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

4 Red Flags That May Indicate Sexual Abuse in a Healthcare Setting

Doctors and medical professionals are supposed to be among the most trustworthy professionals. After all, patients seek out medical experts to ensure they’re living the healthiest lives possible and to find solutions to all manner of ailments. That’s one of the key reasons sexual abuse at the hands of medical professionals is so unconscionable: If patients can’t trust medical experts and staff with their health and safety, who can they trust with their physical health? Un

Nov 19, 20213 min read

How Common Is Sexual Abuse in Hospitals?

In many sexual abuse cases, the abuser was a position of power, whether a part of the Catholic Church , the Mormon Church , the Boy Scouts of America , or a medical association or hospital. Unfortunately, sexual abuse occurs anywhere a perpetrator sees an opportunity to take advantage of their victim and that victim’s circumstances. It’s unconscionable that so many sexual abuse perpetrators get away with their crimes , especially those in positions of power or influence. Of

Nov 15, 20213 min read

3 Things to Know About Working With an Attorney in a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

After living with the pain of sexual abuse for days, weeks, months, or even decades, many survivors struggle with revisiting unspeakably painful memories. However, filing a claim against your abuser can be an important part of the healing process, and should be considered in due time. One of the most important aspects, though, is partnering with an experienced law firm with the expertise and compassion to represent you in court. The Hurley McKenna & Mertz team has repre

Nov 5, 20213 min read

Why So Many Sexual Abuse Perpetrators Get Away With It

Many sexual abuse survivors suffered at the hands of individuals, but also at the hands of some of the most visible religious, cultural, and medical institutions in the United States. One would think that, due to these organizations’ public visibility, rampant sexual abuse would come to light sooner rather than later. However, this is rarely the case. In many instances, an organization's size and status make it much easier for sexual abusers (and those who wish to keep abuse

Oct 21, 20213 min read

Former BSA Youth Protection Director Tells Congress That Children Still Unsafe In Scouts BSA Programs.

Detective Michael Johnson, the former Youth Protection Director of the Boy Scouts of America, has come forward to urge Congress to open an investigation and hold which will lead to greater oversight of the Scouts BSA Congressional Charter. In a letter to the United States Congress, Detective Johnson shed further light on the dangers to child safety that currently exist within Scouting BSA. The Boy Scouts are frantically attempting to get their Chapter 11 Reorganization Plan

Oct 12, 20212 min read

Top Attorneys Share 4 Things Major Sexual Abuse Cases Have in Common

One of the most troubling and unconscionable aspects of sexual abuse is the frequency with which it occurs at the hands of those in positions of power and privilege, especially in large institutions. Hurley McKenna & Mertz has represented thousands of victims who have suffered sexual abuse by those they trusted, including those who were once a part of the Boy Scouts of America , the Catholic Church , the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), or medic

Oct 4, 20213 min read

How Victims Can Help Stop Repeat Offenders from Committing Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse, especially when it’s at the hands of large institutions such as a diocese , church , Boy Scout troop , or medical organization, often involves more than one victim. According to RAINN , perpetrators of rape are often serial criminals. That means the odds of a sexual abuse offender repeating sexual abuse or other crimes is high. However, victims have the power to stop this cycle. By speaking out and seeking justice for what happened to them, victims can raise

Sep 24, 20213 min read

BSA Chartering Organizations Have a Responsibility to Contribute to the Victims' Compensation Fund

Hurley McKenna & Mertz represents nearly 4,500 victims of Boy Scout abuse, including one victim that is a member of the Tort Claimants Committee. Nearly 40,000 organizations--including major religious organizations such as the Church of Jesus Christ, and Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran churches and their parent organizations--have had charters with the BSA to sponsor local Scout Troops. It was in these local Scout Troops that many of the 82,500 victims who ha

Sep 23, 20211 min read

How Sexual Abuse Can Impart Lifelong Damage

Victims of sexual abuse face a specific type of distress as they recuperate from the horrific experiences they’ve endured. Often, the injuries they deal with are emotional and mental—and can impact them for the rest of their lives. In almost every case, victims of sexual abuse often suffer for years, blaming themselves for the criminal behavior of their abuser. This is especially true when the abuser was affiliated with a large, trusted institution, such as a diocese , chur

Sep 17, 20212 min read

Boy Scouts of America Releases the Victims' Fifth Amended Compensation Plan

Update on BSA’s Fifth Amended Plan: HMM shares concerns on settlements, recovery options, and what survivors need to know.

Sep 16, 20213 min read

Was My Child’s Birth Complication Preventable?

Becoming pregnant and giving birth to a healthy, happy baby is one of life’s greatest joys for mothers. While the majority of pregnancies and births impart minor or no complications, far too many mothers and their babies in the United States suffer a range of birth injuries. While some preexisting health conditions may elevate the risk of certain complications during pregnancy, mothers with a range of health concerns go on to give an uncomplicated birth to a healthy infant.

Aug 12, 20212 min read

How Preeclampsia Can Affect a Baby

Of all the birth complications that can arise for a mother and newborn, preeclampsia is one of the most dangerous. Though it should be prevented through careful medical care, preeclampsia may cause a range of painful, traumatic symptoms for the mother that can lead to lifelong conditions. Similarly, if the mother experiences preeclampsia, her child may develop either temporary or lasting complications. In the most extreme cases, preeclampsia can end the child’s life. While

Aug 4, 20213 min read

How Would a Preeclampsia Lawsuit Benefit My Child?

Contracting preeclampsia as an expectant mother is among the most difficult challenges she can experience during pregnancy. The matter becomes even more challenging when her child suffers from preeclampsia or prolonged conditions caused by preeclampsia . Too often, medical care professionals fail to diagnose and properly treat preeclampsia. The consequences can include lifelong health issues for a child, or even death. If your child has health complications caused by undiag

Jul 29, 20213 min read

Can Preeclampsia be Prevented?

No matter how healthy an expectant mother may be, there are always risks of birth complications. However, with proper medical precautions, the chance of permanent damage and injury is lowered for both mothers and their babies. It’s these precautions that ensure many births in the United States occur with little or no issue. Still, preeclampsia remains a major complication for too many women and their children in the U.S., leading many to ask, can preeclampsia be prevented? W

Jul 22, 20213 min read

Are My Child’s Health Issues Due to a Lack of Oxygen During Labor?

While most mothers give birth with little or no complications, there are a number of issues that can arise during the delivery process. Each pregnancy and each mother’s medical history and needs are unique. Though healthcare professionals are trained for these variances, they may miss or misdiagnose complications during pregnancy. If these conditions—such as preeclampsia —are undiagnosed and/or unaddressed, the child may experience developmental delays and other health issue

Jul 6, 20212 min read

What to Know About a Preeclampsia Medical Malpractice Case in Illinois

The risks of preeclampsia to a mother and baby are significant. If not properly diagnosed or promptly treated, the complications could result in mental and cognitive impairment for the baby, or even death of mother and/or child. If this traumatic episode happened to you or someone you love while in a hospital within the state of Illinois, you have the right to seek compensation for damages. But where do you begin? What questions should you ask, and where do you turn for hel

Jun 29, 20213 min read

Illinois Attorneys Share Real-Life Medical Malpractice and Preeclampsia Cases

As a patient in a hospital, you expect to receive a high level of care and to leave the hospital better than when you came in. In most instances, the patient receives suitable treatment and suffers no ill effects. There are occasions, however, where the care received by the patient is poor. Mistakes made by the medical professionals in charge of the patient can have catastrophic effects, leading to severe injury or even death to the patient. When these mistakes occur, the v

Jun 29, 20213 min read

How to Know If Your Child's Cerebral Palsy Could Be Related to Undiagnosed Preeclampsia

Despite access to some of the world’s most advanced health care facilities and medical treatments, giving birth in the United States is often fraught with avoidable complications for both mother and child. Among the complications that can arise during pregnancy, preeclampsia ranks highly among the most dangerous of these avoidable conditions. Perhaps the most unfortunate element of preeclampsia is that mothers who experience a seemingly normal pregnancy may experience preec

Jun 29, 20213 min read

When to Sue for a Preeclampsia Misdiagnosis in Illinois

Chicago is home to many hospitals and medical schools, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, the University of Chicago Hospitals, Rush University Medical Center and Advocate facilities including Lutheran General Hospital and Christ Hospital. However, medical mistakes—such as a missed preeclampsia diagnosis--can occur anywhere, at any time. When preeclampsia occurs, the swift response of the hospital’s medical team is necessary to protect

Jun 29, 20212 min read

How Preeclampsia Can Cause Birth-Related Brain Injuries in Infants

While all births are special, they are usually physically and emotionally intense. Some are even traumatic—for both the mother and child. Although most births occur with few to no complications, some issues—like preeclampsia —can impart serious conditions to the child. The resulting complications from preeclampsia can include brain-related injuries. What is Preeclampsia? The first thing to know about preeclampsia is that it can be difficult to detect, making it one of the mo

Jun 23, 20212 min read