Clifford Law Offices Retained on Behalf of Woman Dragged by CTA Bus; Emergency Order Being Sought

    Clifford Law Offices has been retained tonight by the family of a woman who was dragged by a CTA bus this morning in the South Loop for more than a block as she was on her way to work.

    Robert Clifford, partner at the firm, will be heading into Cook County Circuit Court Friday morning to obtain an Emergency Order impounding the bus and other records for the safety of passengers as well as to begin an investigation into what occurred.

    Yvonne Bernier, 28, of Chicago, was operated on late today at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for severe injuries to her left side as a result of this incident.  Early witness accounts reported that the bus’ doors may have closed on Bernier’s hair and/or other parts of her body, dragging her alongside the northbound bus.  Bernier works at a department store on Michigan Avenue.

    “We will ask the court to preserve the bus in its current condition so that we can have experts examine all of its parts to determine if this was a possible cause of this terrible tragedy,” Clifford said Thursday.  “This never should have happened and we intend to get to the bottom of this.”

    Clifford made headlines when he represented internationally-acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton when the month-long trial resulted in a $30 million verdict nine years ago.  The lawsuit there was filed against Metra which had closed its doors on Barton’s violin case and other bags, then dragged her for more than 300 feet resulting in the loss of her leg.