Chicago Autonomous Technology Attorneys

Chicago: The Midwest Hub of Autonomous Technology Litigation

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Chicago stands at the intersection of industrial might and legal innovation. As the nation’s third-largest city and a major logistics hub, Chicago sees extensive autonomous technology deployment—from warehouse robots across the region to AI systems powering one of the nation’s largest healthcare networks. And with Illinois’s landmark Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), Chicago courts handle groundbreaking AI privacy litigation.

Why Chicago is Unique for Autonomous Technology Claims

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BIPA: The Nation’s Strongest Biometric Privacy Law

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Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act gives Chicago a unique position in AI privacy litigation:

• Private right of action — Individuals can sue directly
• Statutory damages — $1,000 per negligent violation, $5,000 per intentional violation
• No injury requirement — Technical violations alone support claims
• Class action eligible — Massive exposure for companies violating the law

BIPA Impact on AI:

• Facial recognition systems collecting without consent
• Voice recognition gathering voiceprints
• AI security systems capturing biometric data
• Workplace attendance systems using biometrics

Logistics and Transportation Hub

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Chicago’s geographic position makes it an automation epicenter:

• O’Hare and Midway — Airport automation and security AI
• Rail hub — Autonomous railyard operations
• Trucking crossroads — Autonomous freight testing
• Warehouse concentration — Massive fulfillment operations across Chicagoland

Healthcare Network

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Major Chicago healthcare systems deploy advanced AI:

• Northwestern Medicine — AI diagnostics and surgical robotics
• Rush University — Clinical decision support
• University of Chicago Medicine — Research AI applications
• Advocate Health — System-wide AI deployment

Financial Services

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Chicago’s financial industry drives AI adoption:

• CME Group — Algorithmic trading systems
• Major banks — AI lending and credit decisions
• Insurance headquarters — AI claims processing and underwriting

Illinois Legal Framework

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Modified Comparative Fault (51% Bar)

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Illinois uses modified comparative fault:

• You can recover if you’re 50% or less at fault
• If you’re 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing
• Recovery reduced by your percentage of fault
• Joint and several liability for economic damages

Practical Implication: Defense attorneys will try to push your fault above 50%. Strong evidence establishing the autonomous system’s primary role is essential.

Illinois Product Liability

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Illinois provides comprehensive product liability protection:

Strict Liability (Restatement 2d, Section 402A):

• Manufacturing defects
• Design defects (consumer expectations test and risk-utility)
• Failure to warn

Negligence:

• Design negligence
• Manufacturing negligence
• Warning negligence
• Post-sale duty to warn

Breach of Warranty:

• Express warranty
• Implied warranty of merchantability
• Implied warranty of fitness

Statute of Limitations

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Statute of Repose

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Illinois has a 12-year statute of repose for product liability:

• Claims barred 12 years after first sale
• Regardless of when injury occurs
• Important for older autonomous systems

Damage Considerations

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No General Caps: Illinois has no caps on compensatory damages in most cases.

Punitive Damages: Available but subject to procedural requirements and potential caps in certain contexts.

Joint and Several Liability: Defendants more than 25% at fault are jointly and severally liable for economic damages.

Common Case Types in Chicago

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BIPA and AI Privacy

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Illinois leads the nation in biometric privacy litigation:

Industrial Automation Injuries

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Chicagoland’s manufacturing base generates significant cases:

• Food processing automation injuries
• Steel and metal fabrication robotics
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Consumer goods production

Logistics and Warehouse Incidents

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The region’s logistics dominance means high exposure:

• Amazon and major retailer fulfillment centers
• Rail yard automation incidents
• Air cargo handling systems
• Last-mile delivery automation

Healthcare AI Errors

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Major health system AI deployments create claims:

• Diagnostic AI errors
• Surgical robot complications
• Clinical decision support failures
• Patient monitoring AI failures

Chicago Court System

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Cook County Circuit Court

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Most Chicago autonomous technology cases file in Cook County:

Law Division:

• Handles substantial personal injury and product liability cases
• Dedicated complex litigation docket
• Experienced judges for technology cases

Chancery Division:

• BIPA injunctive relief
• Privacy and data protection claims

Federal Courts

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Northern District of Illinois:

• Chicago-based federal court
• Extensive class action experience
• Many BIPA cases filed here
• MDL experience with product liability

Cook County Jury Considerations

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Cook County juries are generally considered:

• Pro-plaintiff in personal injury cases
• Sympathetic to workers against corporations
• Sophisticated about technology claims
• Willing to award substantial damages

This makes Chicago favorable for many autonomous technology claims.

Illinois-Specific Evidence Considerations

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BIPA Documentation

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For biometric privacy claims, document:

• What biometric data was collected
• Whether consent was obtained
• What disclosures (if any) were provided
• How long data was retained
• Whether data was shared

Illinois Workplace Records

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State law provides access to:

• Personnel files (employee request rights)
• OSHA logs and safety records
• Workers’ compensation filings
• Training records

Municipal Records

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Chicago and Cook County maintain:

• Building and safety inspection records
• Business license information
• 311 complaint data
• Public incident reports

Chicago Attorney Network

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Our network includes Chicago attorneys with experience in:

BIPA and Privacy

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• Class action biometric privacy litigation
• AI facial recognition claims
• Workplace biometric violations
• Consumer privacy

Industrial Automation

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• Manufacturing robot injuries
• Warehouse automation
• Food processing automation
• Heavy industry robotics

Healthcare AI

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• Major hospital system cases
• Diagnostic AI errors
• Surgical robot complications
• Medical device liability

Consumer Technology

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• Autonomous vehicle accidents
• Smart home injuries
• Domestic robot failures
• Delivery robot incidents

Frequently Asked Questions

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Connect with Chicago Attorneys

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