Illinois Personal Injury Verdicts and Settlements

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

A 49-year-old woman was admitted to a hospital. She suffered pneumonia and pleural effusions. Her condition worsened after several weeks. The woman eventually went into cardiopulmonary arrest. She was left with severe brain damage. The woman died ten days later. Her family alleged that the hospital’s negligence caused her death. They claimed its staff delayed her treatments and provided substandard care. This case settled for $2,000,000.

$2,000,000 – Settlement

May 2020 – Illinois

A 46-year-old woman was sideswiped by a medical transport van. She suffered right knee contusions and sprains, a lumbar strain, and a right thumb sprain. The woman was eventually diagnosed with plica syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, depression, and anxiety. She initially underwent physical therapy for her back and knee injuries. This treatment failed to resolve her injuries. Two years later, she underwent a knee arthroscopy. She also saw a psychiatrist. The woman experienced panic attacks while driving. She now relied on her boyfriend for rides to work. She underwent driving exposure therapy. The woman could finally drive on her own two years after the accident. She alleged that the van driver’s negligence caused her physical and psychological injuries. The woman claimed he negligently changed lanes. The van driver denied liability, arguing comparative negligence. This case settled for $75,000.

$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

A man was rear-ended by another vehicle when he attempted to make a left-turn. He suffered undisclosed personal injuries. The man alleged that the driver followed his vehicle too closely and failed to look out for other vehicles. The Cook County jury awarded $8,500.

$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%).  

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