blog | Lane Brown, LLC

Few places in society suggest a greater need for privacy than a restroom. While we may anticipate that cameras might be in use in public spaces, who among us would expect cameras to be placed inside a bathroom? The answer is likely no one, and the thought is truly unsettling. When using the bathroom, we are all entitled to the privacy that we deserve.

In a shocking discovery, employees at local funeral home Smith and Thomas, located on the West Side of Chicago at 5708 W. Madison, uncovered a hidden camera in the employee restroom. The police were called to investigate on Monday, March 24th, arriving at approximately 5 p.m. A funeral home employee revealed that the camera was located in the unisex bathroom used by employees of the funeral home. It had been placed on the ground level, to the left of the toilet, and behind a wall. The employee rightfully feels as though her privacy has been egregiously violated.

According to the owner of the business, the company is conducting an internal investigation. Employees are being questioned about the hidden camera. The owner did not release any further comment on the investigation.

Smith and Thomas Funeral Homes promotes a wide range of video and social media services to its clients. The business offers customers the ability to broadcast funeral services via webcam and create up-to-date video tributes to their loved ones. Smith and Thomas also advertises itself as “The people that care.” Unfortunately, it is clear that someone at Smith and Thomas does not care enough to ensure that its camera capabilities are utilized responsibly and respectfully.

The attorneys at Lane Brown, LLC, are fighting to protect the rights of the victims of this horrific breach of privacy, and have been retained to represent a number of current and former employees of this funeral home, as well as members of the public whose privacy may have also been violated. We are outraged and dismayed to hear about this unsettling event, and are determined and looking forward to prosecuting those who are responsible and obtaining justice for those affected by this violation.

We will be sharing breaking news about this case as details become available, so please continue to check back for more information, and follow us on social media.

Please contact us at 312-332-1400 to discuss this case with our attorneys.

Last August in 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed new legislation that increased the speed limit on our state’s rural interstate highways to 70 mph, putting us in line with more than two-dozen other states that have already instituted such measures. One group of drivers on the road couldn’t be happier about this new measure: semi-truck drivers. They can benefit greatly from these new changes. However, the very changes that seem to benefit the trucking industry so much are the same ones that have other motorists and the Illinois Department of Transportation worried.

What’s the Problem?

Could higher speed limits cause more frequent and severe semi-truck crashes?

There are two valid sides to the debate, and individual states—and even the counties themselves—get to decide what’s best for their own areas. So, before you hold fast to your opinion about semi-trucks getting higher speed limits, it’s good to see some of the pros and cons from each side.

Pros of Faster Speed Limits for Semi-Trucks

Drivers have deadlines and time schedules to meet. Faster speed limits allow drivers to get to their destinations more quickly.
Drivers are often paid by the mile. Faster speeds mean a faster turnaround time. This allows for optimal income for drivers.
There are time restrictions and sleep requirements for drivers. Faster speeds allow drivers to travel further before needing to sleep, while still following the law.

Cons of Faster Speed Limits for Semi-Trucks

As semis travel faster, there is an increased likelihood for multi-car traffic accidents.
Faster truck speeds result in higher fuel costs for trucking companies and more frequent mechanical problems and truck repairs.
Faster speeds restrict driver control on hazardous road conditions, and can result in truck accidents.
An 80,000 pound semi truck traveling 70 mph will require more time to stop in an emergency than one traveling only 55 mph. Every second counts in a dangerous traffic situation.

The issue of maximum speed limits for semis can be a hot button topic for many individuals—both the inside and out of the trucking industry. But, in reality, the most important factor to consider—above company revenues, driver paychecks, or tire wear—is public safety. Does increasing the speed limit for semis put drivers and other motorists at risk of greater harm?

Tell us what you think. Chime in on Facebook or leave us your thoughts in the comment section of our site.

Have you ever wondered what personal injury attorneys do in their spare time? Watching sports, spending time with family and friends, and traveling are commonly found on many “spare time to-do lists.” However, if we, as attorneys, work as hard as you do, then you might understand how “spare time” can often seem like a rare commodity.

At Lane Brown, one thing that every one of our attorneys has in common is the fact that we all enjoy teaching; specifically, teaching other attorneys throughout Illinois and the rest of the country.

William Arthur Ward once made a well-known quote about teaching that inspires us. It goes, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” With the experience we’ve gained and the success that we’ve had over several decades in the legal profession, it’s our desire to pass this on to other attorneys who are looking to grow and develop their skills in order to best serve their clients. We hope that this statement can be true of us!

What Are Our Attorneys Teaching the Legal Community?

Fred Lane and Scott Lane are the co-directors of Fred Lane’s Illinois State Bar Association’s Trial Technique Institute. This year-long course helps to further train attorneys on the various aspects of trial work. Scott is also an adjunct professor at the Loyola University at Chicago School of Law, and assists in coaching their trial teams. Recently, Scott and Fred spoke on Opening Statements and Direct Examination of Witnesses.
Steve Lane was recently on the faculty of a Chicago Bar Association program on Voir-Dire (Jury Selection), representing the Plaintiffs’ Attorney perspective, and spoke at the Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyers Post-Graduate Clinics on Direct Examination and other trial techniques.
Mark Brown recently spoke at a CBA program geared toward law students from 14 regional law schools. Mark spoke on the topic of serving in a career dedicated to representing victims of personal injury and medical malpractice.

We hope to continue our efforts to make our civil justice system better—and one which will touch the lives and protect our communities and families.

Do you have experience with our firm? We’d love your positive feedback, or suggestions on how we can better serve you—our clients. Please feel free to share your comments.

You’ve probably experienced been stuck in traffic before and experienced one of “those” drivers. You know the ones; the ones driving so s-l-o-w that you can’t help but tail them. The natural tendency may be to honk your horn at them, follow them extra close to hopefully get their attention, or even to speed around them and give them the glare as you pass by. Maybe you’re one of those drivers yourself. You’re never in a hurry, and enjoy seeing the sights around you—no matter where you are. Every road you’re on is the “scenic route” and you love to “see what you’ll see.”

In either case, slow drivers can be more than just an inconvenience for others on the road. They can be a danger, too. In many cases, the biggest offenders are people who don’t even realize how slow they’re actually driving. Here are four of the primary groups of “slow-driving” offenders. Do you fit into one of these categories?

Seniors – The elderly population is often stereotyped within this category of drivers—sometimes unfairly. However, the natural aging process may cause more mature motorists to drive more cautiously on the road. Physical ailments, vision or hearing problems, or even reduced reaction times could be a contributing factor to this problem.
Tourists – Often times, tourists or other area visitors are unfamiliar with an area. Slowing down to search for specific roads or locations can cause traffic back-ups or rear-end collisions unintentionally. Many times, drivers are just unfamiliar with the traffic laws, habits, and patterns of local drivers.
Young or newly licensed drivers – This group is often overly cautious when first starting out driving. If you fall under this category, aggressive driving may be scary or unnerving. Turning across busy intersections could be tricky and becoming acquainted with the rules of driving can also become a primary focus behind the wheel. Placing a “student driver” sign in your window can alert other drivers to have patience as you’re learning to be a safe motorist on the road.
Distracted Drivers – Talking or texting on the phone, staring at accidents outside, talking with other passengers, and eating are just a few distractions that can pull your attention away from the road—and your speed. Paying attention to the road, and your driving habits, can help keep traffic moving smoothly, and keep you, and other drivers, safe on the road.

Before you head out for a drive, please remember that safe driving is a multi-faceted idea. Extremely slow driving can be dangerous, just like speeding. Following the recommended speed postings is one simple way to avoid a car accident on Chicago’s busy streets.

Know someone who drives a little too slowly? Share this, and other information about the dangers of slow driving—it could be a lifesaver one day.

Emotional distress is a common response to any traumatic event one may experience. For some, this distress is temporary, and may only last for a short period of time. But for others, this type of trauma may have an especially painful effect on life after a car crash.

Maybe you know someone who’s afraid to drive through downtown Chicago after getting hit at an intersection. Did you experience serious injuries that left permanent scarring or injuries after the crash? Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with clinical depression after undergoing extreme financial hardship after getting hit by an underinsured driver. There are many different ways that psychological trauma can affect your life after an injury accident. But, in any case, your life can be changed forever because of it.

Strengthen Your Emotional Health After a Crash

Don’t Isolate Yourself. Those who are depressed often retreat to isolation. Asking for support, joining a support group, or finding ways to volunteer can help you maintain focus and purpose during an emotionally difficult time.
Stay Grounded. Try to stick to your normal, daily routine as much as possible. Finding activities that you enjoy, and keep you motivated, may help you focus your attention on positive, daily things.
Your physical health matters. Neglecting physical health is a common result of emotional trauma. But, it’s also been shown to have a direct, contributing effect on emotional trauma, too. Improving your physical health by eating well, exercising, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding drugs or alcohol, can also help you heal from the effects of psychological trauma.

The road to recovery from psychological trauma can be a long and weary one that also proves to be rather costly. At Lane Brown, we believe that those ultimately responsible should be held accountable.

Have questions about your rights after a serious Chicagoland auto accident? Not sure where to turn? Our attorneys may be able to answer your questions and provide you with the information you need to help aid in your recovery process. Fill out an online comment form to get more information from a skilled attorney.

Everybody wants, and deserves, to have the same opportunities in regards to employment and job placement. And, in reality, we all should. However, what does this mean for those with disabilities who want to drive semi-trucks? The American’s with Disabilities Act exists to make sure that those who do suffer from disabilities are given the same opportunities as those fully-abled individuals. However, in some cases—like those working in the trucking industry—this could be an extremely dangerous cause of serious truck accidents throughout Illinois.

So, what does this mean to you, as a motorist, driving down the Dan Ryan Expressway? Well, you may not think much about it, but driving next to a 40-ton semi-truck and trailer can be disaster on wheels. Although not all disabilities should disqualify drivers from getting behind the wheel of a semi, it’s important to understand that some disabilities, when combined with the large, dangerous nature of these trucks, can become significant contributing factors of truck accidents.

Disabilities That Could Be Hazardous to Drivers in the Trucking Industry Include:

Vision problems
Hearing problems
Heart conditions
Seizure disorders
Some sleep disorders

In many cases, not only are these health conditions potentially dangerous for truck drivers behind the wheel, but also the medications needed to maintain these conditions can be just as dangerous. In 2010, reports found that approximately 37,000 truck accidents occurred while a driver was taking prescription pain medications inappropriately.

In past years, studies conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of Transportation found that more than 500,000 commercial truck drivers were eligible to receive full disability benefits due to their health conditions. Although there are strict health and medical regulations for truck drivers in all 50 states, some of these reports found that several states, including New Jersey, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Florida featured drivers with the most frequent sanctions due to health related problems.

In an effort to be fair, ethical, and respectful of every person’s right to employment, despite any present disabilities, one would have to wonder if some medical conditions could be putting other drivers at risk of serious harm that might otherwise be preventable.

If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident, and evidence shows that the driver was disabled, it’s possible that the trucking company could be found negligent for placing a driver—who is deemed medically unsafe to drive—behind the wheel. If this is the case, we might be able to help.

Please share your thoughts on this subject with us. We’d like to hear from you. What do you think about disabled truck drivers operating semis? Leave us your thoughts on Facebook or share your ideas below.