Case Conclusion Date: January 29, 2009
Practice Area: Car / Auto Accident
Outcome: Plaintiff asked for $257,000. Hung jury 11-1 for defense. Settled case for $5,000 before re-trial.
Description: Automobile accident case before a Cook County jury. The Plaintiff had $57,000 in medical bills resulting from three arthroscopic surgeries to repair a tear in his left knee. Plaintiff asked the jury for $257,000. Ms. Pierro disputed both liability and damages, but focused her defense on damages, arguing that the tear was neither caused nor aggravated by the accident. Following lengthy deliberations, the jury determined it could not reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a hung-jury. After a new trial was granted, a polling of the jury revealed that the final breakdown had been 11-1 in favor of a not guilty verdict for the defense. On the morning of the new trial and prior to the selection of a new jury, Ms. Pierro was able to settle the case for $5,000 - a far cry from the $257,000.00 requested of the original jury