Some six percent of doctors are responsible for nearly 60 percent of all medical negligence, yet the civil justice system is the only effective means for holding them accountable. Other disciplinary mechanisms are inadequate, according to the American Association for Justice. State medical boards are supposed to discipline doctors who consistently violate standards of care,…
Smith LaCien – Trial Lawyers LLP has been recognized in Jury Verdict Reporter’s annual Settlements Report as one of the Top 10 plaintiff’s injury law firms in 2024. Our largest settlement was for $19 million, awarded to the family of a child who died from a birth injury. Justice is at the heart of the…
Best Lawyers in America® has included Smith LaCien as a “2025 Best Law Firm,” with Tier 1 status in Aviation, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, and Product Liability. Firms included on the “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. A tiered ranking indicates a unique combination…
In another Smith LaCien success, Brian LaCien obtained a verdict of $600,000 against the city of Chicago on behalf of a 73-year-old retired patrolman who fell on a broken sidewalk. The man sustained a spine injury that required surgery. The case was heard in front of the Honorable Bridget J. Hughes, Cook County Law Division,…
We all hope that we or our loved ones never have to experience the trauma of a car accident—especially one with painful or debilitating injuries. Sadly, statistics show that car accidents are an unfortunate fact of life, with 1,664,598 crashes with injuries in 2022, the most recent fully analyzed data year. Car accidents are the…
In the wake of Toyota’s sudden acceleration scandal, automobile safety is once again a hot-button issue. After internal documents showed Toyota knew about potential defects, hid them from regulators, and even bragged about saving money from limiting its recalls, Toyota received the largest fine ever levied against an auto manufacturer. After 50 deaths and 8.5…
At least seven lawsuits have been filed against Boar’s Head since the meat company recalled its cold cuts products after a listeria outbreak killed nine people, according to a report on CBS MoneyWatch. In addition, 58 consumers were sickened in 18 states – including Illinois – by spoiled meat originating from the company’s tainted Virginia…
Tailgating—a term often used to describe drivers who follow too closely—is one of the leading causes of auto accidents in the U.S. More than one-third of all car crashes are the result of tailgating, with 75% of them occurring on highways and tollways. Learning how to avoid tailgating and maneuver safely is a defensive driving…