2018 WL 3014328 (Ill.Cir.Ct.) (Verdict and Settlement Summary)

WEST’S JURY VERDICTS – ILLINOIS REPORTS
Tractor Trailer Strikes Pedestrian at Intersection
Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County Judicial Circuit.
Rodriguez v. Fore Transp.
Type of Case:
Vehicle Negligence • Motor Vehicle v. Motor Vehicle

Vehicle Negligence • Pedestrian

Vehicle Negligence • Truck

Vehicle Negligence • Intersection

Vehicle Negligence • Right Turn

Specific Liability: Tractor trailer made negligent right turn at intersection, struck pedestrian
General Injury: Unspecified personal injuries; medical expenses

Jurisdiction:
State: Illinois
County: Cook
Related Court Documents:
Plaintiff’s second amended complaint: 2018 WL 2972622

Verdict form: 2018 WL 2972524

Verdict form: 2018 WL 2972526

Case Name: Vincent Rodriguez v. Fore Transportation, Inc.
Docket/File Number: 2017-L-012640
Trial Type: Jury
Verdict: Plaintiff, $1,898,000; reduced to $1,233,700 per negligence apportionment
Range Amount: $1,000,000 – 1,999,999
Date of Incident: January 24, 2012
Verdict/Judgment Date: May 21, 2018
Judge:James P. McCarthy
Attorneys:
Plaintiff: John J. MacInerney, Hofeld & Schaffner, Chicago, IL
Defendant: Timothy J. Young, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith L.L.P., Chicago, IL; Ronald W. Payne, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith L.L.P., Chicago, IL
Breakdown of Award:
$400,000.00 to plaintiff for loss of a normal life
$600,000.00 to plaintiff for disfigurement
$500,000.00 to plaintiff for pain and suffering
$398,000.00 to plaintiff for medical care, treatment and services
The panel determined the plaintiff was 35 percent negligent.
Summary of Facts:
Vincent Rodriguez was a pedestrian at the intersection of Pulaski Road and Archer Avenue, when he was struck by a tractor trailer operated by Peter Ulbricht, an agent and/or employee of Fore Transportation Inc., making a right turn at the intersection. Rodriguez sustained unspecified personal injuries as a result of the collision.

Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against Fore Transportation. The plaintiff alleged Ulbricht was negligent in failing to yield to a pedestrian, failing to signal his intention to make a right turn, and failing to come to a complete stop. He sought compensation for his personal injuries, medical expenses and disfigurement.

The defendant denied liability and claimed the plaintiff was comparatively negligent.

A jury determined the plaintiff was 35 percent negligent. The plaintiff was awarded damages in the total amount of $1,898,000. The award was reduced to $1,233,700 per the negligence apportionment.

JVR 1806140016