Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates secures largest jury verdict for a quadriplegic in Illinois history

In a hard-fought case, our team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates secured one of the largest Cook County jury verdicts and the largest jury verdict for a quadriplegic client in Illinois history. This win reflects our unwavering commitment to obtaining justice and maximum compensation for those seriously injured due to negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured due to negligence, you deserve an experienced Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer who will fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Legal strategy and advocacy

The success of this case is a testament to the expertise and commitment of the legal team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. The firm’s attorneys employed a multi-faceted legal strategy, which included:

• Comprehensive investigation: Our team conducted a thorough investigation to gather critical evidence. This detailed approach ensured that every aspect of the case was meticulously documented and presented.
• Expert testimony: We enlisted leading medical and economic experts to substantiate the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries and their lifelong impact. Their testimonies were crucial in conveying the severity of the plaintiff’s condition and the financial requirements for his future care.
• A compelling narrative: We crafted a powerful narrative that humanized the plaintiff and illustrated the profound consequences of the injury. This narrative was essential in helping the jury understand the full scope of the damages and the need for substantial compensation.

Impact and implications

This historic verdict provides the plaintiff with the resources needed for a lifetime of care and sets a significant precedent in Illinois legal history. It underscores the importance of holding negligent parties accountable and ensures that justice is served for those who suffer catastrophic injuries.

The case also highlights the critical role experienced and dedicated legal representation plays in securing justice for injury victims. Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates’ victory serves as a beacon of hope for other individuals facing similar challenges, demonstrating that with the right legal support, justice is attainable.

Quick overview of the case

After five years of litigation and a one-month jury trial, a Cook County jury awarded local 393 IronWorker Ron Bayer $64 million. The jury actually awarded Ron $80 million, but it found that he was 20% at fault and, therefore, reduced the verdict to $64 million. The case was captioned Ronald Bayer vs. Panduit Corporation 07 L 9877.

In-depth look

Bayer was a union IronWorker from local 393 who fell head first 15-20 feet from a beam. Bayer suffered a C1 burst fracture, a C7 dislocation fracture, and a C6 spinal cord injury. Bayer requires non-stop nursing care and lives with chronic pain. Bayer lost the functional use of his hands and complete use of his body from the chest down.

Defendants argued that Ron Bayer should never have fallen. They claimed he fell because he chose to exit his man basket, placing himself at great risk. The jury rejected the defendant’s argument and adopted Horwitz and Luchsinger’s argument that the man basket was not designed for this type of work. Horwitz proved that work from the man basket violated the tip-over warnings on the basket, thereby placing everyone at risk.

The defendants argued that the plaintiff fell because he improperly disconnected from the man basket. They claim he should have kept his retractable lanyard attached to some part of the basket or other object. Horwitz and Luchsinger demonstrated the fallacy of their argument by calling the manufacturer of the retractable lanyard to the stand. He testified that the horizontal use of this retractable lanyard was misusing their product. Using the product in this fashion created swing hazards and hazards of lanyard fracture. Furthermore, the load imparted on the basket based on the angle of the basket could result in a tip-over of the basket. Horwitz and Luchsinger utilized product liability theory to justify Mr. Bayer’s conduct.

Horwitz and Luchsinger further presented evidence that the defendant, Panduit, ignored its job site safety rules, which required stanchions and cables to be placed on the beams so the ironworkers could tie them off while walking them. The jury agreed with Horwitz and Luchsinger.

Finally, the defendant argued they were just owners and not in charge of the work. Horwitz and Luchsinger maintained substantial control over the work but ignored safety.

Michael Carter demonstrated the fallacy of the defendant’s attempt to minimize Ron’s injury. The defendant argued that Carter was asking for too much medical care. They claimed Ron had a good recovery and was self-sufficient in many areas. The jury rejected that argument.

The jury later said, “No amount of money could compensate this man for what he has been through and what is in store for him over the remainder of his life. Ron’s past and future medical bills alone could reach approximately $30 million. The defendant argued that these would cost no more than $8 million.”

The key to success: A legal team who knows the ironworking industry inside and out

One of the keys to the success of this trial was the unusual experience of the Horwitz trial team. The case was tried by Clifford Horwitz, who has 30 years of trial experience, Jay Luchsinger, a third-generation local 1 IronWorker, and 25-year trial lawyer Michael Carter, a former pipefitter.

Jay Luchsinger had worked 14 years as an IronWorker and went to law school at night during the last four years of that time. His experience was invaluable since no witness who rendered an opinion regarding construction techniques, methods, or safety could slip a lie past him. Michael Carter is a former local 157 pipefitter and 20-year trial lawyer. Jay and Michael’s experiences in the construction industry provided Ron Bayer with unique advantages. Combining their talents with Clifford Horwitz’s record-setting jury verdicts lead to the ultimate record-setting jury verdict for Ron Bayer. John W. Patton and Michael Vranicar of Patton & Ryan represented the defendant Panduit Corporation. John Patton was identified by Martindale Hubble and the Jury Verdict Reporter as the top defense attorney of the year.

Allow Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates to put our unique experience to work in your case

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates’ achievement in securing one of the largest civil jury verdicts in Illinois and the largest for a quadriplegic in state history exemplifies our commitment to fighting for the rights of the injured and holding negligent parties accountable. Our relentless pursuit of justice and dedication to our client’s well-being continue to set us apart as leaders in personal injury law.

For individuals and families facing the aftermath of catastrophic injuries, this landmark verdict provides hope and reassurance that justice can be achieved. At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we remain steadfast in our mission to advocate for those in need, ensuring that every client receives the support and compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone’s negligence, contact us at (800) 985-1819 for a free consultation to learn how we can put our experience to work for you.