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    Clifford Law Offices was a Bar Sponsor of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ (WBAI) 25th Annual Judicial Reception. The event took place Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at The Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago, IL.

    Sarah F. King, partner at Clifford Law Offices, currently serves as the WBAI’s First Vice President. She is involved in numerous bar association activities and will be sworn in as the association’s President in June 2024.

    The WBAI was established in 1914 by nine women lawyers practicing in the Chicago area with the intent to promote the interests and welfare of women lawyers. It is one of the oldest and largest bar associations in Illinois. The annual reception celebrates representatives of the association’s mission who serve as a voice for justice advocating for women, children, and families, and promoting the success and growth of women in the legal profession.

    Honorees of the 25th Annual Judicial Reception included: Hon. Janet Adams Brosnahan (ret.), Circuit Court of Cook County Law Division; Hon. Maryam Ahmad, Circuit Court of Cook County Pretrial Division; Hon. Mary M. Rowland, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; Hon. Sanjay T. Tailor, Illinois First District Appellate Court; Hon. Ann Claire Williams (ret.), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; Hon. James P. Flannery, Jr. (posthumous), Fmr. Presiding Judge Circuit Court of Cook County Law Division.

    To learn more about the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, click here.

    Clifford Law Offices Sponsors Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ 25th Annual Judicial Reception

    Sarah F. King, partner at Clifford Law Offices, with her fellow WBAI officers and directors – Katherine Twardak, Molly Wells, Kelly Sabo and Caroleann Gallagher.

    Sarah F. King and Yvette C. Loizon, partners at Clifford Law Offices, joined women lawyers in the Illinois capital on March 5, 2024, for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) Women’s Caucus Lobbying Day.

    The attorneys met with Speaker Welch, Leader Hoffman, and Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, among other elected officials.

    Co-founded by King in 2018, the primary goal of the ITLA caucus is to ensure women have greater representation in the organization generally as well as in leadership positions, whether that means recruiting more women for the board of managers or having more women responsible for planning programming for continuing legal education opportunities. In addition, the group has served as an integral part of the organization’s fight to preserve the right to trial by jury and access to justice for all.

    To learn more about the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and ways to be involved with the organization’s Women’s Caucus, click here.

    Yvette C. Loizon (left) and Sarah F. King (right), partners at Clifford Law Offices join ITLA Women's Caucus Lobbying Day in Springfield, IL.

    Yvette C. Loizon (left) and Sarah F. King (right), partners at Clifford Law Offices join ITLA Women’s Caucus Lobbying Day in Springfield, IL.

     

    Yvette C. Loizon and Sarah F. King, partners at Clifford Law Offices pose in the Illinois capitol with other members of the ITLA Women's Caucus.

    Yvette C. Loizon and Sarah F. King, partners at Clifford Law Offices pose in the Illinois capitol with other members of the ITLA Women’s Caucus.

     

    Four Clifford Law Offices attorneys will join the American Association for Justice’s (AAJ) Student Trial Advocacy Competition as judges in the 2024 Regional Tournament. One hundred sixty teams from law schools nationwide will compete for the Student Trial Advocacy national title in a mock trial tournament that tests their trial advocacy skills.

    The competition begins with Regional Tournaments taking place virtually March 7-10. Teams selected for The National Finals will compete in person April 4-7 in Chicago. Each year the tournament depends on experienced, practicing attorneys to evaluate the trial performances and determine which teams will advance to the finals.

    Advocates for furthering legal education through real-world application, Robert P. Walsh, Keith A. Hebeisen, and Joseph T. Murphy, partners at the firm, and Nicholas T. Motherway, associate, are excited to use their trial experience to support the association, its competition, and students from across the country.

    Clifford Law Offices has a long-standing connection with the American Association for Justice and its mission to provide fair jury trials and justice for individuals. The firm wishes all of the 2024 competitors good luck in the tournament!

    To learn more about the upcoming competition, click here.

    Bradley M. Cosgrove and Charles R. Haskins, partners at Clifford Law Offices, obtained a $39.9 million record verdict on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, on behalf of a man left permanently disabled following the failure to treat his apparent symptoms that could have prevented a stroke. The verdict is a record in the state of Illinois for a stroke victim, according to the Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter.

    Antonio DeAngelo of Hoffman Estates, then age 37, is permanently disabled following Advocate Physician Partners’ failure to treat DeAngelo’s abnormally high blood pressure that led to his suffering a debilitating stroke. Instead, the physician treated him with an antibiotic for flu-like symptoms in January 2015 and failed to follow up with any care despite knowing of the patient’s hypertension.

    THE FAMILY AND LAWYERS SPOKE TO THE PRESS ON FRIDAY, MARCH 1, AT 2 P.M. AT 120 N. LASALLE ST., 36TH FLOOR, CHICAGO. THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS ALSO HELD LIVE VIA ZOOM. SEE THE FOOTAGE BELOW.

    “This man should be enjoying life to the fullest now. Instead, he finds himself struggling to get through every day,” Cosgrove said following the verdict. “The negligence of the medical providers here and their lack of accountability simply is uncalled for, and the jury did what was right and just. He will need a lifetime of care that his family simply cannot undertake.”

    The six-man-six-woman jury deliberated four hours before Judge Preston Jones, Jr., of the Cook County Circuit Court before rendering its verdict late Thursday evening at the Daley Center. Devin J. Piper, associate at Clifford Law Offices, assisted at trial.

    DeAngelo, a landscaper and landscape designer in the western suburbs, was suffering from a persistent cough when he went to a local pharmacy for care in 2015. It was there that it was discovered he had an elevated blood pressure of 132/82, and it was recommended he see a doctor to determine if he was suffering from hypertension. DeAngelo did so through his HMO plan seeing a primary care physician and complaining of trouble breathing in late January 2015. At that time, DeAngelo’s blood pressure had spiked to 190/102. The primary care physician’s diagnosis included acute bronchitis, elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, and morbid obesity. He did not treat DeAngelo’s high blood pressure or other diagnosed medical conditions.

    About four weeks later, on March 11, DeAngelo’s co-workers observed him in distress and called 911. He was taken by ambulance to Loyola University Health System with blood pressure measuring 290/190, and it was discovered he suffered a hemorrhaging stroke. The jury found that the primary care physician failed to properly test or treat the patient including ordering an EKG, urinalysis, blood work, lab tests, or referring him to a cardiologist, despite his family history of hypertension.

    After spending more than a year at the RIC/Shirley Ryan Ability Lab where he underwent physical, occupational, and speech therapy, DeAngelo has hemiparesis, and still is unable to walk long distances, unable to drive, dress, bathe or eat without assistance, and suffers speech issues from brain damage from the stroke. His right dominant hand is non-functioning. He is unable to work the rest of his life and requires lifetime care for what is expected to be a normal life span.

    The verdict includes $20 million for disability. The couple have two children who then were aged 8 and 5.

    For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

    Case: DeAngelo v. Advocate Health Partners, d/b/a Advocate Physician Partners, No. 2020 L 2605.

    Defense Counsel:

    On behalf of Advocate Health Partners d/b/a Advocate Physician Partners: (Guilty)
    Marni Slavick
    Kipp Cornell
    Cunningham, Meyer & Vedrine, P.C.
    One E. Wacher Dr., Suite 2200
    Chicago, IL 60601

    On behalf of Advocate Health and Hospitals Corp., d/b/a Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital (found Not Guilty):
    Stetson Atwood
    Scott Kater
    Donohue, Brown, Mathewson & Smyth, LLC
    140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 800
    Chicago, IL 60603
    312-422-0900

    Media

    • Photos Courtersy of Clifford Law Offices (click on the images below):

    Sarah F. King, partner at Clifford Law Offices, addressed the DePaul University College of Law community as the featured alumni speaker at its Law Super Lawyers® Reception on March 12.

    The event honored and recognized alumni of the college who were named to the 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers lists, which King has been on for years. The reception was held Tuesday, March 12 at The Gage, 24 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

    King graduated from DePaul University College of Law summa cum laude as a member of the top 5 percent of her class and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. She was a published member of the DePaul Law Review on post-death maintenance obligations and life insurance. She has published several articles, some of which have been published in highly regarded national publications such as the  American Bar Association Litigation Journal. She was also recognized for her writing skills in law school and received the CALI Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy II, Legal Writing III, and Commercial Paper.

    King is involved in numerous bar association activities. In June 2024, she will be sworn in as President of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois. She also serves on the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Board of Managers where she is co-author of its Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook, used by trial lawyers throughout the state.

    Since graduating from DePaul in 2011, King has received numerous awards and recognition for her tireless work ethic and pursuit of excellence as a personal injury attorney. She has been listed by Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2016-2022 and was listed by Illinois Super Lawyers in 2023 and 2024.

     

    Sarah F. King Addressed the DePaul College of Law Super Lawyers Reception

    Sarah F. King (left), partner at Clifford Law Offices, with Dean Jennifer Rosato (center) at the DePaul College of Law Super Lawyers Reception.

    In the medical field, errors mean the difference between life and death, ability and disability, a fixable problem, and a permanent injury. When medical providers fail to follow the standard of care and cause preventable injury or fatality, it is important to protect the rights and well-being of you and your family by holding negligent healthcare providers accountable.

    Overworked nurses, unprepared surgeons, careless physicians, and short-staffed hospitals can all contribute to potential patient harm across any area of medicine. The most common medical malpractice cases Clifford Law Offices reviews are related to failure to diagnose and treat common medical conditions such as heart attack, infection and pulmonary embolism, preventable birth injury and birth trauma, surgical errors and lack of informed consent, and delayed or misdiagnosis cases.

    If you suspect you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice, knowing whether or not you have a case and identifying the best course of action can feel overwhelming. Taking the proper steps to prepare and protect yourself leading up to a claim can impact the overall success of your case. Continue reading to learn what steps you can take if you suspect medical malpractice.

    Seek Medical Attention

    If you are suffering from complications associated with suspected medical malpractice, it is imperative that you seek medical attention immediately to ensure you are not exposed to greater risk by prolonging proper medical treatment. Obtaining a second medical opinion often helps prevent further severe complications and can illuminate the cause or source of your initial injury.

    Collect and Preserve Documentation

    As soon as you suspect that you or a loved one may have been a victim of malpractice, request all medical records and healthcare documents from your healthcare providers. These records detail symptoms, medical history, diagnostic records, and prescribed medications, among other medical treatments. Practitioners are required to keep medical documentation which is vital in determining if you have a case and how your attorney should proceed. Remember to include a request for any imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc.), monitoring (EKGs, Fetal Monitor Strips), and pathology results.

    In the event of a family member’s death, it is possible to request an autopsy to gain further understanding and documentation of what specific action or inaction caused death. If an autopsy was not offered by the institution where the death occurred or the medical examiner’s office, private autopsy options are available.

    Research Illinois Medical Malpractice Claims

    While every medical malpractice claim contains its own unique set of circumstances, understanding important aspects of the law such as the Illinois medical malpractice statute of limitations can help you ensure a viable case. Likewise, researching the results of previous cases brought against the same provider can provide you with additional perspective.

    Taking time to research firms that specialize in medical malpractice is also essential to your claim. It is important to connect with a firm that has the resources and expertise to handle the most challenging cases and deliver results.

    Contact An Attorney

    Not every medical injury is caused by malpractice. It can be difficult to know if negligence occurred and how to prove it. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you understand the circumstances of your case, initiate private investigations, and determine options that are available for you to pursue.

    Medical malpractice cases are notoriously complex and acting quickly to initiate a claim is key. If you believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice, do not hesitate to contact Clifford Law Offices, Chicago’s premiere medical malpractice law firm. Our attorneys have significant experience handling medical malpractice claims and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured patients.

    ALASKA AIR FLIGHT 261

    Crashed: January 31, 2000 in the Pacific Ocean

    On January 31, 2000, an Alaska Airlines MD-83 aircraft in flight to San Francisco plummeted from the sky and crashed into the Pacific Ocean, killing all 88 people on board. The tragic event raised serious questions surrounding the safety of one of America’s largest airlines at the time and left devastated families wondering what went so wrong.

    Most of those aboard the jet had just enjoyed several sunny days in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Alaska Air Flight 261 was heading to San Francisco and then continuing to Seattle. Suddenly, as it flew along the Pacific coast, the aircraft experienced problems. The pilots were unable to land and after a long struggle to gain and keep control of the aircraft, it crashed into the ocean, killing everyone aboard.

    As news began filtering of a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean, families hoped against hope that their loved ones were not on the plane. As the passenger and crew lists were confirmed, families were left devastated and helpless. Seven families turned to the renowned aviation legal experts at Clifford Law Offices to help them navigate the repercussions of this catastrophic event and seek reasoning and accountability for this horrific event.

    Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, recommended the families of the crash victims file a lawsuit as soon as possible and two weeks after the crash, he did so on their behalf. Not only did filing a lawsuit send a message to all of the parties involved that the families meant business, but it also meant that they had a chance to participate in obtaining answers from the beginning. They had the right to be informed and stay informed.

    Directly following the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deployed teams of investigators to examine the crash to determine its cause. NTSB investigators boarded Coast Guard ships, Navy vessels, and private boats that combed for debris in a four-mile-wide search for clues and remains.

    Meanwhile, Clifford Law Offices hired aviation experts to look into the design of the aircraft, examine previous problems with that particular model, and identify the various parts that could have been defective. The plane was an MD-83 aircraft built in 1992, and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which later became a part of Boeing. The Clifford Law Offices aviation team took more than 100 depositions from engineers and designers from McDonnell Douglas and Boeing to help understand the details that led to the loss of so many lives.

    After three years of questioning and investigation by the firm, it was determined that the plane’s horizontal stabilizer had jammed, causing the plane to go into an uncontrollable dive. Mounted on the tail of the plane, the stabilizer controls the pitch of the nose and keeps it from heading downward. A jackscrew, relatively small compared to the size of this large aircraft, had caused an enormous and avoidable loss of life. The aircraft had clearance to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles, but it did not do so. Flight 261 plunged 20,000 feet into the Pacific Ocean about 20 miles north of Los Angeles International Airport near Point Mugu.

    The thorough work of the Clifford Law Offices aviation team, and depositions of Alaska Airlines employees, Boeing employees, and various experts, led by firm partner Kevin P. Durkin, resulted in Boeing stipulating a liability judgment against the aviation manufacturer.

    Ultimately, the firm recovered $40 million in a settlement on behalf of the seven families who lost loved ones aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261 and provided some answers as to what caused this aviation disaster to occur, and who was ultimately responsible.

    Fourteen Clifford Law Offices attorneys have been named to the “2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” list.

    Since 2007, Lawdragon has carefully selected attorneys for their annual top plaintiffs lawyers list to identify the most renowned in the country. The Lawdragon 500 selection process involves independent research and peer assessments to determine which lawyers and law practices make the most significant impact for their clients. While a favorable result in every case is not possible, Lawdragon considers how lawyers handle cases and go above and beyond to help their clients receive the justice that they deserve.

    Congratulations to the Clifford Law Offices attorneys selected to the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list:

    Robert A. Clifford
    Richard F. Burke, Jr.
    Susan A. Capra
    Bradley M. Cosgrove
    Kevin P. Durkin
    Keith A. Hebeisen
    Sarah F. King
    Yvette C. Loizon
    Shannon M. McNulty
    Joseph T. Murphy
    James C. Pullos
    Kristofer S. Riddle
    Hon. Henry R. Simmons (Ret.)
    Robert P. Walsh

    Congratulations again to our Chicago plaintiffs lawyers and to all attorneys who have been selected to the 2024 Lawdragon500 List!

    Clifford Law Offices is a Gold Sponsor of Southern Methodist University’s 58th Annual Air Law Symposium. The in-person event will be held at the Omni Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, March 20-22, 2024.

    As a global leader in aviation law, Clifford Law Offices believes participating in an educational and collaborative forum to understand the challenges and developments within air law is a benefit for lawyers everywhere.

    The SMU Air Law Symposium is the world’s oldest and largest annual aviation law symposium. Recently, numerous events have changed the aviation landscape and are sure to add to the discussion, debate, and education at the Symposium. More than 500 aviation lawyers and industry representatives attend the annual event.

    The symposium offers continuing nationally recognized speakers, education credit, superb networking opportunities, and the exploration of a wide variety of aviation law topics, including “Recent Developments in Aviation Law,” “Helping to Resolve Decades of Uncertainty in the District Courts,” and “ETHICS: Case Settled: Now What? Ethics, Minors, and Other Concerns.”

    For more information or to register for the symposium, click here.