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It’s not uncommon for someone to underperform on the job, but doctors are held to a higher standard. Underperformance in the medical field can lead to a patient’s worsened outcome or death. When a doctor/patient relationship has been established, the doctor must meticulously assess the patient, perform appropriate diagnostic tests, accurately interpret the test results,…

A handful of U.S. states have no-fault insurance laws that require drivers seeking compensation after a car accident to file against their own personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance, regardless of who caused the accident. Unlike the no-fault states, Illinois has fault-based insurance laws, where it matters who caused the accident or how much fault…

Every year on May 1, Americans celebrate Law Day – a national occasion dedicated to honoring the rule of law and the foundational principles that sustain our democracy. Established by President Eisenhower and observed since 1961, Law Day is more than a tradition; it’s a powerful reminder that justice, equality and liberty depend on a legal system…

Every state has a system for injury victims to navigate a car accident claim after a crash. There are a handful of no-fault states, like Florida and New Jersey, where car accident victims must file claims against their own automobile personal injury protection (PIP) insurance regardless of who caused the accident. In these states, the…

Criticisms of a teleradiologist’s short time spent reading CT images helped plaintiff attorneys produce a $15.5 million malpractice verdict.  An article about the verdict in Radiology Business showed that the teleradiologist read two of the CTs in about five minutes. Medical literature presented during the trial showed that it takes the average radiologist in New…

On March 27, 2025, the Smith LaCien trial team of Brian LaCien and Allyson Cox obtained a $1,929,036.75 verdict with prejudgment interest of nearly $200,000.00. The case arose out of a motor vehicle collision where State Farm insured the Defendant.  The Plaintiff, then age 21, was in a passenger in a car driven by his grandmother, when it crashed into a wall while in a…

Recently, Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 landed safely at Midway International Airport after the flight crew performed a go-around to prevent a potential collision with a smaller Flexjet plane.  It was the latest in a string of highly-publicized “near misses” that continue to raise concerns about air travel safety following the January 29 deadly midair crash outside Washington National Airport when 67 people were killed.  Experts Emphasize Safety The Federal Aviation Administration has revealed…

Andrew Mason, a founding associate lawyer, and Allyson Cox, an associate lawyer at Smith LaCien LLP – Trial Lawyers, have been named by Super Lawyers for the third consecutive year as Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars. They were first selected in 2023. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on…