$120,000 Cook County Jury Verdict for Injured Pedestrian Hit by Backing Vehicle

Shirley Malcolm, 89, was using a walker while moving through a retail parking lot at 1090 State St. in Lemont, Ill. It was April 28, 2016 when she was hit by the SUV driven by the defendant, Janice Kasper, as the car slowly backed out of a parking spot.

The impact knocked her down, injuring both of her hands. She was transported from the scene by an ambulance to Palos Community Hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured left index finger and a fractured right middle finger.

Both of her fingers were placed in splints for eight weeks after which she required three and a half months of occupational therapy to regain the use of her injured fingers.

Malcolm maintained at this jury trial that she sustained a permanent deformity in her left index finger and knuckle, plus she claimed a lack of grip strength and decreased range of motion in both fingers.

The defendant, Kasper, admitted negligence, but contested the extent and nature of Malcolm’s injuries and damages. The jury deliberated for about 2 hours, according to the report of this case.

The attorney representing Shirley Malcolm was Hall Adams III. The demand to settle the case before trial was $225,000.  The jury was asked to return a verdict of $500,000.  The only offer made on behalf of Janice Kasper to resolve this lawsuit was $40,000.

Shirley Malcolm v. Janice Kasper, No. 16 L 6052 (Cook County, Ill.).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling pedestrian accident cases, car accident cases, truck accident cases, motorcycle accident cases and bicycle injury cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been injured, harmed or killed by the negligence of another for more than 40 years, in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Bensenville, Melrose Park, Hillside, Hinsdale, Wheaton, St. Charles, Geneva, Aurora, Joliet, Romeoville, Lincolnshire, Morton Grove, Flossmoor, Highwood, Homewood, Highland Park, Lake Bluff, Gurnee, Crystal Lake, Chicago (Albany Park, Andersonville, North Lawndale, Austin, Gresham, South Shore, Hyde Park, Roscoe Village, Wicker Park, Logan Square), Schaumburg, Wood Dale, Country Club Hills and Countryside, Ill.

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