Different food types

FDA Issues Results of 10-Year Study into Retail Food Establishments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a report setting forth the findings of its 10-year study tracking the retail food industry’s efforts to reduce certain key risk factors. Based on the study’s findings, the FDA’s report called for increased efforts to improve food safety practices in retail food establishments, specifically with respect […]

Children playing in playground

CPSC Attempts to Clarify Definition of Children’s Product

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), a children’s product is defined as a consumer product designed or intended for use primarily by children 12 years of age or younger, but, until recently, there was little clarification about the interpretation of the definition. Because children’s products are subject to strict product safety guidelines […]

Operation taking place

510(k) Premarket Clearance Requirements for Medical Devices

When a manufacturer wishes to introduce a new medical device or reintroduce a device that will be significantly changed or modified to the extent that its safety or effectiveness could be affected, the manufacturer must provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a Premarket Notification (PMA) in the form of a 510(k) submission […]

Red Bull and alcohol

Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages Banned

Caffeinated alcoholic beverages may soon be a thing of the past. On November 17, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to four manufacturers of beverages containing both alcohol and caffeine, such as Four Loko and Joose, admonishing the companies for violations of federal law and effectively banning the beverages from […]

Lawnmower outside

Lawnmower Products Liability Case Considered by Federal Court in Illinois

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit of Illinois recently considered whether a products liability lawsuit involving an allegedly defective lawnmower could proceed under Illinois law. In Malen v. MTD Products, Inc., No. 08-3855, the plaintiff’s foot was injured when he slipped off of his riding lawnmower and his foot was struck […]

Line graph going up

Legal trends to watch in 2011

2010 is drawing to a close and it’s been an interesting year. In a few weeks, we’ll review some of the more notable highlights from 2010 in the legal world. In the meantime, here’s our prediction of few personal injury trends to keep an eye on in the upcoming year. First, debate will continue about […]

Gavel and stethoscope

Was Unmarked Curb an “Open and Obvious” Danger?

Normally, a property owner need not warn visitors of a dangerous condition that is “open and obvious.” However, as discussed in a recent Illinois personal injury case, Alqadhi v. Standard Parking, Inc., 2010 WL 4517204, it’s not always clear whether a condition is properly classified as “open and obvious.” In Alqadhi, the plaintiff injured her […]

Heart rate monitor

Hospital Errors Result in 15,000 Deaths Each Month

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General recently issued a report that included very troubling conclusions. The report was based on a random sampling of the billing of 780 Medicare beneficiaries who were treated in October 2008. The findings concluded that 1 in 7 Medicare patients suffered harm because […]

Cop in front of car

Is Chicago’s New Policy Regarding Lawsuits Against Police Effective?

The City of Chicago has changed the way that it handles civil rights lawsuits brought against Chicago police officers, by taking the cases to trial rather than settling them before trial. This new policy has resulted in a large reduction of these types of lawsuits, as explained in a recent Chicago Sun-Times article: This year, […]

Red light

New Red Light Camera Rules Favor Drivers

Red light cameras in Illinois have been criticized as being unfair, inconsistent and nothing more than an easy way for cities and towns to make money. A new law tweaks the way the cameras are being used.