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Blog
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:
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Medical Malpractice – Breaking down patient rights, hospital responsibilities, and the realities of pursuing claims against healthcare providers.
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Sexual Abuse – Covering legal developments, survivor resources, and our fight to hold institutions accountable.
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Vehicle Accidents – Offering guidance on navigating insurance, liability, and recovery after serious crashes.
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Personal Injury – Helping victims understand their options for compensation when negligence causes harm.
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Product Liability – Shedding light on unsafe products and the corporations that must be held responsible.
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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.
All Posts
Hurley McKenna & Mertz Files 12 More Lawsuits Against OB-GYN Vernon Cannon and DuPage Medical Group
Hurley McKenna & Mertz files 12 more lawsuits against OB-GYN Vernon Cannon and DuPage Medical Group for alleged misconduct and negligence.
Sep 26, 20233 min read
Top 5 Takeaways From the “Scout's Honor: The Secrets of the Boy Scouts of America” Netflix Documentary
Netflix’s Scout’s Honor reveals BSA abuse. See key takeaways and how HMM helps survivors seek justice.
Sep 7, 20234 min read
Hurley McKenna & Mertz Featured in “Scout’s Honor” Netflix Documentary for Work on Sexual Abuses Cases Against Boy Scouts of America
HMM is featured in Netflix’s Scout’s Honor for its work on sexual abuse cases against the Boy Scouts of America.
Sep 6, 20233 min read
Hurley McKenna & Mertz Files 4 New, 37 Coming Misconduct Claims Against OB-GYN Vernon Cannon and DuPage Medical Group, Formerly Duly Health and Care
Hurley McKenna & Mertz files 4 new and 37 upcoming misconduct claims against OB-GYN Vernon Cannon and DuPage Medical Group.
Aug 16, 20235 min read
How Private Equity-Owned Medical Practices Can Enable Sexual Abuse and Malpractice
For the last decade or so, our healthcare industry has seen a notable shift in who owns medical practices—it’s no longer just physicians acting solely in the patients’ best interest, but private equity firms that focus more on profits than people. This transition can be devastating for patients who fall victim to preventable medical malpractice. Table of Contents hbspt.cta.load(6845264, 'c3b21038-688f-4367-8716-b6de0e79b63c', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); What Pri
Jul 25, 20237 min read
How Employees Can Report Malpractice at Private Equity-Owned Medical Practices
When private investment firms purchase hospitals and physician groups, they have one goal: to make a profit. And they’re willing to make drastic changes to cut operating expenses, such as eliminating HR personnel, prioritizing moneymaking procedures, and reducing hospital staff. So what does this ultimately mean? Your chances of witnessing medical malpractice or sexual abuse could increase if you work at a private equity-owned medical practice. Now, more than ever, underst
Jul 25, 20233 min read
The DuPage Medical Group Case Study: Sexual Abuse in Private Equity-Owned Practices
Private equity firms are acquiring medical practices across the country as a means of turning a profit, but it’s often at the expense of patient wellbeing. Private equity firms, which invest in privately held businesses either by buying them outright or through buying a number of shares in the business, seek to make a quick profit. To that end, they often cut operating expenses through any means necessary to limit costs, then re-sell the business at a higher price. And toda
Jul 25, 20233 min read
Why You Should Care if Your Doctor’s Office is Private Equity-Owned
The days of small, physician-owned practices dotting America’s medical landscape have been dwindling for some time. Today, most patients receive care from a doctor that works for a hospital system or other large entity. Here’s a staggering statistic from the Physician’s Advocacy Institute : Today, 70% of physicians are employed by hospital systems, private equity firms, or health insurers. That means the majority of today’s healthcare providers are taking orders from entit
Jul 25, 20233 min read
6 Actions to Take If You're a Patient at a Private Equity-Owned Medical Practice
When it comes to healthcare, being informed is essential for making the right decisions and receiving optimal care—and this is especially true if you’re a patient at a private equity-owned medical practice. Private equity-owned medical practices refer to medical or healthcare facilities that are acquired and operated by private equity firms. Private equity firms are investment firms that pool together capital from investors to acquire and manage companies in various industri
Jul 25, 20234 min read
The Northwestern University Football Hazing and Sexual Abuse Scandal
In the developing story of the Northwestern University football team hazing and sexual abuse scandal, The Daily Northwestern has reported that at least two former Northwestern football players have confirmed that hazing within the football program included coerced sexual acts. At Hurley McKenna & Mertz we have represented thousands of men who were sexually abused as children, teens and adults, including former players for the Chicago Blackhawks, youth members of the the Boy
Jul 10, 20232 min read
Top 5 Takeaways from the Illinois Sexual Abuse Catholic Church Report
A recent report published by the Illinois Attorney General's office is shedding light on a distressing issue that has plagued religious institutions. The report highlights numerous instances of abuse and misconduct within the clergy, focusing primarily on the state of Illinois. Continue reading below for some top takeaways from the report and to find out what you can do if you are a victim of sexual abuse by the Catholic clergy. 1. Catholic Clergy Abuse is Widespread The r
Jun 16, 20232 min read
Hiring an Attorney—Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve decided to hire an attorney for your case, then you are likely in the process of looking for a lawyer that best suits your needs. We understand reaching out to a lawyer may be unsettling, intimidating, or even uncomfortable. If you don’t know what to expect, preparing thoughtful questions to ask before, during, and after your consultation may help you during your search. Below, we have prepared answers to frequently asked questions when considering an attorney. Can
Jun 8, 20233 min read
3 Things to Know About Hiring an Attorney for a Hospital Negligence Lawsuit
When you seek medical care at a hospital, medical group outpatient location, surgicenter, or other healthcare facility, you expect to be treated with care, respect, and professionalism. When hospital employees fail to provide that, the result can be catastrophic. Permanent injury, sexual assault, and even death can occur as a result of hospital negligence . What is hospital negligence? It’s a form of medical malpractice that occurs any time a hospital (or other type of med
Jun 1, 20234 min read
"The Church has been Concealing the Identities of Hundreds of Abusers"
Hurley McKenna & Mertz partner Michael Mertz spoke to the Associated Press about the Illinois Attorney General's long-awaited report regarding the sexual abuse of children in Illinois by Roman Catholic priests, brothers, and other church officials. The Attorney General’s investigation resulted in the Illinois Catholic Dioceses publicly listing for the first time an additional 231 substantiated Catholic cleric and religious brother child sex abusers. When asked by the Assoc
May 26, 20232 min read
Hiring a Sexual Abuse Lawyer For Your Case: Why Experience Matters
Victims of sexual abuse in institutions or structured organizations often suffer for a lifetime, sometimes blaming themselves for the criminal behavior of another. Many victims are unaware that the organizations they trusted may have known about the abuser, neglected to stop them, and, in some cases, covered it up. Even if the abuse took place years ago , the law may permit you to seek damages in a court of law. As a sexual abuse survivor, choosing the right lawyer to re
May 26, 20233 min read
Illinois Attorney General Releases Report on Catholic Clergy Child Sex Abuse
The Illinois Attorney General has released its long-awaited, comprehensive investigation of sexual abuse of children in Illinois by Roman Catholic priests, brothers, and other church officials. You can read the report here . The Attorney General’s investigation resulted in the Illinois Catholic Dioceses publicly listing an additional 231 substantiated Catholic cleric and religious brother child sex abusers. According to the report: In addition to the 334 clerics and religiou
May 23, 20233 min read
Common Wrongful Birth Case Scenarios: Know When to File a Lawsuit
If you’ve recently become a parent to a newborn, you are likely familiar with genetic testing. Every expectant mother is subject to genetic testing, but how the process is executed can make all the difference. As prenatal genetic testing becomes more common, there has been an increase in negligent genetic counseling from physicians, fertility specialists and clinics, and hospitals. When negligent genetic counseling or testing results in the birth of a child with severe menta
Apr 5, 20237 min read
The U.S. District Court Has Affirmed Bankruptcy Court Approval of the BSA Reorganization Plan
Today, the District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court. This represents a major step towards establishing the Settlement Trust and processing the claims of victims of BSA abuse. In Bankruptcy Court terms, the processing of claims can begin when the Plan “goes effective.” In order for this Plan to “go effective” the District Court needed to affirm the Bankruptcy Court. That occurred today. Nevertheless, parties still have the opportunity to appeal the District Court's findin
Mar 28, 20232 min read
BSA Bankruptcy Update - The United States District Court Hearing
On February 17, 2023, the hearing before District Court Judge Richard Andrews concluded. You can read the transcripts of the hearing here and here . Judge Andrews was very well educated about the Plan and asked very detailed and informed questions. The lawyers appearing before Judge Andrews were largely pleased with his reaction and knowledge of the Bankruptcy Court ruling. They believed he had already read all the material required to author an opinion in the case. Attor
Feb 17, 20232 min read
HMM Files 5 New Misconduct Lawsuits Against OB-GYN Dr. Vernon Cannon and His Former Employer DuPage Medical Group
Learn about the 5 new misconduct lawsuits HMM filed against OB-GYN Dr. Vernon Cannon and DuPage Medical Group.
Jan 11, 20234 min read
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