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Teachers and Staff Must Report Child Sexual Abuse That Happens at School

Many people who work with children in schools and day care centers know that they are required to report any suspicions of child sexual abuse to the authorities or their employers. They’ve generally received some training in spotting the signs of all kinds of abuse in children and how to report the signs appropriately, and this can help uncover instances of child abuse in the home or family—but what happens when the abuse happens on school grounds or with a staff member?

Although many types of school employees are “mandatory reporters” for child sexual abuse, there can be a lot of problems with reporting suspicions of sexual abuse by a teacher, coach, or even principal. Training may not always address how to handle reporting when a coworker or supervisor is suspected of abuse, and some schools don’t have appropriate policies in place to handle allegations and complaints that are reported.

Schools have a duty to provide a safe environment for children, and that duty includes taking appropriate measures to:

Train staff to recognize the signs of child sexual abuse.
Include training on what to do when a staff member is suspected of abuse.
Put policies in place to prevent potential abuse by teachers and staff.
Include additional staff members, such as bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and others, in sexual-abuse training.
Track, analyze, and follow up on reports of suspected abuse by school personnel.

If you suspect that your child may have been abused by a teacher or staff member at school, don’t wait any longer to get answers. Our experienced legal team is standing by at 312-332-1400 to help you with your concerns.

Unsafe Behaviors by Truckers Behind the Wheel Can Be Even More Dangerous When Combined

We recently talked about how alcohol and drug use by truckers can cause serious accidents, but it’s not always a clear-cut case of impairment. In many cases, the most dangerous driving impairment is engaging in a combination of unsafe behaviors and substances, such as:

Drugs. Both medication prescribed by a doctor and illegal drugs can have an effect on driving, especially when a truck driver is already impaired. Some drugs can also react with other medications the driver is taking and cause an allergic reaction that factors into an accident.
Alcohol. Alcohol can slow reaction times and increase the effects of many other prescription and non-prescription medications. Even if the driver normally takes the medication with no ill effects, the addition of even a small amount of alcohol can make the driver excessively drowsy.
Fatigue. Tired, groggy drivers are more likely to make mistakes behind the wheel, and it can be a dangerous factor on top of drug or alcohol impairment. Fatigue and pressure to adhere to tight delivery schedules can also lead to drivers using medication to stay awake longer, which can wear off quickly and leave drivers more prone to nodding off behind the wheel.
Distraction. Fiddling with the radio, texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distracted-driving behaviors is already known to be unsafe, and it can be an even bigger problem when a driver’s reaction time is slowed by drugs, alcohol, or fatigue.

For more tips, information, and help for victims of truck accidents, contact our law office at 312-332-1400 or connect with us on Facebook.

Where Should I Go for Medical Treatment After I’ve Been Hurt in a Car Accident?

If you were hurt in a car accident but not transported to a hospital from the scene, you may be wondering who you should see about your injuries. Whether you’ve been moderately hurt or just want to be checked over by a medical professional, you might choose to go to:

The emergency room. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, it is an emergency—and the ER will be equipped to deal with any injuries that have resulted from a wreck and make sure you get the care you need. If you’re at all unsure where you should go for treatment after an accident, the ER is always a wise choice.
Your family doctor. If you are able to get an appointment within a day or two of the accident and are sure you are safe to wait that long, you can see someone from your family physician’s office. However, if there’s any question, you shouldn’t wait. Your doctor’s office may even instruct you to head to the ER first.
An urgent care or walk-in clinic. If you only suffered minor injuries or have questions about worsening or late-appearing symptoms, you may choose to walk in at an urgent-care clinic for prompt treatment and medical guidance.

The most important part is that you are seen and receive treatment for your injuries. You should seek treatment as soon as possible after an accident, even if you aren’t sure if your injuries require treatment. Make sure you tell the doctors that you were hurt in an accident, and follow their instructions for follow-up appointments and care.

If you have been involved in an accident and aren’t sure what happens next, you can start getting clear answers today. Reach out to our law office at 312-332-1400, or take a moment to request your free copy of our easy-to-understand book, The 8 Steps to Follow After Your Illinois Car Accident.

Northern Illinois Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Five Children Related to Wife’s Daycare

An in-home daycare in a residential area near Winnebago is at the center of sex-abuse allegations, and the husband of the daycare owner has been identified as the alleged abuser. According to a report from NBC Chicago, 51-year-old David Seaton had already been charged with the sexual abuse of a three-year-old child earlier this year, and new charges against him—filed just this week—now include sex abuse and assault against four more child victims.

While little information is available at this time, it has been confirmed that the three-year-old child was enrolled in the home daycare which is operated by Seaton’s wife in a subdivision west of Rockford. The ages and enrollment statuses of the other children have not yet been revealed, but the official charges from prosecutors include one count of “predatory criminal sexual assault” and 11 counts of “aggravated criminal sex abuse” in total.

David Seaton is currently being held on bond in county jail. At this time, authorities do not suspect the daycare owner of any crimes, and her daycare will remain open under a safety plan laid out by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Daycares and Schools of All Sizes Have a Responsibility to Protect Children From Sexual Abusers

In-home and unlicensed daycares can present risks that many parents don’t want to think about, but it’s still important to understand the signs of child sexual abuse and how to take action if a child is abused while under another person’s care. Parents can’t do everything alone, and daycares have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect their vulnerable wards from predators and abusers. When employers and institutions fail to protect children, families need to break the silence and take action. If you have concerns, start getting better informed today by visiting our onsite blog—and don’t hesitate to contact our law office directly at 312-332-1400 if your family needs answers now.

Parents of Sexually Abused Children May Be Hurt by a Legal System That Seems Cold and Unfeeling

When a parent believes his or her child has been sexually abused, it can be difficult to go through a legal process that still treats the abuse like a question. While there may be no doubt in your mind that your child is telling the truth or that the evidence you have is enough to hold the abuser responsible, the court system still has to remain neutral—and it can seem cold, unfeeling, or even heartless as you go through the necessary steps. But, despite how it may seem, there are allies in the legal system who are ready to help you figure out the truth and find justice.

While you probably understand that the courts need evidence to hold an abuser responsible for such despicable acts, it’s still hard to put your family through the interviews, questioning, and potential for disbelief. This is a big part of why families of abuse victims choose to turn to an attorney for help in sensitive cases. A legal team that has helped victims in similar situations will be prepared to:

Support you through the process
Minimize the stress on your family
Act as a voice supporting your claims throughout the process

While there is no way to shield your family from the stress and pain of child sexual abuse, it is possible to make the process easier on you and provide the compassion and support you need to get through the challenges you face.

Do you have questions about the legal steps that follow suspicions of child sexual abuse? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced attorneys at 312-332-1400 for clear answers and compassionate support.

Your Body, Their Notes: Your Rights to Your Own Medical Records

Obtaining Copies of Your Medical Records: Your Rights

In the rapidly changing health care environment of the United States, patients are encountering more and more challenges in getting their hands on their medical records. Not long ago, The New York Times published an article to bring light to this situation.

The article described several situations in which patients were denied copies of their medical records due to HIPAA or what the hospital and doctor’s office described as the patient’s own protection and privacy concerns. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that these health care facilities were looking out for that patient’s privacy at all—they were looking out for their own pocketbooks.

There are laws in place to protect a patient’s privacy, as well as laws in place to ensure a patient has access to his own medical record. Despite these laws, medical facilities place hurdles in obtaining medical records to keep patients from leaving the practice or the medical facility to go to different health care providers.

You Have Rights

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reminds us that, under the medical privacy law (HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), patients have rights to inspect, review, and receive a copy of their medical and billing records. These rights are granted only to the patient or the patient’s representative. A health care provider may charge you a reasonable cost for copying and mailing the record. You may not be denied your medical records because you owe a bill to the health care provider. You do not have access to psychotherapy notes.

The health care provider is required to furnish the medical records to you within 30 days in most cases; however, if there are extenuating circumstances, the provider may take up to 60 days. HIPPA is a federal law that provides a baseline guarantee of your medical privacy rights; some individual states also have their own laws regarding patient access to his medical records. In all situations, the provider is required to abide by the law that provides the patient with the most rights.

Electronic Health Records

The federal government has recently offered incentives for health care providers to adopt electronic medical records. Among other things, this program is designed to promote patients’ access to their health records and to encourage the use of online patient portals. Many providers have begun to implement these portals to help patients gain access to their records and to ease the transition of care to other providers.

Even so, some health care providers are lagging behind. They are unwilling to give up control of patient information, because empowering patients may loosen their grip on profitable patients.

Have you faced medical hardship because a doctor, hospital, or other medical provider has been too restrictive in releasing your health records? You may have a legal claim that will allow you to recoup your losses. Fill in the speedy contact box on this page to get help now.