Author Archives: Baku Patel
Allstate Attempts to Deny Claim Related to Vicious Dog Attack Resulting in Death
The insurer asked a federal court to determine whether a homeowners policy covered the dog owners after an 81-year-old man was killed in a 2023 attack. Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company filed a federal lawsuit seeking a declaration that it had no duty to defend or indemnify two dog owners after their dogs… Read More »
Illinois Jury Awards $7.1M to Woman Severely Burned in Cooking Spray Mishap
A Pennsylvania woman suffered severe burns after a can of Swell cooking spray vented and ignited in a commercial kitchen, and an Illinois appellate court later upheld the jury’s verdict. An Illinois jury awarded Pennsylvania woman Tammy Reese $7.1 million in a product liability lawsuit against Conagra Brands after a can of Swell cooking… Read More »
Dunkin’ Donuts Franchisee Pays $3M to Settle Claim Related to a Coffee Burn Lawsuit
A Georgia woman suffered severe second- and third-degree burns after a Dunkin’ employee allegedly handed her a coffee with an unsecured lid. A Dunkin’ franchisee agreed to pay a reported $3 million settlement to resolve a personal injury lawsuit brought by a woman who suffered severe burns after hot coffee spilled into her lap… Read More »
Appeals Court Grants State’s Petition to Hold Defendant in Jail Before Trial
The Fifth District reversed a trial court’s decision to release a defendant charged with multiple firearm offenses after finding that his criminal history and alleged conduct established a real and present threat to the community. In People v. Spruill, 2024 IL App (5th) 231184-U, the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court reversed a Madison County… Read More »
Defendant Charged with Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor
The Fifth District upheld one of two aggravated criminal sexual abuse convictions after finding that the State presented sufficient evidence to prove the charged conduct beyond a reasonable doubt. In People v. Fenton, 2024 IL App (5th) 220724-U, the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court considered whether the State presented sufficient evidence to support William… Read More »
Defendant’s Petition for Nunc Pro Tunc is Denied
The Fifth District held that a nunc pro tunc order could not be used to award additional sentencing credit that the trial court had never previously granted. In People v. Bolton, 2023 IL App (5th) 230123-U, the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court considered whether a defendant could use a nunc pro tunc order to… Read More »
Defendant Appeals Post-Conviction Relief Over Sex Crimes Committed Against Step Daughters
The case involved convictions for aggravated criminal sexual abuse and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, followed by multiple appeals concerning ineffective assistance of counsel. In People v. Davis, 2016 IL App (4th) 140603-U, Timothy Davis was convicted following a bench trial of two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving his two… Read More »
Illinois Appellate Court Upholds Restrictions/Clarifies Limits on COVID-19 Lawsuits Filed Against Healthcare Facilities
The Illinois Supreme Court held that healthcare facilities may receive immunity from ordinary negligence claims when they were rendering assistance to the State during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the immunity does not extend to willful misconduct. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois adopted special legal protections for certain healthcare providers and other entities assisting the… Read More »
Freight Broker Not Liable for $18M Truck Accident Verdict
An Illinois appellate ruling explains when a freight broker may or may not have an agency relationship with a trucking company involved in a serious crash. An Illinois appellate court reversed a judgment against a freight broker in a case involving a teenage boy who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after being struck… Read More »
As of August 2023, Plaintiffs Can Recover Punitive Damages in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
An Illinois appellate ruling explains when a freight broker may or may not have an agency relationship with a trucking company involved in a serious crash. An Illinois appellate court reversed a judgment against a freight broker in a case involving a teenage boy who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after being struck… Read More »