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:

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.

All Posts

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

Construction Accidents, Injuries & Deaths: Can I Sue?

Construction-related accidents can lead to many types of injuries. While safety is the goal, some construction accidents lead to injury or death. What causes these accidents? Falls, equipment malfunctions, overloaded equipment, scaffolding incidents, and motor vehicles are some of the drivers of such injuries and death. Other dangers include scenarios that aren’t frequently considered: odorless gasses, confined spaces, and structural cave-ins. So, what can you do when a cons

Dec 27, 20223 min read

How Child Sex Abuse Victims Have Sought Justice Against Priests and Church Officials

Abuse of children by Roman Catholic priests, brothers, or other church officials is physically and emotionally devastating. In these cases, the victims put their trust and faith in a clergy member, only to be exploited sexually and left with a lifetime of guilt and loss of trust. From roughly the 1950s to the 1980s, child sexual abuse by clergy occurred across the country virtually unchecked . Churches hid allegations of sexual abuse, and fellow parishioners often failed to

Dec 8, 20223 min read

Hospital Negligence: What It Is & How to Report It

When a medical mistake occurs, who's to blame? This thought may run through your mind before you arrive for scheduled surgery. Or, suppose a loved one has a life-altering experience in a hospital, due to the actions of a medical professional. You may wonder, can the hospital be held accountable for negligence? If you’re familiar with legal jargon, you might ask, is there even a difference between hospital negligence and medical malpractice? And, if you’re not, this post will

Dec 2, 20223 min read

Working With Dr. Vernon Cannon—What to Do if You've Witnessed Inappropriate Behavior

Guidance on what to do if you observed inappropriate behavior by Dr. Vernon Cannon and how to share information responsibly.

Nov 23, 20222 min read

How to Take Action for Physician Sexual Abuse

If your doctor has displayed inappropriate behavior , you may be feeling scared, angry, or alone. While the first two feelings will take time to work through, please know you are not alone. The attorneys at Hurley McKenna & Mertz are crusaders in this field, pledging to fight for the justice of those affected by medical negligence—especially as it pertains to sexual abuse. First, know that making a formal complaint with a medical board likely will not result in any disciplin

Nov 17, 20223 min read

Chicago Cerebral Palsy Lawyer: Experience Matters

Did you know that cerebral palsy is a preventable condition that occurs in approximately one of every 300 children? Often associated with medical malpractice , this permanent condition can result from a brain injury or damage to the central nervous system of a baby during labor and delivery due to a lack of oxygen. A mother's undiagnosed or untreated preeclampsia is one example of a preventable cause of cerebral palsy. Medical research has shown that cerebral palsy is a bi

Nov 10, 20223 min read

The Case Against Vernon T. Cannon, M.D. and DuPage Medical Group

Overview of the allegations against OB-GYN Vernon Cannon and DuPage Medical Group, including claims of negligence and patient reports.

Nov 4, 20226 min read