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Under Illinois law liability is automatically imposed on anyone who sells any product in a defective condition that is unreasonably dangerous to consumers, users, or their property. A manufacturer or seller may also be found liable where the warnings given about the product are inadequate. Product liability claims may arise in the context of automobile crashes, airplane accidents, and construction injuries -- just to name a few. The experienced attorneys at Burke Wise Morrissey & Kaveny have represented dozens of individuals and families who have been injured due to defective products.
Banks v. Host International
The plaintiff's finger nail was amputated by a defective chair at a Chili's restaurant.
Settlement date: 12/23/10. Settlement amount: $225,000.
Zarnecki v. Lemont Senior Housing, et al.
An attic ladder fell out of the ceiling hitting plaintiff, resulting in a fractured hip.
Settlement date: 08/30/10. Settlement amount: $280,000.
Trebolo v. Deere, et al.
Plaintiff tractor operator fell off a Deere tractor and was mowed over by a rotary cutter. Wrongful death.
Settlement date: 04/24/09. Settlement amount: Confidential.
Tinney v. The Fitness Experience
A 68-year-old slipped from a rotating exercise table and fell head first to the floor. A pin that was supposed to lock his ankles into place slipped loose. He suffered paralysis from the shoulders down and his vertebrae shattered in the fall.
Settlement date: 07/01/07. Settlement amount: $5,000,000.
McLenighan v. MC Sports
A 48-year-old man’s wedding ring caught on a hex nut and bolt attached to a basketball rim assembly. As the man pulled away from the basketball rim, the ring did not free and degloved part of the finger. Surgeons were unable to repair the tissue damage or save the finger. One and a half inches of the left ring finger was amputated.
Settlement date: 05/16/07. Settlement amount: $550,000.
Kubicek v. Central Intermodal
A 58 year old crane operator was killed in a rail yard accident when the top part of a crane collapsed on his cab.
Settlement date: 01/24/07. Settlement amount: $5,200,000.
Owens v. Rochford
A 45 year-old repairman twisted his knee when his foot went through a rotted board in an outdoor deck. He suffered a torn meniscus, aggravating a pre-existing condition.
Settlement date: 11/14/06. Settlement amount: $900,000.
Avalos v. J.I. Case
A 27-year-old furnace operator fractured his pelvis and jaw when a man
operating a front loader backed up directly into him, pushing and pressing
him against steel containers. The loader was not equipped with rear
view mirrors or a rear sound alarm.
Settlement date: 03/08/02. Settlement amount: $400,000.
Ginzel v. Kolcraft
A 16-month-old boy was killed when a faulty crib collapsed on him. The
crib had been recalled five years earlier.
Settlement date: 12/01/01. Settlement amount: $3,000,000.
Murphy v. Chicago Ridge Cab
A woman became a quadriplegic following a collision in which the automatic
shoulder restraint and manual lap belt failed to function properly.
Settlement date: 06/01/00. Settlement amount: $1,700,000.
Zolo v. Uniroyal
A family was returning from a Florida vacation when their 1985 Ford
Econoline van went out of control and rolled over after the tread on
the van’s right rear tire separated from the carcass. The 40-year-old
father of 4 and his 62-year-old mother Charlotte were killed in the
accident. The 38-yr-old mother sustained multiple fractures plus severe
emotional trauma. A 14-yr-old son suffered a severe cerebral contusion
and compound skull fractures resulting in physical and cognitive limitations.
The three other sons in the vehicle also sustained injuries.
Settlement date: 02/01/00. Settlement amount: $12,000,000.
Pennington v. Tech Sales
A garbage sorter lost part of his foot when he became entangled in a paper baling
machine. He had been trying to clear a jam when he fell into the baler
and his right foot was crushed.
Verdict date: 07/02/99. Verdict amount: $2,600,000.
Brown v. Giben
A 44-year-old man was crushed by a moving part of a wood-cutting machine.
He was trapped for several minutes and suffered irreparable brain damage
due to a lack of oxygen.
Settlement date: 08/14/98. Settlement amount: $4,100,000.
Doe v. Baxter
A 37 year-old anesthesia technician became infected with the AIDS virus
following a needle stick injury. The technician’s hand was punctured
by a syringe needle which was extending out from the opening of a disposal
container.
Settlement date: 05/18/95. Settlement amount: $615,000.