Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sex Crimes

Published on: December 31, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Depositphotos_83395518_s-2019-300x185

Fashion Executive Charged with Sex Trafficking Crimes Against Women and Young Girls

On Tuesday, December 15, the U.S. attorney’s office, the F.B.I., and the New York Police Department charged an influential and wealthy fashion executive with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and several other related crimes that involved dozens of women and girls as young as 14 over a 25-year-period. More than 80 women from the United States, the Bahamas, and Canada have signed on as plaintiffs. At the time of the assault, many victims were sought out to be models or actresses, recruited by Nygaard’s company.

According to The New York Times, Peter Nygard is “accused of targeting victims from disadvantaged economic backgrounds and, in some cases, with a history of abuse. Mr. Nygard sexually assaulted some, it said, while his associates assaulted or drugged others to ensure their compliance with Nygard’s sexual demands.”

Massage Envy Failed To Report Sexual Assaults

Published on: December 16, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Levin & Perconti Attorney Megan Shore Represents Women in Massage Envy Sexual Assault Cases

A male massage therapist sexually assaulted at least three women at an Old Town spa facility in separate incidents last year. Personal injury firm Levin & Perconti represents two of the women, referred to in court filings as Jane Doe and Jane Doe #2.

On December 10, 2019, a male Massage Envy Spa Chicago therapist sexually assaulted Jane Doe #2, removing her towel to expose her body and touching her buttocks and genitalia. The incident was reported to a spa manager.

Police Mistakes Led To Mentally Ill Man’s Death

Published on: October 15, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

Levin & Perconti Represents Family Who Lost Mentally Ill Son in Deadly Encounters with Pennsylvania Law Enforcement

Levin & Perconti attorneys Steven Levin and Daisy Ayllon are representing the family of a mentally ill man who was shot and killed by police in the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Chicago-based legal team says police made numerous mistakes in handling the situation leading up to the 27-year-old man’s death when they failed to consider Ricardo Miguel Muñoz’s mental wellness, further allowing the situation to escalate.

“On the day of his death, Mr. Muñoz’s family made several concerning calls and requested help from the City of Lancaster police,” said Steven Levin, senior partner at Levin & Perconti. “If the police had been trained appropriately and followed protocols, Ricardo Muñoz would still be alive and provided treatment for his documented history of mental illness.”

Is It Possible Cruise Lines Knew of Coronavirus Risk to Passengers?

Published on: May 4, 2020 | Levin & Perconti

As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues investigations of clusters of Covid-19 cases among cruise ship passengers and staff, many are left to wonder how this may have happened in the first place, and if the quick spread of the novel disease was due to corporate negligence. At least 32 cruise ships have now been affected by the global coronavirus pandemic, resulting in deadly exposures to the disease, illness, and extended quarantine stays onboard. A recent Wall Street Journal investigation published on May 1, 2020 revealed that many of these ships continued to go on with voyages knowing the dangerous risk to passengers and crew.

Princess Cruises, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean Among List of Infected Ships

In some way, nearly all ships operated by Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, have been impacted by the virus. This includes trip cancellations, quarantined off the coast of other countries, left untreated with lagging sicknesses, nearly a dozen passenger deaths, and thousands of individuals traveling without access to the proper medications and support.

Levin & Perconti Leads Illinois in Winning Settlements over $500,000

Published on: October 24, 2019 | Levin & Perconti

Depositphotos_17005161_xl-2015-300x201
The attorneys of Levin & Perconti are pleased to announce the firm secured more settlements over $500,000 than any other law firm in Illinois over the last year.

Having reached 58 of these top-dollar settlements between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019, the firm brought in more than $75 million for its clients and was also highlighted in Chicago Lawyer Magazine’s 2019 Settlement Survey as one of the top five law firms in the state for total settlements secured.

Each year, Chicago Lawyer and the Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter — a sister publication within Law Bulletin Media — examine top reported settlements. This year’s report is based on 634 Illinois settlements of $500,000 or more submitted to Jury Verdict Reporter.

Lung Disease Cluster Identified In U.S. Stone Workers

Published on: October 16, 2019 | Levin & Perconti

Construction Worker Lung Disease

Companies Can Prevent Fatal Lung Disease in Stone Fabrication Workers

Thousands of U.S. workers are getting sick from cutting, grinding and polishing slabs of artificial stone used to make kitchen and bathroom countertops. The “engineered stone” is at risk of creating damaging levels of respirable crystalline silica in a workplace. Workers have been linked to cases of death and dangerous and irreversible lung injury in stone fabricators who cut, grind and polish high levels of the mineral silica, and then breathe in silica dust outputs.

An updated report by the Centers for Disease Control Doctors titled Severe Silicosis in Engineered Stone Fabrication Workers was released on September 27, 2019, and highlighted related worker illnesses in California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington, from 2017–2019.

Zantac Pulled In Fear Of Drug Injury Risk

Published on: October 8, 2019 | Levin & Perconti

levin perconti zantac injury

Zantac and Generic Ranitidine May Be Harmful

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently revealed that Zantac and generic varieties contain a chemical that could be linked to cancer, called

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Concern erupted when private lab Valisure found the contaminant and alerted FDA officials of a problem stemming from the composition of the drug. Several large pharmacy chains and stores such as Walmart, Rite-Aid, CVS and Walgreens have since suspended the sales of Zantac branded heartburn medicines and generic versions that contain active ingredient ranitidine. Three drugmakers – Apotex, Sandoz and GlaxoSmithKline – have recalled generic versions.

Episiotomy Complications After Childbirth

Published on: September 19, 2019 | Levin & Perconti

med mal attorney

Episiotomy Complications After Childbirth

As more women speak up about their pregnancy challenges, share delivery stories and post-partum struggles, many are starting to let their doctors know that the unnecessary episiotomy they performed during childbirth has created lasting injuries and made sexual intercourse painful if not impossible. The American Pregnancy Association identifies these situations in which an episiotomy may be needed for any of the following reasons:

Birth is imminent and the perineum hasn’t had time to stretch slowly

First Vaping Related Death Reported In Illinois

Published on: September 11, 2019 | Levin & Perconti

Toxic E-Cigarette Products Cause Deadly Respiratory Illness Outbreak and 1 Death in Illinois

As of September 5, 2019, health officials reported to The Washington Post that five people have now died of a lung illness linked to vaping with another 450 possible cases in 33 states and one territory known. E-cigarettes, which officials define as battery-operated devices that heat a liquid and deliver an aerosol product, are most commonly used to inhale nicotine but can also be used to deliver (vape) THC, CBD and certain types of oils.

According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released on Friday, September 6, most of the patients treated thus far:

Dangerous Lead Exposures Hit Illinois’ Drinking Water

Published on: July 17, 2019 | Levin & Perconti

Illinois water pollution

2000 Illinois Homes in University Park Without Safe Drinking Water

Due to dangerous lead levels found in tap water, could the Illinois community of University Park become the next Flint, Michigan or Newark, New Jersey? It’s been nearly a month since University Park’s mayor declared a state of emergency sparked by a “do not consume water” advisory made by Aqua Illinois. Aqua Illinois is the private company that supplies water to University Park and other suburbs in Cook, Kane, Kankakee, Lake and Will counties. Aqua officials issued the order after detecting extremely elevated lead levels in the drinking water of 15 properties in University Park, Green Garden and Monee Townships in June of 2019 and suggested the problem would be fixed in just a “few days.” More than 2000 homes and thousands of community members are still without answers and safe to consume their home’s tap water.

Toxic lead exposures can happen in many ways but in this case likely occurred because of unkept, damaged and corroded water pipes and plumbing with lead solder, which allows the lead to leach into the same drinking water pumped into homes, schools, hospitals, businesses and everywhere else the pipes connected.

Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog

Fashion Executive Charged with Sex Trafficking Crimes Against Women and Young Girls

Levin & Perconti Attorney Megan Shore Represents Women in Massage Envy Sexual Assault Cases

Levin & Perconti Represents Family Who Lost Mentally Ill Son in Deadly Encounters with Pennsylvania Law Enforcement

Princess Cruises, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean Among List of Infected Ships

Companies Can Prevent Fatal Lung Disease in Stone Fabrication Workers

Zantac and Generic Ranitidine May Be Harmful

Episiotomy Complications After Childbirth

Toxic E-Cigarette Products Cause Deadly Respiratory Illness Outbreak and 1 Death in Illinois

2000 Illinois Homes in University Park Without Safe Drinking Water