135 S. LaSalle St., Ste. 2200 Chicago, IL 60603
3550 Hobson Rd., Ste. 403 Woodridge, IL 60517
312-578-9501 | www.shannonlawgroup.com APRIL 2020
INTRODUCING PAT ANDERSON
In the past two years, our firm has grown from two lawyers to five. Why? Because we want to continue to provide excellent service to our clients and to the clients referred to us by lawyers in other fields. When Pat Anderson approached us about joining our firm, the question I asked myself was if Pat could help us fulfill our promise to our clients. The answer was a resounding yes! Adding a game-changer like Pat Anderson fulfills our mission. Pat graduated No. 1 in his class at Loyola. He followed his academic excellence with a tremendously consistent succession of successful resolutions for clients. We welcome you to review his amazing track record and check out his biography on our website at ShannonLawGroup.com. At our law firm, nearly all of our cases will be set for trial. As a firm, we need to consistently grow to put together the best team of trial lawyers and staff to prepare our clients and evidence for trying cases. When I reviewed Pat’s decades of success, I knew he would be a great fit for us. Pat started with our firm in March, and he has already had a terrific effect on our office. This month, he assumed responsibility for two major trucking crash cases. I’ve known Pat for over a decade. Pat was part of the trial team, along with our firm, that tried a trucking case in Will County that set the record for the largest verdict in the county’s history. The case set a national precedent for holding logistics companies responsible for injuries caused by their agents. Pat Anderson was a big part of putting the evidence together in that case. Since that verdict, he has had a huge impact in a slew of cases. As a prolific writer, Pat has authored dozens of legal articles advocating for folks injured by the negligence or recklessness of others. I am looking forward to working with Pat to not only advocate for our clients but also to change laws that are unjust to consumers and the seriously injured. I am sure that Pat and I will be writing a book together this year. Pat is well respected by other lawyers and the judiciary. On a trial team, Pat is usually the lawyer who can cite the most recent precedent or case by memory to guide the courts in making the just decision. He is the go-to lawyer in our office when it comes to the cutting-edge legal issues that are often addressed in cases.
There’s no question Pat is a great lawyer. However, he is first and foremost a family man. When not advocating for his clients, Pat spends his time with his family. Pat and his wife, Karli, are the proud parents of their son, Oliver. We are grateful and proud to have you aboard, Pat! On a personal note, I know that the months ahead will be very difficult for our clients and for our partners in our community. We are here to serve you. We hope to reach out to you and assist others in our community in the coming months. Let us know how we can help you.
– Joe Shannon
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FATHER, JON SVITAK
On April 26, my father will be 59 years old. For 31 of those 59 years, he has been an exceptional role model and father to me. I want to take this opportunity to not only wish him a happy birthday but also to express my gratitude and appreciation for all of the sacrifices he made and continues to make for me and my siblings. I’ve learned a lot of life lessons from my dad. For starters, he’s one of the hardest working people I know, and that’s because he takes his work very seriously. As a real estate broker, his clients place a tremendous amount of trust in him and his expertise to find or sell their homes. I’ve watched him navigate his clients through stressful situations and deliver satisfying results. I can relate. I know that our clients trust us to handle their case, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Watching my dad all of these years has taught me the importance of professionalism, and I try to take that lesson with me to work on a daily basis. My dad has also taught me the lesson of loyalty. There are few people more loyal than my dad to his closest friends and family members. Once you’re in the circle, you’re in for good. I have always admired the levels to which his friendships can rise. His relationships with his friends and clients are genuine, not surface level. His loyalty knows no bounds when it comes to our
family. He’s been the best cornerman in the world to me and my siblings, and he and my mother grow closer by the day. My dad is an honest man. Sometimes his frankness can get him into trouble with my mother (when she asks what he thought about dinner, for instance), but it’s one of his most admirable traits. One thing we
promise to our clients is that we will always be honest with them. I think it’s the most important aspect in any relationship. My dad has always taught me, mostly by example, that honesty is the best policy. I aim to be honest with myself, my family, my coworkers, and my clients every day. Thanks for everything you do to teach and inspire me, Dad. I hope you have a wonderful 59th birthday. – Jonathan Svitak
WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CASE NOW THAT ILLINOIS COURTS ARE CLOSED?
In the wake of the news that Illinois state and federal courts will be suspending operations due to the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, many of our clients are wondering what this means for their cases and whether their legal rights will be affected.
their cases to trial or resolution as quickly as possible. At the same time, we can be mindful of recent cautions from public health and safety officials. There is a tremendous amount that can be done to advance our cases, even without going to court. We continue to work tirelessly to develop strategies that apply the most pressure on the insurance companies that so often needlessly delay these matters. We are continually updating our internal systems and procedures to make our firm more efficient, effective, and client-focused. While physical courthouses may be closed, e-filing programs allow us to continue to file new cases, motions, and pleadings in existing cases. The dedicated team and robust systems we have in place at SLG mean we will be ready to hit the courthouse steps the moment courts resume normal operations. This is also a tremendous opportunity to examine not only what we can do for our clients but also what we can do for our friends, colleagues, and neighbors in the community. Each of us here at SLG is exploring how we as individuals can help those who might be struggling or panicked. It is a time for humanity and compassion, and by working together, supporting one another, and acting selflessly, we will survive this crisis and emerge stronger and more unified than ever.
Anyone with a legal case may feel the impact of a court shutdown. However, individuals who have been injured by the wrongful conduct of another individual or large corporation may feel even more vulnerable during this uncertain time. Beyond social distancing and limiting exposure to a contagious virus, our clients in need of medical treatment may fear whether an already taxed health care system will be able to meet their ongoing needs. It is for this reason that the lawyers at the Shannon Law Group continue to fight for the rights of our clients, even though the courts may be on hiatus. Our commitment to our clients is only fortified by this moment. We know that our clients need someone fighting for them every step of the way and every moment of the day now more than ever. The interconnected digital age we now live in allows us to continue to do the work to advance our clients’ rights and push
– Your Team at SLG
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REFLECTING ON GRATITUDE
THE FMCSA SUSPENDS HOS REQUIREMENTS DUE TO COVID-19
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) hours of service (HOS) requirements limit the amount of driving and working hours for interstate over-the-road truck drivers. The FMCSRs also establish the minimum time drivers must rest between driving shifts. The HOS requirements have one purpose: to reduce truck crashes caused by fatigued drivers. In response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) suspended hours of service (HOS) requirements for truck drivers transporting emergency medical supplies (test kits, hand sanitizer, and other equipment) and food being shipped in relief effort response to shortages. The FMCSA emergency declaration only exempts truck drivers providing “direct assistance” with relief efforts. While municipalities and states have temporarily lifted the requirements in response to natural disasters, this temporary exemption marks the first time the HOS regulations have been lifted on a national level since the requirements were first enacted in 1938. When it became clear that America was going to undergo quarantine scenarios similar to what Italy and China have undergone, Americans flocked to grocery stores to stock up on hand sanitizer, canned goods, toilet paper, and more. About 70% of America’s goods are transported by truck, and the demand for truck drivers increases during times of national crisis and panic purchasing.
However, as with seemingly everything involving the COVID-19 outbreak, it is a fluid situation that can change at any moment. Eligible drivers are still discouraged from driving while fatigued. However, the HOS and electronic logging requirements were the FMCSRs primary tool to prevent hardworking truck drivers from overworking themselves. Most truck drivers are paid by the mile, so there is an inherent incentive for them to drive for as many hours as they possibly can. This fact is why the FMCSA recently mandated electronic logging devices for motor carriers. For too many years, drivers could avoid the HOS requirements by submitting phony log books to their employer. So, what does the temporary HOS exemption mean for highway safety? Unfortunately, it likely means a spike in crash-related injuries and deaths resulting from higher numbers of truck-related crashes. While the increased demand for truck drivers during this time is undeniable, the exemption necessarily puts more fatigued truck drivers on the road. Fatigued drivers are dangerous drivers, especially when behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound semi-tractor trailer. Years ago, Joe represented a young father who was permanently and severely injured by a fatigued truck driver who had exceeded their HOS limits.
While we understand the urgency of the moment, we hope that the eligible drivers make smart decisions and stay off the roads when they are experiencing fatigue. While the HOS exemption is in place, it is even more important to be cognizant when driving near trucks.
At the time I am writing this article, the temporary HOS exemption is scheduled to last until April 12 at 11:59 p.m.
– Pat Cummings
LISTEN TO SLG’S NEW PODCAST!
‘AVOIDING A TRUCKING NIGHTMARE’ IS AVAILABLE NOW!
Request your FREE copy today of our new book “Avoiding a Trucking Nightmare: What you NEED to Know after a Truck-Related Injury” by SLG attorney Pat Cummings. Pat has included everything you and your family need to know to protect yourself after a truck accident. You can request your free copy by emailing Brittany at bpeterson@ shannonlawgroup.com.
We’re excited to announce that we have a new podcast, “ The Opening Statement with Joe Shannon .” Joe has been sitting down with lawyers and professionals across the nation and in our community who are making a big difference. Subscribe and listen to “The Opening Statement” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube today!
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Phone: 312-578-9501 www.shannonlawgroup.com
135 S. LASALLE ST., STE. 2200 CHICAGO, IL 60603
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Introducing Pat Anderson
page 1 page 2
Happy Birthday to My Father, Jon Svitak
page 2
What Happens to My Case Now That Illinois Courts Are Closed?
page 3
Suspended HOS Requirements Check Out Our New Podcast!
page 3
SUDOKU
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
The St. Joan School Alumni at SLG deliver over $20,000 in donations collected at our Christmas party.
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