Kreisman Law Offices Professional Corporation
On July 17, 2009, Kristen Henson was driving in the left lane of northbound Illinois Interstate 94 in West Deerfield Township when a car driven by the defendant, Steven Teeters, rear-ended her car. Henson, 35, was a retail purchaser. She alleged in her lawsuit that the crash caused headaches and soft tissue injuries to her neck, lower back, tailbone and pelvic area injuries.
The headaches and neck injury healed shortly after the crash, but Henson claimed that the low back, tailbone and pelvic injuries were permanent and continued to cause pain and limitations in her daily activities.
The defendant, Steven Teeters, admitted that before the collision his eyes were closed briefly and therefore he did not notice that Henson’s car was moving slowly or slowing down. Teeters said that because he had his eyes closed he didn’t react fast enough to avoid the impact. Teeters admitted fault, but contested the nature, extent, duration and causation of Henson’s injuries.
Teeters argued that Henson suffered only temporary soft tissue injuries with a limited duration of six to twelve weeks and that she did not suffer any permanent injuries. Teeters argued that only $11,454 of her medical expenses were causally related to this collision. Henson claimed that she had medical bills of $21,323.
Before trial, the demand to settle the case by Henson was $75,000. Teeters offered $15,000 to settle before trial.
The jury’s verdict of $41,323 was made up of the following damages:
- $21,323 for past medical expenses;
- $0 for future medical expenses;
- $12,000 for past and future pain and suffering; and
- $8,000 for past and future loss of normal life.
The attorneys representing Kristen Henson were Joseph Bosco and Brian Kusper.
Kristen Henson v. Steven Teeters, 11 L 575 (Lake County, Ill.).
Kreisman Law Offices has been handling car accident cases, intersection accidents and rear-end accidents for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Chicago (Garfield Park, Ukrainian Village, Goose Island, Old Town, Lakeview, Albany Park, Sauganash, Edgebrook, Jefferson Park, Lawndale, Little Village), Brookfield, Lincolnshire, Summit, Burbank, Oak Lawn, Calumet Park, Riverdale, Harvey, Palos Heights, Hickory Hills and LaGrange, Ill.
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