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23
August
2017
23
August
2017
MEDIA CONTACT:
Marcie Mangan, Public Relations Manager
(312) 372- 1227
mmangan@salvilaw.com
CHICAGO (August 23, 2017) – A Cook County jury awarded a record $148 million verdict Wednesday to a young woman who was paralyzed when the pedestrian shelter she was standing next to outside of O’Hare International Airport collapsed onto her in 2015. According to the Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter, at the time the jury returned its verdict, this was the highest personal injury compensatory verdict awarded to an individual in Illinois State History. This record-setting verdict was more than twice the previous compensatory record verdict in Illinois of $64 million.
On August 2, 2015 around 2:40 p.m., 24-year-old Tierney Darden was standing with her mother and 19-year-old sister outside of the airport near the outer lane of the lower level street that accesses Terminal 2 (“2 W. Terminal Street”) by Vestibule 2C. The three women just returned to Chicago from Minneapolis where they were shopping for bridesmaid dresses for an upcoming wedding. A storm rolled through the area as the women were waiting to be picked up and a pedestrian shelter weighing more than 750 pounds became loose and fell onto Tierney.
Tierney, who was a dancer and student at Truman College at the time, sustained dislocated vertebrae at T11-T12, which resulted in the most rare and significant type of spinal cord injury, a severed spinal cord that left her paralyzed from the waist down. A pain expert testified Tierney’s spinal cord “stretched until it popped and ripped.”
“My face hit the ground, there was a crack and a white light and everything went numb. I knew I was paralyzed. The pain I feel every day is like torture,” Tierney told the 12-person jury.
It was determined the shelter that injured Tierney had missing bolts. An investigation later found other shelters at O’Hare Airport were poorly maintained, with missing bolts, corroded parts, or broken brackets. Five months prior to trial, the city of Chicago admitted wrongful conduct for the incident that dramatically changed Tierney’s life.
“The city of Chicago’s wrongful conduct forever changed the course of Tierney’s life. She will never walk or dance again. The city didn’t just take away the lower half of her body that day, they amputated her spirit and her soul,” Darden’s attorney Jeffrey J. Kroll said during opening statements.
The $148 million verdict was obtained after a 10 day trial by attorneys Patrick A. Salvi, Jeffrey J. Kroll, Tara R. Devine, Patrick A. Salvi II, and Eirene N. Salvi of the Illinois personal injury law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. The prior high Cook County P.I. jury verdict was $127.7 million in 1991.
“This is a verdict these jurors can be proud of and exactly what Tierney deserves. We are thankful to these 12 people for fully recognizing Tierney’s injuries and helping her move on with her life,” Patrick A. Salvi said.
It is important to note that the city of Chicago is insured by AIG Aviation up to $500 million for incidents occurring at O’Hare, such as this.
O’Hare International Airport was the fourth-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the nation in 2015, with 76.9 million passengers.
Tierney Darden’s family and attorneys will hold a press conference on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. in the Burnham Room of the Alise Hotel, 1 W. Washington Street in Chicago, to discuss the case and verdict. For questions or editorial materials, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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Trial coverage:
Pre-trial coverage:
Four attorneys including Managing Equity Partner Patrick A. Salvi, and Partners Jeffrey J. Kroll, Matthew L. Williams and Jennifer L. Ashley have been honored by one of the most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession
CHICAGO (August 15, 2017) – Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. is pleased to announce that four of the firm’s lawyers have been named to the 2018 Edition of Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession.
Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 70 countries.
“Best Lawyers is the most effective tool in identifying critical legal expertise,” said CEO Steven Naifeh. “Inclusion on this list shows that an attorney is respected by his or her peers for professional success.”
Lawyers on the Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise, and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard would like to congratulate the following attorneys named to the 2018 Best Lawyers in America list:
For more information on the attorneys or Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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CHICAGO (June 16, 2017) – Fourth of July weekend is just around the corner – a holiday that brings thousands of boaters to the water. And more boaters means more alcohol, congestion, and an increased risk of accidents and arrests. While authorities do their best to be on the lookout for dangerous boating habits, it is ultimately up to the boater to take their safety into their own hands.
Reports from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources indicate the majority of accidents occur between the months of June, July and August, on Saturday or Sunday, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Most accidents involve operators between the ages of 20 and 40 who have more than 100 hours of boating experience, but have little to no classroom boating safety instruction.
In Illinois, it is required that anyone born after Jan. 1, 1998 must take and pass a boating safety course as well as hold a valid boating safety certificate before operating a boat with an engine of more than 10 horsepower.
It is also important to remember that while drinking a cold beer on a boat during the summer is just about as American as it gets, drinking and boating is just as dangerous as drinking and driving. Here in Illinois, the legal blood-alcohol limit is .08 percent, the same as driving a vehicle. An OUI is considered a Class A misdemeanor and could leave the offender with either a $2,500 fine or a year in jail. If the person causes an accident that results in serious injury or death or is charged with a second OUI, the violation could increase to a felony.
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. Partner Jeffrey J. Kroll is reminding people to celebrate safe this Fourth of July by simply following the law and being vigilant of your surroundings. Mr. Kroll is available to discuss the above laws as well as:
Mr. Kroll also stresses the importance of adults and children wearing a life jacket.
“Many people overlook this detail of boating, but it just takes a second for a child to fall overboard. Whether a person knows how to swim or not, it is very easy to become fatigued while wading in a lake or other body of water. A life jacket can help prevent a devastating loss in the event a boater ends up in the water,” Mr. Kroll said.
To set up an interview with Jeffrey J. Kroll, please contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C.’s Public Relations Manager, Marcie Mangan, at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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CHICAGO (May 31, 2017) – For the fifth consecutive year, the Illinois personal injury and medical malpractice law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is sponsoring a Scholarship Essay Contest to support education and raise awareness of safe driving habits.
The contest is open to all Illinois high school students. This year, students are asked to write an essay that answers the question, “What law or laws would you create to make Illinois roads safer?”
All entries must be submitted by Monday, October 9, 2017. A panel of judges from the law firm will read the essay submissions and select three finalists based on accuracy, grammar, style and originality. The three finalist essays will be posted on the Salvi Law website on Monday, October 16, where Illinois residents can vote for their favorite essay through Friday, November 3. The essay with the most votes will be announced on Monday, November 6, 2017.
The student who authors the winning essay will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship check will be made out to the winning student’s school and can be used for tuition or any other school-related expenses.
“Our law firm sees far too many devastating car accidents as a result of a driver’s negligence. We look forward to seeing what legislative changes Illinois youth would like to see to make the roads a safer place. We hope this scholarship program will make students more aware of their own driving habits, while also supporting education,” Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Chief Operating Officer TJ Saye said.
In past years, the law firm invited students from across the country to write about topics that included nursing home abuse, distracted driving, and failure to diagnose patients in hospitals.
Please visit Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.’s website to download the scholarship application form, read the contest’s General Rules and review a helpful list of frequently asked questions.
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CHICAGO (May 4, 2017) – As the weather heats up in the Chicago area, more people will be flocking to pools and lakes to beat the heat. While swimming pools, lakes and other bodies of water are great places for family fun during the summer months, they can quickly become dangerous if swimmers do not follow simple safety steps.
The month of May has been designated at Water Safety Month to highlight the need for ongoing public education about safe water practice. The Chicago personal injury law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard has partnered with the national pool safety campaign Pool Safely to promote safe water habits!
To help spread the campaign’s message, Salvi Law associate Brian L. Salvi is available to come in to local schools and speak to children about some ways to stay safe in and around the water this summer. We have prepared a short presentation on the topic that includes video, photos, and some brochures and flyers for the students to take with them. We can also bring in some tchotchke items for students.
“Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children between the ages of 1 and 4. But drowning affects people of all ages and swimming abilities. That is why our firm is committed to equipping children and adults with the knowledge they need to have a safe and fun summer in the water,” Mr. Salvi said.
For more information on Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s involvement in the Pool Safely Campaign, or to set up a time for attorney Brian Salvi to speak to your students, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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CHICAGO (April 24, 2017) – With deadly crashes on the rise across the United States, two Chicago aldermen have called upon the Chicago Police Department to implement new technology that would better enforce the city’s traffic laws and determine if drivers had been texting prior to an injury crash.
The technology, called a “textalyzer,” would work similar to a breathalyzer but would connect to drivers’ phones to help officers determine if a driver was swiping or typing prior to an accident. The textalyzer is the brainchild of a New York father who lost his son in a car accident. The device is still in the prototype stage and has yet to be implemented, but legislators are mulling the idea in several states.
Attorney Brian Salvi of the Chicago car accident law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard is throwing his support behind the Chicago aldermen’s resolution and says the proposal to use “textalyzer” is an important step in cracking down on distracted driving in the city.
“As a personal injury attorney, I see the tragic results of texting while driving on a regular basis. It is my hope that implementing technology such as the textalyzer will engender drivers of all ages to make a conscious effort to change their dangerous habits behind the wheel,” Mr. Salvi said.
Mr. Salvi is available to weigh in on how this technology would be beneficial for people who are injured in a car accident, how the data could be used in court, and how this could potentially make drivers more aware of their dangerous habits.
For media inquiries, please contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s Public Relations Manager, Marcie Mangan, at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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CHICAGO (April 10, 2017) – Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. is pleased to announce Managing Equity Partner Patrick A. Salvi and his wife, Lindy, have been named recipients of the 2017 Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence by the Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of IL/WI.
The Leonardo da Vinci Award of Excellence recognizes Italian Americans in a variety of fields who have become a pride and inspiration to the Italian community. Mr. and Mrs. Salvi were recognized in the field of “Entrepreneurs” for their work with Salvi Sports Enterprises.
In 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Salvi entered the world of minor league baseball and purchased the Gary SouthShore RailCats. After finding much success with the RailCats, including reaching the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, the Salvis expanded their enterprise to include a 100% interest in both the Schaumburg Boomers and the North Shore Navigators (Futures Collegiate Baseball League), as well as a minority interest in the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks (Futures Collegiate Baseball League). Under the Salvis leadership and direction, the mission of Salvi Sports is to combine family, fun, and baseball to provide an exceptional level of fun, affordable family entertainment in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.
Mr. and Mrs. Salvi will be honored by the Order Sons of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of IL/WI during a ceremony on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at White Eagle Banquets in Niles, Ill.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227.
Lake Villa woman’s 2016 death linked to deadly Elizabethkingia bacteria outbreak
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (April 4, 2017) – Attorneys Tara R. Devine and Elizabeth Olszewski of the law offices of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. filed a lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of a Lake Villa woman who died after a nursing assistant misread her chart and failed to resuscitate her. The victim was also linked to the same strain of bacteria that caused a large outbreak of infection in Wisconsin and Michigan.
On March 29, 2016, an employee of the Warren Barr North Shore nursing home in Highland Park, Ill. found 52-year-old Kimberly Cencula unresponsive in her bed. The employee misread Ms. Cencula’s chart and did not resuscitate her before calling 911. After about 30 minutes, the employee realized she had misread Ms. Cencula’s chart, which advised she should be resuscitated and all life-saving measures taken.
By the time the paramedics arrived at the nursing home, Ms. Cencula was pronounced dead. Ms. Cencula’s death prompted an investigation conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Warren Bar North Shore was cited and fined by the department for the fatal incident.
** Nursing Home footage from the night of Ms. Cencula’s death is available upon request**
According to a lawsuit filed in Lake County court on April 4, Warren Barr North Shore, LLC failed to adequately monitor Ms. Cencula’s condition and maintain policies and procedures to ensure that full code patients can be easily identified and saved.
Ms. Cencula’s family and their attorney, Tara Devine, are available to discuss this lawsuit and investigation in more detail. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312)-372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (April 3, 2017) – Attorneys Patrick A. Salvi, Patrick A. Salvi II, and Eirene N. Salvi of the Illinois personal injury law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. obtained an $11.25 million jury verdict on behalf of the family of a 33-year-old mother who was killed in a 2015 double fatal crash.
On February 6, 2015, around 8:45 a.m., an employee of Anderson Automotive, Inc. was driving a 2004 Mazda RX8 westbound in the 5200 block of Guilford Road near Roxbury Road when he swerved into the eastbound lane of traffic, striking a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by 33-year-old Chamicwa Black.
The Anderson Automotive employee was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Black was taken to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, where she later died.
Ms. Black’s son, Jaquan, who was 8 years old at the time of the crash, was taken in by his grandmother, Venus Black. Jaquan has suffered significantly and was forced to transfer schools due to bullying regarding his mother’s death.
“Chamwica was a loving and protective mother whose life was cut too short because of this driver’s negligence. Chamwica’s son has had to go through life without the guidance and support of his wonderful mother,” The Black family’s attorney Patrick A. Salvi said. “I am so glad the jury recognized the magnitude of this loss.”
Anderson Automotive admitted negligence for the collision. On Friday, March 31, 2017 a Winnebago County jury awarded the family of Chamicwa Black $11.25 million.
“This award will help take care of young Jaquan and pay for any counseling,” Mr. Salvi said.
The defendant, Anderson Automotive, Inc., was represented by Harvey Paulsen and William Nickol of Paulsen, Malec & Malartsik, and were insured with Sentry Insurance for over $15 million. The defendant’s last offer was $2 million.
The plaintiffs were also assisted by attorney Aaron D. Boeder of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard.
For more information on this case or to schedule an interview with the attorneys, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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CHICAGO (March 15, 2017) –The Illinois personal injury law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. is on a mission to find local adoptable pets a loving home in 2017.
The firm, which has locations in Chicago and Waukegan, has teamed up with the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago and Save-A-Pet in Grayslake to feature an adoptable pet every month. As a law firm that takes on many dog bite cases a year, the attorneys have seen far too many animals that have not been properly socialized. That is why the team aspires to finding adoptable pets a home that will make a heartfelt effort to train and nurture them.
“Animal welfare and advocacy have always been an important part of my life. I love animals and it saddens me greatly that too many pets do not have safe, loving and forever homes,” Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Paralegal Jo Ella Erriquez said. “However, I’m beyond thrilled and proud that my firm is standing with The Anti-Cruelty to help. I’m hopeful that this may engender interest from other people to do the same!”
Each month, a Salvi Law team member visits a shelter and posts a photo and adoption information for one pet on the firm’s social media pages and website in an effort to find these furry friends a loving family and home.
In addition to featuring a furry friend each month, the firm has made a sizeable donation to the Anti-Cruelty Society. The organization says donations like the one made by Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard assist the organization “in their mission of building a community of caring by helping pets and educating people.”
“Educating the public on respect and care for animals has been a crucial tenet of our mission ever since 1937. [We] partner with more than 80 local schools and community organizations on a regular basis,” Amanda Martinez Byrne, Director of Individual and Corporate Giving for the Anti-Cruelty Society said. “These collaborations help us empower students and families to be responsible, compassionate contributors to society.”
Byrne says one of the organization’s most vital resources is the Field Services team of Humane Investigators who travel throughout Chicago responding to reports of animal cruelty and neglect. Ever since the first full-time Humane Investigator was hired in 1922, they have helped transform the lives of countless animals throughout the city, while simultaneously educating the public on how to properly respect and care for their pets.
For more information on Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s “Pet of the Month” program, please contact Marcie Mangan at mmangan@salvilaw.com or (312) 372-1227.
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Chicago car accident attorney concerned for pedestrian safety as Spring approaches
CHICAGO (February 21, 2017) – New data released by the Chicago Department of Transportation shows 44 pedestrians were killed by motorists in 2016, up 26 percent from 2014.
Chicago’s high rate of pedestrian fatalities is shocking compared to nationwide statistics. Data shows the number of pedestrians killed by motorists has been on the rise since 2013 in Chicago. In January 2017 alone, six pedestrians were killed by motorists, compared to five pedestrian fatalities in January 2016. Additionally, six bicyclists were killed in collisions with motor vehicles in 2016.
READ MORE | Report by Mayor’s Pedestrian Advisory Council
Chicago car accident attorney and transportation expert Jeffrey J. Kroll says the new data is disturbing and reflects a growing number of pedestrian-involved cases coming in to his firm, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. Mr. Kroll says distracted driving is a major factor in this surge in pedestrian deaths.
“This problem is only going to get worse as the weather breaks and more people head outdoors. In a city like Chicago where more people use walking and biking as a means of transportation, drivers need to put down their phones and be vigilant of their surroundings,” attorney Jeffrey. J. Kroll said.
Mr. Kroll is available to discuss this new study and the various ways drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists can make the streets of Chicago a safer place. Mr. Kroll has represented a number of pedestrians and bicyclists who have been injured or killed by motorists. In addition, he authored a chapter title “Pedestrians vs. Motorists, Why Can’t We All Get Along?” in the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s publication.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Mr. Kroll, please contact Marcie Mangan, Public Relations Manager, at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com
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CHICAGO (February 7, 2017) – The Illinois personal injury law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard is pleased to announce Partner Tara R. Devine has been named one of the Chicago Business Journal’s 2017 Women of Influence.
Each year, the Chicago Business Journal recognizes women in the area who have made an impact both professionally and in their communities. Each of the women chosen to this year’s list have also been active in mentoring younger executives, working with nonprofit organizations and pursuing charitable endeavors.
READ MORE | Chicago Business Journal announces Women of Influence
Ms. Devine started her career with Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard as a law clerk in 2004 and was named the firm’s first female partner in 2011. Ms. Devine has dedicated her career to fighting for justice for her clients. She concentrates her practice in the areas of catastrophic personal injury, nursing home negligence, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and product liability cases.
To learn more about Ms. Devine’s practice, please visit her bio page.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Ms. Devine, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com
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CHICAGO (February 3, 2017) – Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. is proud to announce the Lifetime Achievement selection of Managing Partner Patrick A. Salvi among America’s Top 100 Attorneys®.
Lifetime Achievement selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys® is by invitation only and is reserved to identify the nation’s most exceptional attorneys whose accomplishments and impact on the legal profession merit a Lifetime Achievement award. Selection is not achieved based on a single accomplishment or a single great year of success, but rather on a lifetime of hard work, ethical standards, and community enriching accomplishments that are inspiring among the legal profession.
To help ensure that all attorneys selected for membership meet the very high standards expected for selection, candidates for lifetime membership are carefully screened through comprehensive Qualitative Comparative Analysis based on a broad array of criteria, including the candidate’s professional experience, lifetime achievements, significant case results, peer reputation, and community impact. With these extremely high standards for selection to America’s Top 100 Attorneys®, less than one-half percent (0.5%) of active attorneys in the United States will receive this honor — truly the most exclusive and elite level of attorneys in the community.
Patrick A. Salvi founded the Illinois law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in 1982 in Waukegan, Ill. The firm represents clients in a variety of medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death cases. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s record of success includes more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements.
For more information, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
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CHICAGO (January 20, 2017) – The Illinois personal injury law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. has committed to finding local adoptable pets a loving home in 2017.
The personal injury law firm that has locations in Chicago and Waukegan has teamed up with the Anti Cruelty Society in Chicago and Save-A-Pet in Grayslake to feature an adoptable pet every month. Starting in January 2017, a Salvi Law team member will visit a shelter and post a photo and adoption information for one pet on the firm’s social media pages and website in an effort to find these furry friends a loving family and home.
“As a law firm that takes on many dog bite cases a year, we see far too many animals that have not been properly socialized. That is why we are committed to finding pets in need of adoption a home that will make a heartfelt effort to train and nurture them,” Attorney Brian L. Salvi said.
Mr. Salvi and his wife Eirene, who is also an attorney at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, are the proud parents of two Maltese pups.
For more information on Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard’s “Pet of the Month” program, please contact Marcie Mangan at mmangan@salvilaw.com or (312) 372-1227.
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Victim did not sustain head injuries in catastrophic crash due to helmet
KANE COUNTY, Ill. (January 18, 2017) – Attorney Jennifer L. Ashley of the Illinois personal injury law firm Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. obtained a $1.5 million settlement on behalf of a 25-year-old veteran who lost his legs in a car accident.
On the afternoon of June 8, 2016, Clayton Oates, who was 24 years old at the time, was driving his motorcycle on a country road in Kane County when a 73-year-old woman driving an SUV made a left turn in front of him. The impact of the crash left Mr. Oates in critical condition and both his legs were amputated at the knee.
“Drivers should always be cautious of their surroundings, especially when encountering a motorcyclist because the injuries can be so catastrophic,” Oates’ attorney Jennifer L. Ashley said. “Mr. Oates’ survival is a testament to the importance of wearing a helmet. Clayton had no head injury whatsoever due to the fact he was wearing a helmet,”
For more information on this settlement or to schedule an interview, please contact Marcie Mangan at mmangan@salvilaw.com or (312) 372-1227.
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