- DUI/DWI
- Wrongful DeathRuss was a 22-year-old Northwestern football player traveling late at night from Evanston to his family home in Calumet City when a Chicago police officer attempted to pull him over due to an alleged improper lane change. Russ refused to pull over and a police chase ensued. Officer Watts joined the pursuit, forced Russ into a spin out and then approached the car. Watts screamed at Russ to exit the car and when Russ didn’t move fast enough, Watts took a tire iron and smashed in the rear side window of Russ’ car. Watts then opened the front door and when Russ suddenly turned with his hands to surrender, Watts flinched and pulled the trigger fatally shooting Russ. Watts claimed he never opened the front door and that Russ had reached out the broken rear side window and grabbed the officer’s gun, pulled the officer and his gun inside the car, and that the gun then went off accidentally during the struggle. Our wrongful death lawyers were able to demonstrate the improbability of Watts’ story.
- Traffic ViolationsAnother highly-publicized verdict was the $9.6 million dollar judgment awarded by a Cook County jury in the Bobby Russ case. Bobby Russ was a 22-year-old Northwestern football player who was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer after being pulled over for a routine traffic violation. The trial lasted six weeks and was heavily reported by the Chicago media.
- MurderIn October, 2007, we represented the family of 14-year-old “Johnny” Salazar in a police misconduct case. We alleged that Officer Balbontin had used excessive and unjustified force when he shot Johnny in the back when Johnny was running away. The City claimed Johnny stopped and turned towards the officer putting him in fear for his life but we were able to show, due to the pattern of ejected bullet cartridge casings, that Balbontin opened fire before he claimed Johnny had turned. Three years after the fatal shooting, Balbontin showed his stripes again when he stabbed his wife to death. Although he was convicted of her murder, that fact was kept from the jury and Balbontin testified at trial in a suit and tie. Nevertheless, our wrongful death attorneys won the case and the jury awarded damages to Johnny’s mother and sisters for their loss of society.
- Property DamageIf you were injured, an 18 wheeler accident injury lawyer from our firm can handle your claim. An 18 wheeler accident lawyer is a personal injury attorney who handles negligence claims, fighting for you to receive compensation for your medical bills, property damage and more.
- Personal InjuryMany personal injury lawyers can effectively handle cases with routine, soft tissue injuries, but where the injuries are serious, such as in a traumatic brain injury lawsuit, you need an experienced brain injury lawyer who understands the intricacies of brain injuries.
- Medical MalpracticeThe fast-paced, high-volume environment of an emergency room lends itself to rushed care, and that can lead to errors. In fact, emergency room malpractice makes up approximately 20% of all medical malpractice lawsuits.
- Auto Accidents
- Social Security DisabilityLauren also heads our outstanding Social Security disability practice. She zealously fights for her clients’ disability benefits and has won over 250 social security disability appeals.