Professional Liability Blog

In a matter of first impression, the Illinois Appellate Court in Lawler v. University of Chicago Medical Center had to determine whether Illinois’ medical malpractice statute of repose bars applying the “relation back” doctrine to add a new claim under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. The relation back doctrine allows an original, timely filed pleading to be amended any time before final judgment, as long as the amendment “relates back” to the original complaint. In Lawler, the appellate court decided to apply the doctrine—but now the Supreme Court of Illinois has decided it’s time for a weigh-in.

Recently, the Illinois Appellate Court had to decide whether a claim for breach of the implied warranty of habitability can be brought against condominium architects purportedly responsible for alleged design defects—in particular, when the developer is insolvent. The court said no. Board of Managers of Film Exchange Lofts Condominium Association v. Fitzgerald Associates Architects P.C., 2016 IL App (1st) 113508-U (Ill. App. 2016) (“Fitzgerald”).