312-578-9501 | www.shannonlawgroup.com OCTOBER 2018
“Learn to do good. Make justice your aim: Redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow …” –Isaiah 1:17 When people reach out to our firm, a corporation or another person has crushed their opportunity to succeed. We serve to fill this gap that has been caused by a wrongdoer. In essence, our job is to give a voice to people who would otherwise fight their battles in silence. The clients we serve are vulnerable. We tell juries when we try these cases that when someone — especially a breadwinner — suffers a serious injury, not only does that represent a serious blow to their personal life and well-being, but it is also a serious blow to their family economy. Every family unit has its own economy. If a serious injury prevents the family provider from participating in the economy, the effects can be devastating. But we consider more factors than just the financial ramifications of a case. All of us here at the firm were raised to believe that every human life is sacred. The dignity of human individuals is the foundation of our moral vision. That purpose informs the work we do for each of our clients. This is how we view every one of our cases: We are there to help protect — or restore to the best degree possible — their family economy and their dignity. Our goal is not to just help our clients through one rough patch and then disappear. We want to be there for our clients for life. Your life doesn’t stop after a case has been resolved, and we don’t want our relationship with you to stop either. EVERY HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED 30 Years in the Business of Helping
This year, I will have practiced law for 30 years. Thank you to all of you who have entrusted us with your legal matters and to our friends and colleagues.
–Joe Shannon
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If you’ve ever had a friend or loved one suffer from a debilitating injury, you know how powerless you can feel at times. You want to help them in any way you can, but in the face of severe medical challenges, it can be difficult to know how to do so. It’s important to remember that while you may not be able to have a direct impact on your loved one’s physical recovery, there are concrete actions you can take to support them in ways their medical treaters cannot. SUPPORT THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE. Traumatic injuries can make many aspects of day-to-day life difficult or—in extreme cases—nearly impossible. Simply making dinner or taking their kids to school may now be arduous tasks for your loved one. Offering to be a volunteer driver or preparing a home-cooked meal can give that person a much-needed breather. Taking the time to help your friend or family member with everyday tasks is more than just a practical gesture — it lets them know they don’t have to bear the burden of their injury alone. SUPPORT THEIR EMOTIONAL RECOVERY. People faced with injuries, disabilities, and illnesses can feel emotionally isolated from their friends and loved ones. They may feel that others won’t understand their pain, or that they should put on a brave face and not complain. You cannot force your friend or relative to talk,
but simply being there to listen to what they are going through makes a world of difference. Having someone who is willing to listen without judgment can provide a salve for emotional hardship. SUPPORT THEIR RIGHTS. Sometimes, an injury can leave your loved one tangled up in disputes with opportunistic insurance companies or individuals whom they feel are responsible for their injuries. While you may not be able to represent your friend or relative’s legal interests in these situations, you can always introduce them to someone who can. We have written a book that can help individuals in this situation. We will send this book free of charge to those who request it. You can request your free copy of Transportation Law, Rights, and Injuries by sending an email to joseph@ shannonlawgroup.com.
SAFE DRIVING DURING HARVEST SEASON How to Share the Road with Farm Vehicles
Illinois is one of the top five states in the nation in terms of agricultural production, and many of our crops are harvested in the fall. Once October hits, sharing the road with farm equipment like combines and tractors becomes a common occurrence. Their
loads are large, bulky, and handle differently than normal trucking shipments. It’s crucial that drivers remain patient and vigilant when they are driving near these convoys. Slow-moving farm equipment should be properly marked with flashing lights and slow-moving vehicle (SMV) signs, but they can still sneak up on you in a hurry if you’re distracted while driving. The average agricultural vehicle has a top speed of around 25 mph. Because of the speed disparity between these vehicles and passenger cars, rear-end collisions are common during harvest season. Farm equipment is not designed to minimize the damage caused by such a collision, so the results of an accident can be serious or even fatal. Keep your eyes ahead of you on the highway, and slow down the moment you begin to approach farm vehicles. Farm trucks are often wider than a standard roadway lane, which means they take up a lot of space when they turn. This maneuver, known as a swing turn, can put drivers in a precarious position if they don’t give the equipment adequate space. Look out for turn signals and hand signals from drivers, and never pass during a turn. You should also be mindful of vehicles turning into the road from driveways. Patience, as always, is a virtue.
Caution, attention, and safety are qualities that you should always possess on the road, and that’s especially true during harvest season.
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WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN SO FAR
Next month marks my four- year anniversary of being an attorney at Shannon Law Group, P.C. It has been a great ride thus far, and I look forward to many more years of helping our clients — the little guys — level the playing field against powerful trucking and insurance companies. Let me fill you in on some developments that happened this year.
Over the last two and a half years, we took over 35 depositions and reviewed tens of thousands of pages of medical records. During that time, the trucking company did everything possible to prevent us from obtaining the necessary evidence to win our case. They did everything from destroying telephone recordings to having the president of their company invoke the Fifth Amendment to refuse to answer questions during his deposition. When it became clear to the defendants that we were not only willing but also eager to try the case in front of a Cook County jury, they relented and offered the entire policy limits ($5 million) to settle the case. In obtaining this result for our client, we helped provide her with the resources necessary to live at home — something she hadn’t been able to do for the last two and a half years. This year, we have also filed additional trucking-related cases for our clients (in addition to the cases currently pending). In each of these cases, we have already uncovered evidence that proves the negligent trucking companies are putting their bottom line before the safety of the motoring public. We will continue to push to try these cases before a jury of our clients’ peers.
In May, we reached a final settlement for my first solo jury trial. In that case, the defendants offered $17,500 prior to trial. At trial, our client obtained a judgment of $202,889.52 and prevailed on all post-trial motions. The case was settled, and the judgment was satisfied during the defendants’ appeal. For the past two and a half years, I’ve been working a challenging trucking crash case. We were faced with a case in which our client had no memory of the crash. The truck driver swore under oath that our client ran a red light and that she had a green light arrow. I am pleased to report that we secured a policy limit settlement of $5 million on behalf of our client.
-Pat Cummings
OCTOBER 2018 DATES OF CONSEQUENCE
Oct. 5
Marquette Madness Al McGuire Center
SPICED PUMPKIN SEED CRUNCH This recipe combines pumpkin seeds, a seasonal favorite, with cashews, sunflower seeds, and spices. It’s a perfect homemade snack for the fall.
Oct. 13
Purdue vs. Illinois football
Oct. 16
Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Ingredients • 1 large egg white
Directions 1. Heat oven to 300 F.
Oct. 19
Feast of St. Isaac Jogues and John de Brebeuf
• 1 teaspoon light agave syrup • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds • 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds • 1/4 cup raw cashews, coarsely chopped • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg white, agave, salt, and spices. Add nuts and seeds and toss until evenly coated. 4. Using a slotted spoon, strain spoonfuls of mixture over bowl and transfer to baking sheet. Discard excess egg white mixture.
Oct. 27
Notre Dame vs. Navy football
5. Bake 20–25 minutes, tossing once. 6. Let cool and serve.
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Phone: 312-578-9501 www.shannonlawgroup.com
3550 Hobson Rd., Ste. 203 Woodridge, IL 60517
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
page 1
Reflections on 30 Years in Law
page 2
Ways to Support a Recovering Loved One
page 2
Roadway Tips for Harvest Season What a Year It Has Been so Far Spiced Pumpkin Seed Crunch
page 3
page 3
ONE OF OUR BEST RECOMMENDATIONS: DAN CUMMINGS
When the state has charged a client with a crime, Dan Cummings is on the short list of attorneys we recommend.
30 years. They have three children: Patrick (our superstar lawyer here at SLG), Charlie (a soon-to-be veterinarian), and Maureen (a schoolteacher in Milwaukee). Dan is also active in the community. I remember meeting Dan when we both were working at a PADS shelter over a decade ago. You will never meet a person who is more well-read and knowledgeable about literature. The conversations with Dan regarding the latest books and current events are always interesting and lively.
What sets Dan apart? It’s simple. When I am considering a referral, I have one question: Would I trust them to represent a member of my family? I would contact Dan in a heartbeat if we needed his services. Dan has been a trial lawyer for over 30 years and has handled numerous high-profile cases throughout Illinois.
Here’s just one of the notes I received regarding Dan:
“Dan Cummings was a terrific recommendation. My expectations were high, yet they were exceeded at every level throughout the whole process. The multi-level strategies and attention to the most minute detail of my son’s case, along with a compassionate and concerned lawyer, made my son, wife, and I feel like we were part of a family, and I believe we were. For my son, that was a wonderful life experience he will never forget. We are very appreciative for all that Dan did for our son and our family; we would give our best recommendation to anyone who could use his professional services.”
With his background, upbringing, education, and legal experience, you will not go wrong consulting with Dan Cummings. Dan can be reached at (630) 531-0015. Tell him all of us at SLG say hello.
Dan’s legal acumen, however, is trumped by his role as a father and husband. Dan and his wife, Regina, have been married for
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