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135 S. LaSalle St., Ste. 2200 Chicago, IL 60603
3550 Hobson Rd., Ste. 403 Woodridge, IL 60517
312-663-7016 | www.shannonlawgroup.com Text: 312-847-2428 MARCH 2022
Introducing Kimberly McCarter and Elizabeth Hess
In the past two years, we have rapidly expanded our vaccine injury practice. As we help more people with their vaccine claims, we need more smart, hungry, and humble team members to come through for them. This year, we added two highly effective team members who go out of their way to serve our clients. Let me introduce you to Kimberly and Elizabeth. Meet Kimberly McCarter (Of Counsel). Kimberly McCarter joined Shannon Law Group, P.C., in January 2022. She represents our clients across the United States who are injured by vaccines and helps them get compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. She is delighted to be one of Shannon Law Group’s vaccine injury lawyers, as the nature of the work involves her two best talents: legal writing and advocating for clients. Kimberly has been practicing law for more than 30 years. For the first decade of her career, she represented not-for-profit organizations at a Chicago law firm. When her fifth child was born, she left to start her career as a sole practitioner. Since then, she’s represented clients who needed help and advocacy in various areas of the law.
team member who could help orchestrate the administrative side of our vaccine injury practice. Enter Elizabeth Hess.
We met Elizabeth through Heather Sykora and the Paralegal Studies Program at the College of DuPage. At the beginning of February, Elizabeth hit the ground running. She has been helping us push many of our vaccine injury claims toward resolution. Elizabeth has both a Juris Doctor and a certificate from an American Bar Association-approved paralegal program at the College of DuPage. With her unique legal background and education, Elizabeth is a fantastic legal analyst, researcher, and writer. Before she joined Shannon Law Group, Elizabeth was a paralegal at a bankruptcy and tax law firm. She also worked as a supervisor at a local nuts and sweets store for over five years. She was drawn to SLG because she enjoys helping clients and knowing that the work she does matters to the success of their claims. She also enjoys working with our team. She says, “They are positive, helpful, and wonderful to work with.” Here’s a fun fact about Elizabeth: She spent time in the Far East in college and in Italy during law school. Those were some of the best experiences in her life. When she’s not in the office, you can find Elizabeth traveling stateside and abroad. She also loves to exercise and spend time with her three children, William, Isabelle, and Grace — as well as her two cats, Gigi and Loki. Check out Kimberly and Elizabeth’s profiles on our website, and follow us on social media to stay updated on the developments coming this year. With gratitude,
So far, Kimberly has enjoyed her time working with us, and we can’t wait to see all the great work she’ll do.
In her free time, Kimberly enjoys spending time
with her husband, Kevin, their five adult children, friends, and other family members. She also likes to cook, golf, read, and attend concerts.
Meet Elizabeth Hess. At the end of last year, we were looking for another
– Joseph Shannon
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ANSWERING YOUR FAQS: MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT EDITION
Q: What Causes Motorcycle Accidents? In 2018 alone, 2,973 motorcycle crashes happened in Illinois. What causes these accidents to occur in the first place?
in cars. All it takes is one second fiddling with the radio or a smartphone for a driver to hit an unsuspecting motorcyclist.
Q: What Injuries Are Associated with Motorcycle Accidents?
Just like any other collisions, motorcycle accidents can be caused by:
Motorcycles require skill and technique to operate safely. While they’re fun to ride, they are one of the most dangerous vehicles to drive due to a lack of protection to the biker. According to the NHTSA, motorcyclists are about 27 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle accident. In 2018, motorcycle crashes accounted for 35 percent of all injury crashes in Illinois. In total, 2,266 motorcyclists sustained injuries that year. Of those injured, 811 suffered serious permanent injuries. These injuries include serious lacerations, broken bones or fractures, skull or chest injuries, and abdominal injuries.
Manufacture defects. Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and manufacturers alike recall motorcycles due to safety defects. If left unresolved, these defects put bikers and passengers at risk for serious injury or death if the motorcycle malfunctions while in use. Go to the NHTSA’s website to find out if your bike was recalled. Driving under the influence. In 2018, motorcyclists accounted for 12% of all fatal crashes in Illinois. Just like any motorist, bikers can be seriously injured by drunk drivers. Reckless driving. Speeding and making unsafe lane changes are just a few examples of reckless driving. Several motorcycle accidents are caused when drivers don’t “see” bikers on the road before they make a turn or lane change. Distracted driving. There are countless distractions in any vehicle, but especially
To learn more about motorcycle crashes, visit our website at Shannonlawgroup.com. If you have any questions about motorcycle accident lawsuits, please feel free to reach out to us at any time.
– Pat Cummings
ASBESTOS REMAINS A HEALTH RISK
Q: What Is Asbestos? And Is It Legal in the United States? Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in rocks and soil. It used to be called a “miracle mineral” because it is very resistant to heat, electricity, and chemicals. It was used widely for years in construction materials, automotive parts, and fire- resistant textiles because of these properties. Today, however, it is well understood that asbestos is a toxic and carcinogenic pathogen. In fact, asbestos remains the number one cause of occupational cancer in the United States. Asbestos fibers can separate very easily into tiny pieces when handled or damaged. These loose fibers, when inhaled or swallowed, build up in the respiratory system, which can cause diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Asbestos becomes a health risk when it is encountered in large quantities or is disturbed and distributed into the air (such as when a building is demolished or home remodeled). Loose asbestos fibers are odorless and tasteless, as well as invisible to the naked eye. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. However, the longer and more intense the exposure, the more likely an individual is to develop an asbestos-related disease. Is Asbestos Illegal in the United States? Today, asbestos is banned in more than 50 countries throughout the world, but not the U.S. While not banned, asbestos use and
removal are heavily regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government entities. Asbestos is now only used in products that have historically used asbestos (and only if there is no adequate substitute). It is typically used in products that require fireproof properties such as protective clothing, cement, and brake linings. As a result, the use of asbestos in new products and construction use has decreased significantly in the United States since its peak in 1973. Asbestos remains in older buildings, particularly homes, factories, schools, and commercial buildings throughout the U.S. Likewise, older products containing asbestos, including common household items such as toasters and hair dryers, remain in use. Americans will continue to be impacted by the toxic mineral for many years to come.
I wrote a book called “Meso Killers” to explore this part of American history and what you can do if you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Text “Meso Killers” to 312-847-2428 to get a free copy. on us
– Joseph Shannon
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CAN A VACCINE CAUSE A ROTATOR CUFF INJURY?
The short answer is yes. When a vaccine isn’t given properly, it can cause a vaccine injury known as SIRVA, or Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration. According to the NCBI, SIRVA occurs when a vaccine is inserted too high or too deep, causing the injection to be given in the shoulder joint instead of the deltoid muscle. SIRVA itself is an umbrella term that covers a variety of shoulder injuries from vaccines. Sometimes, a specific diagnosis may follow, such as rotator cuff tear. The rotator cuff is the group of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, which keeps the upper arm bones in the shoulder socket. When the needle is injected in the wrong location, the shoulder joint may become inflamed, causing these tendons and muscles to tear. What Are the Symptoms of this Injury? The rotator cuff is a large area of the shoulder, and it is essential to its functionality. If a rotator cuff becomes injured due to a vaccination, you may experience a limited range of motion, as well as: • Shoulder pain within 48 hours after receiving the vaccine. • Reduced range of motion in the affected shoulder. You have trouble brushing your hair or reaching behind your back.
• Shoulder pain that lasts for weeks after the vaccine. It’s sometimes described as a dull ache deep in the shoulder joint. • Always make sure to consult with a medical professional if you believe you have sustained a SIRVA injury. Can I Receive Compensation for My SIRVA Injury? Yes. If you have a shoulder injury from a covered vaccination, you may be entitled to compensation through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP is a special no-fault program run by the U.S. Federal Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. It was created to help those who have been injured due to a vaccine. Any vaccine can cause a rotator cuff injury if it is injected too high on the shoulder. However, not every injection is covered under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. All vaccines recommended by the Centers of Disease Control for children and pregnant women are covered under the VICP. If you’re interested in learning more about the VICP, I wrote a book, “Vaccine Injuries: Understanding the Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program.” It details everything you need to know about the program and what to expect when you file a claim. Text “VICP” to 312-847-2428 to get a free copy.
• Arm weakness. • Disturbed sleep.
–Jon Svitak
Thank you so much to everyone who joined in on the fun this year during the March Madness season. We hope you had a great time! We’re excited to announce the winners of this year’s challenge: 1st Place: Emani Brinkman 2nd Place: Xavier Myers 3rd Place: John Weber Congrats to the winners! We look forward to seeing you in the pool next year! CONGRATS TO OUR MARCH MADNESS BRACKET CHALLENGE WINNERS!
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Phone: 312-663-7016 Text: 312-847-2428 www.shannonlawgroup.com
135 S. LASALLE ST., STE. 2200 CHICAGO, IL 60603
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Introducing Kimberly McCarter and Elizabeth Hess Learn More About Motorcycle Crashes Why Asbestos Continues To Be a Concern Rotator Cuff Injuries May be Covered Under VICAP Congratulations to Our March Madness Bracket Winners
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Take a Break
TAKE A BREAK
CAESAR EQUINOX GOLD GREEN
FLOWERS FORWARD IRISH LUCKY
MARS RAIN
Solution at top of this page.
SPROUT WOMEN
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