GWC Injury Lawyers LLC obtained a $409,089.06 verdict for an injured Teamster in one of the first Personal Injury Zoom bench trials in Illinois. On advice of counsel, the Plaintiff rejected the final offer of $100,000.00, the lawyers worked out the logistics and the parties proceeded to what turned out to be a very successful bench trial in this Kane County litigated matter.
Teamster Suffers Injury During Delivery
GWC’s Teamster client was delivering kegs of beer weighing a total of 340 pounds to a sports bar in East Dundee, IL. To complete his delivery, the client was required to carry the kegs using a hand truck down stairs leading to the Defendant’s basement. Because of the Defendant’s negligent maintenance, the stairs were greasy, so the client slipped and fell. GWC demonstrated that the grease came from the Defendant’s operation. Immediately after being retained, GWC made sure the grease-stained jacket was preserved and used to prove the case.
As a result of this incident, the Teamster suffered fractures of the tibia and fibula of the right leg, requiring surgical intervention in the form of an open reduction and internal fixation. Fortunately, he was able to return to work after reaching maximum medical improvement.
Large Verdict in Historic Zoom Bench Trial
GWC attorney Bennett J.Baker had scheduled a trial in this matter, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person trials in Illinois have been shut down until at least next year.
“This pandemic has caused so much harm to so many people and businesses, but we wanted to ensure that we minimized the financial impact that it had on our client. So instead of delaying justice for this fine gentleman, we did something that has never been done in Illinois to our knowledge: we did a bench trial using Zoom for this client’s injury case. Without the cooperation from the defense attorney and his insurance carrier, this could not have been done, so we thank them for their understanding and professionalism in agreeing to proceed in this manner,” stated trial attorney Bennett J. Baker of GWC Injury Lawyers LLC.
A bench trial is a trial by judge. Because juries cannot be allowed to gather currently in Illinois courtrooms due to the risk of spreading the coronavirus, GWC scheduled a bench trial via Zoom.
Based upon the arguments that Mr. Baker made for the client during the two-day Zoom trial, GWC obtained a verdict of $409,089.06 from the judge. The judge also ruled that there was no comparative negligence on the part of the client, so there can be no reduction in the amount of the verdict.
“Despite the challenges currently existing for our legal system during this pandemic,” Mr. Baker said, “GWC is committed to finding innovative ways to get our clients the justice they deserve and need.”
GWC Continues Fighting for the Rights of Clients
GWC Injury Lawyers LLC will not let the pandemic stop us from fighting for the rights of our clients.
With more than $2 billion dollars recovered in verdicts and settlements on behalf of wrongfully injured people, GWC is one of the premier Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. No other firm in the state is more respected, or more feared, by its adversaries. We have the experience, the determination, the resources, and the reputation of success necessary to obtain justice for you and your family.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Chicago personal injury lawyers, contact GWC today. You can call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
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