Nowadays it may seem everyone has a social media account, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. We share statuses, photos, and videos about our daily whereabouts, happenings, and the highs and lows of our life. Friends, and sometimes ourselves, may be guilty of "over-sharing" and divulging too much information. While over-sharing and TMI might be commonplace within your feed, it could become highly damaging if you or someone close to you has legal case pending. 

So, how do you keep yourself from damaging your case?

February is without a doubt an important month for aspiring lawyers. February 8 was the final qualifying LSAT test date for those seeking admission into law school this fall, and February is also a month in which many law school applications are due. Thousands of hopeful applicants now eagerly await admission decisions.

Similarly, hundreds of law school graduates will take the Illinois Bar exam this month to become licensed attorneys. These are our future advocates, litigators, judges, lawmakers, and public officials. The law dictates almost every facet of our day-to-day lives, and we must wonder, who exactly are the faces behind the law?

Last week's sidewalk snow removal guidelines for homeowners prompted the question of legal liability. It's courteous to pedestrians to keep sidewalks clear, but is it required by law? Can a homeowner be held responsible for injuries arising from a snow- or ice-related fall? The answers are no, and probably not. 

It is not required by Illinois law for homeowners to shovel their sidewalks, and the law even grants a special civil immunity to homeowners from sidewalk slip-and-fall lawsuits. (Businesses, on the other hand, are not immune from liability.)

As tempting as it may be to stay indoors sipping hot chocolate during this "polar vortex," many of us have to venture out into the cold to go to work, school, or to run errands. Homeowners have one extra reason to brave the cold: shoveling. 

Not only will pedestrians appreciate it, but you'll avoid the risk of being fined if your local municipality requires you to clear your sidewalk. Here in Chicago, many people rely on walking and public transit as a means of transportation, meaning snow and ice can become a big problem when it obstructs pathways.

In the City of Chicago, homeowners have different time frames to clear sidewalks depending on the time of snowfall and the day of the week:

A study published yesterday in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights an alarming reality: children are not being properly restrained in car seats and booster seats when traveling by motor vehicle. The study found that minority parents in particular are less likely to report appropriate use of car seats for 1- to 3-year-olds and booster seats for 4- to 7-year olds, regardless of differences in education, income, and information sources. The study included responses from just over 600 parents of children 1 to 12 years old and, when possible, responses were backed by in-vehicle verification of the presence of appropriate child safety restraints.