Latherow opened his own firm. Mr. Latherow had significant trial
experience (see bio) at the Cook County State's Attorney's Office
and at a large personal injury firm prior to establishing his
firm. Since 1985, significant personal injury and wrongful death
trials, settlement, and mediation/arbitration involving many
different types of personal injury and wrongful death matters has
been the total focus of each attorney who works here. The attorneys
are committed to aggressively litigating cases and achieving the
best possible results whether by settlement or verdict.
Our attorneys and staff are also committed to treating our clients as individuals and not just cases. At many firms the attorney with whom you initially meet is not the attorney who ultimately handles your case on a day-to-day basis, or even is the one who tries the case to verdict. At Latherow Law Office, you will develop a working relationship with your attorney from the day you sign a contract with us until your settlement or the conclusion of your jury trial.
Our largest sources of new clients are word of mouth referrals from our clients, former clients, and other attorneys who recommend us. We believe the reasons for this are our results, the manner in which we approach each case, and how we deal on a personal level with our clients. Our clients know and talk directly with the attorney, being kept well informed as to the progress of their cases.
Our firm is experienced in representing individuals and families in a wide variety of cases. Representative cases include:
Automobile, Trucking, Admiralty, Aviation and other Transportation Related Injuries
The firm's attorneys represent individuals and surviving family members in cases arising from a wide range of injuries and wrongful death as a result of automobile, trucking, airplane, and other transportation injuries. Case Highlights:- $21 million jury verdict, (reduced to $18.9 million due to the co-pilot's comparative negligence) for the family of a Gulfstream G-IV jet co-pilot killed as a result of a crash at Palwaukee Municipal Airport in Wheeling, Illinois. The offer to settle from the insurance company was $1.4 million. The judgment was ultimately satisfied by payment of $23.7 million, the $18.9 million verdict plus over $4.7 million in interest and court costs.
- $4.5 million settlement for brain injury victim.
- $4.2 million jury verdict for an 18-year-old female passenger who suffered a brain injury as a result of being in a car that turned in front of a truck. No offer was made by the truck driver's insurance carrier.
- $3.35 million jury verdict reduced by the decedent's comparative negligence, for the estate of the driver of a car that collided with the rear end of a Chicago Transit Authority bus. No offer to settle was made by the CTA.
- $1 million settlement, the total of all available insurance, for the family of a 17-year-old girl killed by a drunk driver.
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Medical Malpractice
The firm's attorneys also represent individuals and surviving family members in wrongful death and injury cases resulting from medical malpractice, which has included failure to diagnose and the misdiagnosis of various conditions, surgical material and equipment left inside patients, birth injuries, surgical errors, and inattentive care, among other negligent acts. Case Highlights:- Pending litigation on behalf of Baby Doe, whose case stems from a botched circumcision where the entire head of the baby's penis was severed.
- $5.975 million jury verdict for the family of a man who bled to death in the recovery room after surgery to remove a 1.5 centimeter spot on his lung. $1 million was offered by the doctor's insurance carrier.
- $1.5 million settlement, a then record, for the parents of a two-month old baby who died from dehydration as a result of an improperly inserted intravenous tube.
- $1.3 million jury verdict for the family of a man who died as a result of being given a blood transfusion with the wrong blood type. $1 million was offered immediately prior to opening statements by the hospital.
- Confidential settlement against a major Chicago hospital when five surgical sponges were left inside the patient.
- $1.375 million settlement for Estate of a 59-year-old woman who was discharged from a hospital emergency room even though she needed immediate surgery. (back to top)
Construction, Work Related, FELA, and OSHA
The firm also represents workers and their families when injuries and loss of life occur on construction sites or other work related projects. Case Highlights:- Pending litigation regarding the death of a 45-year-old worker at the Water Reclamation District in Stickney, Illinois.
- Pending litigation regarding catastrophic injuries to a 33 year old immigrant working at a construction site.
- $4,500,000 settlement for an electrician who suffered serious electrical burn injuries over 50% of his total body surface area.
- $970,000 settlement for a worker who fell when the extension ladder he was descending broke, causing him to fall 20 feet into sewage treatment facility sludge pit.
- $520,000 settlement for an electrician who suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his knee when he drove his high-lift over an open floor penetration.
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Sexual Abuse
The firm is also retained by victims of sexual abuse in cases involving both clergy and school employees. Due to the highly personal and sensitive nature of these types of cases, our clients have requested that their identities and the amounts of their recoveries remain confidential. Case Highlights:- Confidential settlements with the Chicago Archdiocese/Catholic Bishop of Chicago. In the most recent settlement, client will meet with Cardinal George.
- Confidential settlement with the Chicago Board of Education.
- Confidential Settlement on behalf of a minor who was sexually abused while babysitting for a neighbor.
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