On Feb. 2, 2012, Elliot Gonzalez was walking northbound across Erie Street at May Street in Chicago when he was hit in the crosswalk by Patrick Kennely’s pickup truck. Kennely was a commercial property manager and was making a left turn from northbound May Street onto Erie at the time of the accident.
The plaintiff, Elliot Gonzalez, 19 at the time, sustained three transverse process vertebral fractures, a sprained ankle, contusions and bruises. His medical bills totaled $32,627. He also missed a week and half of work as a cell phone salesman.
Kennely admitted liability but contested the plaintiff’s claims of damages. His attorney cross-examined Gonzalez’s treating physician and orthopedic surgeon for 4 ½ hours regarding the care and treatment he gave to the plaintiff. The jury apparently was persuaded by that round of cross-examination because its verdict of $29,565 was less than the offer to settle the case, which was $45,000.
The attorney representing Elliot Gonzalez was Dean J. Caras. The jury’s verdict of $29,565 was made up of the following damages:
• $3,000 for past loss of normal life;
• $6,000 for future loss of normal life;
• $4,500 for past pain and suffering;
• $2,500 for future pain and suffering;
• $12,500 for past medical expense;
• $500 for future medical expenses; and
• $565 in lost wages.
In addition to the treating orthopedic surgeon for Gonzalez, the plaintiff engaged the services of an expert orthopedic surgeon who also testified.
Elliot Gonzalez v. Patrick Kennely, No. 12 L 8957 (Cook County, Ill.).
Kreisman Law Offices has been handling automobile accident cases, pedestrian accident cases and truck accident cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Orland Park, Palos Hills, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Highwood, Homewood, Flossmoor, Worth, Willowbrook, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Chicago (Lincoln Square, Wicker Park, Hegewisch, East Side, Canaryville, Bridgeport, Hyde Park), Schaumburg, Schiller Park, Tinley Park and Waukegan, Ill.
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