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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: Can my son's MS from mercury fillings fall under the 10-year statute of repose?

I have twin sons who received dental fillings: one received 9 composite fillings, while the other received 9 mercury silver fillings. The latter twin developed MS, which was linked to the mercury fillings by a renowned neurotoxicologist's published research and extensive documentation.... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Apr 6, 2025

Statute of repose for what? TODAY, there is no restriction or guideline against amalgam fillings in Illinois so even if you could prove a nexus between the fillings and the MS (and I don't see how you can), you CANNOT hold the dentist responsible because using amalgam fillings is still... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Child Custody and Sexual Harassment for Illinois on
Q: What can I do about my son's abusive father

He's forced me down on him my wrist was sprained hes left dark purple bruises on my son from spanking him very hard and smacked his face to where he was so scared of his father and keeps telling me he doesnt want to go he tells me he is scared of his father at age 3 a child is scared of his... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Apr 4, 2025

Call SWAN. It is a shelter for women and children in Olney. Open 24 hours. 618-392-3556. They can provide shelter, food and clothing, help with an Order of Protection, counseling for women and children. They will help you find a job, get transportation, do a resume, work with the police, take... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Probate and Civil Litigation for Illinois on
Q: Will creditors or next of kin receive a settlement if ex-husband dies with debt?

My ex-husband recently passed away in Illinois and owed a substantial amount of debt. He did not leave a will, and there has been no probate process initiated. He is due to receive a settlement from an accident soon. Given that he has a daughter and son as his next of kin, will the creditors be... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 4, 2025

Creditors can probate his Estate. If they do not then they probably will not collect. The claimants need their lawyers to explain their IL exemption rights if any, and plan on where the settlement monies will be deposited, etc. Claimants need to think about asset protection now.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Wrongful Death for Illinois on
Q: What steps should I take after my spouse's death?

I am seeking information on the legal steps I should take following the death of my husband today. We were considering divorce prior to his death. There are no unresolved legal matters from the marriage, and I don't have concerns related to inheritance or property division. Can you provide... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 4, 2025

I'm very sorry for the loss of your husband. This is something that an Illinois attorney should advise on, but your question remains open for a month. You were still married for all intents and purposes - it would be best to reach out to Illinois attorneys who handle Probate & Estate... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Illinois on
Q: Will I go to jail for first offense traffic misdemeanor with an accident in Illinois?

I am concerned about whether I will go to jail for a first offense traffic misdemeanor involving an accident where I was uninsured and there was property damage. Are there specific penalties I should be aware of in my situation?

Theodore J. Harvatin
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answered on Apr 3, 2025

I doubt there would be jail.

Purchase insurance and bring proof to court. That will avoid a license suspension. However, you will have to carry SR 22 for three years

You may run into problems down the road if the other driver had insurance who pays for the damages. The insurance...
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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice, Civil Rights and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: What can I do about a psychiatrist's inappropriate conduct in Illinois?

I had a psychiatrist for six years, mainly consisting of talk therapy after discontinuing medications. He made inappropriate comments, such as asking about my experience as a woman with physical features and dismissing my experiences of abuse. He objectified me and commented on my attractiveness,... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Apr 3, 2025

What you describe is your opinion that the psychiatrist conducted himself/herself inappropriately. You also say that you have consulted with his peers, butt you do not tell us their opinions. Another psychiatrist or clinical psychologist would be in the best position to advise you whether your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Sexual Harassment and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Seeking guidance for workplace sexual assault incident with witnesses and footage from 2017-2018 in Illinois.

I was sexually assaulted at work around 2017 or 2018. Despite having witnesses and camera footage, my manager did not report the incident to the police or take any action. I had to continue serving the customer involved. I spoke to a psychiatrist about it, but he said it wasn't sexual assault.... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Apr 3, 2025

You claim that you were sexually assaulted 8 or 9 years ago. You also tell us that your psychiatrist advised you the situation that you conveyed did NOTconstitute sexual assault. You tell us that your manager made NO police report but your manager was not assaulted. You claim that you were... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I consented to a painful gynecological exam. What can I do legally?

I underwent an invasive gynecological exam in October 2023. I agreed to the exam because the doctor told me it was the only way to get information about my issue. I was informed it might cause "discomfort," but it was excruciatingly painful, and I was crying and unable to speak. The... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Apr 3, 2025

I'm sorry to hear of your trying experience. Unfortunately, doctors are often misinformed that they are unable to express their concern/sympathy for your situation without admitting liability. You have to understand that if the procedure that the doctor performed was an appropriate procedure... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I consented to a painful gynecological exam. What can I do legally?

I underwent an invasive gynecological exam in October 2023. I agreed to the exam because the doctor told me it was the only way to get information about my issue. I was informed it might cause "discomfort," but it was excruciatingly painful, and I was crying and unable to speak. The... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 3, 2025

I'm sorry for your agonizing ordeal. One option may be to be consult with a medical professional and discuss what took place. Unfortunately, since October 2023, any evidence of what happened would have likely been evanescent, if it existed at all. Despite the upsetting nature of what happened... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law and Constitutional Law for Illinois on
Q: Will a 2012 civil ordinance violation affect my naturalization process?

I was arrested in 2012 and received a civil ordinance ticket for drug paraphernalia as a green card holder in Illinois. I want to apply for naturalization but am concerned about whether this civil ordinance violation will affect my application. I never faced a court date, jail time, or entered a... View More

Symantha Rhodes
Symantha Rhodes
answered on Mar 27, 2025

A 2012 civil ordinance violation for drug paraphernalia, while seemingly minor, could potentially impact your naturalization process. USCIS considers your moral character over the statutory period, typically the five years preceding your application. While a single, isolated incident without a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Insurance Bad Faith, Car Accidents and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: Paid for car insurance via dealership, no coverage record; need help.

I bought a car on March 7, 2025, with the requirement to have full coverage insurance in order to drive it off the lot. The car salesman informed me that he would set up insurance for $401. I paid this amount via Cash App but did not receive a declarations page or any official documentation. On... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Mar 26, 2025

First things first. Begin by contacting the dealer and requesting the name and contact information of the insurance company. In the future, avoid the situation by comparing various insurance carriers ahead of time and advising them of your intention to purchase this make and model vehicle so... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Sexual Harassment and Employment Law for Illinois on
Q: Accused of harassment, investigating in-house, no legal action yet. Next steps?

I have been accused of harassment, with claims that I said something inappropriate to the accuser. However, I did not say what they claim, and I do not know who the accuser is. The matter is currently being investigated in-house, with no legal proceedings in place yet. What should I do now?

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Mar 22, 2025

Do not agree to be interrogated without representation.

If you have been accused of saying something and you know that you did not say it, then you know exactly what you are accused of saying. Usually, there are a limited number of people to whom the comment could have been addressed....
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2 Answers | Asked in Juvenile Law for Illinois on
Q: will me being blackmailed wave my crime?

I "stole" my friends car, he doesn't care but his mom does. She is making me pay her 300 bucks or she is telling the police for sure, if i pay her she may still tell. Obviously im in the wrong but now that she's blackmailing me will the crime be waved especially because my friend doesn't care?

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Mar 19, 2025

Don't pay blackmail, there is no end to that. If she turns you in, so be it. The timing of the police report will be taken into consideration. If it's your friends car and he gave you permission, what is the problem?

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Illinois on
Q: Could I face legal trouble if a felon hasn't changed their address but doesn’t live with me and I legally own a gun?

I legally own a gun and live alone without allowing anyone, including a felon who hasn't changed their address, into my home. The gun is securely stored in a closet. Could I face any legal trouble due to the felon's unchanged address?

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Mar 19, 2025

No. The address is his responsibility, not yours. He would only have to report his address if he is on pre trial release, probation, parole or a sex offender. But if he listed your address, you may choose to let them know he does not live there anymore as his address is subject to being searched... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Business Formation and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Conflict between Italian citizen's will and Illinois partnership agreement.

I have a question regarding a conflict between testamentary dispositions and partnership rules. An Italian citizen, who was a resident and deceased in Italy, left a will with provisions contradicting a partnership agreement made years ago in the USA (specifically Illinois). The partnership... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 17, 2025

You are going to need an IL attorney in addition to the Italian probate attorney. But whatever the decedent actually owned in the partnership will then go through his Estate, regardless what the will claims it is. Decedent does not get to change his partnership contract through a testamentary... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Wrongful Death and Legal Malpractice for Illinois on
Q: Negotiating wrongful death settlement in Illinois led to pressured agreement; attorney left shortly after. What are my options?

I've been negotiating a wrongful death settlement in Illinois. Initially, the opposing party offered $40,000, below our range of $250,000 to $850,000. After years of negotiation, my attorney urgently emailed me to settle for $250,000, stating it was a limited-time offer. I felt pressured and... View More

Scott Martin Hendler
Scott Martin Hendler
answered on Mar 17, 2025

If you haven’t signed any documents, you can definitely seek a second opinion to evaluate the facts and the propriety of the proposed settlement. You should contact the owner or Managing Partner of the law firm that represented you to find out the status of your case, why your lawyer left, and... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Wrongful Death and Legal Malpractice for Illinois on
Q: Negotiating wrongful death settlement in Illinois led to pressured agreement; attorney left shortly after. What are my options?

I've been negotiating a wrongful death settlement in Illinois. Initially, the opposing party offered $40,000, below our range of $250,000 to $850,000. After years of negotiation, my attorney urgently emailed me to settle for $250,000, stating it was a limited-time offer. I felt pressured and... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Mar 17, 2025

If you haven't signed any documents, your case is NOT settled. NO Insurance company is going to order a check until they have your executed release. If you did not file a lawsuit, the statute of limitations is NOT tolled.

Before an attorney conveys an offer on the case, the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Illinois on
Q: Consequences of improper left yield ticket with collision in Illinois?

I received a traffic ticket for improper left yield near my driveway, which resulted in a collision with another car in Illinois. The ticket doesn't mention the cost, and there were no injuries reported. I have no previous traffic violations and have been instructed to appear in court. What... View More

Theodore J. Harvatin
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answered on Mar 17, 2025

Most likely, if you had insurance covering the accident, the other driver will not show up and the ticket will be dismissed. If the other driver shows that show up you can request court supervision. The consequences will be a small fine. The amount depends on factors that vary by courthouse.

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3 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Illinois on
Q: Consequences of improper left yield ticket with collision in Illinois?

I received a traffic ticket for improper left yield near my driveway, which resulted in a collision with another car in Illinois. The ticket doesn't mention the cost, and there were no injuries reported. I have no previous traffic violations and have been instructed to appear in court. What... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Mar 17, 2025

The responding officer cited you for failure to yield the right-of-way and you did fail to yield or there would not have been an accident. I'm sure there was damage to both vehicles and by morning the other driver and/or passengers will experience some symptoms and may go to the ER. All of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Illinois on
Q: How can my wife take over the home mortgage if I die unexpectedly?

I would like to ensure that my wife can take over our home mortgage if I die unexpectedly. She is not currently a co-signor or co-owner of the property, and we do not have an estate plan in place yet. I have a life insurance policy that could help cover the mortgage. What steps should I take?

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Mar 16, 2025

Under federal law, when a home loan borrower dies and the house is inherited by a family member, such as a spouse, the lender may not call a loan due or force the family member to assume the loan. All your wife will need to do is notify the lender that you have passed and that she has inherited... View More

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