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Record $32 Million Verdict for Truck Driver With CRPS After Slip and Fall at ExxonMobil Facility

Cook County jury awards record-setting $32 million to woman permanently injured in workplace fall

A Cook County jury awarded $32 million to a truck driver who developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) following a slip and fall accident at an ExxonMobil oil facility in Cicero, Illinois. This verdict is the largest reported CRPS injury verdict in Illinois history, according to the Jury Verdict Reporter.

Background On The Case

Stephanie Johnson, a truck driver for Apolis Transport Inc., was performing a routine oil pickup at an ExxonMobil facility in Cicero when she slipped on oil that had been tracked across the floor by other drivers. The fall caused a serious wrist injury, requiring surgery.

Over time, Johnson developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) which is a rare and debilitating condition characterized by severe, burning pain, swelling, and sensitivity. CRPS is a permanent condition with no known cure.

Slip and Fall Case Details

Plaintiff: Stephanie Johnson
Defendant: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
Venue: Cook County Circuit Court
Verdict: $32,000,000
Trial Date: September 2025
Case No.: 2023 L 8804
Trial Team: Clifford W. Horwitz, David J. Starshak, Gabriel M. Drury, and Elise M. Blandin

The Lawsuit

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates filed suit against ExxonMobil, alleging the company failed to:

Maintain safe walking and working surfaces,
Prevent oil from spreading across areas where workers walked, and
Take reasonable steps to protect drivers performing routine pickups.

During trial, evidence showed that ExxonMobil’s delivery area had oily grating that workers were required to walk across daily, spreading slick footprints throughout the premises. Despite knowing of these hazards, the company failed to make the area safe.

What Is CRPS?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a rare but catastrophic condition often triggered by minor injuries. Its hallmark features include:

Severe, persistent pain
Sensitivity to touch or cold
Changes in skin color or temperature
Long-term disability with limited treatment options

The Verdict

After a nearly two-week trial before Judge Mary R. Minella, the jury returned a $32 million verdict in favor of Ms. Johnson. The award compensates her for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of normal life; all of which she will endure permanently due to CRPS.

“It was a reasonable verdict based on the evidence,” said Clifford W. Horwitz, lead trial attorney. “Our client would gladly give back every dollar to return to her life before this injury. ExxonMobil refused to take responsibility for unsafe conditions, and this verdict holds them accountable.”

Legal Significance For Injured Victims in Illinois

This record-setting verdict highlights the devastating impact of CRPS and underscores the responsibility of large corporations to maintain safe worksites for employees and contractors alike.

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates continues to stand with injured workers throughout Illinois, fighting for justice in cases where powerful corporations fail to protect people performing their jobs.

Meet the Trial Team

The case was tried by Clifford W. Horwitz, David J. Starshak, Gabriel M. Drury, and Elise M. Blandin of Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, a Chicago-based firm nationally recognized for its record-breaking verdicts on behalf of injured workers and their families.

Representation Matters

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates is a Chicago personal injury law firm with a reputation for taking on large corporations in high‑stakes injury and worker rights cases. The firm is dedicated to protecting injured workers, holding corporate defendants accountable, and securing compensation for victims of negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious workplace injury due to unsafe conditions, you may have legal recourse. Contact us for a free consultation or speak with one of our Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys today at (888) 970-5660.