312-578-9501 | www.shannonlawgroup.com NOVEMBER 2018
Some of you may remember that I ran for public office over 10 years ago. I did so because I didn’t believe our country was moving in the right direction. No one would step up and take on the entrenched incumbent. I was tired of watching career government officials vote against our values time and time again. I had zero government experience. I was about 25 years younger than the incumbent and had the time and energy to take on the fight. Further, I made a living fighting for people who were up against powerful interests. Most of all, Michelle and I deeply cared about the future of our kids. We went out on a limb and asked our friends and family for help. With the help of many, we won the primary against a slated candidate. Although we lost the general election, the experience of fighting for something we believed in was worth it. I believe that our kids place much more value on how we live our lives rather than what we say. By going out on a limb and swimming against the current to set things right, we show our kids that we mean what we say. Everyday citizens like you and I need to get involved in our government when it seems like everything is going in the wrong direction. That time is now for my good friend Jerry Joyce. Jerry is taking a bold step right now for his family and the city of Chicago. Jerry lives with his wife, Jannine, who is a pediatrician, and their four children, Jeremiah, Karina, Christian, and Keyli, in the Southwest side of Chicago. Jerry believes that no parent in Chicago should have to stay awake at night BRINGING CHICAGO TOGETHER
worrying about the personal safety of their families due to violence in their neighborhood. Jerry is stepping up because he believes he can make a difference to improve Chicago’s neighborhoods. I’ve known Jerry for over 20 years. He is a man of great character. Simply put, Jerry puts the needs of others before his own. When people need help, they call Jerry. He doesn’t seek out these service opportunities for accolades or publicity. He helps people because that is how he was raised. He consistently wants to make a difference and empower people in the community to live better. I firmly believe Jerry will put these values in action while serving Chicago. Jerry began his campaign when the current mayor was still running for re-election. Jerry didn’t fear taking on powerful interests. He cared about standing up for his neighborhood, the future of his kids, and all the children of Chicago. Like in my race, Jerry is running against a group of entrenched politicians who have been in government for a long time. It’s time for a fresh, new approach to bring Chicago together. The people of Chicago will make history on Feb. 26, 2019, by electing a new mayor. It is my hope that the citizens will select a candidate like Jerry Joyce who seeks to serve and not be served. To learn more about Jerry, visit his website at jerryjoyce2019.com.
–Joe Shannon
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Most people are not aware of the strict time deadlines for filing claims when they have side effects from vaccines. As a general rule, people who are injured by a covered vaccine have three years from the first manifestation or onset of symptoms to file a petition for compensation. An example of the Court’s historically strict interpretation of the statute can be seen in the case of Markovich v. Sec’y of HHS. In that case, a two-month-old child received the DTap, polio, and Haemophilus influenza type b vaccinations on July 10, 2000.* Later that day and in the weeks that followed, her parents observed their daughter blinking her eyes rapidly. On Aug. 30, 2000, she suffered her first grand-mal seizure. She continued to have seizures until January 2002, when a neurologist diagnosed her as having had four types of seizures, including repeated eye blinking. The Markoviches filed their VICP Petition on Aug. 29, 2003. The Markoviches thought that they had complied with the statute, because it was filed less than three years after their daughter’s first grand-mal seizure. However, the Court disagreed and instead found that their daughter’s eye blinking episode, on the day she received the vaccine, was the first symptom of the injury and triggered the filing
deadline. Based upon that date of onset, the Markovich’s petition was time-barred and dismissed.
The Markovich decision reaffirms the Court’s strict objective standard for interpreting the statute. It did not matter to the Court that the Markoviches thought their daughter’s eye blinking was simply an indication that she was tired. It did not matter to the Court that the Markoviches reasonably would not have known at the time of the rapid eye blinking that a vaccine injury had occurred or appreciate its significance. Instead, the court used an objective standard based upon the medical profession at large.
Many people who are injured by vaccines are not aware of the VICP, which can also cause delays in filing petitions. If
-Jonathan Svitak *Markovich v. Sec’y HHS, 477 F.3d 1353 (Fed. Cir. 2007), cert. denied, 128 S. Ct. 92 (2007). you believe that you have suffered a vaccine injury, we encourage you to contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.
I want to share with you another person whom I have greatly admired for my entire life: my great uncle, Dr. George Ogura. Among the many lessons Uncle George taught me (both by word and example) is the importance of having a passion for whatever it is you do. The son of first generation Japanese immigrants, George was born on Oct. 3, 1917, in Stockton, California. When I was born, George was already 72 years young. Before I came around, George had already lived a full, passionate life. He graduated from Colorado University Medical School in 1942. He also served in the Air Force and was stationed in Germany. He was a pioneer in the field of forensic pathology and served as Chief Medical Examiner for the Denver County Coroner’s Office for decades. After his retirement, at a time when many people start to wind down, Uncle George and Aunt Marvis revved up — they had too many passions yet to pursue. When he was in his 80s, George traveled to Brazil to help conduct research on jaguars. He whitewater rafted his way through the Grand Canyon to help map the Colorado River. He collected Native American art. He traveled the world chasing solar eclipses. Uncle George was a fascinating storyteller and one of the most interesting people I’ve ever known. In one afternoon of family party conversations, he could break down the Broncos offseason moves A LIFE OF PASSION
with my dad and me (George was a Broncos season ticket holder for over 40 years) and then easily transition to discussing the shrinking habitat of Asian elephants with my brother. At 99 years old, after defeating cancer at 97, Uncle George celebrated our wedding day with Caitlin and me. I’ll be forever grateful that he was able to share that day with us. Undoubtedly, he shared a few more stories with the people there lucky enough to talk with him. Before he passed away earlier this year, Uncle George celebrated his 100th birthday — another of his life goals fulfilled. Though I missed the first 72 years, Uncle George exemplified how I hope to live my sunset years (or decades) — with an unrelenting enthusiasm for life.
-Pat Cummings
2 www.shannonlawgroup.com
THE SORDID HISTORY OF ASBESTOS AND MESOTHELIOMA
And How to Hold Manufacturers Responsible
Looking back on old asbestos ads is a jaw-dropping experience. We now know just how dangerous asbestos is, but during the early 20th century, it was still being marketed as a “miracle fiber” in everything from kitchen tiles and insulation to oven mitts and irons. While the first studies into the toxic properties of asbestos were conducted all the way back in 1897, commercial production in the United States didn’t tail off until after 1973. The decline in production coincides with the discovery that asbestos causes mesothelioma, which is a terminal variety of lung cancer.
Despite untold hours of scientific research, it’s hard to pinpoint the precise cause of most types of cancer. We know that certain behaviors, like smoking, increase your risk greatly, but the cause and effect is not one-to-one. This is not the case with mesothelioma. The disease can only occur after exposure to asbestos. That makes it a unique type of case when it comes to assessing fault and getting those suffering from the disease the compensation they deserve. For years, careless manufacturers, employers, and landlords ignored the dangers, and, in some cases, they even actively covered up the risks. Their failure to protect the public in order to boost their own bottom line led to the suffering and death of those with mesothelioma. Holding these manufacturers accountable requires investigating someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma’s work history to identify possible sources of exposure. As our previous clients can attest, our legal team at Shannon Law Group, P.C., understands the impact this type of case can have on your family, and we pride ourselves on getting the job done for our clients. Unfortunately, Illinois is ranked seventh in the nation for the number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our goal is to put together the best team to protect and defend their legal rights so that they can take care of what really matters.
NOVEMBER 2018 DATES OF CONSEQUENCE
Nov. 1 Nov. 4 Nov. 5
All Saint’s Day Daylight Saving Time ends Winter Sports begin at St. Francis High School Nebraska football at Univ. of Illinois Feast of St. Francis Cabrini, Patron Saint of Immigrants (1st U.S. citizen to be canonized) Marquette basketball at Indiana Notre Dame football at USC Tim Timmons concert at St. Joan of Arc Church in Lisle Feast of St. Andrew
SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.
Nov. 10
Ingredients • 5 pounds sweet potatoes • 1 cup canned coconut milk • 1 tablespoon Thai red curry paste • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Directions 1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot.
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Nov. 30
Every Saturday morning throughout the year, St. Joan of Arc Men’s group meets from 7–8 a.m. in the St. Joan of Arc Parish Center. Please join us.
Inspired by The New York Times
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Phone: 312-578-9501 www.shannonlawgroup.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
page 1
Bringing Chicago Together
page 2
Strict Time Limits for Vaccine Cases
page 2 page 3
A Life of Passion
From Miracle Fiber to Known Carcinogen
page 3
Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes
SAVE THE DATE
This year will be the 10th annual SLG Christmas Party at Quigley’s Irish Pub in Naperville … so we decided to reserve the whole pub for all of you.
This year’s party will be on Dec. 27, 2018 from 4:30–8:30 P.M.
We will once again be promoting two charities that are near and dear to our hearts: St. Vincent de Paul and St. Joan of Arc School Adopt a Student Fund. So mark your calendars. We want to make sure to thank you for your friendship and support over these last 10 years.
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