Shannon Law Group October 2017

Shannon Law Group October 2017

312-578-9501 | www.shannonlawgroup.com OCTOBER 2017

My favorite movie is “Cinderella Man,” which tells the story of Jim Braddock, the real-life American boxer who fought for the heavyweight championship during the Depression. The son of Irish immigrants, Jim grew up in New York City. He married and had three children. When the Great Depression hit in 1929, Jim and his family (and nearly everyone else in America) lost everything they had. Jim’s family felt the world cave in on them. Jim had to hustle to get work on the docks, and he even boxed with a broken hand to pay for food and heat for his family. Jim took a lot of beatings, but he fought through it to support his wife and children. At a low point in the movie, Jim, a proud, able-bodied man, stands in line for welfare payments and even begs his former business partners for money to feed his children. His children have to stay with relatives because Jim can’t afford to feed the children or heat the apartment. One of the main reasons I will watch this movie again and again is Jim’s resilience and humility throughout the entire struggle. Jim refused to accept the limitations others saw for him, and he refused to let those limitations define what was possible. As the movie pivots to Jim’s rise from the ashes, his faith, resilience, and the support of his family inspire him to seek new heights without fear. On the day of the championship fight, Jim’s wife, Mae, goes to church to pray that her husband will survive the fight against the heavily favored Max Baer. Mae finds the church full of people praying for her husband as well. When I see this film, I see our clients and their daily struggles. Their world has caved in. They’ve lost the ability to work or take care of their household. The bill collectors are hounding them. They are vulnerable. Like Jim, they need the help of their families and the community. Time and time again, when we work with our clients, we are inspired by their bravery, humility, faith, and resilience. They fight to get back to work. One of our clients was run over by a 40-ton OUR MISSION

Congratulations and best wishes to Patrick and Caitlin.

semi-tractor trailer at 65 mph, and he suffered an injury that left him permanently disabled. He returned to work in a wheelchair three months later to provide for his family. The story of Marge, one of our clients, is emblematic of the heroism of the people we are privileged to work alongside. After Marge was hit by a cab in the crosswalk, she was left with a permanent injury that affects her daily life. Marge went through a long court process, a jury trial, and a successful appeal. She never once complained. She never stopped fighting. She never stopped helping others through the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. When we have clients like Marge, how can we not imitate our clients and fight like they do? It is an honor for us to represent clients like Marge who have been devastated by the wrongful conduct of others. Our clients deserve a legal team who will join them in the fight, stand up for them, and restore what has been taken.

– Joe Shannon

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Anyone who has lived through a harsh Midwestern winter knows the delights of the first signs of spring, and none is more beautiful than the tulip or daffodil. October is the best time for planting spring blooming bulbs, as the soil temperature has cooled. When purchasing bulbs from your garden center, choose those that are firm and plump. Avoid bulbs that are squishy. If you are planting tulips or daffodils, dig a hole that about six to eight inches deep and plant the bulb pointy side up. Space the bulbs three to six inches apart. Sometimes, I dig a larger hole and add three bulbs to each hole. If your soil is largely clay, adding compost or other organic matter is a good idea. Water them well after planting. This will help them to begin to establish roots.

the shrubs will cover the bulbs’ yellowing leaves. Also, plant bulbs in groupings and try not to line them up. Think more of massing them in waves of color throughout the garden. And if you have lots of squirrels in your area, you may want to choose daffodils over tulips, as squirrels are less likely to dig up the daffodil bulbs during the winter.

Enjoy the fall!

A good way to design your garden with bulbs is to consider how your garden looks in very early spring. Often, leaves on the deciduous shrubs have not yet emerged, so planting around these shrubs or even behind them can be beneficial, as their flowers will brighten the garden in early spring. As the bulbs fade, the leaves of

Here at Shannon Law Group, nothing matters more to us than our clients. It’s the people we represent who make this firm what it is, and no compliment is more meaningful than the one we get from you. If you’ve worked with us, we’d love to hear about your experience. We’re extremely grateful to be able to serve you, and we’d also be grateful if you took a moment to review us on Google Plus or AVVO. “The entire staff at Shannon Law Group is phenomenal to work with. They are professional, helpful, courteous, intelligent, and achieve great results. I would highly recommend them!” –Julie B. TESTIMONIALS 2 wwww.shannonlawgroup.com Here’s what some of our clients are saying: “Excellent, passionate, and thorough attorneys!” –Dan M. “Joe Shannon is your go-to guy. He’s experienced, well-connected, and his personal service gets results.” –John W. “Great people. The entire staff was compassionate toward my situation and helped me when I needed it.” –Al Z.

Why They Happen, and Why They Lead to Accidents THE DANGER OF TIRE BLOWOUTS

OCTOBER 2017: DATES OF CONSEQUENCE October 1: Feast of St. Therese of Liseux October 4: Benet soccer versus Marian Catholic in Lisle October 6: Marquette Madness at the Al McGuire Center October 7: Notre Dame football at North Carolina October 16: Feast Day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque October 21: Nora playoff volleyball game at Sacred Heart October 22: Feast of St. John Paul II October 25: Patrick Joseph Shannon’s birthday October 28: Illinois football versus Wisconsin at home October 29: Johnny soccer versus CFJ West at home Every Saturday morning throughout the year, St. Joan of Arc Men’s group meets from 7–8 a.m. in the St. Joan of Arc Parish Center. Have you ever, while driving down the road, noticed a tire shredded to the point of being barely recognizable? These scraps of rubber are the remnants of what’s known as a tire blowout, and the tire almost always comes from a large truck. When a tire rapidly loses air, it explodes, causing a blowout. Even though drivers are trained to recover from a blowout, blowouts are one of the leading causes of trucking accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that blowouts result in 11,000 crashes per year and more than 200 deaths. No amount of training can prepare a driver for the instability that results from a blowout, and even the most experienced drivers can lose control of a vehicle after one occurs. They are also unpredictable. If brakes freeze up, for example, a driver will have a period of time to react. Blowouts happen in an instant, and drivers must adapt on the fly. There are a number of different causes for blowouts. One common source is improper tire maintenance. Overinflation and underinflation lead to uneven wear on a tire, shortening their lifespan and leaving them susceptible to explosion. An

overloaded trailer creates a similar issue, forcing tires to do more work than they should. Roadway hazards are another danger to truck tires. Hitting a pothole or debris damages the integrity of a tire. Hit it with enough force,

and it can cause an instantaneous blowout. Even a small tire leak can lead to a dangerous situation because the slow release of air weakens the tire and alters its internal air pressure. Although not all tire blowouts can be avoided, regular tire maintenance can greatly reduce the risk of most blowouts. Checking on tire conditions is a required part of any pretrip inspection, and every driver and trucking company should be mindful of the danger of blowouts. If they are negligent in this maintenance, they are putting lives at risk. If you are injured in a trucking-related accident, whether caused by a blowout or another factor, please call the Shannon Law Group for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.

Sausage and Barley Soup It’s a great time of year to warm up with a cup of soup, and this comforting, guilt-free dish comes together in a flash.

Directions 1. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sausage; cook 3 minutes or until browned. Remove from heat. 2. While sausage cooks, place stir-fry and 2 cups water in a blender; process until smooth. Ingredients • Cooking spray • 6 ounces turkey breakfast sausage • 21/2 cups frozen bell pepper stir-fry • 2 cups water

• 1 (141/2-ounce) can

Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped • 1/4 cup uncooked quick- cooking barley • 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh baby spinach

3. Add stir-fry puree,

tomatoes, and barley to sausage in pan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in spinach; cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts.

We’d really love for you to “like” us on Facebook and leave us a review on Google or Avvo.com!

Share your experience and stay in the know with our current updates!

Recipe courtesy of CookingLight.com.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Phone: 312-578-9501 www.shannonlawgroup.com

3550 Hobson Rd., Ste. 203 Woodridge, IL 60517

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

page 1

Our Mission

page 2

Plant Spring Flowering Bulbs in the Fall

page 2

Testimonials

page 3

The Danger of Tire Blowouts

page 3

Sausage and Barley Soup

page 4

Is This the Most Bizarre Tragedy in History?

History’s Most Bizarre Tragedy? IS THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE

By the time the last flame of the Great Chicago Fire fizzled out on October 10, 1871, 300 people were dead, a third of Chicago’s population was homeless, and 4 square miles of city were destroyed. Reflecting on the disaster begs the question: Was it the most bizarre tragedy ever? By October, 1871, Chicago only had 1 inch of rain all year, which is far less than the annual average of 35 inches. While the exact cause is unclear, historians commonly accept that a cow belonging to a Mrs. O’Leary started the fire in a barn on DeKoven Street by kicking over a lantern. Firemen responded immediately, but a watchman sent them to the wrong place by mistake, giving the unusual Southwest winds time to send the fire roaring toward the heart of the city. Most of Chicago’s buildings were made of wood, and the newly developed tar on the rooftops was incredibly flammable. As the fire grew, the firefighters hoped the Chicago River would be a natural firebreak, but the city’s riverside had recently

gained more lumber and coal yards, causing the fire to jump the river. As the air over the city overheated, it came into contact with cooler air, and a spinning fire tornado developed.

After the fire jumped the river, a burning piece of timber lodged on the roof of the city’s waterworks building, destroying it and halting the city’s water supply. By the time the fire died over a day later, 73 miles of roads and $4 billion (in 2017 dollars) of property were destroyed.

All this came about because of a cow, a drought, a bad watchman, some short-lived building materials, and a literal fire tornado. Modern safeguards wouldn’t allow this to happen today, which is very fortunate. If the disaster happened the same way today, it wouldn’t displace 1,000 people; it would displace 1 million.

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VERDICT AFFIRMED AGAINST CAB COMPANY Joseph P. Shannon | Shannon Law Group, P.C. TEL: 312.578.9501 | www.ShannonLawGroup.com

Margaret Baumrucker v. Express Cab Dispatch Inc., Luis Leal 12L-6839 Tried May 8-12, 2015

Verdict:

$897,741: $397,741 compensatory damages ($150,000 pain and suffering; $150,000 loss of normal life; $25,641 past medical expenses; $50,000 future medical expenses; $22,100 lost wages) plus $500,000 punitive damages.

Special Interrogatory: Did Express Cab Dispatch Inc. act willfully and wantonly when it entrusted the vehicle to Luis Leal? Yes.

Affirmed on Appeal:

July 18, 2017. First Chicago Insurance Company paid the entire judgment plus interest, including the punitive damages awarded to the Plaintiff — $1,087,446.97 Michael T. Reagan was counsel of record along with Shannon Law Group, P.C.

Judge:

Michael R. Panter (IL Cook-Law)

Plaintiff Attorneys:

Joseph P. Shannon and Patrick D. Cummings of Shannon Law Group (Woodridge) OFFER OF COMPROMISE: $250,000; ASKED: $1,900,000

Defendant Attorneys(s):

Robert Schey and John E. Broussard of Robert Schey & Associates for both defendants (First Chicago Insurance) PRETRIAL OFFER: $70,000

On October 17, 2011, Margaret Baumrucker (“Marge”) was walking to work when defendants’ taxicab struck her in a crosswalk at the intersection of Oak Park Avenue and Windsor Avenue in Berwyn. Ms, Baumrucker, a now-retired psychiatric nurse, sustained rotator cuff tendinopathy and glenoid labral tears and shredding in her left shoulder (unoperated), which will require periodic physical therapy treatment for the rest of her life. Plaintiff asserted that defendants’ cab company was willful and wanton in its failure to properly vet defendant Luis Leal before hiring him as a taxi driver, including failure to check his prior driving record, investigate his employment background, or adhere to Express Cab’s own hiring standards and practices; they also failed to provide any training after hiring him. Leal started working for Express just three weeks prior to the occurrence, and he reportedly had a poor driving record. The defense denied willful-wanton misconduct and denied that Marge was permanently injured. The Cook County jury found that Express Cab showed an utter indifference to the safety of plaintiff and others when they handed over the keys to their taxicab to an unqualified driver. The jury awarded Mrs. Baumrucker

$897,741, which included $500,000 in punitive damages — an amount the jury determined to be necessary to punish defendants’ conduct and discourage defendants and others from future wrongful conduct in vetting drivers. In its unanimous 28-page decision, the Illinois Appellate Court recently upheld the decision by the Circuit Court of Cook County that a company who puts a dangerous or incompetent driver behind the wheel may be liable for punitive damages if it was reckless in vetting the driver. Rather than merely relying on a driver’s license and chauffeur’s license, companies will have to develop some method to ensure that the drivers they put behind the wheel are not a menace to the public. “Illinois courts have long recognized that a vehicle in the hands of an incompetent driver is a dangerous instrumentality,” says Joseph Shannon of Shannon Law Group, P.C. who represented the plaintiff. “This decision shouldn’t be a change in the law, but sadly it is. Now cab companies are on notice they must vet drivers to ensure that they are not putting their vehicles in the hands of incompetent drivers. They can no longer point to state or city licensure and wash their hands of responsibility.”