Rockford & Moline Personal Injury Lawyers - Miscellaneous

Back to School Safety Tips

Nick Avgerinos — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:32:00 GMT

Now that summer vacations are over, and children are returning to school, a safety reminder is always welcomed. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC) has released a new guide of back to school safety reminders. While many of these are not groundbreaking, a yearly reminder is always a good idea to keep our children safe!

The report includes these tips:

CPSC approved bicycle helmets. For a guide of which helmets are approved or best for which activities, this link may be helpful.
Avoid Drawstrings. Hood or neck drawstrings can be a choking hazard, particularly on playground equipment.
For budding soccer stars, parents should make sure the goals are safe, as unsecured movable soccer goals can fall and injure or kill children.
Keep on top of recalled products through news sources and the CPSC’s website

Here are some other tips for back to school safety:

A child’s backpack should be well supported and not too heavy. It should have wide, padded shoulder straps, a padded back, and never weigh more than 10-20% of the student’s body weight.
Buckle up on the school bus if there are seat belts. If you school doesn’t provide seatbelts, encourage the school board to reconsider the minimal cost.

The following links may also be helpful: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/augschool.cfm; http://www.rd.com/back-to-school-safety-tips/article11221.html; http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_276_5556,00.html; http://school.familyeducation.com/back-to-school/safety/37951.html

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Nick Avgerinos

R U 4 Real? Possible Texting Ban Recognizes Danger of Technological Trances

Nick Avgerinos — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:47:00 GMT

We love to multi-task. And companies are responding with gadgets that allow us to do more things with less time. The biggest culprit for blurring the home-work divide: the Blackberry. But it’s not just professionals under the point-and-click spell; rather, kids are blurring the public-private divide with a constant stream of texts from friends.

Adults and kids have one thing in common, though; a resultant technological trance that makes them relatively oblivious to the tangible world. Our minds are busy engaging in virtual communication, but our bodies are thrashing about in the real world. The result: people ambling across streets without paying attention. Our eyes are all fixated on a screen. That means that they’re aimed downward. With our eyes turned downward and our feet (or vehicles) going forward, the potential for head-on collisions is apparent.

And now, Illinois lawmakers are taking note. As Chicago Tribune reported, Illinois General Assembly bill, HB 4520, was introduced by Rep. Ken Dunkin in January. He explained, “This legislation is not laughable. On the surface it's like, 'Oh wow, what is this?' But it's becoming more and more of a common problem with people haplessly crossing an intersection and almost killing themselves."

In fact, text-related injuries are more prevalent than you might think. The chief of emergency medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, James Adams, confirms that it happens all the time right here in Chicago; he states, “We always see someone [who was] texting or calling, who would not have been in that accident had it not been for the phone.”

People are tripping over curbs, grates, and each other, tumbling to the ground. Apparently, we don’t consider the damage we can do by being an inattentive pedestrian. Perhaps it’s because we don’t need a license to walk. More likely, it’s because we don’t have the threat of rising insurance costs if we cause an accident. Newsflash: you’re still liable for your actions. And, although I haven’t heard about a text-walking lawsuit, it could certainly happen. With ever-evolving technology, we’re inventing new ways to injure ourselves; text-walking is a relatively recent development, but it’s everywhere. As Dr.Adams noted, "It's an emerging trend and one that has not anywhere near peaked."

In any case, if HB 4520 does pass, you’ll be slapped with a $25 fine and misdemeanor charge if you’re caught using a wireless device while crossing the street. Until then, avert your eyes from your favorite wireless device and try actually engaging with the world. Just think: multi-tasking is hardly productive if its leads to personal injury.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Nick Avgerinos

Citizens Wonder if “The Price is Right” for Proposed Spay and Neuter Ordinance

Nick Avgerinos — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:56:00 GMT

It’s not every day Bob Barker comes to Chicago. His long-running stint as host of “The Price is Right” was punctuated by his signature sign-off: “Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed and neutered.” So when he learned of Chicago’s proposed city ordinance that would require cats and dogs over 6 months old to be spayed and neutered, it was essentially a moment of “Bob Barker, come on down!”

And that’s what he did. Mr. Barker attended a three-hour hearing at City Hall, where he was a strong proponent of the ordinance. Despite his speech, the City Council’s License Committee took no action, postponing any decision until a later date. There are impassioned supporters on both sides of the debate. The ordinance is backed by PAWS Chicago, as well as the Humane Society of the United States. Notably, however, it is opposed by the Chicago and Illinois State Veterinary Associations, which maintain that the decision to spay or neuter is best left up to the pet’s owner and veterinarian on a case-by-case basis.

The ordinance is sponsored by Ald. Ed Burke (14th), chairman of the Finance Committee, and Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th). They support the ordinance due to its potential for keeping Chicago residents safe from animal attacks, citing evidence that sterilized animals are less likely to be vicious. Animal attacks, especially dog bites, are a widespread problem and can be very dangerous. In April, a woman was attacked by five pit bulls while on her way to pick up her children at school on the southwest side; that incident apparently prompted this legislation.

Previously, the Chicago City Council considered an ordinance mandating that dogs be microchipped in an effort to track down the offending dog’s owner. That proposed ordinance was prompted when two female joggers were attacked, one fatally, in Dan Ryan Woods in 2003. That legislation failed, however; widely criticized as being too invasive, policing private conduct. Some citizens have similar feelings about this proposed ordinance, including serious doubts about enforceability.

If passed, the ordinance would require dog and cat owners to have their pets sterilized by the time they’re 6 months old. Those who failed to comply could be fined $100, while those who intend to breed their pets could obtain a permit to do so, provided that they submit to a criminal background check and pay a fee. The city already requires that owners license their dogs, which costs $5 or $50, depending on if your dog is sterilized. Unfortunately, there’s widespread non-compliance with that ordinance. So, the question remains whether the proposed legislation would be any more effective.

In theory, it’s a great idea. As Bob Barker explained: “It will help the animals themselves. It will prevent tremendous animal suffering. But beyond that, it will save taxpayers in Chicago thousands, millions of dollars probably. In California, it is now costing $250 million a year to capture the animals, house the animals and kill the animals.” The question is whether it’s feasible in practice. And, for some, whether the legislation goes too far with infringing on personal freedom. No matter what the City Council ultimately decides, though, it’s important that we take responsibility for our own pets, making every effort to prevent possible personal injury and property liability issues. Because the price is always right if it means promoting safety.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Nick Avgerinos

Hard Hitters: Crippling Injuries Now Common in Kids

Nick Avgerinos — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:55:00 GMT

Summer means a lot of things for kids: no school, no homework, and (they hope) a later bedtime. But all of that free time needs to be filled. And, for many, it fills up with camp upon camp, often to hone the kids’ skills in their sport(s) of choice during the off-season. These camps can be a lot of fun, and in an increasingly competitive world, seemingly necessary to stay on top of their game. But is it all just too much? Where do we draw the line between too much freedom and too many expectations?

If the apparent epidemic of youth injuries is any indication, we need to draw some sort of new line somewhere. As Americans, we’re driven to work hard and succeed. And we try to instill those values in our children. But this striving for success has shifted from helping with homework in the evenings to layering sports training upon music lessons upon service hours. We’re starting to become concerned about what kids look like on paper long before the first college pamphlets come rolling in the mail. The result: a hypercompetitive environment. Perhaps the easiest place to spot this amped up ambition is in the sports arena.

Kids today aren’t just playing little league to fill up their summer afternoons; they’re seeking scholarships. ‘Try your best’ is replaced by ‘be the best’ and former friends are now close competition. That’s not to say participating in youth sports doesn’t have its benefits, especially for those kids with a true love for the game. But it sure makes it a heck of a lot harder to just try something out. The ‘just for fun’ kids get sneers from their competitive comrades who loathe the equal field time often mandated in park district play.

Playing sports is no longer just fun; it’s a pretty big risk. As CNN reported, more and more young kids are facing grown-up injuries: torn ACLs or meniscuses, stress fractures, and cartilage damage. Some of these injuries don’t just put the kids out of commission for a game or a season, but put permanent restrictions on the rest of their lives. Kids’ young bodies don’t respond to the treatment for grown-up injuries the same way because they’re still growing. Their bodies aren’t built to endure these types of injuries.

“Tommy John” surgeries to repair elbows blown out playing baseball are on the rise, tripling in the past decade according to the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center. The Center reports a five- to six-fold increase in serious shoulder and elbow injuries as a result of baseball and softball since 2000. Little League Baseball, at least, is recognizing its role in this alarming increase and taking steps to reverse the trend. The organization is mandating rest for players based on their age and the amount of pitching that they do.

It’s important that parents and kids do their own monitoring, too. In a sports world with a ‘no pain, no gain’ philosophy, it’s important to step back and remember that chronic pain in not normal and merits medical attention. I know that most kids don’t want to slow down or admit that they should take a break, but with the intensity of today’s youth sports, the kids don’t always get three strikes before they’re out…for good.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Nick Avgerinos

Disclaimer

Staff Writer — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:10:47 GMT

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Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Capron & Avgerinos, P.C.

Staff Writer — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:06:14 GMT

We founded Capron & Avgerinos on the principle of providing outstanding legal assistance to the seriously injured in Illinois and Iowa. We have devoted our entire practice to representing individuals in workers' compensation, personal injury and wrongful death claims. Over the years, we have helped thousands of clients receive the compensation they deserve and need in order to move forward with their lives.

Our firm is small, allowing us to provide a highly personalized legal experience. Should we have the privilege of representing you, the attorney assigned to your case will personally handle it from start to finish with the help of our professional staff and legal assistants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Nick Avgerinos, Dan Capron & Mike Rom, Attorneys at Law

Staff Writer — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:43:43 GMT

Nick Avgerinos

Education
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science
DRAKE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, Des Moines, Iowa
Juris Doctor 1981

Area(s) of Practice
Admitted to practice before the Courts of Illinois and Iowa
Trials and Appeals of Workers' Compensation Claims in Illinois and Iowa
Memberships
Iowa Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association
Illinois Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association
American Association for Justice
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Chicago Bar Association

More
In addition to private practice, Nick has served as a mediator in workers' compensation cases. At the invitation of the local school board in the community where his family resides he was asked by the school board to serve as a member of The Citizens Finance Task Review Committee. Nick also was a member and board chairman of Community Human Services in Chicago, an organization that was dedicated to helping the underprivileged and their families reenter the workforce.

Dan Capron

Education
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, Urbana
Bachelor of Arts in History
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, Bloomington
Juris Doctor 1981

Area(s) of Practice
Trials and Appeals of Workers' Compensation Claims

Memberships
Illinois State Bar Association
Illinois Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Author of "Chapter 13, Illinois" Independant Contractor Status: State
by State Legal Guide (ed., John Wiley & Sons, 1993).
Big Ten Football Official

More
Dan Capron has been board member of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Lawyers Association since 2006. He is also a Big 10 football referee and spends his weekends in the fall traveling across the country officiating Big 10 football games.

The last two seasons he has qualified to work bowl games. In Jan. 2007 he was the referee at the first ever International Bowl in Toronto, Canada. In January, 2008 he was the referee at the New Orleans Bowl. He has been active in Democratic party politics for many years and has appeared on national television many times. He is also a frequent speaker at football seminars and the father of four daughters.

Michael A. Rom has represented injured workers at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission for 15 years. Mr. Rom is an active member of the Illinois Workers Compensation Lawyers Association (WCLA) as well as the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA). His father was a founding member and President of the Catholic Teacher's Union in Chicago and the value of organized labor and commitment to the workingman is deeply ingrained. Mr. Rom also represents claimants in Social Security matters.

Born and raised in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago he graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a double major in Political Science and History. He was a member of that school's NCAA Division I soccer program for 4 years earning academic all-conference honors in 1987. In 1993 he graduated from DePaul University Law School where he was a member of the Moot Court Team for two years representing the school in competitions at Duke University (1992) and Albany Law School of Union University (1993).

Mr. Rom has traveled extensively throughout Europe and North and South America and has hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China. In addition, he is a volunteer at Lakeview Pantry delivering food to those in need. He is a longstanding member of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Facets Multimedia.

Mr. Rom is dedicated to serving his clients, responding to their needs and moving their claims to resolution.

Stephen Smalling

Education
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
JOHN MARSHALL LAW SCHOOL, Chicago
Juris Doctor, with Distinction 1984

Area(s) of Practice
Admitted to practice before the Courts of Illinois (1984) and Iowa (1986)
Practice limited to the trials and appeals of plantiff personal injury and workers' compensation claims

Memberships
Federal Trial Bar, U.S.D.C. Northern District of Illinois
Arbitrator-Circuit Court of Cook County, mandatory arbitration program
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Iowa Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois State Bar Association

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer