News

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. would like to congratulate Christopher Norem on joining the leadership of the Illinois Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) as their Secretary/Treasurer. 

Founded in 1958, ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges. ABOTA and its members are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right provided by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. ABOTA membership consists of more than 7,300 lawyers—equally balanced between plaintiff and defense—and judges spread among 95 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

ABOTA is an invitation-only organization. Members must have at least five years of active experience as trial lawyers, have tried at least 7 civil jury trials to conclusion and possess additional litigation experience.

A father from Arlington Heights is taking legal action against KinderCare after his 5-year-old daughter was left on a school bus for several hours in sub-freezing weather. The incident, which took place last week, has left Wamui Mwiya angry and determined to seek justice for his child.

According to Arlington Heights police, the child, Dior Mwiya, had been on a bus returning to a KinderCare daycare center after attending kindergarten at Forest View Elementary School. She was discovered hours later by a concerned teacher, asleep on the bus.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Mwiya expressed his disbelief: “It’s like, how can you lose a child? It’s not a coat. It’s not a jacket. It’s a whole human being.”

The day began normally for the Mwiya family. Wamui dropped Dior off at KinderCare at around 6 a.m. on Jan. 14. From there, she was transported to Forest View Elementary School for her morning kindergarten class. However, when the bus returned to KinderCare, Dior was mistakenly left on board. She remained there for two to three hours as temperatures outside hovered around a frigid 14 degrees.

It wasn’t until later that morning that the daycare staff noticed Dior was missing. Wamui received a phone call from the center’s director, who initially claimed that Dior had never been dropped off at school that day.

Dior was rushed to a local hospital, where it was determined that she had not sustained any physical injuries. However, her father said she suffered emotional trauma from the experience.

While KinderCare declined to comment on the pending lawsuit, the organization did issue a statement acknowledging the incident and their failure to follow safety protocols.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the children in our care. We have strict safety protocols specific to bus safety that should have prevented this kind of situation. Unfortunately, those protocols were not followed. As a result, the staff member involved, and our center director, are both currently out of our center on administrative leave while we work with our agency partners to investigate,” the statement read. “We reported this issue to state licensing and are working with them and the police to determine what happened and what can be done to prevent this from happening again.”

Mwiya has since filed a lawsuit against KinderCare and hopes that his legal action will lead to systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“I almost lost my kid, and I just want everybody to know that that’s what they did to me,” he said. “I want justice for Dior.”

Attorney Jake Esp, representing the Mwiya family, said their team is focused on uncovering the details of what led to the incident. “After filing this lawsuit, we will be investigating this claim, trying to figure out what really happened,” Esp explained.

This incident has underscored the importance of rigorous safety measures when caring for young children. Mwiya’s determination to seek accountability serves as a reminder to childcare providers about the gravity of their responsibilities. As the legal process unfolds, the hope is that justice for Dior will pave the way for stronger safeguards to protect all children in daycare settings.

If you or a loved one have been harmed by another’s negligence, The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. is here to help. Call/text us today for a free case evaluation at 312.641.5926 or fill out a contact form here on our website. Your path to justice begins with us. 

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. was featured in the latest issue of Chicago Lawyer Magazine. Chris Norem was featured for his Plaintiff Attorney Achievement Award win at the 2024 JVR Awards for Trial Award Excellence. Parente & Norem was also notably ranked 16th out of 112 firms in this issue. To read more, visit Chicago Lawyer Magazine. 

On October 25, 2024, The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C.’s head of the work injury department, and partner, Matthew Coleman presented at the 2024 ITLA Workers’ Compensation Seminar at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook, IL. 

Mr. Coleman’s presentation, Doctor Depositions, shared his experience litigating work injury cases throughout the years with unique examples and tools of the trade. 

The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is a statewide organization whose members specialize in representing injured consumers and workers. Founded in 1952, the organization has more than 2,000 members.

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. would like to congratulate Christopher M. Norem on his acceptance of Fellowship into the International Society of Barristers. 

The International Society of Barristers (ISOB) has a membership of less than 750 lawyers adjudged by their peers and judges to be “outstanding in the field of advocacy,” the Society seeks to honor the role of trial lawyer in our system of justice. One of its principal goals is the preservation of the adversary system and jury trial. 

The ISOB was founded in 1965. Its founders conceived the organization to bring together the best of the trial bar in a setting devoid of partisan interests. The Society’s membership consists of Fellows of the Society. As individuals, the Fellows of the Society are committed to the highest of ethical standards and to civility in all their personal and professional relationships. One of the hallmarks of the organization is the inclusion of members’ spouses or significant others as full participants in the activities of the Society.

With a limited membership, the Society has Fellows from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and from Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the great majority from the United States.

No lawyer may apply for membership in the Society. New Fellows are elected by the Society’s Board of Governors on nomination by an existing Fellow and after inquiry as to the nominee’s skill as a trial lawyer and personal and professional integrity directed to other Barristers in the nominee’s region and to judges before whom the nominee has tried cases.

Mr. Norem’s acceptance into the ISOB is a testament to his outstanding advocacy, professionalism, and commitment to justice. It also reflects the high regard in which he is held by his peers and the judiciary. This achievement not only honors Mr. Norem personally but also underscores the caliber of legal representation offered by the Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C.

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. would like to congratulate Christopher M. Norem on being awarded the JVR Plaintiff Attorney Achievement Award at the JVR Awards on October 16, 2024. 

Only a select few lawyers meet the criteria for the prestigious Plaintiff Attorney Achievement Award, making this a true testament to Mr. Norem’s exceptional advocacy, professionalism, and dedication to justice. It also highlights the esteem he holds among his peers. This honor not only celebrates Mr. Norem’s personal accomplishments but also emphasizes the high-quality legal representation provided by The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C.

Please join The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. in congratulating partner, Cole Munvez, for his selection as one of the top 40 attorneys under 40 in Illinois! Over 1500 attorneys were nominated for this honor. 

What does it take to be recognized as one of the top young lawyers in the state? It requires intelligence, passion, professional success, a commitment to community service, and, above all, a dedication to working hard in one of the nation’s most vital professions.

Congratulations to Cole for continuing to exemplify Parente & Norem’s continued commitment to achieving the best in experience, dedication, and proven results for all of our clients! 

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. as lead counsel along with Peter Higgins Law obtained the ‘Lead Case’ in the latest issue of the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter for their $19.2M verdict in the death of a 37 yr old woman following complications from bariatric surgery. Click here for more details on this case. 

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. would like to introduce the newest addition to our team, and new head of our Medical Malpractice Department, Charles Bletsas. Charles, a seasoned attorney in medical malpractice law, with a proven track record of success and legal expertise, brings an unparalleled level of experience to our firm. Click here to learn more about Charles and his experience. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Bletsas to Parente & Norem!

A recent settlement in Cook County Circuit Court was obtained for Mykola Berezan, a Chicago man who suffered severe injuries in a construction site accident. Berezan was working as a carpenter’s helper at a Countryside construction site in 2018 when a 30-foot wall collapsed, causing him to require spinal fusion surgery. 

The lawsuit, filed against real estate developer HP Ventures Group, LLC, and Capital Custom Homes, alleged negligence, premises liability, and loss of consortium. Berezan’s legal team, led by Dennis M. Lynch of the Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C., argued that the defendants failed to provide a safe workplace and ignored ongoing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations related to wall bracing and construction safety protocols.

Lynch emphasized the limited emphasis on safety at the construction site, highlighting the devastating impact on Berezan’s life. At 36 years old, Berezan sustained a spinal cord injury that required multilevel fusion surgery and ongoing physical therapy. Although he has made progress and now walks with ankle braces and a cane, his injuries will affect him for a lifetime. The settlement aims to cover future medical care and supplement Berezan’s income, as he faces challenges finding employment that accommodates his physical limitations and extensive exercise program.

The $13 million settlement, reached in March, reflects the severity of Berezan’s injuries and the responsibility of the defendants. Retired Judge William E. Gomolinski of Gomolinski Mediation facilitated the mediation process, leading to a resolution that provides support for Berezan’s ongoing needs.

In addition to Lynch, Joseph D. Parente and Christopher M. Norem of The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. represented the plaintiffs, while Michael H. Carter of Lewis Brisbois represented Capital Custom Homes. Despite attempts to reach him for comment, Carter could not be reached. Susan Chae Corcoran of Leahy, Eisenberg & Fraenkel, Ltd., represented HP Ventures Group, declining to comment on the case.

The settlement serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in the construction industry. It also highlights the legal recourse available to individuals injured due to negligence on construction sites. While nothing can fully compensate for the pain and suffering endured by Berezan and his family, the settlement provides financial support and a sense of justice for their ordeal.

As Berezan continues his journey toward recovery, the hope is that his story will raise awareness about the need for stringent safety measures in the workplace, ensuring that tragedies like his can be prevented in the future. If you or someone you know have been injured due to negligence, call/text The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. at 312.641.5926 or fill out a contact form here on our website.