24 Million Illinois Verdict
Five years ago, Andrzej Chraca, now 38, was driving south on Wright Boulevard near the intersection of South Frontage Road in the northeast Illinois town of Schaumburg.
At the same time, Steve Miles, a driver for the state's Department of Transportation, was driving eastbound on South Frontage Road, and they collided in the middle of the intersection.
Both drivers claimed that they entered the intersection on a green light and filed lawsuits against each other. The suits were consolidated at trial.
As a result of the collision, Chraca was rendered an incomplete paraplegic. He is unable to walk without leg braces and requires the use of a walker or wheelchair.
Miles suffered a cervical vertebrae fracture and partial paralysis to the right side of his body. He also suffered a mild traumatic brain injury.
In the largest verdict of its kind in the history of Cook County, Ill., Miles was left unable to walk following the 2004 crash has been awarded $24 million.
Plaintiffs' attorney Martin Healy Jr. represented Miles.
Read more J. "Illinois man awarded $24M in car crash suit." Lawyers USA. Dolan Media Company. 2009. HighBeam Research. 29 Sep. 2009 <http://www.highbeam.com>.
