Earlier this month, the Obama administration approved funds to be distributed to universities, medical centers, and state health departments in an attempt to reduce the costs and number of medical malpractice suits across the country.  25 million dollars worth of grants will hopefully reduce injury and improve doctor/patient communication, and as a result lower liability insurance premiums and minimize medical malpractice lawsuits.

President Obama promised Republicans in Congress last September that he would address the issue of medical malpractice in the United States.  He stated, "I don't believe malpractice reform is a silver bullet, but I've talked to enough doctors to know that defensive medicine may be contributing unnecessary costs".

If your or someone you love has been a victim of medical malpractice, contact the Chicago medical malpractice attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 to learn more about your rights.

An Orland Park fisherman died in a tragic boating accident that occurred just after midnight on Sunday on the Cal-Sag Channel.

 The accident occurred when a man and woman driving another boat swerved to avoid a log and rear-ended the fisherman's boat, throwing him off it and into the channel near the Ashland Avenue bridge.  Coast Guard officials stated that the fisherman could not swim and was not wearing a life jacket.  Futhermore, state officials believe at least one of the boats was undergoing maintenance at the time of the collision.

The victim was identified by officials of the Cook County medical examiner's office as 41-year old Bishr Swaiss.  The Department of Natural Resources is investigating the accident to determine if any boaters should be held responsible. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Swaiss' family and friends.

Five people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Galesburg, Illinois yesterday.  

The accident occurred around 11:30 AM at the intersection between Third and West streets.  According to law enforcement officials, a car driven by 16-year old Brenna D. McCance was stopped at the intersection facing north, when she pulled out and hit a Jeep driven by 52-year old Jeffrey L. Creek going westbound on Third Street.  McCance told police that she did not see the Jeep when she pulled out into the intersection.  Both vehicles were totaled in the collision. 

There were two additional passengers in McCance's vehicle, 15-year old Paige McCance and 15-year old Daniel Snell.  The two were the most injured in the accident, Paige McCance described as being in "guarded" condition and Snell in "stable" when transported to Galesburg Cottage Hospital.  McCance's mother stated that Paige suffered a minor head injury and broken pelvis, and Snell also suffered a fractured pelvis.  Brenna was taken to the hospital with very minor injuries and released soon after. 

Creek and the other passenger in the Jeep were taken to OSF St. Mary Medical Center with minor injuries and later released. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact the Chicago automobile accident attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 to learn more about your rights. 

Babies most often suffer from brain damage when born with a lack of oxygen.  Brain damage can be life-long and sometimes even fatal.

Recently, a new study using cooling blankets placed over the heads of babies who were born with insufficient oxygen proved successful.  The study used simple blankets with tubes of cold water running through it and reduced the babies' temperatures to 91 degrees over a 72 hour time period.  In doing so, the babies' body systems slowed, requiring less energy, and reducing swelling in their brains.  Furthermore, doctors concluded that the blanket can prevent lasting brain damage, and reduce the risk of seizures, cerebral palsy, and death.  

This procedure would be the first form of therapy for brain damage in babies.  Currently, it is only used in academic medical facilities. 

If you or someone you love suffers from brain injury, contact the Chicago brain injury attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200 to learn more about your rights.

Early this morning around 7:25 AM, a woman was hit by a car in the Southwest Side's West Lawn neighborhood.

The driver's description has not yet been released, but the Chicago police's Major Accident Investigation Unit are doing everything they can to try and find the driver who injured this woman and then left the scene.

The accident occurred at the 6600 block of South Pulaski Road.  The woman, whose age and identity are currently unknown, is in critical condition at the Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident contact the Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 to learn more about your rights.