Michael D. Carter Jr.
Trial Attorney
Attorney Michael Carter is a second generation union pipefitter; Local Union #157, Terre Haute Indiana.
He paid his way through college by working as a pipefitter during school vacations, and by working in the service industry during the school year.
Michael graduated with Honors from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he received the Lloyd “Curly” Harris award in government and was a graduate assistant before attending law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was one of four students selected to receive a Legal Scholar award.
Concentrating his practice primarily on civil trial and appellate work, Michael prosecutes cases of nursing home negligence and abuses, product liability, construction injury and other cases where working people are seriously injured. It’s not unusual for Michael’s cases to become “high profile” and precedent-setting due to the unique and often difficult circumstances surrounding them.
Michael’s knowledge of medicine is expansive, and when teamed with creativity and a strong work ethic, he achieves great results for his clients.
He is well versed in the medical aspects of injury litigation with significant knowledge relating to spinal injuries.
Licensed to practice law in Illinois, including the Southern, Central and Northern District federal courts, Michael is also admitted to the trial bar for the Northern District Federal court.
Since joining the Horwitz team, Michael has prosecuted cases against corporate giants, such as General Motors, Daimler-Chrysler, Gehl Company, Wal-Mart, Ariens, Webco, Burlington Northern Sate Fe Railroad, Clorox, TIG Insurance, Alden Northmoor Nursing Home and GlenBridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Recently, he obtained a $16.4 million dollar verdict in an automobile accident case.
Michael’s most cited appellate victory, Fischer v. Senior Living Properties, L.L.C., 329 Ill.App.3d 551 (4th Dist. 2002) made it much easier for injured plaintiffs to add additional defendants immediately before the statute of limitations expires. The Fischer case has been cited approvingly by state and federal courts [Fassero v. Turigliatto, 349 Ill.App.3d 368 (4th Dist. 2004); Piska v. General Motors, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21861.]
The Fischer case received a front page article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
In his favorite case, Carter v. Meek, 322 Ill.App.3d 266, (5th Dist. 2001), Michael filed suit himself, upset after reading that local governments were openly failing to comply with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The Carter case reinforced the Act’s application and held that circuit courts must make every attempt to ensure that public records are open for public inspection. Carter has been cited approvingly by the Illinois Supreme Court in Illinois Education Association v. The Illinois State Board of Education, 204 Ill.2d 456 (2003). The Carter case received a great deal of publicity, including a front page article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Occasionally, when important issues are involved, Michael accepts a criminal defense or public interest case. Michael was the trial lawyer in the case declaring drug checkpoint roadblocks unconstitutional in Illinois, People v. Ray, 327 Ill.App.3d 904 (5th Dist. 2002).
He also represented the primary defendant in a fourteen person drug conspiracy case in Effingham County. This case focused on the credibility of a government informant, Brian K. Jockish. Following intense investigative efforts and Michael’s immense commitment to see justice upheld, Jockish was exposed as unreliable and lacking credibility. All felony charges were dismissed against Michael’s client. 12 of the 14 other defendants had their felony charges dismissed as well.
He is a Founding Member of the National College of DUI defense and has lectured on the use of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration manual to cross-examine arresting officers on their application of field sobriety exercises to defend the charge.
Michael is a member of AIEG, the Attorneys Information Exchange Group, which compiles and shares information and documents that help him prepare for cases involving defective products. He is currently pursing cases involving vehicle rollover and occupant space protection, as well as defective shift selector and transmission design.
An active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (“ITLA”), he serves on the legislative committee which examines and makes recommendations regarding proposed legislation and changes to current legislation.
Michael is also a member the Association of Trial Lawyers of America ("ATLA"); a member of the nursing home litigation and products liability sections. Michael is also a frequent contributor to discussions on legal issues affecting personal injury law as a member of the Illinois Bar Association.
Michael has been quoted in a variety of law related articles, and frequently provides content for Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates on topics that serve the best interest of the public.
General Motors' Deadly Cutbacks (GoLeft Tv)
Michael Carter talks with Mike Papantonio of Air America's Ring of Fire about the deadly decisions that have been made by General Motors regarding your safety. Apparently to GM, your life isn't worth an extra $9 a car.
Michael is representing victims who have been injured or killed by "roof crush" in rollover accidents.