Uncategorized | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

80-Year-Old Crashes Through Deli Window in Niles and Goes Next Door for His Haircut Appointment

June 15, 2018/in Blog, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

A strange accident occurred in Niles, IL a few weeks ago that left a storefront destroyed, but thankfully, no one injured. According to CBS Local News, an 80-year-old Niles man was on his way to his haircut appointment when he crashed his SUV right into the window of Captain Alex Seafood, which is a deli located in a Niles strip mall located at 8874 Milwaukee Avenue. But what the senior citizen did next will have you puzzled.

According to the source, the SUV came up just a few feet from the counter where many customers stand in line to place their orders, but there was no one inside the deli at the time of the crash except one worker. He recounted the story to Bryce Artmann, who is the owner of the deli as he was on his way to work just before the incident transpired. The employee said the man got out of his vehicle and was asked to stay on site, but he managed to “take off.” He went next door to Hair Designs Unlimited, “came in like nothing, and sat down for his appointment.”

The man told the barber that it was his car next door and that “he’s got insurance and he didn’t want to miss his haircut appointment.” Although Niles District Chief Rich Scipione confirmed the driver left the scene of the accident, police said no charges would be filed against him due to his diabetic condition and because the accident occurred on private property. Officials stated that the man “likely confused the brake with the gas pedal,” however, he would be referred to the Secretary of State’s Office to be retested for his driver’s license.

The truth is, many strange accidents occur on our roadways today. Tractor trailers carrying loads weighing tons flip and vehicles swerve into other lanes unexpectedly. And with more distracted car and truck drivers out on the roadways and teens learning how to drive, the roadway has become an extremely dangerous place. As you know, senior citizens are also more vulnerable to engaging in an accident as old age affects things like reaction times which brings us to the following question:

When should senior citizens consider limiting their driving?

Although there are plenty of self-sufficient seniors out there that are capable of driving, there are others that might be putting themselves at risk. Below we look at a few signs that might indicate it is time for a senior citizen to limit their driving or rely on someone else to take them to the places they need to go.

They suffer from a medical condition which impacts their ability to safely navigate a vehicle. Conditions such as diabetes and vision loss can cause a driver to react more slowly and become less attentive, according to Property Casualty 360.
They take medication that may impair their response and reaction times.
The individual suffers from recognizable cognitive decline.
Local road signs need to be upgraded which makes it more difficult for a senior to see and get where they need to go.
The driver’s vehicle needs to be replaced.
There is no need to drive. The source states that “an older person may significantly increase their lifespan when he or she makes the choice to stop driving.” And if there is really no need to drive, they can rely on public transportation or a family member to take them where they need to go when that time comes.

If you have a family member who is displaying signs that indicate it might be time to give up the keys, consider speaking with them about the alternative options that are available as opposed to them risking their lives when they choose to drive.

And if you or an elderly loved one has been involved in an accident and sustained injuries, consider contacting the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. We will assess the details of the incident and help you recover the compensation you are rightfully due.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60601
1-312-384-1920

Wife Comforting Senior Resident With Dementia

When Filing a Nursing Home Complaint is Not Enough

June 11, 2018/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

If your loved one resides in a nursing home facility, chances are they are there because they need assistance in doing the things they used to be able to do independently. Nursing home facilities are utilized because they are able to provide 24-hour care and they have experienced medical professionals on site. These medical professionals monitor your family member’s prescriptions, meals, and build a care plan around your loved one’s dietary, medical, and social needs. Remember, you or your loved one signs a contract when entering the nursing home that both highlights your loved one’s needs and promises that these needs will be attended to.

Therefore, it is very important to say something if you notice instances of lacking care. Nursing home administrators should be notified immediately if you see:

A delayed response to your loved one’s call light
A fellow resident or staff member is rude and disrespectful
Prescriptions are not administered properly when they are needed
Your loved one’s hygiene suffers, such as their linens or undergarments are not regularly changed
Their possessions are missing
Your loved one is given food they don’t like, or is inedible, or against their dietary plan
The meals arrive late, or meals are being skipped entirely
Your loved one is isolated or afraid around particular caregivers

After your discussion with the facility’s administrators, such as the Director of Nursing, the Dietary Manager, and/or the Activities Director, your loved one’s concerns should be addressed immediately. Instead, if you see the same lacking care continue, it may be time to contact a knowledgeable and experienced nursing home neglect attorney.

While it always helps if you complain to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), for many residents, this is not enough to rectify the problem. Sometimes, IDPH may take longer than normal to investigate the complaint. Also, many nursing homes fall back on their old habits of bad care once they know the complaint is closed. In the meantime, your family member should not be suffering due to administrative back logs or the nursing home’s persistent wrongs. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. right away so our Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys can offer help for mom or dad. We can be reached at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or by email. Contact us to schedule a free initial consultation.

Aging Pastor Neglected by His Nursing Home Caregivers

December 22, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Robert, an aging pastor, who lived a life of service and put others first, was neglected by his care providers in an Illinois nursing home.

Robert was admitted into a nursing home with severe illnesses that required 24-hour care. Robert suffered from Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and dysphasia, among other medical conditions. Dysphasia causes one to have trouble swallowing food and therefore, the person must be monitored closely to ensure proper digestion. Failure to monitor this food intake can cause the person to choke or aspirate, meaning the food gets stuck in the throat or lung. Because of these risks, Robert should never be allowed to eat alone. What did the nursing home do to monitor these health concerns? Watch the video to learn more.

Just a few weeks after being admitted, a care giver at the nursing home noticed Robert was eating poorly and pocketing food. This is critical because since Robert was pocketing food, he could later eat that food while he wasn’t being watched and could suffocate as a result. The caregiver did absolutely nothing after noticing that Robert was pocketing food, like alerting the doctor or the head nurse.

After a few days, Robert was found to be lethargic with concealed food on him. He developed a cough and congestion, had labored breathing, and a fever. These symptoms worsened.

Finally, the nursing home sent Robert to a hospital. Only after going to the hospital was Robert diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. You see, Robert had likely ingested the pocketed food that became lodged in his lung, causing the aspiration pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia happens when substances, such as gastric contents, are inhaled into the lungs. This also creates a bacterial infection in the lung, leading to aspiration pneumonia.

Robert was a total-assist resident, meaning he needed to be fed, clothed, and changed. The nursing home ignored these responsibilities even though they fully understood Robert’s physical and mental limitations when they agreed to admit him into their facility.

Robert’s wife Michelle contacted the administrators at this nursing home to get them to properly care for Robert. They all made promises, yet the same pattern of unreasonable care continued.

I want all families like Michelle’s and all nursing home residents to know that nursing homes are accountable for the promises they make to you. There are remedies when nursing homes do wrong and cause you harm.

I know you may be watching this video because you probably have questions about your own loved one in a nursing home. Contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. We answer questions like yours every day.

Who Has The Power To Enforce Laws?

August 14, 2017/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Civil rights law, Court System, Elder abuse, Medical malpractice, Medical negligence, nursing home neglect, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Uncategorized, Workplace Discrimination, Workplace Injury, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

When the United States established our institution of government through the Constitution the jury system was enshrined in that document. The 6^th and 7^th amendment were later added to the Constitution and protected the right to juries in criminal and civil cases.

But still more was needed to enforce this cherished right. African-Americans under federal law were given the right to serve on juries in 1875, but in practice many were openly and routinely removed from juries based on race until a US Supreme Court case in 1986 declared that conduct was prohibited by the constitution. Watch the video to learn more.

As late as 1942, only 28 states had laws that allowed women to serve as jurors, but these states also gave them the right to claim exemption based on their sex. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 gave women the right to serve on federal juries, but not until 1973 could women serve on juries in all fifty states.

The right to serve on jury is something people fought for and died for because this right is so important to the fabric of our laws. The primary purposes of civil tort law in America and here in Illinois as described by the Illinois Supreme Court is when someone has been wrongly injured by the acts of another the law is to:

to compensate the victims;
to reduce future wrong acts; and
to encourage careful conduct in the future to protect all of our citizens.

The jury enforces these laws through their collective verdict. By serving on juries, you are able to voice your opinion and influence the collective verdict. If you do not show up, you are allowing someone else to decide how the laws should be enforced. Therefore, someone else will have the power to determine the type of community you will live in. So remember, the juries’ verdict is how you enforce the laws of your community. That is why it’s so important to serve.

If you have questions about trial or your own serious injury, contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 312-384-1920 or by email. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys are known for their expertise and tough litigation. Schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury trial lawyers practicing throughout Illinois.

3 Reasons To Go To Jury Duty

August 11, 2017/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Civil rights law, Court System, Trucking accident injury law, Uncategorized, Workplace Discrimination, Workplace Injury, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

Juries are an important part of the justice system in America and a pillar of our democracy. Our constitution guarantees citizens receive a fair trial that is overseen by an impartial jury. Not only does this create confidence that our laws will apply equally to all, but this is also one of the purest and most immediate way to participate in our justice system. Watch the video to learn more.

Here are more reasons why you should answer that jury summons:

You are giving back to your country. Many of us have never served in the military for our country. Jury service is one of the few times that we can give back to our country by serving on a jury and ensuring that our system of justice is supported.
We are stronger as a country when we serve on a jury with our fellow man and woman as the conscience of the community.
You will prevent absolute power by the politicians and corporations. This is your time to show what your community finds important to enforce or not enforce through your verdict.

A typically jury is made up of 6 to 12 jurors who are peers. Meaning it’s you and your fellow citizens who are asked to serve on a jury. You may be a laborer or a corporate executive. However, when you sit on a jury, it’s a community of equals that are on a jury, rather than a panel of experts. The case may well be about a union laborer who may have been injured or about a physician whose failed to diagnose a child. Either way, it is a collective jury that is to enforce the law and facts that has been presented to you by the judge and the parties.

It is the jury’s collective reasoned choice to interpret the facts and enforce the law. The jury makes the decision on a case, producing a verdict. These verdicts then become a part of what our communities expects from our doctors, lawyers, corporations, hospitals, and more. They outline what you the jury will expect now and in the future from the conduct of us all. This method of administering justice prevents absolute power. A jury of 6 to 12 people, who all come from different backgrounds and life experiences, must reach a unanimous decision.

So the next time you get that jury summons, make sure to serve. It may be a hassle, but in the end you, like so many others before you, will have made a huge commitment to our democratic system of government. That small burden is a small price to pay for the privileges and protections of our government and laws. With rights, come responsibilities. Jurors owe it to their fellow citizens to perform this service seriously; justice depends all on the quality of jurors who serve. The survival of your own right to trial by jury depends on the willingness of all to serve, so be part of the system and make a difference.

If you have questions about trial or your own serious injury, contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at 312-384-1920 or by email. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers are known for their expertise and tough litigation. Schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury trial attorneys practicing law throughout Illinois.

What To Do If You Were In A Truck Accident

May 19, 2017/in Blog, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Several parties can be held liable for a single truck accident. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, one of the first things you must do before bringing legal action against someone is ensure that you have identified all parties responsible for the accident. If you fail to sue the appropriate parties, then you may lose your right to bring an action against them forever. Although it may appear that the truck driver is ultimately responsible due to speeding or reckless driving, an experienced attorney will know to look at the truck and trailer’s owner, the company that the driver is working for and the manufacturer of the various truck parts, to name a few.

In addition, the accident could have been caused by someone improperly loading the cargo in the semi-truck. If a trailer is either overloaded or loaded in a way that throws the truck off balance, serious accidents are much more likely to occur and unfortunately, it is usually the other drivers on the road who see the most injuries.

Accidents in Illinois

Illinois is among a handful of states that account for more than half of all truck fatalities in the nation. There were nearly 600 fatalities involving large truck accidents in Illinois in the past five years alone.

In early August of last year, three people tragically lost their lives in a five-car pileup near Ottawa, Illinois. I-80 was closed for hours while crews worked to clear the scene. The wreck involved three tractor-trailers and two passenger vehicles. While one of the semi-truck drivers suffered fatal injuries, the other two people who died were riding in the smaller cars.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) collected data showing that from 1975 to 2014 over 200,000 people died in large truck accidents. Many more were injured.

Injuries from Truck Accidents

Injuries sustained in accidents involved with semi-trucks are often devastating. In this August accident, not only were victims subject to the crushing weight of the large trucks, but the trucks also caught fire. It is not uncommon to see individuals with burn injuries, spinal injuries, amputations and brain injuries when they have been involved in such accidents. For those of us fortunate enough not to have been affected by a serious truck accident injury, it is hard to grasp the true cost of these traumatic injuries.

Not only will you have immediate medical costs, but you will likely face costs associated with ongoing health needs and rehabilitation. Studies show that a mild head injury can cost a person $85,000 and a severe injury can cost a person $3 million over the course of their life. Additionally, if you are unable to work, you will lose your source of income.

Illinois Truck Accident Lawyers Are Key to a Successful Personal Injury Case

A skilled Chicago truck accident lawyer is vital to getting you every cent of compensation you deserve if you have been injured in a large truck accident. When you already have to deal with catastrophic injuries or worse, the insurance companies are more likely to lowball you in negotiations. At the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., our personal injury attorneys will not let that happen to you. Our personal injury law firm in Chicago has represented well over thousands of clients. With more than 20 years of experience, our truck accident attorneys know exactly how to help you and put your best case forward.

Nursing Home Resident Dies From An Improper Diet

April 14, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect, Uncategorized, Video/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing homes can be a big help when you have elderly loved ones who need help caring for themselves. When you admit your loved one, you trust that they will be properly taken care of. Part of that care includes receiving adequate nutrition. So, what happens when your loved is not receiving adequate nutrition? Watch the video to learn more.

I had a former client who lost her mother due to improper nutrition while staying at a nursing facility. When her mother was admitted to the facility, she was 77 and in overall good health. She had a diagnosis of dementia and dsyphagia, or difficulty eating. The specific nursing home that the client’s mother was staying in was severely understaffed, which lead to the woman falling six times, with the final fall resulting in a fatality.

The fall in and of itself did not cause the patient’s death, but what happened as a result of the final fall did. Because the physician was never contacted to check on the patient after the final fall, they were not able to see the depressed state of her nutrition. She was not being properly monitored by the nursing home staff to make sure that she was eating and drinking enough to meet her daily caloric and liquid intake. Within three days, the patient began to show effects of starvation, and she became non-responsive. With that, she was rushed to the emergency room and diagnosed with severe dehydration.

Due to the severe dehydration, the patient fell into a coma and died within several days. The emergency room physician gave a testimony that was favorable, and the case was settled shortly after. You need to know how important it is that your loved one receives proper nutrition during their stay in a nursing home. Watch the video to learn more.

Dealing with nursing home neglect can be difficult. The compassionate and experienced Chicago nursing home neglect attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are on your side. If you have questions, please email or call us at 312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers are here for you. You may also learn more about nursing home abuse through our media page where you will find more videos and content on this important subject.

How Common is Sexual Harassment?

March 31, 2017/in Blog, Sexual abuse, Sexual harassment, Uncategorized, Workplace Discrimination/by Yao Dinizulu

A few months ago, a Chicago-based panel hosted by Justice Anne Burke discussed sexual harassment in the workplace. Stories range from severely aggressive encounters to the less obvious. For example, one woman explains how a man in a position of authority kissed her despite her obvious attempts to push him away. A national study quoted by panel participants indicates that 1 in 3 women are sexually harassed in the workplace, with a significant amount of those occurrences happening in the food services and hospitality industries.

Sexual harassment takes many forms, and it may not always be obvious. While touching, groping, and indecent exposure may be obvious, jokes, inappropriate compliments or over sharing can also fall into the category of sexual harassment. This form of harassment is not just limited to women either. Data provided by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shows that between 1997 and 2011 between 11% and 16% of all sexual harassment charges were made by men.

Under Illinois Law You Must File your Claim Within 180 Days of Harassment

Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, the state has declared that as a matter of public policy, individuals should be free from sexual harassment in employment situations as well as in academic settings. It further defines sexual harassment as any unwelcome sexual advance or request for sexual favors either explicitly or implicitly. A sexual harassment charge must be made within 180 days of the incident, thus time is of the essence. If you have been the victim of inappropriate behavior in the workplace, you should contact our sexual harassment lawyers right away.

Experienced Attorneys Knows What to Look for in a Sexual Harassment Case

Proving that you were sexually harassed can be difficult as much of the evidence is based on one person claiming something happened and the other person saying that it did not. If you suspect that you are being sexually harassed, then you should document any occurrence and save any hard evidence that will help you prove your case. Additionally, the person you accuse of the harassment is prohibited from destroying records that may incriminate them but that does not always mean that they will act accordingly.

Our experienced sexual abuse attorneys will help you identify the evidence you need to build your case and will also look for any additional wrongful behaviors your harasser may be committing. At the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., our experienced and compassionate discrimination and sexual harassment attorneys in Chicago understand the laws prohibiting sexual harassment both in the state of Illinois and on the federal level. Please contact us right away if you suspect that you are falling victim to sexual harassment in any form. Our initial consultation is at no cost to you.

4 Boys Molested by Camp Counselor

March 24, 2017/in Blog, Sexual abuse, Sexual harassment, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Camps for kids are supposed to be fun. Your child is supposed to create wonderful memories there. However, inappropriate conduct by counselors and staff can taint their memories. What can you do if you suspect sexual abuse? Watch the video to learn more.

Unfortunately, the sexual abuse of minors is a big issue. The adults in charge of children are supposed to offer support and guidance to campers while acting in an appropriate way, but hiring practices and negligent staff can sometimes lead to the occurrence of sexual abuse.

Let’s consider a hypothetical example. Your teen is away at summer camp. When they come home, they tell you that one of their counselors sexually abused them. How could this happen? The counselor was sneaky and targeted those boys who looked as if they lacked financial support. The counselor coerced your child with candy and treats and employed various religious tactics to make them appear innocent to the campers and their families. They acted as he perfect predator. How do we prove it?

In response, we first we have to talk to the counselor’s supervisor. We see what they know and pull the employee’s file. Upon investigation of the counselor’s file, we discover his application, where he was required to list references. We ask the supervisor whether he had called the references. We proceed with calling them ourselves to find out what they would say. One reference tells us that the counselor is a predator and should not work with anyone’s children. If the supervisor had called the references, he would have found that out and would not have hired the counselor. Because of bad hiring practices, the case would be settled for a significant amount of money under a confidentiality clause which limits what can be said about the case after litigation. Watch the video to learn more.

Dealing with sexual abuse can be difficult. The compassionate and experienced sexual harassment lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are on your side. If you have questions, please email or call us at 312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. Our Chicago sexual abuse attorneys are here for you. You may also find more videos and media content on sexual abuse from the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. on our media page.

What Happens When A Resident Falls In A Nursing Home?

March 10, 2017/in Blog, Elder abuse, nursing home neglect, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

If you have a loved one in a nursing home, chances are that they have fallen at least once. The scary part is that sometimes serious injuries can’t be sustained. Nursing homes do not always react to falls and injuries as they should.

Studies have shown that 50% of nursing home residents have fallen at least once. These falls can cause injuries that can lead to serious conditions. Contusions or abrasions can cause broken skin. Broken skin can lead to bed sores in patients that are bed-ridden. In some cases, bedsores can lead to infections such as Sepsis due to the open wound and bodily positions that may contribute to this serious problem.

Other types of injuries that can be sustained are broken bones and head injuries. The broken bones can either be displaced or non-displaced. This means that the break can be a complete break, in which the bone snaps in two and the pieces become displaced, or the break can snap partially or all the way, but still be in place. Head injuries can include concussions, skull fractures, and scalp wounds.

Because these injuries can be serious, you should be sure to make sure that the nursing home has procedures in place when a resident falls. Make sure they contact you and that they maintain proper care and oversight of any injuries that happen as a result of the fall. Watch the video to learn more.

If you have questions about nursing home falls or if you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse, please email or call us at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW. Our experienced Chicago-based nursing home abuse attorneys are here for you. You may also find more videos and media content from the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. on our media page.