Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Freight Broker Not Liable for $18M Truck Accident Verdict
An Illinois appellate court removed a freight broker as a defendant from a lawsuit involving a traumatic brain injury suffered by a teenager. Initially, the trial court had certified the freight broker as a defendant in the lawsuit that was filed against a truck driver, trucking company, and the freight broker. The appellate court… Read More »
As of August 2023, Plaintiffs Can Recover Punitive Damages in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
In Illinois, a recent change in the wrongful death statute will allow plaintiffs to recover punitive damages in wrongful death lawsuits. While punitive damages were recoverable in other forms of personal injury lawsuits, our state was among a handful that did not allow punitive damages in wrongful death lawsuits. The new rule will allow… Read More »
Illinois Man Files Lawsuit Against Apollo Theater After Roof Collapse
An Illinois man has filed a lawsuit against Apollo Theater after he was injured in a roof collapse during a tornado. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants took no precautions to safeguard a metal concert that was set to occur the day of the tornado despite the fact that there were several tornado warnings… Read More »
Defendant Wins Appeal to Vacate Detention Order Under SAFE-T Act
An Illinois defendant was charged with felony murder and armed robbery as an accomplice. The trial court was asked to determine whether or not the defendant should be freed while awaiting trial under the SAFE-T Act. The SAFE-T Act officially does away with cash bail and went into effect on September 18th, 2023. Illinois… Read More »
Defendant Wins Appeal to Strike Pretrial Release Order Under SAFE-T Act
On August 6, 2021, an Illinois defendant was charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine. He posted a $5000 bond to get out of jail while awaiting trial. On August 25, 2023, the same defendant was pulled over for a traffic stop. It was determined that he was driving on a revoked license…. Read More »
Defendant Denied Pretrial Release on Sexual Assault Charges
In the case of People v. Long, the defendant was charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault after he allegedly forced his finger into the vagina of the complainant. Count 1 alleged that the defendant committed criminal sexual assault after penetrating the vagina of the complainant. Count 2 alleged the same but added… Read More »
Appellate Court Vacates Order of Pretrial Release
In the case of the People v. Gurlly, the defendant was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and one count of obstructing justice. His bond was set at $1 million prior to the passage of the SAFE-T Act. On September 12, 2023, 6 days before the SAFE-T Act went into effect, the State… Read More »
Greyhound Bus Will Likely Face Lawsuits After Deadly Crash
Injured victims and the families of those killed in a horrific bus accident are likely to file lawsuits against multiple parties after an accident that killed 3 of the 22 individuals on the bus. A truck driver had parked on the side of the I-70 after a rest area was filled to capacity. The… Read More »
Family of 87-Year-Old Man Struck by Garbage Truck Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The family of an 87-year-old man who was killed in an accident with a garbage truck has filed a lawsuit against the company that owned and operated the truck. The decedent was out for a morning walk when he was struck and killed by a garbage truck. The accident occurred at 7:28 a.m. An… Read More »
Lawsuits Filed Against Kratom Manufacturers Allege Wrongful Death
The popular herbal supplement kratom is at the heart of several wrongful death lawsuits that have been filed across the country. The substance is distributed from head shops, kratom stores, and even in bars. Kratom is known to be an addictive substance that activates opioid receptors in the brain. It is widely used for… Read More »