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Archive for May, 2010

The Pitfalls of Technology and Communication

Posted on May 26th, 2010 by Mark C. Goldenberg

This is going to be risky. Anytime a baby boomer speaks out regarding technology, they are painted as an old curmudgeon who is afraid of progress. That couldn’t be further from the truth. As the Managing Partner of our Firm, I have made every effort to maintain pace with technology both personally and as a Firm in order to help our clients and grow our business. Our Firm is probably one of the few in the area that allows our employees access to their Facebook accounts during business hours. As people adopt new ways of communicating with each other, it’s important to make sure you keep pace and encourage your employees to do so as well.

However, I fear we have lost the ability to differentiate when various forms of communication are better utilized than others. While I think voicemail, email, texting and tweeting are wonderful, sometimes you just can’t replace leaving a personal message, speaking on the phone or having a face-to-face conversation.

As an attorney, most of my time is billed hourly. It’s of the utmost importance that I am flexible in my modes of communication both to satisfy my clients’ preferences and to ensure I am efficient with my time. After all, my time is your money. And that is a relationship I take very seriously. That’s why we’ve made the effort at GHAR to ensure that when you call, a live person who sits in our offices answers the phone. When dialing me directly, my assistant Melissa is happy to patch you through, take a message or send you into voicemail. So if I’m unavailable and you need to explain the nature of your situation to a person rather than just leaving a voicemail, you have that choice.

The reason I’m writing this is because I saw an email communication go horribly wrong, with dire consequences on each side, and it never would have happened if either party had just picked up the phone. As a commercial attorney, I understand more than anyone the benefits of rapid, documented communications. And for that, email has no equal. But let us not forget that sometimes casual, undocumented communication is what is called for and I for one hope that we aren’t forgetting how to do that.

In the future I’ll follow this up with a post detailing how to use email in a way that protects your legal interests.

Please feel free to contact the author, Mark Goldenberg, to discuss this topic or for a free consultation.

Sears Washing Machine Class Action

Posted on May 20th, 2010 by The Firm

The Record (www.madisonrecord.com and/or www.stclairerecord.com) recently posted an article featuring a class action suit filed by Mark Goldenberg against Sears for alleged violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, fraudulent concealment and nondisclosure, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty and unjust enrichment.

To read this article, please visit The Record.

For more information, contact Mark Goldenberg.

Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) Awards Banquet

Posted on May 20th, 2010 by The Firm

Goldenberg Heller Antognoli & Rowland, P.C. is proud to sponsor SOAR (Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees). SOAR will hold their first awards banquet on June 12, 2010.

SOAR will award a scholarship to a high school senior, as well as recognize some very important people to their organization.

For more information, please visit www.soar7-34-2.org.

From Construction Worker to Asbestos Attorney

Posted on May 20th, 2010 by The Firm

Goldenberg Heller Antognoli & Rowland’s Ronald “RJ” Abernathy was recently interviewed by Jane Mundy from LawyersandSettlements.com to discuss his carrier path from union laborer to asbestos attorney.  RJ’s unique situation and personal insight make him an invaluable member of Goldenberg Heller Antognoli & Rowland’s asbestos team. 

To view the full article, please visit LawyersandSettlements.

Attorney Answers Asbestos Victims’ Frequent Questions

Posted on May 20th, 2010 by The Firm

Robert Rowland, a co-department head in the asbestos department at Goldenberg Heller Antognoli and Rowland, P.C., was recently interviewed by Jane Mundy of LawyersandSettlements.com to discuss the frequently asked questions of asbestos victims.  

To read the full interview please visit Lawyersandsettlements.com.

Why I Relay For Life

Posted on May 17th, 2010 by Holly A. Reese

Last year was my first year participating in Relay for Life, an annual event which celebrates the lives of those who have battled cancer, to memorialize those who have lost their battle, and to raise money so that future battles can be won!

Arriving at Tri Township Park just after work on Friday, we set up our camp site, including a tent, snacks and decorations, and prepare for the events that will take place over the next several hours. During the set-up there are many friends getting re-acquainted from another year gone by and the excitement builds as new friendships are begun.  Everyone here is about to experience something they will not soon forget.

The walking starts with an emotional survivor’s lap, and everyone grows quiet as those who are battling cancer or who have won the battle take their turn to be recognized and celebrated.  Following the somber survivor’s lap, the teams begin their Relay. The goal is for one member of each team to be on the track at all times throughout the night and early morning. The feeling of unity is indescribable as the hours pass and sleep deprivation sinks in.  While the relay can get difficult, your sense of purpose is exaggerated because you are surrounded by the most inspiring fighters you have ever met.

Throughout the night, there are activities, games, and other forms of entertainment to keep the participants’ eyes open and hearts filled with hope for a cure.  It’s during this time that you hear stories shared of both progress and despair, and it helps everyone to keep going in their personal fight against cancer.

I Relay for those close to me who have battled cancer, who are battling cancer, and those who have lost the battle. Working in a firm that handles asbestos cases certainly introduces us to many people who suffer from cancer, and it certainly increases our awareness of the difficulties and suffering associated with cancer in its various forms.

My experience with Relay for Life has been eye opening and heartbreaking at times, but most of all it gives me hope for a cure.  If you would like to donate to Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society, or would just like more information, you can visit my personal Relay For Life page.

Please contact Holly Reese to discuss Relay for Life or any legal issue facing you or your family.

Mesothelioma Early Detection – Communicate Work History With Your Doctor

Posted on May 14th, 2010 by Elizabeth V. Heller

One of the most difficult parts of my job is the first meeting with someone who has been recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. In some instances, by the time the family gets an attorney involved, they have come to grips with the diagnosis and its implications. But that is the rare case. I try to stay focused on my role as an attorney and keep my emotions in check but I am rarely successful. As the attorney, my “official” role is to get the critical information we need to evaluate the client’s work history and possible exposures to asbestos. That said, however, one of the most rewarding moments I’ve had representing the families of victims of this horrible disease is the two very recent occasions when I was told, in more or less words, that “I had become like a member of the family.” Suffice it to say that in the course of the representation, we wear many different hats.

I went to a first meeting with a mesothelioma patient on last Saturday night. It’s difficult seeing the patient and their families in such distress. This recent instance was particularly hard because our client’s disease was so advanced. Unfortunately, as a result, he is not strong enough physically or mentally to give a deposition. This will limit our ability to document his exposures to various asbestos containing products. As a result, the fact that the disease was detected so late will limit his potential recovery from the responsible parties.

One of the most important but overlooked tips I can share with you and your family is to make sure your doctor is aware of your complete work history. Mesothelioma can take decades to develop after asbestos exposure and every work place, even the summer job during high school, may be significant. If your doctor is made aware of exposure at oil refineries, power plants or other likely asbestos sites, the doctor is more likely to monitor your condition more closely and may be able to diagnose sooner rather than later. The patient I met with last Saturday night had a work history very consistent with asbestos exposure and if the doctor had known that, the diagnosis may have been made much sooner.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for mesothelioma. So unlike some medical conditions, early detection won’t provide a cure but early detection can often result in a longer life expectancy. And we all know every second counts.

Please contact Liz Heller to discuss this or any other legal issue facing you or your family.