December 1, 2007

Amtrak Collision in Chicago -- Some Good Advice

amtrak.jpg

As many of you have heard, a Grand Rapids, Michigan Amtrak train destined for Chicago collided with a freight train just miles from the City Loop. Thankfully, this occurrence happened away from even heavier traffic and hopefully, spared many lives. Many were injured despite "the low speed" of the striking train.

Recently, I gave an interview to a well known nationally recognized organization about what to do in the event of mass transit disaster. Click this link to view the interview and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

September 10, 2007

Illinois Appellate Court upholds $18M verdict in Chicago police department chase

The Illinois 1st District Appellate Court on Friday affirmed a $17.68 million verdict in favor of Romanucci & Blandin client, Vernon Hudson, who was left paralyzed when his vehicle was struck by a Chicago police car involved in a chase of a homicide suspect.

chicago%20police.jpgHudson was on his way home from his job as a truck mechanic at the time of the May 2001 collision on the Eisenhower Expressway. He sued the city and Officer Sung Joo Lee, who later was dismissed from the suit. Hudson brought both negligence and willful and wanton conduct counts against the city.

A Cook County jury ruled in favor of Hudson on both counts after a March 2005 trial before Cook County Circuit Judge Irwin J. Solganick. Solganick denied the city's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial.

Among the city's arguments on appeal was that it was immune against the negligence count pursuant to the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act, 745 ILCS 10/1-101 et seq. The city also argued that Lee's conduct was not willful and wanton.

Continue reading "Illinois Appellate Court upholds $18M verdict in Chicago police department chase" »

August 18, 2007

Chicago Area Monster Truck Show Results in Lawsuit

96560_bigfoot_cars_2.jpg


A Chicago area monster truck giving a demonstration at a local NAPA Auto Parts store lost control and plowed through a crowd, injuring at least a dozen people.

DeKalb residents Mary Kate Sibley, James Vesely and Romanucci & Blandin client, Gregory Hessler, were among some 100 people standing on the sidewalk Thursday afternoon in the 100 block of North Sixth Street, watching a monster truck crush a row of four cars. Stephan Blandin, principal of Romanucci & Blandin, filed a transportation negligence lawsuit on August 15th seeking damages to our client for the negligent and wilful conduct of NAPA.

Read more news accounts about the lawsuit.

Continue reading "Chicago Area Monster Truck Show Results in Lawsuit" »