Representative Settlements and Verdicts:

$13.73 Million — Laborer. Suffered extensive burns over 80% of his body. An ensuing legal battle continued for more than five years against one of the country’s largest utilities.

Amount Confidential between public demand of $13 Million and rejected offer of $6 Million — Foster mother of nine was killed and her niece incurred a partial paraplegia injury when a van they were riding in rolled over multiple times. Vehicle stability testing conducted by the auto manufacturer and supporting documents became the proof that was necessary to secure a landmark “confidential” settlement against one of the largest automakers in the world.

$10.73 Million — Settlement on behalf of the residents of a Chicago neighborhood exposed to toxic smoke from the ACME Barrel facility. 

$10 Million — Carpenter killed in 100 foot fall into Elevator pit. (Settlement paid 17 months after the accident)

$10 Million — Ironworker. Fell from a one-story roof and was rendered a partial quadriplegic. The case ultimately proceeded to trial after over 50 depositions were taken around the country in order to establish liability upon the two manufacturers of the pre-fabricated metal building that contained excessive amounts of oil on the decking sheets and were responsible for his slip and fall off of the roof iron.

$8.5 Million — Carpenter.  Killed when he was struck by a beam after a wall collapsed.  This case was contested throughout its pendency and settled on the eve of trial.

$8.3 Million — Bricklayer.  Fell thirty feet after an unsupported walking plank gave way.  Sustained a calcaneous fracture, ruptured Achilles tendon, and a vertebral fracture as a result of a fall.  Click here to find out more information about this case.

$8 Million — Male driver.  Sustained a traumatic brain injury after a truck from a major trucking company collided with his vehicle.  GWC was able to settle this case for an amount surprassing the record TBI verdict in Colorado by over $2 million.  Click here to find out more information about this case.

$6.3 Million — Electrician.  Killed after sustaining burns in a switchgear explosion.  GWC obtained this jury award after an arduous 4-year investigation and was able to provide the electrician's widow with the financial security that she deserved.  Click here to find out more information about this case.

$5.8 Million — Mother. Sole survivor of van crash succumbed to catastrophic injuries. While the tragic loss of a mother can never be replaced, GWC was able to provide her young child with financial security to protect her, educate her, and give her financial independence for the rest of her life.

$5.5 Million — Mother and Daughter. Suffered multiple injuries in an auto accident when another car disobeyed a stop sign. Record time to settle the case gave the women and their family peace of mind concerning their finances and the necessary medical care that is critical for their rehabilitation needs.

$5.5 Million —  Surveyor. Suffered multiple fractures when 100’ boom on a concrete pump truck that was improperly set up shifted and struck client.

$5.29 Million — Electrical Lineman. Suffered severe electrical burns at a construction site accident. Insurance company’s final offer before trial was $90,000.00.

$4.65 Million — Laborer. Fatal accident when an improperly braced 28-foot wall at a construction site collapsed on him and his brother at a construction site during a violent storm. It was determined that despite the U.S. weather warnings, work at the construction site continued until it was too late to evacuate the work site.

$4.5 Million — Ironworker who sustained injuries when he fell 11 feet off block wall.

$4.5 Million — A Local 1 Ironworker agreed to settle his case as his attorneys were preparing to select the jury.  He had fallen 11’ off of a masonry block wall and sustained a career-ending left calcaneal fracture, and other injuries.

$4.5 Million — Sheetmetal Worker. Suffered multiple leg and facial fractures in a 20-foot fall off of an iron beam when he stepped on a bolt left by another contractor.

$4.4 Million — Male Driver. Fatal accident as a result of a semi-truck driver swerving his truck into west bound traffic and striking head-on the car of the victim. Due to the truck driver’s record and past history his employer immediately paid cash settlement plus an annuity to his estate. This is the largest death case settlement in Kane County. 

$4.35 Million — Laborer. Suffered serious head injuries from eleven foot fall off of a job-built ladder on construction project. Extensive pre-trial preparation including numerous graphic exhibits and models paved the way for this substantial settlement.

$4.1 Million — Electrician. Suffered a serious knee injury when a piece of construction equipment became dislodged in a trailer and fell onto his leg. The jury returned one of the largest knee injury verdicts in Illinois history.

$4.1 Million — Electrician. Fatal fall through the ceiling of a hotel ballroom. Insurance company appealed case to the Appellate and Supreme Courts. GWC won both appeals and secured this verdict for victim’s estate.

$4.05 Million — Electrician. Suffered severe electrical burns when an aluminum street light pole that his employer was installing hit a power line.

$3.9 Million — Ironworker. Suffered multiple fractures from 35-foot fall out of a lift-truck while not using his safety lanyard. Settlement paid when it was proved that there was no enforcement of the safety program on the job site.

$3.75 Million — Laborer died following a construction fall.

$3.75 Million — The wife of a laborer who had fallen to his death in an unwitnessed construction incident settled her wrongful death lawsuit after the case was assigned to a trial judge and her attorneys were preparing to start the trial.

$3.7 Million — Infant Boy. Suffered an above the knee amputation due to the negligent acts of the hospital and a number of doctors. GWC retained over eight (8) medical, vocational, and economic experts. They were able to document the malpractice itself and then to document the consequences the injuries will have on his life, both from an economic standpoint and from a personal one.

$3.6 Million —  Carpenter. Fatal fall through metal decking due to other contractor partially cutting decking and leaving area without barricades or warning.

$3.6 Million — Sheet Metal Worker. Suffered a mild, disputed brain injury from a fall from a 12-foot stepladder while connecting pieces of overhead ductwork. Final offer of settlement before trial was $250,000.

$3.5 Million —  Male Adult. Suffered severe infection that went undiagnosed for over a week resulting in paralysis. Orthopedic surgeon in charge of care, and both transferring hospital and care-giving hospital failed to recognize serious nature of an infection that developed in the location where a surgical anesthesia needle had been inserted.

$3.5 Million —  Sheetmetal Worker.  Fell over thirty feet, suffering leg and back injuries.  Client had a good physical recovery but could not return to construction trades work.

$3 Million — Ironworker. Suffered fractures to his ankle, knee, thumb and three of the vertebrae in his lower back when he fell 22-feet through an unmarked hole at a construction site. GWC demonstrated that the contractor had failed to comply with hole covering safety standards and had improperly used loose scrap wood to cover the opening.

$2.9 Million — Sales Manager. A manager for an auto dealership was killed in an auto accident after attending a sales meeting

$2.84 Million — Record personal injury verdict in Jo Daviess County for painter who suffered a broken heel in a 10 foot fall off of an unguarded scaffold.

$2.66 Million — Electrician. Suffered a fatal accident in which a 26,000-lb generator fell and killed him at a construction site. It was determined that the generator was being hoisted by a 30-ton crane using only four nylon straps and one of the straps tore in contact with a steel beam

$2.62 Million — Ironworker. Suffered multiple injuries.

$2.6 Million — Ironworker. Suffered an ankle injury.

$2.42 Million — Carpenter. Suffered significant facial fractures and other injuries due to wall collapse.

$2.4 Million — Operating Engineer. Suffered a spine injury.

$2.03 Million — Immigrant's family receive award as a result of a fatal car crash. A Lake County jury placed the blame for the crash on a Waukegan policeman.

$2 Million — Laborer.  Suffered serious leg injuries after falling off a roof.  Settlement included waiver of an $800,000 workers' compensation lien.  Click here to find out more information about this case.

$2 Million — GWC partner, Lawrence Ruder, secured a $2,000,000 Will County settlement for a 20 year old that lost his arm in an automobile crash.

$2 Million — Carpenter. Suffered a leg injury.

$1.85 Million — Factory worker suffered partial arm amputation.

$1.5 Million — Laborer fractured his leg in a fall from a scaffold.

$1.5 Million — Carpenter. Suffered a hip fracture and psychological injury after a 15-foot fall when both the ladder and scaffold he was using on a job flipped over.

$1.5 Million — Female Office Worker. Suffered initial hip and lower back injuries and developed a debilitating muscle disease (fibromyalgia) over a seven-year period after she fell off an improperly assembled chair at work.

$1.375 Million — Electrician injured in automobile crash.

$1.35 Million — Retired Man. Fatal accident as defendant was waiting in the middle of a street for traffic to clear and a truck, which had been parked, backed over him. This was one of the largest settlements of its kind considering the defendant’s advanced age, that he was retired and that there was no probable conscious pain or suffering.

$1.35 Million — Carpenter.  Tripped over raised edge of plywood floor covering, leading to back surgery, which defendants attributed to pre-existing back condition.

$1.3 Million — A Hispanic male settles his lawsuit prior to trial for a partial amputation of his non-dominant arm caused in an automobile collision after investigating police put blame solely on plaintiff.

$1.28 Million — Plumber. Suffered a knee fracture and artery damage in his leg when he was struck by a 500-pound steel duct that came loose from its bracing. A suit was filed against the general contractor alleging that the steel duct had been inadequately braced.

$1.25 Million — Postal Worker. Killed by a car while crossing the street on his way to work.  This 20 year member of the postal workers union was single, never married and had no children.  The insurance carrier paid policy limits when GWC discovered a witness who had been ignored by the police at the scene.  GWC produced a video narrated by Robert Jordan of WGN TV of the victim's life.  The insurance carrier paid full policy limits just 30 days after seeing it, which was only 6 months after GWC filed suit against the negligent driver. 

$1.22 Million — Female Pipe fitter. Suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and physical injury to her knee when a 32-foot-high brick wall collapsed. Arriving on-site within one day of the collapse before the debris could be disturbed was key to GWC developing the case that resulted in this settlement.

$1.2 Million — Ironworker. Suffered an ankle fracture when he fell from a ladder that was too short for the job. Initially offered only $40,000 to settle, GWC prepared its legal forces and went to trial to secure this settlement.

$1.18 Million — Carpenter suffered a fractured clavicle in a fall from a scaffold.

$1.15 Million — Unemployed male.  Involved in a collision in Trevor, Wisconsin where he sustained low back and knee injuries.  This case settled on the eve of trial in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

$1.14 Million — Carpenter. Suffered fractures to his heels and was off work for more than a year after a 30-foot fall when temporary wooden planking broke. A lab study revealed that powder post beetles had weakened the planking.

$1.2 Million — Sprinkler Fitter. Suffered a 30-foot fall on a job site that result in serious injury. The defendant and his legal team rejected a pre-trial settlement offer of $25,000. A third-party civil action against the contractors at the site for negligence was successfully tried.

$1.11 Million — Pipe Fitter. Suffered a back injury.

$1.1 Million — Carpenter suffered bi-lateral heel fractures in a fall off of an 8 foot wall.

$1 Million — Iron Worker. Suffered serious injury when the platform of a scissors lift detached from its support arm and fell, crashing into him.

$1 Million — Operating Engineer. Lost his hand while attempting to clean the rollers on a mobile conveyor. The manufacturer was sued for designing the equipment without a safe means for cleaning the rollers.

$1 Million — Woman. Spinal Injuries occurred when she encountered a gap at the edge of the road due to faulty road construction and barricading, causing two of her tires to blow out and her car to flip over.

$1 Million — Mother. Suffered neck and shoulder injuries requiring a series of surgeries after being rear-ended by an uninsured motorist. Lengthy arbitration was required to secure this settlement.

$920,000 — Settlement on the Fuller jury verdict ($897,631) secured on March 10, 2011.  The jury verdict was largest in history of county against local public entity and largest personal injury verdict overall in the last ten years.

$900,000 — Pedestrian.  Struck by a car while crossing Sheridan Road.  Driver claimed that she was crossing against a red light.  GWC showed that the sequence of lights suggested our client had a green light.  Injuries included a fractured femur and minor facial scarring.

$750,000 — Nursing home resident.  Elderly resident of a nursing home was allowed to wander outdoors in the middle of the night and froze to death in Itasca, Illinois.

$600,000 (Plus Reduction of Workers’ Compensation Lien) — Ironworker.  Felt back pain while lifting an I beam, eventually requiring back surgery.  Defendants blamed the injury on prior back conditions.

$490,000 — Carpenter.  Fell from the top of a second story wall of a house under construction.  Sustained a fractured femur and torn rotator cuff, but was able to return to work after 18 months.  GWC was able to prove that the general contractor failed to enforce OHSA’s fall protection rules on the site.

$465,000 — Female passenger.  Sustained a herniated lumbar disc when the car she was in was struck head on by a car which came off a car carrier while on I-55.  GWC proved that the operator of the car carrier failed to properly inspect and secure the car which came off it.

$450,000 — Nursing home resident.  Elderly resident of nursing home in Niles, Illinois succumbed to smoke inhalation injuries when a fire started in his own room.

$450,000 — Grocery shopper.  Slipped and fell on vegetable oil that was spilled by another shopper that was caught on video.  The fall occurred one minute and forty seconds after the spill occurred.  The case settled in Kenosha County prior to trial.

$415,000 (Plus Waiver of Workers’ Compensation Lien) — Iron Worker.  Fell into a 2’x3’ hole while performing ironwork on a high-rise construction project.  He sustained a torn rotator cuff as a result.  The Defendant general contractor claimed Plaintiff was no t looking out for his own safety.  GWC was able to establish that the general contractor failed to comply with OSHA regulations which required that holes be covered and marked.

$400,000 (Plus Waiver of Workers’ Compensation Lien) — Carpenter.  Fell 10 feet when wood separated from column framework, allowing lanyard to slip off, requiring client to undergo back surgery.

$360,000 — Electrician.  Sustained a low back injury resulting in a low back fusion after stumbling over an electrical cord at a job site.  Defendants originally denied the claim as there were no witnesses to the incident.  

$335,000 — Ironworker.  Suffered fractured wrist after falling from temporary steel column after bolts securing it to concrete pad pulled loose and the beam fell.  Largest reported in McHenry County for fractured wrist case.

$319,000 — Carpenter.  Fell in a pothole at McCormick Place parking lot, operated by Standard Parking, and sustained a fractured ankle.

$300,000 — Flight Attendant.  Slipped on wet stairs at terminal 5 of O’Hare Airport.  As a result of her fall, she sustained a torn rotator cuff and was forced to miss a year of work.  The defendant claimed that plaintiff was not being careful as she descended the stairs.  During litigation, GWC was able to prove that the Defendant knew the ceiling above the stairs leaked after every heavy rain, but failed to repair it.

$297,500 — Carpenter.  Sustained a fractured femur and torn knee ligament when he was struck by a car at an intersection while on his motorcycle.  Though the depositions of the investigation police officer and other eyewitnesses, GWC proved that the defendant ran a stop sign.

$275,000 — Nursing home resident.  Elderly resident of a nursing home suffered bedsores on his buttocks due to inappropriate care.  Client had passed away due to unrelated causes.

$250,000 — Dockworker.  Sustained two bulging discs, no surgery, when the defendant truck driver started to move his truck with the plaintiff was still inside the trailer, causing the plaintiff to fall off his forklift.  GWC was able to identify the truck driver after he fled the loading dock.  The insurance carrier denied the case at first, refusing to admit the truck driver was involved.

$245,000 — Deliveryman.  Plaintiff was struck in the head and shoulders by a box which fell off a forklift that was operated by the defendant contractor.  Plaintiff had his body between the forks of the lift assisting the operator at the time of the injury.  Plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries which required surgery.

$200,000 (Plus Waiver of Workers’ Compensation Lien) — Physical Therapist.  Fell at work due to water leakage from floors above.  Plaintiff sustained a torn hip labrum which was arthroscopically repaired with no residual.

We have obtained hundreds of additional six-figure verdicts and over one billion dollars in settlements for our clients.

This list consists of numerous cases where GWC lawyers represented clients for the injuries briefly described. There is no guarantee that similar injuries or similar incidents will produce the same type of results as referenced herein. Every case must be evaluated and handled based upon its own facts, evidence and injuries.

Some of the listed case results include post-judgment interest that was paid to our clients after GWC successfully prevailed on appeals that were filed by insurance company lawyers following jury trial awards that we won for our injury clients.

Competent legal representation from an experienced trial attorney is the best way to maximize the value of your case.