Jury Awards $ 4.7 Million Verdict to IBEW 15 Worker After Construction Accident

The Case

Our client, a general service representative for Commonwealth Edison, was on the job site to confirm that a streetlight cable was ready to be connected to the electrical utility. While returning to their vehicle, they stepped and fell into an open hole/trench for the streetlight cable.  They sustained a split depressed left lateral tibial plateau fracture, resulting in four surgeries including a total knee replacement and upwards of 300 physical therapy visits, traumatic arthritis, and limited functional abilities.

In-Depth Look

CHICAGO, IL – On August 28, 2023, 12 jurors unanimously agreed to award a $4,757,850.00 verdict to a 52-year-old general service representative for Commonwealth Edison. Clifford W. Horwitz and Michael D. Carter, Jr., partners at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates, and Associate Attorney Gabriel M. Drury tried the case on behalf of our client who was injured when they stepped and fell into an open hole/trench.  Our client was on the job site to confirm that a streetlight cable installed by Bodie Electric, Inc. While returning to their vehicle, they stepped and fell into an open hole/trench for the streetlight cable. We contended that Curwick Construction Company and Curwick IX, LLC were negligent in that they did not adequately observe the job site, permitted the hole to exist, did not comply with OSHA, did not adequately check Bodie Electric, Inc.’s work, did not have the hole barricaded or guarded, and did not leave the Commonwealth Edison easement within 4 inches of final grade.

Plaintiff sustained a split depressed left lateral tibial plateau fracture, resulting in four surgeries including a total knee replacement and upwards of 300 physical therapy visits, traumatic arthritis, and limited functional abilities.

Our Attorneys Stand Up For Workers

Recently, the Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter has honored Clifford W. Horwitz, awarding him with the Plaintiff’s Achievement Award. This coveted award has only been awarded to 15 attorneys since the Jury Verdict Reporter was established over 55 years ago. To be considered an attorney must first win at least five jury verdicts in excess of $5,000,000.00. Since 2012, Cliff’s trial team at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates has secured record verdicts at an astounding rate – every two out of three cases that Cliff has tried resulted in record-setting jury verdicts.

If you have been injured in a work accident, contact our dedicated Chicago personal injury lawyers at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates today for a free consultation.