Our Blog

Resources for Hardcore Boaters Take your boating skills, experiences and camaraderie to the next level by joining a boating club like the United States Power Squadron for power boaters.

By the numbers 12,000 Lakes – Minnesota is the “land of 12,000 lakes” rather than the 10,000 lakes promoted on its license plates, with more shoreline than California, Hawaii and Florida combined! Source: Sky Blue Water, Minnesota North Star 709 Deaths – Boat accidents nationwide killed 709 Americans in 2008, 12 in Minnesota alone. The vast majority of the victims – 90% – drowned and were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident….

Boating and Personal Watercraft Basics Boating mishaps throughout the country have dropped steadily in the past decade, from 8,026 accidents and 4,442 injuries in 1996 to 4,789 accidents and 3,331 injuries in 2008, according to Recreational Boating Statistics 2008 from the U.S. Coast Guard [download report]. Unfortunately, the number of deaths has remained steady, between 700 and 800 per year. With July traditionally the worst month for boating accidents, here is a summary of rules, regulations and…

August 26, 2013 Keith A. Hebeisen, partner at Clifford Law Offices, will be speaking at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Update and Review Seminar on Oct. 14. “Medical Negligence” is the topic of Hebeisen’s presentation on the court holiday to be held at the Westin River North, 320 N. Dearborn, Chicago. The half-day seminar, which offers continuing legal education credits, is a popular program that offers much information to trial lawyers across the state. Hebeisen…

Follow a two-part strategy to prevent gasoline can fires or explosions. First, seriously consider buying a gas can with a flame arrester. Often called “safety cans,” these containers are normally made of metal rather than plastic. Many feature a spring-loaded cap that closes automatically. Major manufacturers of safety cans include Eagle and Justrite, and prices range from $35 to $75 depending on the size of the can. No-Spill also makes a plastic gas can with…

August 21, 2013 Keith A. Hebeisen, partner at Clifford Law Offices, will be speaking Oct. 18 at the Chicago Bar Association’s (CBA) Trial Techniques CLE entitled “Strategies for Success at Trial.” Sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section Executive Council, Hebeisen, who has successfully tried dozens of cases in his 30-year career, will speak on “Trial Strategies from the Plaintiff’s Perspective.” Also speaking will be James Wideikis of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith on cross examination…

Three-year-old Landon Beadore was mom’s official little helper, according to his dad, Paul. One of his duties was to pick up toys before his mom mowed the yard. “He was putting his sister’s bike in the cellar when he accidentally tips over the gas can,” recalls his dad. “Vapors from the gas can went along the cellar floor. There was an ignition and the fire occurred.” Landon was burned over 47 percent of his body….

Three-year-old Landon Beadore was helping his mom pick up toys when he knocked over a plastic gas can just like the one pictured here. The pilot light on a nearby water heater ignited the gas fumes, which flashed back to the nozzle on the gas can, turning it into a firebomb. Landon’s horrible experience has been repeated more than 75 times throughout the country, burning and killing children, teenagers and adults. Many of these injuries…

This blog is intended as a follow-up to our previous blog posted on June 18th entitled “Illinois Speed Limit Increase: More Fatalities?” regarding Illinois Governor Pat Quinn having not yet approved the bill to raise the Illinois speed limit on non-urban interstate highways from 65 mph to 75 mph. Mr. Steve Doner, Former Illinois State Chapter Coordinator for the National Motorist Association, would like to respond with an alternative opinion as outlined in the following…