View as Webpage

Practice Areas | Cases We've Handled | Attorney Bios | In The Media | Contact

January 2020

The moral of this story — you can’t see the pressure the other person is under, and the other person can’t see the pain you’re in.

This is life, whether it’s with work, family, feelings or friends, we should try to understand each other. Learn to think differently, perhaps more clearly and communicate better. A little thought and patience goes a long way. 

Be kind to people. Everyone we meet is fighting their own battle.

From all of us at Lane & Lane, we wish you a happy and healthy 2020! And, of course, we hope you enjoy this month's newsletter.

"Always remember that you are absolutely unique.

Just like everyone else."

Margaret Mead

During the course of the procedure, the patient suffered severe, extensive deprivation of oxygen to the brain, causing brain damage, and he became comatose. He remained in a coma until he died nearly five months later. His wife reached out to Lane & Lane Partner Scott Lane, who, about 10 years earlier, handled a personal injury case for her husband. (As a pedestrian, her husband had been struck by a car and was badly injured.) 

After we obtained and reviewed all of the relevant medical records, and after experts confirmed that malpractice had occurred, we filed suit on behalf of the patient’s family. We alleged that the hospital, through its medical personnel, was negligent and that its negligence caused the death of this patient, who was both a husband and a father.  

What Went Wrong 

There were a number of negligent acts that occurred during the treatment of the patient that led to his death. They included:

As a result of the combination of these acts and omissions, when intervention and resuscitation became necessary, the medical team failed to treat the patient in a timely manner. This resulted in his profound irreversible brain damage and, months later, death.  

How We Helped 



The patient was survived by his wife of many years, and his son, a minor at the time. We filed a medical malpractice lawsuit with counts brought pursuant to the Wrongful Death and Survival Acts. The Wrongful Death Act count sought compensation to the victim’s family for the loss of him as a husband and father. The Survival Act count sought compensation to the patient's estate for the pain, disability, medical bills, wage loss, etc., that he sustained prior to his death. 

We settled the case on both counts for a significant, confidential amount, which will help provide for the family's future. The settlement was recently approved by the court.

Remember The Tortoise and the Hare? Slow and steady wins the race. Give yourself extra time and assume that there won’t be a clear path for walking. Stay on designated walkways and don’t try to take shortcuts over snow piles or other treacherous areas. If a spot seems dicey, take shorter steps or shuffle your feet. Bend slightly forward and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet. Don’t worry about how you look — walk like a penguin! Shuffling helps keep your weight in a straight-down stance, allowing your feet to carry your weight carefully and minimize slipping.

Keep your hands out of your pockets, look ahead, and don’t text or read while walking. Be prepared to fall, and if you do, try to fall on your thighs, hips, or shoulders. Don’t try to brace yourself with your arms, and do all you can to avoid hitting your head.

Be aware of the temperatures . Ice is slipperier when it's melting. But all ice is slippery, so be mindful of the surface you're walking on. Avoid slopes whenever possible — gravity always wins. If you have to navigate icy stairs, always use handrails and try to keep your center of gravity over your support leg. 

Make sure you’re wearing shoes or boots that provide traction on snow and ice. Footwear made of rubber and neoprene composite provide better traction than plastic and leather soles. Wear flat-soled shoes and avoid heels. And check out products like Yaktrax that have abrasive soles or cleats that provide special traction if you have to walk a long distance on snow and ice. (Just be sure you take them off when you walk into a building!)

If you or someone you care about has been injured by someone else's negligence or fault,

and you're ready to take action to obtain justice - the full, fair and complete compensation you deserve - please contact our Chicago-based personal injury law firm today.

Questions? Call us at 312-332-1400 or contact us .