This lawsuit was originally filed in Kane County, Ill., in the wrongful death and survival act claims by Lee Anne Wigdahl for the death of her husband, Eric Wigdahl. The case was challenged by the defendant, who claimed that it should have been removed to the federal court because the…
Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog
Illinois Appellate Court Affirms Trial Court’s Decision on Claim of Ownership of Four Works of Art
Daniel and Rachel Brenner purchased four works of art from Evelyn Statsinger in the 1950s and 1960s. The artworks were displayed in the Brenner home continuously through the time of Daniel’s death in 1977 and Rachel’s death in 1990. The Brenner children, Ariel and Jonathan Brenner, inherited the artwork. When…
$6.47 Million Jury Verdict In Death of Driver Who Rear-Ended a Broken-Down Truck on a Busy Interstate Highway
Scott Stevenson, 52, was driving his utility van on a busy interstate highway when his vehicle rear-ended a broken-down truck that had been stopped in the middle lane for fourteen minutes. Stevenson died from the injuries he sustained in the impact of the vehicles. He had been a self-employed plumber…
$3.81 Million Settlement Reached for Intersection Crash that Killed Motorist
Janet Pulver, 66, was several yards away from an intersection when a vehicle driven by Bennett Dunbar crashed into Pulver’s car head-on. Pulver suffered serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury, and died only 28 hours later. She had been retired but was taking care of her grandchildren everyday. She was…
$2 Million Jury Verdict for Spinal Injury Caused by Negligent Elevator Maintenance
John Deatherage, 51, was on an elevator when it suddenly dropped and came to a violent stop. Deatherage, who had two previous surgeries at L5-S1, suffered a spinal injury that required a fusion surgery at that level. He continues to experience back and spine problems. He sued Schindler Elevator Corp.,…
$4.7 Billion Talcum Powder Verdict Upheld Despite Johnson & Johnson’s Motions; New Trial Denied
St. Louis City Circuit Court judge refused to grant Johnson & Johnson’s motions following the July 13, 2018 jury verdict of $4.7 billion against Johnson & Johnson for injuries suffered by 22 women. This verdict was the largest by far against Johnson & Johnson in cases against it brought by…
Illinois Appellate Court Hears Oral Argument in Exculpatory Clause Injury Case
In a pending appeal from a jury verdict in favor of defendants Capital Fitness Inc. and a personal trainer, the plaintiff Gabriela Sosa-Gaines appealed the verdict handed down by a DuPage County Circuit Court jury on Aug. 4, 2017 and entered by the trial court. The principal basis for the…
St. Louis City Jury Returns $12.5 Million, Including Punitive Damages for Leg Injury to Professional Football Running Back Reggie Bush
Reginald Bush a/k/a Reggie Bush, a former Heisman Trophy winner, had a successful professional football career and was named as starting running back for the San Francisco 49ers. While he was playing against the then St. Louis Rams at Edward Jones Dome in 2005, whose turf playing field was surrounded…
Illinois Appellate Court Spells Out Significance of Attorney-Client Contingency Contract in Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claims
The defendant attorney appealed from a Circuit Court order that reduced his contingent fee for legal representation in a motor-vehicle settlement case. The order had been entered in McDonough County, Ill. The plaintiff, the injured party, William K. Kelso, deceased, by his wife and executor, cross-appealed, arguing that the defendant…
$15.5 Million Jury Verdict for Several Killed or Injured in Fatal Crash Caused by Intoxicated Driver; Negligent Entrustment Claim Included
After a party, Vivence Bugilimfura drove seven of his friends home in his employer’s van. He had been drinking. He crashed the van into a concrete highway divider. All but one of the passengers who were in their early 20s were ejected from the van. Two of the passengers suffered…