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With more than 35 years of experience, the team at Hurley McKenna & Mertz has built a reputation for tackling some of the country’s most complex and emotionally challenging legal cases. Our attorneys and staff have worked together for decades, guided by trust, respect, and a shared commitment to the truth.

The HM&M Blog is where we share insights, resources, and updates across our core practice areas:

Medical Malpractice – Breaking down patient rights, hospital responsibilities, and the realities of pursuing claims against healthcare providers.
Sexual Abuse – Covering legal developments, survivor resources, and our fight to hold institutions accountable.
Vehicle Accidents – Offering guidance on navigating insurance, liability, and recovery after serious crashes.
Personal Injury – Helping victims understand their options for compensation when negligence causes harm.
Product Liability – Shedding light on unsafe products and the corporations that must be held responsible.
Nursing Home Abuse – Advocating for the safety and dignity of vulnerable elders facing neglect or mistreatment.

Through this blog, we aim to make the law more accessible, highlight important case updates, and provide information that empowers victims and families to take the next step toward justice.

Medical Malpractice

Explore articles about patient rights, hospital accountability, and what to do when medical errors cause harm.

Bad Drug Interactions and Pharmacist Liability

A bad drug interaction or an adverse reaction caused when one drug interacts or interferes with another drug, is an extremely common issue, particularly among those with multiple health issues. As such, the elderly population is often at the highest level of risk. However, anyone taking more than one medication – even over-the-counter drugs – can be at risk for a bad drug interaction. So who is responsible if one happens? Is it the doctor that prescribed the medication? Is

Feb 10, 20163 min read

Hill Family Secures a Future and Life-Long Care for Son Injured During Birth

For most parents, the birth of a new child is a joyous event, one full of promise and a long and happy future. Sadly, there are far too many other parents that go through a very different sort of experience. They are thrust into tragedy, or onto a path that they could never have anticipated or planned for. Sometimes, these experiences are the result of an unpreventable tragedy; other times, they are the result of a birth injury caused by a negligent healthcare provider . In b

Jan 13, 20164 min read

$4.7M Verdict Upheld by 1st District Panel - Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

By Lauraann Wood , Law Bulletin Staff Writer A south suburban hospital cannot escape liability in a $4.7 million judgment by labeling a doctor involved as an independent contractor, a state appeals panel ruled Thursday. The hospital pointed to a release form signed by the patient's son while she was in a respiratory coma, acknowledging the contractor relationship. But the 1st District Appellate Court's ruling on Thursday rejected the hospital's notion and affirmed the wrong

Jan 7, 20164 min read

Illinois Appellate Court Awards $4.7 Million Verdict in Wrongful Death Suit Against St. James Hospital

When a patient steps into a hospital or doctor's office, they are trusting that provider to act responsibly. Unfortunately, recent information indicates that as many as 210,000 to 440,000 people die each year from preventable causes while under the care of a physician. A 49-year-old woman who visited the St. James Hospital of Olympia Fields in 2006 tragically met this very fate while visiting the hospital's emergency room . With the aid of attorneys Christopher T. Hurley and

Jan 6, 20163 min read

$4.7 Million Jury Verdict Against St. James Hospital of Olympia Fields Affirmed by Illinois Appellate Court

On December 31, 2015, the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed a $4.7 Million jury verdict against St. James Hospital of Olympia Fields and one of its emergency department physicians on behalf of the family of a 49-year-old woman who suffered brain death in the hospital's emergency department in 2006. The suit alleged that on July 9, 2006, a Matteson Fire Department ambulance brought Georgia Tagalos to the St. James Hospital emergency room at 1:45 p.m. Upon her arrival at the h

Jan 6, 20164 min read

Five Most Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), approximately one in 20 adults seeking outpatient care will receive delayed, wrong, or missed diagnosis each year. It accounts for about five percent of all patients seen annually. Though not a large number overall, over time, those numbers begin to add up. In fact, the IOM estimates that the majority of Americans will eventually experience a diagnostic error at some point in their lives. This small percentage also happens to acc

Dec 28, 20154 min read

Compartment Syndrome and the Importance of Due Diligence of Medical Professionals

Compartment syndrome, a serious condition that causes increased pressure in the body's muscle compartments, can be caused by even minor trauma to any part of the body. Its consequences, which can take hold quickly, can be devastating if not properly addressed by medical professionals . Indeed, in many cases, it is only their suspicion of the condition and prompt treatment that have the ability to save a patient from permanent and potentially fatal side effects. Understanding

Nov 10, 20153 min read

Bill to Change New York’s Statute of Limitations on Medical Malpractice Killed by Senate Majority Leader

Despite receiving overwhelming bipartisan support from the Assembly, sponsoring from the majority of the State Senate, and endorsement from New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomono, a bill that would have changed New York's statute of limitations on medical malpractice will never come up for a final vote. Instead, the bill, named Lavern's Law, was shot down by the Senate majority leader, John J. Flannagan. As a result, victims of medical malpractice in New York will continue to s

Sep 17, 20153 min read

Are Recorded Surgeries the Future of Medical Malpractice Investigation and Medical Error Prevention?

According to recent statistics from Patient Safety America, as many as 440,000 people die from preventable medical mistakes each year. If Stanford University researchers are correct, those deaths were likely caused by just a very small fraction of doctors (about one percent). Even more concerning is that many of those doctors – doctors who have removed wrong body parts, worked while intoxicated, overprescribed medication, and so much more – are allowed to continue practicing

Aug 19, 20153 min read

ProPublica Finds Disturbing Information while Analyzing Complication Rates of 17,000 Surgeons

Since the 1999 publication of "To Err is Human," a landmark report from the Institute of Medicine on the number of medical errors in the United States, patient safety has been at the forefront of healthcare discussions. Unfortunately, little has changed since then; a recent study from ProPublica has provided a closer (and highly disturbing) look. ProPublica Reveals Disparity in Patient Care Among Surgeons Medical malpractice studies are not a new concept, but ProPublica to

Jul 29, 20153 min read

Push for Economic Reform Could Make Corporate Lawsuits More Difficult

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner wants to advance his radical political agenda by making it more difficult for victims of negligence and medical malpractice to obtain fair and just compensation for their injuries. Governor Rauner and his friends—big businesses and insurance companies— falsely claim that there is a "lawsuit crisis" in Illinois . However, the fact is that lawsuit filings in Illinois have dropped 26 percent since 2007. Governor Rauner's proposed changes to the t

Jul 24, 20152 min read

Zofran Use May Be Linked to Birth Defects

Parents want their infants and children to be healthy and thrive. It can be a devastating blow when they find out their child may or will have a life-long condition that may be life-threatening. Congenital heart defects are heart problems that develop before the child is born and are often referred to as a hole in the heart. Congenital heart defects can lead to heart failure, high blood pressure, infection, or other problems from the moment they are born or later on in life.

Apr 30, 20152 min read

Medical Error Continues at a Much Higher Rate than Initially Reported

Medical malpractice affects thousands of Americans every year due to hospital negligence or patients suffering from some type of preventable harm due to medical error. NPR referenced a Journal of Patient Safety study that concluded between 210,000 and 440,000 patient deaths occurred as a result of preventable harm in hospitals, making it the third leading cause of death in America. This number is more than double the 98,000 patients previously reported by the Institute of

Jan 4, 20152 min read

Illinois Gastroenterologist Says Early Colonoscopy Screenings Provide Little Risk Despite Recommended Timeline

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer ranks third as the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. A colonoscopy allows a doctor to examine the inside of the colon to detect polyps, diseases, or other abnormal results. The recommended time interval between procedures is 10 years beginning at the age of 50. It is the responsibility of medical providers to ensure their patients are informed of the need for these types of health screenings in

Dec 19, 20142 min read

Should Americans Worry about Medical Errors? Survey Says Yes

The risk of medical errors is a concern for a majority of patients in the United States. According to a Wolters Kluwer Health survey conducted in 2012, 73 percent of patients expressed concern about potential medical errors. Nearly 30 percent of those surveyed reported either they or a family member had been a victim of a medical mistake. Common causes of negligent medical care include: Miscommunication among hospital staff; Doctors, nurses and other medical personnel being

Nov 27, 20142 min read

Medical Malpractice Cases Continue to Climb for Nearly Two Decades

The Institute of Medicine's (IOM) study "To Err is Human" was published over a decade ago with medical malpractice statistics showing that between 44,000 and 98,000 patients are killed in hospitals every year as a result of medical errors, leading up to $29 billion in costs every year. The study reported errors at different points of care, including the following examples: Error or delay in diagnosis; Error to act on results of testing or monitoring; Error in administering

Oct 28, 20142 min read

Approximately 40 Percent of Illinois Doctors Yet to Switch to Electronic Medical Records

According to an article published by the American Academy of Family Physicians , doctors follow a risk management protocol when it comes to dealing with concerns surrounding possible cases of medical malpractice . The article refers to the "4 Cs" of risk management: Compassion Communication Competence Charting The article, written by Richard G. Roberts, MD, stated that the greatest charting mistakes occur when physicians forget or fail to note what is important about a patien

Oct 22, 20142 min read

Just a Routine Operation

I just came across this amazing story . A man in Britain whose wife died during routine surgery is trying to help the medical field learn from the tragedy. And it all stems from a failed airway situation very much like we saw in our last verdict for the Tagalos family. As a pilot, Martin Bromiley has been taught safety procedures and communication methods to help address the "human factors" that cause 75% of airplane accidents. But he doesn't see the medical profession reco

Jan 19, 20141 min read

Lawyer Represents Chicagoans Injured By Medical Devices

Medical devices, machines, and other products injure and kill thousands each year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a list of recalled medical devices. In addition to those products on this list, though, there are many different products that are dangerous or worn-out that kill and injure people in healthcare settings. The experienced attorneys at Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. have represented numerous clients who were injured or killed by medical devices. Ofte

Jan 18, 20141 min read

Jury Awards $4,700,000 for Death in Emergency Room

CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN, DECEMBER 4, 2013 A Chicago jury has awarded $4.7 million to the family of a 49 year old woman who died at St. James Hospital in suburban Chicago after she suffered a severe asthma attack. The case alleged emergency room errors and wrongful death in a 2 week-long medical malpractice trial. The patient arrived in the emergency room in respiratory distress which is an emergency condition requiring immediate treatment. It took emergency room doctors m

Dec 12, 20131 min read