Jay R. Orlowski
Cases of Note and Practice Highlights
 
  • Successfully defended a case through trial where the Plaintiff, F-46, was involved in three low-speed rear-end accidents within a period of nine months. Plaintiff claimed that as a combination of the three accidents, she sustained a C6-7 herniated disc, discectomy and iliac crest bone fusion. She continued to have neck pain and radiculopathy to her right arm and alleged fear of driving. Her medical specials were approximately $44,000 with $19,000 lost time. I represented the driver in the first accident. The Court directed liability against all three Defendants. Medical evidence was uncontested as to the injuries and the surgery being causally connected, however, permanency and disability were contested. Plaintiff requested a verdict in excess of $600,000. The jury returned a verdict in the amount of $11,200 against all Defendants. Marilyn Schultz v. Lawrence Minella et.al., 93 L 22 (Lake County).

  • Obtained verdict below specials in case where the defendant, a sixteen year old boy who had his license for only days, while driving a large SUV, turned left out of a Burger King parking lot in front of Plaintiff, F-47, a passenger in a small compact car that was traveling in excess of 40 m.p.h., causing a t-bone accident. Plaintiff was diagnosed with right leg radiculopathy, cervical and lumbar strains, piriformis syndrome, fibromyalgia and other injuries with medical specials in excess of $25,000. Plaintiff’s counsel requested a verdict of about $200,000. Negligence was admitted, but proximate cause and the nature and extent of injuries were contested. The jury returned a verdict slightly over $1,000 - well below the amount of specials that the defense medical expert said were related to the accident. Yvonne Gagliardi v. Jeffrey Tipps, 99 L 182 (McHenry County).

  • Successfully defended a fire loss for a new South Barrington, IL home, about 7,000 square feet, that completely burned in approximately 45 minutes. The owner/general contractor brought a claim against the flooring contractor claiming that the subcontractors left oily rags in a pile which spontaneously combusted for a total fire loss of $747,500. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty in favor of the Defendant. The jury answered all special interrogatories in Defendant’s favor, including stating that the fire loss was deliberately caused. John Jacobs d/b/a W.E.J. Development Company v. American Flooring, Inc., 91 L 669 (Lake County).

  • Successfully defended an automobile accident case in which the Defendant lost control of his vehicle due to icy conditions, crossed over the median and struck the Plaintiff’s car in the oncoming traffic. Defendant claimed that an unknown vehicle suddenly swerved in front of him causing him to have to suddenly change lanes. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty and answered the special interrogatory in favor of Defendant stating that the accident was caused solely by the unknown driver. Phyllis Sleezer v. John Betz, 04 M3 3179 (Cook County).