This past snow storm, recorded as the fifth largest snowfall in Chicago’s history took the lives of over 12 people in shoveling accidents. A Cook County medical examiner concluded that the deaths of 12 men and 1 woman were related to the strain of shoveling snow. Of the 12 men, 3 collapsed in the snow and had a heart attack. Shoveling snow is a task people typically don’t enjoy for a number of undesirable reasons. Most of the time we look at the task as something we don’t want to…Read More
Most motorists drive defensively, take driver education courses, and use caution when on the road, however car accidents still occur. An auto collision can be an emotionally exhausting and stressful situation, so knowing what to do in advance can help you handle the unexpected. The best way to avoid problems after an accident is to be prepared. Keep a pen, piece of paper, camera, and a copy of your insurance card easily accessible at all times. Drivers are responsible for knowing what to do following an accident, so it is…Read More
1. Get Info – After a crash, you are almost guaranteed to be in some level of shock. Your brain will have a hard time processing what just happened to you. You will feel surprised, scared, and possibly injured. Nonetheless, it is important to get all the information surrounding the accident. If possible, make sure you find out: a. The name, address and phone number of the other drivers and passengers in the accident; b. The police department that responded to your accident and the Traffic Crash Report number; c.…Read More
The Sharks get lots of calls from clients asking about small cases. These are usually cases involving minor property damage or other small disputes between individuals and small businesses. In Cook County, small claims cases are for cases involving less than $10,000.00. Slightly different rules apply to small claims cases, so would be wise to check out the rules for small claims cases here. The rules in small claims cases make the process (usually) faster than a regular case. Like most firms, we simply don’t take small-claims cases. We get…Read More
This morning, a CTA blue line train derailed at the O’Hare Airport Terminus. At least 30 people were injured when the train jumped the tracks and climbed most of the way up the escalator leading to the airport. The cause of the accident is still unknown. If you have been injured in a train accident, you need to know your rights and you should talk to an attorney as soon as reasonably possible.Read More
Dahlia Saper over at Saper Law just sent me this fascinating article from The New Republic. You can get it here. The author, Mr. Naom Scheiber, does a nice job describing some of the market inefficiencies that have resulted in a very difficult legal market for young lawyers. As a small “boutique” law firm, the Sharks are very much aware of the competitive legal market. More interesting, however, is the way this new economy is impacting so-called “biglaw” – firms with over 500 attorneys. Traditionally, these firms have charged extremely high hourly…Read More
Brats on the grill? Beer in the cooler? With the Fourth of July here at last, the Sharks expect that many of our clients and readers will be lighting off fireworks in their backyards. The sharks have seen plenty of fireworks injuries, but we’d rather you and your family stay safe. Of course, fireworks are never totally safe (not to mention mostly illegal in Chicago and most of Illinois). On that note, follow these tips for a safer firework experience: Keep water nearby – preferrably a running hose, but a…Read More
The sharks have been enduring this winter like anyone else in the midwest: lots of warm clothing and an endless amount of hot chocolate. But remember, a long and snowy winter means lots of snowy, icy roads. Remember to: Slow down, slow down, slow down. Leave lots of extra room between you and the car in front of you. Increased sopping distance is one of the main reasons for accidents in icy and snowy conditions. Have your tires and brakes checked: your tires are MUCH more effective in snow if…Read More
Sharks At Law is proud to announce that it’s principal attorney, Alexander Memmen, has been elected to serve on the Young Professionals Board of the Chicago Bar Foundation. Mr. Memmen said of his election: “I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with some of the top young legal and professional talent in the Chicago area to forward the goals of legal access and fairness. I look forward to working with the CBF and its passionate all-star team.” Mr. Memmen has previously served on the board of the Chicago…Read More
Last week, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles held a summit with auto makers and tech companies to discuss proposed regulations for driverless cars. Although no such cars are currently on the market, there is reason to believe they will be here soon. With this sort of new tech, the legal questions will be nearly endless. Will passengers be allowed to use cell phones? Will they be allowed to drink? What about parking? Who will be responsible for an automobile accident? This is the sort of paradigm shift that hasn’t come about since…Read More
