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News From the Firm – Summer 2012

Defense Verdict in Favor of Surgeon in Coles County

Kevin Miller and Adam Chaddock successfully defended a surgeon in a medical malpractice jury trial in Coles County, Illinois. The plaintiff was a 20-year-old college student who came to the local hospital’s emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain. Two surgeries were performed within four days resulting in lengthy hospital stays, medical bills exceeding $350,000 and substantial scarring. Plaintiff asked for $1.5 million from the jury. The case resulted in a defense verdict, in favor of the surgeon, zero awarded.

Farm Tractor Driver Not Guilty of Negligence

Jon Stump recently received a favorable verdict in a Stark County trial. Plaintiff was driving a semi and attempted to pass a farm tractor and gravity wagon. Plaintiff claimed the tractor moved over center of roadway, forcing semi off road and causing it to jackknife and roll on its side. Plaintiff endured broken neck and other personal injuries, property damage, lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Last demand was $500,000. Verdict was defendant not guilty of negligence, zero awarded.

Defense Verdict for Employer after Jury Trial in Tazewell County

John Kamin obtained a defense verdict in favor of an employer after a one-week jury trial in Tazewell County. The plaintiff was carrying work materials and stepped into a depression in a public parking lot near the employer’s entrance. Plaintiff suffered bilateral ankle fractures, developed CRPS symptoms and incurred more than $50,000 in medical bills. Plaintiff sued the owner of the lot for the dangerous condition and the owner sought contribution from the employer who had admitted observing the depression sometime prior to the fall and not warning the employee. Plaintiff asked the jury for $384,000, but a defense verdict was returned after several hours of deliberation, zero awarded.

Neurosuregon Found Not Guilty of Negligence

Matt Maddox and Chris Galanos successfully defended a neurosurgeon who performed a thoracic disc excision on a patient. The plaintiff claimed our client was negligent in beginning the surgery at an incorrect level and also negligent in choosing a posterior approach rather than an anterior approach. The plaintiff had two subsequent cervical surgeries which she claimed were caused by our client’s negligence, and she claimed permanent and total disability. The jury found in favor of our client on all claims of negligence, zero awarded.

Other News

Kevin Miller recently concluded his one-year term as President of the Peoria County Bar Association. The PCBA is one of the most active bar associations in Illinois, with over 620 members and an annual budget of $300,000. Kevin is the sixth lawyer from our firm to hold the position of PCBA President during the association’s 133 year history. Jo Wetherill, Peter Jennetten and Jennifer Morris all chaired committees on the PCBA this year and they also served on the Board of Directors for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

Chris Crawford was elected to the position of President of the Board of Education of Peoria Public School District 150 for the 2012-2013 school year, having served as Vice-President during the 2011-2012 school year. Chris was elected to the Board in February 2010. All of Chris’ co-workers congratulate him on this achievement.

Dave Collins served as the moderator of the National Business Institute seminar “What Civil Court Judges Want you to Know” in June in Peoria. Panel members were Judge Michael Brandt, Judge Eugene Daugherity, Judge Joseph Hettel, Judge Michael Risinger, and Judge Scott Shore.

Peter Jennetten was a presenter at the Peoria County Bar Association’s 2012 Federal Jurisdiction Seminar in July, speaking on the topic of “Venue and Transfer”.

Originally published in the Summer 2012 edition of Quinn Quarterly.

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