Significant Cases

The following cases are representative of the sorts of matters that we regularly work on.

Please note that auto cases, in particular, are often resolved for less than full value due to the lack of adequate insurance. We encourage our clients, and the public at large, to have ample liability, under-insured, and uninsured motorist coverage.

PERSONAL INJURY

• ($10,500,000): This matter involved the theft of intellectual property and breach of a partnership agreement. The case was tried in the U.S. District Court, Akron, Ohio. After a favorable verdict on liability, the defendants settled.
• ($500,000): The insurer denied a disability claim. The case was litigated and the insurer paid the policy limit.
• ($1,230,000): A 38 year old mother of four was struck head-on by a trailer which had swerved into her lane. She sustained multiple fractures and a closed head injury. The defendant paid their policy limit of $1,000,000. $230,000 was paid by the plaintiff’s auto insurer on the uninsured motorist provision.
• ($2,530,000): Medical doctor sued for disability policy benefits following a denial of coverage. The case was litigated in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. Plaintiff prevailed on a motion for summary judgment and the insurer agreed to pay the policy limits.
• ($435,000): A motor vehicle accident in which a Daily Herald truck driver ran a stop sign and broadsided the plaintiff. The primary injury was a severe ankle fracture. The case was settled out of court.
• ($235,000): A workers compensation case involving a 48 year old commercial electrician who sustained three herniated disks while lifting a ladder. The case was settled out of court.
• ($215,000): A medical malpractice case in which the plaintiff, a registered nurse, had undergone a full knee replacement. The plaintiff had to undergo a revision due to limitation of motion and the appearance of the knee being crooked. The case was settled out of court.
• ($125,000): A slip and fall case in the parking lot of a Target store. Plaintiff was caused to fall to her knee as the result of ice that accumulated in a crevice. The primary injury was damage to plaintiff’s peroneal nerve which caused difficulties with walking. The case was litigated in DuPage County and settled out of court.
• ($100,000): A products liability case involving a 28 year old mother of two who owned a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. Plaintiff, a front seat passenger in the vehicle, sustained a severe burn on the bottom of her left foot which came in contact with an exposed heater core pipe. This caused her to alter her gait, which resulted in a number of stress fractures. The case was settled out of court.
• ($95,000): A low impact auto collision in which the plaintiff was struck in the rear. Plaintiff was a 54 year old postal worker. She sustained a herniated disk which required surgery. The case was settled following court ordered mediation.
• ($285,000): A medical malpractice case involving an 83 year old heart patient. The decedent went to the Rush Copley emergency room complaining of chest pains. He was advised that he had emphysema. He was found dead less than 24 hours later. The cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. The case was settled out of court.
• ($100,000): A dog bite case in which a neighbor’s pit bull entered plaintiff’s yard and attacked her dog. As she attempted to separate the dogs, the pit bull bit off the upper third of her right thumb. The defendant’s insurer paid the policy limit in an out of court settlement.
• ($100,000): An automobile accident in which the plaintiff, a 38 year old satellite dish installer, was struck from behind. The primary injury was a herniated disk which required surgery. The defendant’s insurer paid the policy limit in an out of court settlement.
• ($300,000): A construction worker was struck in the mouth by a forklift. The plaintiff sustained severe dental injuries. The matter was litigated in Cook County and settled at arbitration.
• ($160,000): A worker’s compensation case involving a severe foot injury.
• ($250,000): A husband and wife were on a motorcycle when they were broad-sided by a motorist. The husband sustained a severe injury to his wrist and scars due to “road rash”. The wife sustained a severe leg fracture which required multiple surgeries. The case was settled for the driver’s policy limit and our client’s under-insured limit.
• ($250,000): An auto accident in which our client sustained disk herniations which required surgery. The case was settled for the other driver’s limits and our clients’ under-insured limits.
• ($175,000): An auto accident in which our client sustained two herniated disks. The case was settled out of court.
• ($100,000): A motorcycle accident in which our client sustained a complex fracture of his left arm. The case was settled for the driver’s policy limit.
• ($1,250,000): A motorcycle accident in which our client sustained a severe lower leg injury as a result of being struck by a pickup truck.
• ($250,000): A slip and fall at a Jewel/Osco which caused our client to sustain herniated disks with resultant surgery.
• ($250,000): Our client was struck from behind by a drunk driver. He sustained herniated disks and underwent a spinal fusion. Settled for the other driver’s policy limit.

CHICAGO SECURITIES

• ($1,000,000+): Multi-state litigation against issuer and sales agents for a leasing program sold to senior citizens as a “safe investment”.
• ($134,000): NASD arbitration on behalf of family members for losses incurred as a result of unsuitable investments and broker misconduct. Successfully settled on the eve of the trial.
• ($140,000): NASD arbitration on behalf of a couple who lost most of their savings as a result of unsuitable investments and broker misconduct. Successfully mediated and settled.