have legalized marijuana for medical use and nine also allow recreational use, the number of personal injury lawsuits involving cannabis is growing.

Background on the Cannabis Market

Over 100 distinct chemicals, broadly termed phytocannabinoids, are present naturally in the cannabis plant. Currently, two of the best-understood cannabinoids are THC, the psychoactive ingredient that produces a euphoric sensation, and CBD (cannabidiol), which has demonstrated pain-relieving, inflammation-reducing, neuro-protective, and cancer-fighting properties.

As scientists learn more about the way cannabinoids affect the human body and discover new applications for these chemicals, the variety of products made from cannabis is increasing. In fact, the U.S. market for legal cannabis is expected to grow 17% per year through 2028, reaching nearly $50 billion in annual sales. In comparison, U.S. wine sales are estimated at $65 billion. 

With such rapid growth, mistakes are bound to be made, and injuries are likely to result. 

Potential Grounds for Cannabis Personal Injury Lawsuits

Here are a few situations that could be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against a marijuana producer/distributor: 

An Arlington Heights Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Eating food purchased from a restaurant or grocery store should not be a risky proposition, but in recent weeks, a number of Illinois residents and people in nearby states have become seriously ill after doing so. Dozens of cases of food poisoning have been reported and linked to salads sold at McDonald’s restaurants, and the problem is becoming more widespread, affecting people in several states throughout the Midwest. If you have experienced food poisoning because of contaminated salads or other foods, you should be sure to understand your options for recovering compensation for your damages.

The Dangers of Contaminated Salads and Produce

The current food poisoning case involves the Cyclospora parasite, which can cause intestinal illnesses to those who consume it. Infections from this type of organism are known as cyclosporiasis, and symptoms include explosive diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or cramps, gas, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, headaches, and fever. 

Cyclospora can be transmitted in fresh produce because these foods do not go through a cooking process that would kill the parasites. Washing or rinsing produce is not sufficient to remove these organisms.

After more than 100 reported cases of cyclosporiasis, McDonald’s has opted to remove salads from any restaurants that may have been affected by the outbreak. More than 3,000 restaurants are involved, and in addition to Illinois, people in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Missouri may have been in danger of contamination.

This is not the only case of food poisoning from Cyclospora which occurred recently. In June, vegetable trays produced by Del Monte were found to be the source of an outbreak that affected more than 200 people in Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. The company recalled several products from grocery stores in states throughout the Midwest. This outbreak appears to be unrelated to the contaminated salads from McDonald’s.

Contact an Inverness Personal Injury Attorney

Food poisoning can not only cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, but it can have serious, long-lasting effects on one’s health. If you have contracted cyclosporiasis or any other type of infection after eating food purchased from a restaurant or grocery store, you may be able to pursue compensation for the damages which you have suffered. The Rolling Meadows personal injury lawyers at Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC can help you understand your options and advocate for your interests throughout the legal process. Contact us at 847-934-6000 to arrange a personalized consultation.

About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.

Sources:
https://wqad.com/2018/07/17/illinois-officials-warn-of-food-poisoning-possibly-linked-to-mcdonalds/
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/07/parasites-linked-to-mcdonalds-likely-not-part-of-del-monte-outbreak/#.W09ld9hKiV4
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/07/us/del-monte-vegetable-trays-parasite-nyt.html

When you purchase food at a grocery store or restaurant, you expect it to be safe to eat. Unfortunately, cases occur all too often in which foods containing pathogens are provided to consumers, resulting in serious diseases and even death. A currently-ongoing case involving romaine lettuce illustrates the dangers of contaminated foods, and people injured by food poisoning should be sure to understand their options for recovering compensation under product liability laws.

E. Coli Contamination

An outbreak of food poisoning from romaine lettuce contaminated with E. Coli began in March of 2018. In the ensuing weeks, 149 cases have been reported across 29 states (including Illinois), with 64 people being hospitalized and one person dying so far. These cases were linked to lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region, and the strain of E. Coli in this case is especially virulent, resulting in a high rate of complications.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has advised consumers to avoid eating any romaine lettuce, including whole heads or hearts, bagged lettuce, organic romaine lettuce, and salads containing mixed greens, unless they can confirm that the lettuce was not grown in the Yuma region. While some restaurants and grocery stores have announced that the lettuce they are selling or serving is not from the Yuma region, consumers may prefer to avoid romaine lettuce altogether. People should also be aware that rinsing or washing lettuce is not an effective way to remove E. Coli.

The strain of E. Coli in this case is known as a Shiga-toxin producing E. Coli (STEC). After consuming STEC, symptoms will typically occur within three to four days, and they may include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. This strain has been shown to result in hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening form of kidney failure.

Contact a Palatine Personal Injury Attorney

Food poisoning from contaminated foods can lead to severe, life-threatening illnesses that can have long-lasting effects on a person’s health and well-being. If you have contracted E. Coli or another disease after eating food bought from a restaurant or grocery store, you may be able to recover financial damages from the party or parties who were responsible. At Drost, Gilbert, Andrew & Apicella, LLC, our Des Plaines product liability lawyers can help you understand your rights and options, and we will advocate for you to receive the compensation you deserve for the damages you have suffered. Contact us at 847-934-6000 to arrange a personalized consultation.

About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-04-18/index.html
https://www.consumerreports.org/e-coli/romaine-lettuce-e-coli-cases-climb-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/09/health/romaine-e-coli-outbreak-spreads/index.html

About the Author: Attorney Ken Apicella is a founding partner of DGAA focusing in the areas of personal injury, employment, insurance coverage disputes, and civil litigation. Ken earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1999. He has been named a SuperLawyers Rising Star and a Forty Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch. Ken has written and lectured for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and regularly serves as a moderator at Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Continuing Legal Education seminars.