Attorneys Patrick A. Salvi and Patrick A. Salvi II of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard announced they obtained a $33.2 million verdict last night on behalf of George Baldwin, 22, who was injured in a car accident. The trial was heard before the Honorable Christopher Starck who entered judgment on the jury's verdict in Lake County, Illinois. According to the Jury Verdict Reporter (Law Bulletin Publishing Company), the father and son Salvi legal team-in their first jury trial together - exceeded the previous Lake County verdict record by nearly $10 million.

On November 19, 2006, William Klairmont, then 18-years-old, was driving intoxicated on Route 43 in Lake Bluff, when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving-crashing into a utility box. The accident paralyzed the vehicle's passenger, George, then 19-years-old, from the chest down. Tests later showed that Klairmont had a blood-alcohol level of 0.146, well above the legal driving limit of 0.08 for adults. The 'black box' in Klairmont's car indicated that seconds before the accident, the vehicle was traveling at 120-miles-per-hour. The trial was only on damages because Klairmont admitted fault. George Baldwin was not accused of doing anything wrong. During the trial, jurors heard testimony about George's past and future medical needs, the difficulties of his day-to-day life, and his employability.

"Fortunately for George, the vehicle Mr. Klairmont was driving was borrowed by his father's employer from a second family corporation. Insurance-wise, this should allow George the opportunity to collect much, if not all, of the verdict," said Patrick A. Salvi, Sr. and Jim Nyeste, another member of the plaintiff's legal team.

In February, George settled with Lauralee Pfeifer of Lake Forest, for her $2.5 million homeowner's insurance policy limit. Mrs. Pfeifer owned the home at which William Klairmont became intoxicated.

"The outcome in this case is the recognition by a Lake County jury that George has suffered a tremendous loss. The jury did the right thing," said Patrick A. Salvi II. "This verdict will take care of George's medical needs for the rest of his life so that he can live as full a life as possible in the face of physical disabilities."

Labels: Car Accidents, Firm, Medical Malpractice

Parents who provide a safe-haven for underage drinkers should take note of the $2.5 million partial settlement approved by Judge Christopher Starck in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Lake County on February 11, 2009. Plaintiff lawyers Patrick A. Salvi and Patrick A. Salvi II of Salvi Schostok & Pritchard P.C. alleged that Lauralee Pfeifer of Lake Forest (IL) allowed a chain of events to occur that ultimately led to a car accident that forever changed the life of Lake Forest teenager, George Baldwin, now 22-years-old.

During the late afternoon of November 19, 2006, Baldwin's lawyers claimed that Lauralee Pfeifer had a duty to supervise the activities occurring in her home after her daughters, ages 16 and 17, invited teenage friends over for a party. Despite numerous opportunities to step in and stop the beer drinking occurring in an upstairs bedroom, Mrs. Pfeifer did nothing to prevent the teenagers' intoxication. When her husband, Brandt arrived at their house, the teenagers in the home scrambled to leave.

Two of those who were asked to leave the party were William Klairmont and George Baldwin, then ages 18 and 19, respectively. William had driven to the party earlier in the day and after consuming a number of alcoholic beverages at the Pfeifer residence, was forced to drive home. While traveling north on Route 43 in Lake Bluff, William lost control of the vehicle he was driving-crashing into a utility box. The accident paralyzed the vehicle's passenger, George, from the chest down. The remaining case against the driver, William Klairmont, and his insurance companies will proceed to trial on March 2, 2009 in Waukegan. In the upcoming trial William has admitted fault and George is not accused of any wrong doing.

This case is similar to the Deerfield (IL) parents, Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell who made national news when they were found criminally guilty of allowing their son's friends to drink in their home - resulting in the death of two teenagers.

"The growing trend in society is to hold parents accountable when serious injury or death results from otherwise preventable underage drinking," said Patrick Salvi II. "As one can see with this settlement, the consequences for parents can be civil liability. The case was brought under a relatively new Illinois law entitled, 'Drug or Alcohol Impaired Minor Responsibility Act' which allows for severe civil penalties for serving alcohol to minors under 18-years-old," said Salvi.

"The $2.5 million payment represents the entire amount of Lauralee Pfeifer's homeowner's insurance. George could have insisted on pursuing Mrs. Pfeifer's assets beyond her insurance limit but decided against it," Salvi added.

Labels: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice

The Chicago personal injury law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. has announced the promotion of associate Matthew L. Williams to partner, effective January 1, 2009.

"Mr. Williams has earned the trust of our clients and the respect of the legal community through his hard work and ethical representation in a number of successful personal injury cases," said senior partner Patrick A. Salvi.

Williams concentrates in personal injury law, including auto accidents, medical malpractice, construction negligence, premises liability and product liability. During his tenure with Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, Williams has recovered more than $20 million in medical malpractice settlements on behalf of the firm's clients.

His recent successes include a $1.8 million settlement in a methadone intoxication wrongful death suit and a $4 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of the estate of a man who died from a pulmonary embolism.

Williams earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois and his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. While in law school he served as a staff writer for The Law Review and received the Cali Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement in Business Organizations.

Williams is a member of numerous bar associations, including the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, the Lake County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. is routinely named one of the top plaintiff law firms in Chicago and Illinois. In the past 25 years, the firm's successful verdicts and settlements have included 150 cases with a minimum result of $1 million, totaling more than $480 million. The firm's practice areas include medical malpractice, personal injury, birth injury, car accidents and nursing home neglect.

To contact Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard, P.C., call 847-249-1227 or visit the firm's website at www.salvilaw.com.

Labels: Firm, General

After waiting nearly three years for their case to be resolved on appeal, the Muno family has won their case and will receive over $9 million. The case garnered media attention back in late 1999 when 12-year old, Andrew Muno died on an operating table during what was considered to be minor surgery to repair a cut on his arm. It was announced yesterday afternoon that Judge Raymond McKoski of the Circuit Court of Lake County approved the final judgment and disposition of the case for the Plaintiffs.

On December 14, 1999, Andrew Muno was taken to the Emergency Room at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville (Illinois) for treatment of a cut on his left arm that he sustained after falling at his home. Andrew's parents, Barton and Darlene Muno alleged, through their attorney Michael P. Schostok of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., that their son Andrew developed respiratory difficulties after he received an antibiotic that he was allergic to. Despite these breathing difficulties, the surgeon started the operation. Soon after the surgery ended, Andrew redeveloped severe breathing difficulties and died on the operating table. The Plaintiffs alleged that the surgeon, and the anesthesiologist, Dr. Dale S. Gordon, M.D., should have stopped the operation so that Andrew Muno's breathing difficulties could have been controlled. On February 17, 2006, a Lake County jury rendered a verdict for the Muno family in the amount of $7.5 million for the wrongful death of their son, Andrew.

The defendants Dr. Gordon and Lake County Anesthesiologists appealed the verdict after the co-defendants settled with the Munos. On June 20, 2008, the Appellate Court affirmed the verdict of $7.5 million. On November 26, 2008 the Supreme Court of Illinois denied defendants final petition to appeal the jury's decision. The $9 million paid to the Muno family included interest on the judgment earned during the appeal process.

"After 9 years of waiting for justice to be rendered for the death of their son, the Muno family is relieved to finally have closure of this horrible chapter in their lives," said attorney Michael Schostok.

Labels: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury

David G. Pribyl and Michael P. Schostok of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. announced a $6 million personal injury settlement on behalf of a 43-year-old woman who suffered a brain injury when her bicycle collided into a warning sign placed and maintained by a utility service provider. The Honorable Raymond J. McKoski, Law Division, Circuit Court of Lake County (Illinois) approved the settlement.

On June 22, 2004, the Plaintiff, Michele Coulson, a clinical pharmacist and mother of two, was riding her bike on a sidewalk in Libertyville, when her handlebars collided with the warning sign, causing her bike to flip. Michelle landed on the concrete with the back of her head hitting first. She was immediately transported by ambulance to Condell Hospital. Doctor's later determined that she had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that caused cerebral edema and brain stem infarction. Michele currently has memory loss, cognitive deficits, and vision problems.

"This accident was a terrible tragedy because it was so avoidable," said David Pribyl. "The sign was simply too close to the sidewalk and posed a danger to Ms. Coulson and other persons. If the owner of the sign had merely inspected it, they could have moved the sign just a few feet and the tragedy would have been avoided."

Labels: Firm, Personal Injury

Once again, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard has been recognized as being among the elite Plaintiff law firms in Illinois according to Chicago Lawyer magazine's annual million dollar settlement survey. The results, which were published by the Daily Law Bulletin Publishing Company, lists all types of personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice and product liability claims in Illinois with a settlement amount over $2 million. With these specific criteria in mind, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard finished among the top law firms in Illinois with the highest total dollar amount of settlements--$32.75 million. In addition, Michael P. Schostok was listed as having the top settlement outside of Cook County for his $15.35 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a child who suffered a brain injury during birth.

"To be listed consistently as one of the top law firms in Illinois, year in and year out, is quite an achievement," said Patrick A. Salvi. "It's a testament to the entire Firm and to the clients who put their trust in our ability to represent them in these incredibly important legal matters."

Labels: Firm, General

David J. Pritchard of Salvi Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. announced a $4.1 million medical malpractice settlement on behalf of a mother whose newborn child suffered brain damage as a result of the hospital's alleged negligence.

On September 3, 1999 James Tornow was born to a mother who had undiagnosed Group Beta Strep colonization. It was alleged that, prior to discharge from the hospital, the baby developed problems feeding and a high bilirubin count; and that further investigation of these symptoms would have led to the diagnosis and successful treatment of early onset GBS infection. It was further alleged that in the middle of the night following discharge, the parents called the hospital because the baby had a fever and was crying uncontrollably. The parents claimed that they were improperly reassured that this was not abnormal for a newborn baby, and that they could see their pediatrician in the morning rather than returning to the hospital that night. Unfortunately, the next morning the infection had advanced so far into the brain that it could not be successfully treated.

Labels: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury