A Jury Verdict Research found that the median money damages award for personal injury lawsuits that go to trial in Illinois is $26,624. Plaintiffs receive damages in 51 percent of cases that go to trial. Unlike average jury verdict statistics, median jury verdict data blunts larger cases, including the approximately 8% of jury verdicts in Illinois that were over $1 million.
Interesting Jury Verdicts and Settlements from Illinois
YEAR/STATE
FACTS / INJURY SUMMARY
RESULT
October 2020 – Illinois
A woman twice slipped on ice outside her apartment in a 48-hour period. She suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and three seizures. The woman was left with a seizure disorder. She could not drive for six months. The woman was eventually allowed to drive again and returned to work. However, she continued to experience memory problems. The woman alleged that the apartment owner’s negligence caused her injuries. She claimed they failed to remove the ice outside. This case settled for $300,000.
$300,000 – Settlement
August 2020 – Illinois
A 56-year-old motorcyclist was struck by an auto porter. He suffered a severe leg injury and bilateral shoulder tears. The man underwent a below-the-knee amputation and shoulder surgeries. He alleged that the auto porter’s negligence caused his permanent injuries. The man claimed he failed to yield the right-of-way and maintain a proper lookout. He also made a vicarious liability against the auto porter’s employer. The auto porter contested liability, arguing that a traffic sign obstructed his view. This case settled for $16,000,000.
$16,000,000 – Settlement
June 2020 – Illinois
$2,000,000 – Settlement
May 2020 – Illinois
$75,000 – Settlement
May 2020 – Illinois
A 66-year-old woman with cardiac ischemia underwent several procedures. She died two days later. Her family alleged that the hospital staff’s negligence caused her death. They claim they provided inadequate care. This case settled for $1,000,000.
$1,000,000 – Settlement
May 2020 – Illinois
A 30-year-old mother presented to the emergency room with chest, back, and abdominal pain. pain. She was diagnosed with microscopic hematuria. The hospital staff prescribed several medications and discharged her. Five days later, the woman returned with chest pain and tachycardia. She was discharged without undergoing additional tests. Nineteen days later, the woman collapsed at home. She was brought to the hospital. The woman was diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. She died after being transferred to another hospital. Her family alleged that the initial hospital’s negligence caused her death. They claimed its staff failed to order additional tests, determine the hematuria’s cause, and evaluate her severe tachycardia. This case settled for $2,375,000.
$2,375,000 – Settlement
February 2020 – Illinois
A business invitee fell while walking up a damaged staircase. She suffered personal injuries. The woman alleged that the premises’ owner’s negligence caused her injuries. She claimed she failed to maintain the staircase, warn of the hazard, and properly lit the stairwell. The premises’ owner denied liability, arguing comparative negligence. A Cook County jury ruled in the woman’s favor. They awarded $20,000.
$20,000 – Verdict
February 2020 – Illinois
A business invitee fell while walking up a damaged staircase. She suffered personal injuries. The woman alleged that the premises’ owner’s negligence caused her injuries. She claimed she failed to maintain the staircase, warn of the hazard, and properly lit the stairwell. The premises’ owner denied liability, arguing comparative negligence. A Cook County jury ruled in the woman’s favor. They awarded $20,000.
$20,000 – Verdict
January 2020 – Illinois
A man was struck in a collision. He suffered undisclosed personal injuries. The man alleged that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused them. He claimed he failed to maintain a proper lookout and failed to slow down his vehicle. Following arbitration, the man received $11,428. He also received an $11,428 jury award.
$18,740 – Verdict
December 2019 – Illinois
A minor was struck by a 2014 Nissan Versa while trying to cross an intersection. She suffered unspecified personal injuries. The minor sued the driver for failing to maintain a proper lookout and slow down to avoid a collision. The case settled for $15,000.
$15,000 – Settlement
November 2019 – Illinois
A man was operating a backhoe while working on a construction job. He was hit by a Chicago Transit Authority bus. The man suffered undisclosed personal injuries. The man alleged that the bus driver sped excessively and failed to keep an appropriate distance. The Cook County jury awarded him $235,000, which would be reduced to $223,250 based on comparative negligence.
$235,000 – Verdict
September 2019 – Illinois
A 42-year-old subcontractor died after using a pipe joint tester that exploded. Specifically, the explosion caused head trauma. He was hospitalized and died days after the incident. Their estate claimed that the product was defectively designed in that the air pressure was set too high. The case settled for $5,500,000.
$5,500,000 – Settlement
September 2019 – Illinois
$8,500 – Verdict
More Illinois Personal Injury Settlement Statistics
Let’s turn away from medical malpractice cases for a moment and look at Ilinois personal injury verdict statistics. A study by Jury Verdict Research found that the median (as opposed to average) verdict in Illinois in personal injury lawsuits that go to trial is $27,220. Plaintiffs receive damages in 51% of Illinois personal injury lawsuits that go to trial. Putting these numbers in context, they are in the neighborhood of the rest of the country; the nationwide median personal injury verdict is $34,550, and the nationwide plaintiff recovery probability in personal injury lawsuits is 52%. The most common injuries were back and neck strains (20%), spinal nerve injuries (11%), and head injuries (10%).
- More on Illinois Accident Verdicts (data from 2002-2007)