Case Result

$30,000,000

Verdict by Jury

$30M Jury Verdict (With Interest on the Judgment and other settlements the total recovery was $34.65M) for the wrongful deaths of a 71 year-old, 66 year-old retired couple from downstate Illinois, survived by their only adult son who is in his 40s

In a groundbreaking decision, a Winnebago County jury awarded an unprecedented $30 million in a case related to the deaths of Leonard and Carolyn Anderson. Their lives were cut short when a partially disassembled Altec aerial device, permitted to leave J.J. Kane Associates, Inc.’s secure auction yard in South Beloit, struck a bridge and landed on their Toyota, killing both on U.S. Route 34 near Galesburg. This landmark verdict holds J.J. Kane Associates, Inc. and its parent company, Altec Inc., accountable for an incident that raises crucial questions about the safety practices within the heavy equipment resales industry.

Ryan Anderson, the only son of the deceased couple, filed the lawsuit against J.J. Kane Auctions and Altec Inc., alleging negligence on their part. The incident unfolded when a buyer, lacking a commercial driver’s license, drove away from J.J. Kane’s South Beloit facility with an improperly secured load of partially disassembled aerial device equipment. Anderson argued that Altec failed to ensure J.J. Kane operated safely, ultimately resulting in this foreseeable and easily preventable tragedy.

The jury’s $30M verdict, sets a new precedent in Winnebago County, marking the highest such award, as reported by the Jury Verdict Reporter. The sum comprises $14 million for the loss of the Andersons’ companionship, an additional $14 million for grief and mental suffering, and $2 million for emotional distress and pain and suffering. Additionally, the defendants are liable for almost $4 million in pre-judgment interest, though the final amount will be adjusted based on settlements with other defendants in the case.

Ryan Anderson in his capacity as administrator of his parents’ estates, brought the lawsuit under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act and the Illinois Survival Act. These legal actions were necessitated by the three-minute gap between the impact and Mrs. Anderson’s death.

The trial underscored the preventable and foreseeable nature of this incident, attributing it to Altec, Inc.’s failure to exercise reasonable care over the safety of their heavy equipment auction subsidiary, J. J. Kane. Allegations also pointed towards J.J. Kane’s negligence in auctioning part of an Altec Bucket truck without confirming the qualifications of the purchaser to handle the equipment safely himself. The purchaser, lacking the required CDL, self-hauled the 13,000-pound unmounted aerial device without involving a qualified motor carrier, leading to the catastrophic outcome.

The $30 million verdict, delivered after three hours of deliberation following a two-week trial, exceeded in-trial offers by 30 times and final offers by 10 times. This case serves as a reminder of the critical role jury trials play in our civil justice system, ensuring that individuals receive complete compensation under the law when defendants act negligently.

This matter settled for $33M following arguments on post-trial motions. This number includes nearly $5M in pre and post judgment interest bringing the total recovery from all defendants in this case to $34.65M which surpasses any verdict or settlement number ever obtained in Winnebago County, Illinois

$19,200,000

Verdict by Jury

$19.2M Jury Verdict for the death of a 37 year-old woman survived by one child as a result of medical negligence

On Friday December 15, 2023, a Cook County jury awarded $19.2 million following the death of a Chicago woman after bariatric surgery where 80% of her stomach was removed. The lawsuit, brought by the woman’s father, targeted the general surgeon and the hospital based internal medicine physician a/k/a as a “hospitalist”, alleging inadequate post-operative care that led to her untimely death at the age of 37.

We contended at trial that surgeon and hospital based internal medicine physician overlooked signs of hemorrhagic shock (internal bleeding), failed to order necessary diagnostic tests, and neglected to properly monitor the patient’s vital signs and overall condition after the surgery in February 2018. Had her postoperative bleeding been recognized and treated in a timely manner with a blood transfusion she would have likely survived.

The substantial award aims to provide support for the woman’s now 10-year-old child. This case underscores the importance of diligent post-operative care and seeking justice when medical negligence leads to devastating consequences for patients and their families. This case was a no offer “defense” posture case on behalf of both of the treating doctors prior to the start of trial.

$18,600,000

Verdict by Jury

$18.6M Jury Verdict for Wrongful Death against C.H. Robinson Worldwide

$18.6M wrongful death jury verdict against C.H. Robinson Worldwide and Antioch Transport, Inc. Our client was a 54 year old Canadian truck driver headed westbound on I-80 near LaSalle, Illinois when the Antioch driver headed eastbound fell asleep, crossed over the median, and then blocked all oncoming lanes of I-80 in the dark causing the plaintiff to unavoidably crash into the side of the Antioch tractor trailer. Our client survived for 48 minutes trapped in his truck prior to his death.

This case represents only the second broker liability case to go to jury verdict against C. H. Robinson Worldwide in the United States on agency and is the highest individual death verdict ever obtained. This case is significant because C. H. Robinson is one of the largest freight transportation services and third party logistics providers in North America and places thousands of supposedly “independent contractors” like Antioch and their driver on our highways every day. When one of these motor carriers negligently kills someone C. H. Robinson Worldwide immediately disclaims legal responsibility for their carrier’s conduct by asserting the independent contractor defense which was strongly rejected by this 12 person federal jury.

The verdict amount is over 6X what was ever offered prior to or even during trial before closing arguments. After closing arguments the parties entered a $4M – $15M high/low agreement meaning our client’s widow and daughters received $15M guaranteed.

This case is a perfect example of why jury trials are vital to our legal system in obtaining just results for victims of negligence.

$18,500,000

Settlement

$18.5M Settlement for wrongful death and personal injury to a husband and wife

$18.5M settlement for the wrongful death and personal injury to a husband and wife who claimed they were injured by a defective vehicle.

This product liability settlement was achieved just prior to the start of trial.

$15,500,000

Verdict by Jury

$15.5M verdict for middle aged woman against University Medical Center

$15.5M jury verdict for middle aged woman against University Medical Center where defendant Hospital and its staff failed to timely recognize and treat their patient’s stroke symptoms following a cardiac catheterization procedure. Embolic stroke is a known complication following this type of procedure due to the catheter wires being manipulated in your heart. We contended that this woman should have received the “clot buster” drug tPA as soon as her neurologic changes occurred as there was ample time to give it and the failure to do so fell below the standard of care. This jury verdict exceeded defendant’s best offer before and during trial by more than $6M which is why we take cases to trial. The plaintiff will now be able to care for herself and her children for the rest of their lives.

$13,750,000

Settlement

$13.75M settlement and $12.95M verdict obtained for 17 year-old female who was severely burned

$13.75M settlement for 17 year-old female who was severely burned as a result of a Canadian National train derailment and fire in Rockford, Illinois as she was legally stopped at the crossing with her family in her vehicle. This young woman also lost her unborn child as a result of her injuries.

This settlement was obtained immediately prior to the reading of a $12.95M jury verdict rendered in our client’s favor obtained after a four-week trial.

$13,000,000

Settlement

$13M Settlement For Carpenter’s Helper Injured By Falling Wall

$13M settlement for 30 year-old who was working as a carpenter’s helper for a rough carpentry crew performing work on a townhome project in Countryside, Illinois. The plaintiff’s coworkers were raising and putting in place a 40-foot-long party wall which had been pre-sheeted with drywall. While his coworkers were moving the wall into place with a sledgehammer, it fell over on top of the plaintiff, who was working on the other side of the wall. The man sustained an L2 burst fracture. He was taken to Loyola for an emergency fusion surgery from T12 to L3. He was initially confined to a wheelchair and suffered from bowel and bladder dysfunction. After several years of rehabilitation, he is able to walk long distances with ankle braces and a cane.

$12,750,000

Settlement

$12.75M settlement obtained for 33 year-old pregnant home maker

$12.75M settlement for a 33 year-old pregnant home maker obtained against a south side medical group and hospital due to defendants’ alleged medical negligence in prescribing an insufficient dose of blood thinner for suspected deep vein thrombosis resulting in a pulmonary embolism and ultimately an anoxic brain injury. Parente & Norem received this case shortly before the time period to file it expired after another law firm turned it down. The plaintiff and her family now have the necessary funds for her care for the rest of her life.

$11,000,000

Settlement

$11M settlement obtained for young woman who suffered significant burns

$11M settlement for a young woman received significant burns when her apartment exploded while her landlord was performing maintenance. The $11,000,000 was the full policy limits available.

$10,500,000

Settlement

$10.5 million settlement for 12 year-old boy who suffered low oxygen brain injury

$10.5 million medical negligence settlement for a 12 year-boy against a university medical center who suffered a low oxygen (hypoxic) brain injury following a long surgery where the patient’s breathing tube was removed too quickly after surgery and he was then not properly monitored in the recovery room. This settlement occurred on the third day of trial after we barred the defendant’s medical expert on causation in an amount four times what was offered before trial. Another Chicago law firm dropped this case because they could not locate a medical expert.

Because of our efforts this young man will now be taken care of the rest of his life.

THIS SETTLEMENT WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL LAW JOURNAL AS A TOP 50 SETTLEMENT IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY FOR 2014.

$9,000,000

Verdict by Jury

$9 million jury verdict against Union Pacific Railroad for injured railroad worker brought under FELA

$9,000,000 Jury Verdict against Union Pacific Railroad for an injured railroad worker brought under FELA. 37 year-old diesel mechanic was attempting to loosen a fitting on a fuel pre-heater with a pipe wrench while standing in leaking diesel fuel when the fighting broke free causing him to twist and sustain an inguinal hernia along with a lumbar disk injury. Plaintiff returned to work in a modified duty, but before having back surgery was unfortunately in a serious car accident which fractured his right ankle. We obtained a $2.95M settlement for this man for his ankle injury. Once he healed from the ankle fracture he returned to a spine surgeon and underwent a two-level lumbar fusion surgery on his back. Union Pacific offered $50K during the start of the trial. The jury awarded the entire $9M we requested of them and reduced it by 39.5% contributory negligence on the part of the mechanic, resulting in the Net Verdict of $5.445M or more than 100x the settlement offer at trial. This matter settled for $6.1M, including $700K in post judgment interest, after the verdict was affirmed by the Appellate court.

$8,000,000

Settlement

$8M Settlement for the death of a 31 year-old woman due to medical negligence

After undergoing laparoscopic surgery to treat endometriosis, a 31 year-old woman died as a result of medical negligence after returning to the hospital two days after being discharged with symptoms of septic shock as a result of a perforated bowel caused by a thermal injury that was not discovered during the procedure.

Despite the diagnostic tests suggesting sepsis and bowel abscess, a bowel perforation was not initially diagnosed, instead a bowel ileus or blockage was suspected discontinuing antibiotics and instead ordering medication for bowel motility. This resulted in the woman going into profound septic shock and cardiac arrest due to the perforated bowel. She remained on ECMO life support for 10 days before succumbing to her injuries.

$7,300,000

Verdict by jury

Bus accident with child

Jury verdict against bus company for child who sustained a brain injury as a result of a bus accident.

$7,000,000

Verdict by jury

Wrongful Death of a Hostler Driver

$7.0 million record settlement for the wrongful death of a 22 year-old “hostler” driver working at a major railroad intermodal yard. A hostler drives small trucks around the rail yard with containers on them. The decedent’s truck got stuck in snow and ice and in the process of attempting to remove it his coworker intentionally slammed his truck into the plaintiff’s, causing it to slide over on the ice, and crush him to death. We sued the railroad that his employer was subcontracted to under theories of agency, section 414 liability (retained control), and premises liability. After six years of litigation, and just a few weeks prior to trial, we obtained this county record settlement for the death of an unmarried person with no children. Breaking our own previous record in Will County. If we were not fully prepared to go to trial, this settlement never happens.

According to JVR records, this is the highest wrongful death settlement in a work injury matter in Will County.

$6,785,000

Settlement

$6.785M Jobsite Head and Neck Injury

$6,785,000 (plus the complete waiver of a $269K worker’s compensation lien) on behalf of a bricklayer foreman assigned to work on a building that was in need of a masonry repair in the garage area on the ground floor. While he and his crew were working on the repair, a 70lb sheet of plywood fell out of a second story window of the building striking him on the top of his head and fracturing his C6 vertebrae requiring a C5-C7 double level fusion surgery with plates. The case settled the day before jury selection was to begin.

$6,650,000

Verdict by jury

$6.65 million jury verdict for O’Hare Blue Line train passenger

$6.65 million jury verdict for 33 year-old female security officer who was a passenger on the O’Hare Blue Line train that derailed and crashed as it was coming into O’Hare Airport. The plaintiff struck her head on a metal pole she was holding onto inside of the train and was initially diagnosed with a neck sprain and back sprain. After conservative care failed she underwent spinal surgery for an aggravation of her previously asymptomatic degenerative disk disease/ arthritis in her spine causing her to have to leave her security officer position and take a sedentary position as an Administrative Assistant with the TSA. This verdict is more than 10X what was offered just prior to trial and the largest jury verdict or settlement from any of the O’Hare Blue Line cases. This verdict received national news coverage and appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Sun Times, the New York Times, the New York Daily News and the Washington Post, among others.

$6,000,000

Settlement

$6M against a suburban hospital for post-trial enforcement

$6M settlement against a suburban Hospital following post-trial enforcement where the hospital was claiming they only owed $2M not $6M following a jury’s verdict of $19.2M against it’s hospitalist under what is known as a “hi/low” settlement agreement. Following extensive post-trial motions practice, and our absolute refusal to negotiate any number lower than the previously agreed upon $6M, the hospital was forced to pay what they owed.

$6,000,000

Settlement

$6M for motorcycle passenger against her husband

$6M settlement for motorcycle passenger obtained in Winnebago County, IL against her husband for his negligence in operating a motorcycle owned by his employer House of Harley that caused her to suffer a traumatic brain injury. This settlement represents the policy limits of insurance available to the ejected passenger/wife and was obtained after extensive litigation, use of experts, and putting the insurance carrier in a position where they were potentially subject to an excess verdict claim at trial.

$6,000,000

Settlement

$6 million settlement for 36 year-old union concrete laborer

$6 million dollar settlement obtained for 36 year-old union concrete laborer who fell 20 feet when a steel deck collapsed while under construction at the Will County Adult Detention Facility expansion project causing a fractured pelvis and back injury. We recovered from the entity acting as the construction manager for the Will County Building Commission as well as the steel deck supplier and installer for their joint failure to ensure that the deck was installed and shored properly before concrete was poured onto it. We also obtained a complete waiver of the client’s $868,000 workmen’s compensation lien bringing his total recovery to nearly $7 Million Dollars.

$6,000,000

Settlement

$6 million settlement obtained for Local 13 Union Carpenter

$6M Settlement obtained for a Local 13 Union Carpenter when he was injured on the job on February 9, 2016. The Carpenter was working for Service Drywall and Decorating doing rough carpentry during construction of an addition to the Mather Place retirement home in Wilmette, Illinois. W.E. O’Neill was the general contractor for the project.

$5,700,000

Settlement

$5.7M Settlement for a 45 year-old union journeyman bricklayer after falling off a ladder and injuring his hip
On December 31, 2018, at O’Hare Airport, a 45 year-old union journeyman bricklayer was working on a new construction project installing anchor bolts atop 14-foot masonry walls using a straight ladder.

In the morning, a spotter assisted him, holding the ladder steady. However, there was no fall protection or equipment to secure the ladder.

After lunch, he was instructed by his foreman to work alone on a ladder, without a spotter and still was not provided fall protection equipment. He climbed the ladder to install an anchor bolt when his ladder slipped out and he fell approximately 10’ to the ground, injuring his left hip.

Despite the severity of the incident, the defendants claimed they were unaware of the unsafe working conditions and attempted to shift blame onto the injured worker, citing contributory negligence. However, the injuries for the bricklayer were severe, including a torn labrum in his left hip, necessitating two surgeries, as well as a total hip replacement. Additionally, he faced the prospect of future revisions to the replacement due to his age and the implant’s lifespan, alongside an estimated future wage loss ranging from $800,000 to $1.6 million.

The General Contractor paid $3.9 million, and the Safety Subcontractor paid $1.8 million in settlements.

$5,500,000
Settlement

$5.5M Settlement on behalf of an iron worker rear-ended by a grain truck requiring spinal surgery

The Law Offices of Parente & Norem, P.C. is proud to announce a $5.5 million settlement on behalf of our 44-year-old client, an iron worker who was rear-ended by a grain truck and required spinal fusion surgery. This recovery is believed to be the largest spinal fusion settlement in Will County history. The trucking company and its parent company paid based on allegations of alter ego against the parent company.

$5,000,000

Settlement

Injuries as the Result of a Drunk Driver

Settlement for 34 year-old man who was rear-ended by a drunk driver in his company issued van on St. Patrick’s Day. The injured plaintiff had a back surgery and a knee surgery as a result of the accident and returned to his regular job duties. The defendant regularly drank at the bar across the street from his job site, including on the date of accident, allowing us to plead punitive damages against his employer since they knew or should have known of his prior DUI history and drinking before the accident. This case settled just before the start of trial.

$4,955,000

Settlement

$4.955 Million for ORD Truck Rollover

$4.955M settlement (Cook County Circuit Court) for dump truck driver M-57 who was injured at an O’Hare Airport construction project when his truck flipped over while dumping excess dirt “spoils” at an airport designated stockpile that was not in a reasonably safe condition for dumping. He sustained knee, shoulder, and spine injuries requiring surgery. We sued and collected money from 11 different construction defendants in this complex case.

$4,840,000

Settlement

$4.84 Million for Injured Carpenter

Settlement for 35 year-old union carpenter who fell 30 feet off the top edge of the back wall of a house while landing on a truss bundle suspended from a crane. We sued the truss company that supplied the crane for not having the correct rigging and the general contractor/developer for not ensuring that the carpenter’s employer had an OSHA compliant fall protection plan or that the they were working off of a proper work support. This case settled during trial for more than five times what was offered prior to trial. We also obtained a complete waiver of the $1.66M workmen’s compensation lien bring the carpenter’s total recovery to $6.5M for a moderate TBI, fractured wrists, and a neck fusion surgery.

$4,800,000

Settlement

Brick Layer Killed by Wall Collapse

$4.8 million settlement for 37-year-old union brick layer killed by a wall collapse at a Chicago construction site. Case settled just as trial was beginning.

$4,700,000

Verdict By Jury

$4.7M Jury Verdict For Injured 31 year-old Maintenance Worker

$4.7 million dollar jury verdict for 31 year-old Maintenance Worker (reduced by 50% for plaintiff’s own negligence) against a refinery hauling company when one of their trucks pulled out in front of plaintiff in his Jeep causing him to slide under the trailer. Plaintiff sustained serious left arm fractures, and aggravation of preexisting degenerative disc disease in his neck and back requiring surgery. Defense contended plaintiff was speeding, driving too fast for conditions, and not keeping a proper look out and could have easily stopped short of impact. Plaintiff was able to return to full time work at his Maintenance position with the Village of Lemont with some accommodations. During trial plaintiff counsel negotiated a hi-low agreement so plaintiff actually recovered $3.5M for his injuries.

$4,700,000

Settlement

$4.7M Settlement for 43 year-old Man Injured In Car Accident

$4.7M settlement for 43 year old man who was injured in a car accident when a work van pulled out in front of him. He sustained a herniated disc requiring only a microdiscectomy. Unfortunately, surgery did not resolve all of his symptoms and he required ongoing pain management. The defendant driver alleged his view was obstructed by a large truck and dumpster and another motorist waived him on. Plaintiff was self employed and made no wage loss claim.

$4,500,000

Settlement

$4.5 million settlement for Union Pacific Railroad Mechanic

$4.5M settlement obtained for 52 year-old Union Pacific Rail Road mechanic who was forced to change out 120lb engine part from wrong side of locomotive and without the proper safe lifting equipment causing a low back injury. This claim was brought for the injured employee under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and settled just prior to trial beginning which is why we take cases to trial.

$4,500,000

Settlement

$4.5 Million Settlement for Woman Struck By Car

$4.5M settlement for a woman in her late 70s who suffered multiple leg fractures when she was struck by a car while crossing the street.

$4,300,000

Arbitration award

$4.3 million dollar award at trial for severly injured 35 year-old union carpenter

$4.3 million dollar award (present cash value) at trial for severly injured 35 year-old union carpenter. This is believed to be a state workmen’s compensation record.

$4,000,000
Settlement

$4 Million Dollar Settlement for Hostler Driver

$4 million settlement for a hostler driver who suffered a neck injury requiring cervical fusion surgery after a workplace accident. A lawsuit was filed against a transportation company and its subsidiary, citing unsafe work conditions and negligence after this client’s hostler truck was rear-ended by a temporary employee at the site. The defendants later filed a third-party complaint against the labor service company that supplied the temporary worker. Despite the injuries, the employee continues to work without restrictions. The case was mediated, and all involved parties agreed to the settlement, which was finalized in early March 2025.

$4,000,000

Settlement

$4 Million Dollar Settlement for Estate of a Man

$4M settlement for Estate of a Man struck by a tractor trailer on I 57 after he jack knifed his vehicle towing a rental trailer in slippery and snowy conditions causing his vehicle to come to a stop on the highway.

$3,850,000

Settlement

$3.85 Million Dollar Settlement for a 42-year-old Union carpenter

$3,850,000 settlement for a 42-year-old Union carpenter who broke his ankle when he slipped on ice outside a construction site. As a result of his injuries, he was unable to return to work as a carpenter but did find another job in the trades.

$3,550,000

Settlement

$3.55 Million Settlement for the Wrongful Death of a 28 Year-Old Man

$3.55M settlement for the wrongful death of a 28 year-old man who was operating a motorcycle when the defendant tractor trailer operator pulled out from a private driveway while attempting a left hand turn to go northbound; causing a high speed collision with the motorcycle. The motorcyclist sustained multiple traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the ER. He is survived by his five year-old daughter. Defendants contended plaintiff was traveling 85-90mph just prior to impact. This settlement represents 97% of the available insurance coverage.

$3,500,000

Settlement

$3.5 Million Settlement & Waiver of $1.5 Million Lien

$3.5M settlement and waiver of a $1M workmens’ compensation lien for a 54 year-old union construction laborer that slipped on snow covered ice while working at One Museum Park East and suffered a back injury. The settlement was paid by the General Contractor on the project (Bovis Lend Lease) and came after a 4 week trial in an amount 4 times what was offered before the trial.

$3,500,000

Settlement

Laborer Falls Through Unbarricaded Shaft

$3.975M settlement (Cook County Circuit Court) for dump $3.5 million settlement for a 17 year old non-union construction laborer who fell through an unbarricaded shaft covering by Styrofoam fracturing his cervical vertebrae (no surgery, no paralysis) causing a head injury and tearing his rotator cuff with surgery. This money was paid by the general contractor, HVAC contractor and masonry contractor on the job site.

$3,350,000

Settlement

$3.35M Will County record wrongful death settlement for a 26 year-old union oiler

$3.35M Will County record wrongful death settlement for a 26 year-old union oiler (Local 150) who was married with no children caused by his fall into a gravity feed bin at an asphalt plant. We contended that the “cat walk” and the bin itself did not comply with OSHA or the National Safety Council recommendations for such bins. Parente & Norem received this case one month before the time period to file it expired and after several law firms advised the decedent’s widow there was no case to pursue. We also obtained a complete waiver of the $262K workmen’s compensation lien as part of this settlement.

$3,025,000

Settlement

$3.025M for Truck Driver Seriously Injured During Delivery

$3,025,00.00 settlement for 59 year-old Independent truck driver seriously injured while making a delivery of steel tubing at a facility in northern Wisconsin.

Forklift driver at receiving tubing company caused two bundles of steel tubing to become unstable and fall onto driver fracturing his foot and pelvis

while the driver was wrapping up his cargo straps. This case was litigated in federal court in Milwaukee, WI.

$3,000,000

Jury Verdict

$3 million jury verdict against an ER physician and downstate hospital

$3 Million jury verdict for medical negligence against an ER Physician and downstate Hospital for 31 year old woman that died of an unrecognized bowel perforation and severe sepsis ultimately leading to septic shock and death. We also obtained an $8M settlement for this woman’s estate from a subsequent treating hospital.

$3,000,000

Settlement

$3 million settlement in auto auction vehicle accident

$3 Million settlement for 61 year-old retiree who was present at an auto auction when an auction valet lost control of a vehicle and ran him over injuring his shoulder and spine. Multiple people were seriously injured in this event and our client obtained the highest settlement amount of all of the injured plaintiffs.

$3,000,000

Settlement

Rear-Ended by a Tractor Trailer

$3.0 million settlement for 35-year-old machinist who was rear-ended by a tractor trailer in a construction zone and suffered an aggravation of a previously asymptomatic cervical degenerative disc disease requiring surgery. There was no offer prior to trial and only $500,000 offered once trial began. At the close of evidence, after a two-week trial, the $3.0 million dollar settlement was obtained.

$2,950,000

Settlement

$2.95M settlement for 37 year-old male who sustained a pilon ankle fracture

$2.95M settlement for 37 year-old male who sustained a pilon fracture in his ankle as a result of a van making a left-hand turn in front of him. Defendants alleged plaintiff was speeding and on his cell phone at time of collision. This is believed to be a Cook County record settlement for an ankle fracture.

$2,800,000

Settlement

$2.8M settlement for family that fell off apartment balcony due to inadequate maintenance of the iron railings on their balcony.

$2.8M settlement for family that fell off apartment balcony due to inadequate maintenance of the iron railings on their balcony. We alleged violation of International Property Maintenance Code and punitive damages to obtain this settlement figure which represents 93% of the available insurance coverage. Female ( 28 ) received $1.6M for unoperated T5 fracture; Male ( 26 ) received $950K for arm fracture with surgery and Male (36) received $250K for disk injury with no surgery;

$2,600,000

Settlement

$2.6M Settlement for a 33 year-old man who sustained injuries during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery

On December 27, 2016, a 33 year-old man was admitted to the hospital for an elective, but medically necessary, laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery. The surgery was performed by an Attending General Surgeon and a 3rd-year Resident. On this date, the hospital’s normal on-call vascular surgeon was on vacation. The hospital did not have a back-up nor a plan in place in the event of a vascular emergency. The Attending Surgeon was aware there was no on-call vascular coverage, but decided to proceed with the surgery anyways.

At the start of the surgical procedure, the placement of the first trocar went too deep into the man’s abdomen, causing an injury to the man’s right Iliac Artery, immediately causing a vascular emergency. Due to the lack of an on-call vascular surgeon at the hospital, and no plan in place in the event of a vascular emergency, the man’s artery was clamped for hours causing the blood supply to be lost in his right foot.

8 hours after the initial vascular injury, he was transferred and under the care of a vascular surgeon who was able to obtain blood flow, however, he would suffer partial foot drop and mobility issues as a result requiring several more surgeries to improve his condition and recover from his injuries.

$2,534,500

Settlement

$2,534,500 settlement in Will County 12th Judicial Circuit Court

$800K for plaintiff F-61 was a passenger in a vehicle, when it was involved in an intersectional collision with a left hand turning vehicle. This plaintiff suffered a partially torn lateral meniscus (arthroscopic surgery), non-displaced fracture to her right fibular head, and compression fracture to her T4 vertebra (kyphoplasty). $1,734,500.00 for M-63, also a passenger in same vehicle, who suffered a comminuted compression fracture at T2 and a fracture at C1. Plaintiff underwent a fusion from C5 to T5 with laminectomy of C7 to T3.

$2,533,538

Verdict by jury

15 Year Old Killed by Truck

$2.5 million jury verdict ($2,533,538) against a trucking company for the death of a 15-year-old male struck and killed as he was passed by a truck.

$2,500,000

Settlement

48 Year Old Woman Severly Injured

$2.5 million settlement for a 48-year-old woman who was already totally physically disabled prior to her fall due to chronic hypertension, vascular disease, and end stage renal failure. She sustained a subdural hematoma requiring surgery when she slipped and fell using an interior concrete stairwell at her Section 8 Housing building on the South Side of Chicago due to its lack of lighting, missing handrail, and garbage on the surface of the steps. This case settled after a week of trial in an amount five times what was initially offered to settle the case immediately before trial.

$2,400,000

Verdict by jury

$2.4 million for 59 year-old truck driver

$2.4 million jury verdict against Knight Transportation Company for 59 year-old truck driver who was hit at 5 mph while asleep in his truck at a truck stop and suffered an aggravation of pre-existing degenerative conditions of his back requiring surgery. This jury verdict is more than seven times what was offered prior to trial.

$2,300,000

Verdict by jury

$2.3 Million Jury Verdict for Self-Employed Carpenter

$2.3M Jury Verdict against First Student, Inc. bus company for 42 year old self-employed carpenter that was rear ended by a school bus while stopped at a red light. He was caused to suffer a disk injury in his neck that required surgery. He returned full duty no restrictions to his work as a carpenter within 3 months of the surgery. He did not claim ANY wage loss. This jury verdict was for nearly five times what was offered prior to trial and included a $1M future pain and suffering award for the plaintiff.

$2,200,000

Settlement

$2.2M Medical Negligence Settlement for a New Born Girl

$2.2M medical negligence settlement for a new born girl that suffered an IV infiltration injury to her non-dominant hand causing the loss of parts of her fingers while in a university neonatal intensive care unit. This case settled just prior to the start of trial.

$2,100,000

Settlement

$2.1M settlement for 34 year-old unemployed woman obtained against Chicago Department of Aviation Police for aggravation of her pre existing C4-5, C5-6 disk herniations that were made worse following this crash with a department officer and eventually requiring surgery.

$2.1M settlement for 34 year-old unemployed woman obtained against Chicago Department of Aviation Police for aggravation of her pre existing C4-5, C5-6 disk herniations that were made worse following this crash with a department officer and eventually requiring surgery. She was originally diagnosed with the disk injuries in 2007 following an unrelated injury but Illinois law allows a claim for any condition that is made worse by the negligence of another or because of the person’s pre-existing conditions they are more susceptible to injury from an accident. We obtained this settlement shortly before trial in an amount many times what was originally offered.

$2,075,000

Settlement

$2.075M settlement for the death of a 40 year-old man survived by his wife and three children

In August 2019, Rafael Rosas, a 40-year-old employee of Marquee Event Group was tasked with installing a large commercial party tent at the Umiya Mataji Sanstha Temple in West Chicago, IL, ahead of an anticipated religious gathering.

Marquee Event Group, an event rental company, had rented heavy industrial construction equipment, including the Gehl RS6-35 Telescopic Handler, from Alta Enterprises. Plaintiffs alleged that Alta failed to ensure that Marquee employees using the equipment were adequately trained, certified, or qualified, and that Alta did not comply with safety standards outlined in the Gehl Operator’s Manual.

During the installation process, Rosas, along with other Marquee employees, was working to pull a tent tarp over the frame using the telehandler. The ground where Rosas was operating the telehandler was uneven and sloped, further complicating the task. As Rosas attempted to maneuver the equipment, it lost balance and began to tip over. In a desperate attempt to escape, Rosas exited the cabin but was fatally crushed by the falling telehandler boom.

Rosas is survived by his wife of 19 years and their three children aged 16, 12, and 10.

$2,000,000

Verdict by jury

Jury Verdict for Injuries Suffered

$2 million jury verdict for injuries suffered as the result of a police pursuant.

$2,000,000

Settlement

Aggravation of Existing Degenerative Conditions

$2.0 million settlement for 43-year-old union laborer who had multiple prior back surgeries and knee surgeries who was ordered to move 4×8 sheets of plywood on the 40th floor “top deck” of a down town building then under construction when the wind caught the plywood and caused him to fall onto a pile of joists. Plaintiff claimed aggravation of preexisting degenerative conditions to his back and knee requiring additional surgery. The case settled at trial after opening statements.

$2,000,000

Settlement

$2 Million Settlement for drowning of 14 year old female Boy Scout member

$2M settlement for the drowning of a 14 year old female Boy Scout member during a Boy Scout sanctioned canoe trip in Edgerton, WI. This $2M settlement was obtained on behalf of her family without having to file a lawsuit.

$1,950,000

Settlement

$1.95 million settlement for a 29-year-old rear ended by a Will County Sheriff

$1.95M settlement against Will County Sheriff for rear end auto collision. Plaintiff was a 29 year-old diesel truck technician who sustained a herniated disk in his low back but never underwent any surgery. After the accident he became a welder/pipefitter earning substantially more money than before the accident. We claimed his ability to work in his trade was shortened by 10 years due to the back injury and achieved this result just two weeks before trial for an amount ten times what was previously offered. Based on our research this is the highest verdict or settlement ever in Will County, IL for an unoperated disk injury.

$1,900,000

Settlement

Special Needs Student Suffers Broken Bones

$1.9 million settlement for a 14-year old special needs student who already had a rare type of brittle bone disease and sustained compression fractures of his spine (no surgery) when the special needs school bus he was passenger in ran over a road defect. His settlement was paid into an interest-bearing annuity, which will pay him more than $8 million over the course of his life. We contended that the bus company should have correctly outfitted their special needs bus and should have trained their drivers more appropriately to handle the transportation for these types of children.

$1,800,000

Settlement

Injuries Resulting from 3 Car Collision

$1.8 million settlement for a 33-year-old factory worker who was injured in a three-car collision with a home health care nurse and ultimately required back surgery. The settlement agreement was reached shortly before trial, and we are currently pursuing one of the insurance companies in a separate court action for a portion of the settlement money.

$1,750,000

Settlement

$1.75 million settlement in Malpractice Case

$1.75 million settlement for death of 9-year old boy in a case against University Hospital where the pediatric hematologist and oncologist failed to properly manage a central catheter and subsequent candida infection resulted in this young cancer patient’s death. This matter was settled when the trial began.

$1,750,000

Settlement

$1.75 million Settlement in Work Injury Case

$1.75 million settlement for a 53-year-old male HVAC maintenance worker who fell in a hole while performing emergency work in the middle of the night. He sustained a meniscus tear requiring surgical repair as well as low back injuries which were treated conservatively. It was argued that plaintiff should have seen the hole and that he had been to the site on two prior occasions. In addition to the $1.75M settlement, the employer waived the workers’ compensation lien. Paid by confidential defendants and insurers.

$1,750,000

Verdict by jury

$1,750,000 Verdict By Jury For Union Carpenter Apprentice Injured On A Jobsite

$1.75 million gross verdict for a union carpenter apprentice who broke his leg and injured his knee on a downtown jobsite. The apprentice has since returned to work and became a journeyman. The apprentice has since returned to work and became a journeyman. The verdict was reduced by the apprentice’s contributory negligence.

$1,675,000

Settlement

Iron Worker Injured by Steel Plate

$1.675 million settlement for 37 year-old iron worker who was hit with a piece of plate steel when it came off of an electric hoist he was using that did not have a safety catch or “mouse” on the hook. This settlement was obtained at trial along with the assignment of contribution claims against the plaintiff’s employer which were then tried to jury verdict finding 95% fault on the employer. This finding by the jury effectively wiped out the $600K workmen’s compensation lien on the settlement.

$1,500,000

Settlement

$1.5M settlement for 42 year-old barber who was struck in his vehicle by tractor trailer causing him to strike median on highway.

$1.5M settlement for 42 year-old barber who was struck in his vehicle by tractor trailer causing him to strike median on highway. He sustained a lumbar fracture and aggravation of his preexisting lumbar degenerative condition (spondylolisthesis) requiring a lumbar fusion surgery.

$1,500,000

Settlement

$1.5 million for two injured construction laborers

$1.5 million for two construction laborers who were injured when the Defendant demolition company’s workers knocked down a brick wall on top of them. One plaintiff underwent neck fusion and shoulder surgeries while the other plaintiff underwent bilateral clavicle resection surgeries. Both plaintiffs received workers’ compensation settlement in addition to these results, and the workers’ compensation liens were reduced 75% through our efforts.

Settlement was $950,000 for first plaintiff and $550,000 for second plaintiff.

$1,400,000

Settlement

$1.4 million settlement for 38 year-old salesman struck by a company truck

$1.4 million settlement for 38 year-old salesman struck in driver door by a company truck causing an aggravation of his preexisting asymptomatic degenerative disc disease in his neck. He underwent surgery at C5-6 and C6-7.

$1,325,000

Settlement

$1.325 million for Wrongful Death

$1.325 million mediated settlement of construction site wrongful death.

$1,225,000

Settlement

$1,225,000 Settlement + $200,000 Lien Reduction for Construction Laborer

$1,225,000 Settlement + $200,000 Lien Reduction for construction laborer who fell approximately 9 feet onto his back while handing up sheets of plywood. We argued that the work practice of sheathing the roof with no fall protection of any kind violated OSHA and safe trade custom. This matter, which was tried in Will County, settled three days into trial for an amount nearly four times the amount that was offered prior to trial.

$1,200,000

Settlement

$1.2 Million Settlement for Woman

$1.2M settlement for middle aged woman resulting from nerve injury while undergoing spinal surgery. A fixation cage was improperly placed during the surgery.

$1,150,000

Settlement

Rear-Ended by a Drunk Driver

$1.15 million settlement and complete waiver of a $400,000 worker’s compensation lien for a 41-year-old Illinois state trooper who was rear-ended by a drunk driver and required back surgery. The defendant’s insurer paid their $1million policy limit just prior to trial, and the defendant personally contributed $150,000 of his own money to the settlement.

$1,150,000

Verdict by jury

$1.1 million for woman who sustained torn bladder and ureteral injury

$1.1 million jury verdict for 52 year-old woman who sustained a torn bladder and ureteral injury during a routine vaginal hysterectomy performed by Dr. Karen Druzak, M.D. There was no settlement offer from the doctor at any time prior to or during trial.

$1,100,000

Settlement

Construction Worker falls

$1.1 million settlement for a 31-year-old construction worker who fell through an overhang when he stepped on a piece of wood blocking he had previously nailed and sustained a serious right heel fracture. We sued the general contractor and owner and shortly before trial obtained not only a settlement amount of $1.1 million but reduced his worker’s compensation lien by $273,000. The defense in this case contended that the plaintiff and/or his employer were solely responsible for his injuries, as they had been the ones that actually nailed the board he fell through.

$1,000,000

Settlement

$1 million premises liability settlement

$1 million premises liability settlement (insurance policy limits) for family of 43 year-old man who was overcome by smoke inhalation and died in a home fire as a result of numerous building code violations at the rental property they were living in.

$1,000,000

Settlement

$1M for a retired couple that was killed as a result of a propane gas explosion

$1M ($500K to each estate) for a retired couple that was killed as a result of a propane gas explosion that occurred at their Wisconsin summer cottage. We determined that a brass flexible connector had not been tagged for replacement and/or removal at the time a new gas service was installed resulting in the leak and explosion. These flexible connectors were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the early 1990’s and MUST be replaced immediately if found in your home. This settlement exceeds Wisconsin’s wrongful death cap by $300K total.

$1,000,000

Verdict by jury

Collision causes wrongful death

$1 million jury verdict against the City of Chicago Police Department, where our client was traveling through an intersection on the south side of Chicago with a green light when struck at a high rate of speed and killed by another vehicle fleeing from multiple Chicago police squad cars at the time of the event. The decedent was unemployed and unmarried; however, he was survived by a 2-year-old son who collected for loss of society of his father. Our use of accident reconstruction testimony and police procedures testimony against the City of Chicago helped to secure this verdict.

$970,000

Settlement

Woman killed in medical transport

$970,000.00 settlement achieved on the second day of trial for death of 64 year-old woman survived by two adult children who was being transported via a medi-car van that was in an automobile accident with another vehicle while she was being transported for minor surgery. She sustained a non-paralysis cervical fracture from the accident and died several days later due to a stress related cardiac event.

$925,000

Settlement

$925,000 Settlement for Client Struck While Crossing the Street

$925,000 settlement for an 80 year-old woman who sustained non-surgical fractures after being struck by a vehicle while walking to church.

$912,000

Settlement

$912K settlement (plus complete workmen’s comp. lien waiver of $775K)

$912K settlement (plus complete workmen’s comp. lien waiver of $775K) paid by property owner for a 45 year-old union carpenter, employed by the general contractor on the project, who was setting steel panels when he twisted his knee in the mud on the job site and aggravated his underlying degenerative conditions in his knee requiring several surgeries.

$900,000

Settlement

$900k Settlement for Injured Limousine Driver

$900,000.00 settlement for 64 year-old limousine driver who was rear-ended by a box truck while his vehicle was disabled on the side of the road. He sustained a cervical disk injury requiring a surgical fusion.

$900,000

Settlement

$900k Settlement for Injured CTA Passenger

$900,000.00 settlement for a man who suffered soft tissue neck and back injuries when he was a passenger on a CTA train which struck another train. Plaintiff did not seek immediate medical attention, treated conservatively and did not have surgery. He lost no time from work.

$890,000

Settlement

Insurance company holds out on policy

$890,000.00 settlement for 57 year-old woman who was rear-ended and sustained cervical disk injury requiring a surgical fusion. Defendant’s insurance company claimed to have only a $500K policy and after a trial and appeal on the insurance coverage issue plaintiff prevailed in having the court find there was actually $1M of coverage on the vehicle that struck her.

$875,000

Settlement

$875,000 Will County medical negligence settlement

$875,000 Will County medical negligence settlement for 52 year -old woman that suffered an eye injury during routine nasal surgery.

$850,000

Settlement

$850K Disk Injury

$850K settlement by trucking company for disk injury that required disk replacement surgery for 27 year old logistics worker. This settlement was paid after plaintiff prevailed in separate law suit filed by insurance company attempting to deny insurance coverage for the truck driver that caused the accident.

$850,000

Settlement

Surgical Malpractice

$850,000 settlement, no suit filed, against hospital and neurosuregeon for death of 55 year-old woman who died during the placement of a brain cathater to treat her terminal brain cancer. She was estimated to have 6 months to live at the time of her death.

$850,000

Settlement

$850,000 in medical negligence case

$850,000.00 medical negligence settlement for 33 year-old male resulting from improper abdominal surgery.

$803,000
Verdict by jury

Leg injury sustained from fall

$803,000.00 jury verdict for a union roofing apprentice against the Chicago Board of Education for a serious leg injury sustained when he fell from an interior iron ladder at a school he was working at.

$790,000

Settlement

$790,000 Settlement for Tenant Against Landlord

$790K settlement for woman against her land lord for back injuries sustained when her front porch railing came loose causing he to fall off the side of the stoop.

$766,000

Settlement

$766K Neck Fusion

$766K settlement for 52 year old man that required a neck fusion procedure as a resulted of being rear ended by an under-insured driver while working.

$761,000

Settlement

$761,000 Settlement for Driver Who Was Rear-Ended

Client rear-ended in snow while stopped for red light. Client sustained aggravation of underlying cervical degenerative disk disease.

$750,000

Settlement

$750,000 settlement against trucking company

$750,000.00 settlement against trucking company for death of woman killed in automobile accident.

$750,000

Settlement

Aggravation of degenerative disk in accident

$750,000.00 settlement for 46 year-old male who was rear-ended in a low speed impact causing an aggravation of his pre-existing degenerative disk disease in his neck requiring surgery.

$750,000

Settlement

Settlement against nursing home

$750,000.00 settlement against nursing home for woman who drowned in bathtub while a patient at nursing home.

$737,000

Settlement

$737K award for 34 year-old union millwright apprentice who sustained a back injury

$737K award (present cash value) at trial for a 34 year-old union millwright apprentice who sustained a back injury. $20K was offered prior to trial

$727,741

Settlement

Products liability settlement for 50 year-old woman

$727,741.00 Products liability settlement for 50 year-old woman who sustained heart damage and mitral valve repair due to results of Fen-Phen ingestion for weight loss.

$710,000

Settlement

$710K settlement for retired iron worker rear-ended by a school bus

$710K settlement for a retired iron worker who was rear-ended by a school bus resulting in an aggravation of his prior work related injuries necessitating additional surgery to his knee and shoulder. This same client previously received $1.675M for the work injuries.

$705,000

Settlement

Bowel perforation during a routine colonoscopy

$705,000.00 Medical negligence settlement for 69 year-old retired man who sustained bowel perforation during a routine colonoscopy resulting in partial removal of his colon.

$700,000

Settlement

Settlement for driver rear-ended by a pickup truck

$700,000.00 settlement for a driver who was rear-ended by a pickup truck. Plaintiff had an extensive history of prior neck and low back injuries and treatment for 10 years prior to the wreck. Plaintiff suffered an aggravation of his prior L3-L4 spine condition which necessitated pain management treatment and an L3-L4 discectomy and decompression of left L3 nerve root. During the course of treatment, Plaintiff suffered multiple intervening injuries, including a weight lifting injury and a change in the nature of his back pain from playing pool.

$700,000

Settlement

Settlement for woman injured automobile accident

$700,000.00 settlement for a 49-year-old woman for injuries she sustained as a result of an automobile accident wherein a car spun out across her lanes of traffic and struck her vehicle on I-88 while claiming a “phantom vehicle” caused defendant’s vehicle to lose control. Plaintiff sustained an aggravation of a previously asymptomatic degenerative cervical disc disease that ultimately required a two-level cervical fusion.