Attorney Michael Stephen Agruss's Legal Cases

Debt collection

John Doe v. GL Recovery Group

Feb 25, 2010

OUTCOME: After a two-day jury trial in which Plaintiff, Plaintiff’s Mother, Defendant’s owner, and Defendant’s debt collector testified, the jury returned a defense verdict.

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff. Plaintiff brought this lawsuit against Defendant, alleging Defendant used abusive, unfair, and deceptive practices while attempting to collect a consumer debt. C ... ount I of Plaintiff’s Complaint alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. Count II of Plaintiff’s Complaint alleged violations of the California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Cal. Civ. Code §1788 et seq.

Personal injury

Lisa Edmunds v. Robert D’Adam

Aug 10, 2006

OUTCOME: After a two-trial, the jury returned a verdict for the defense.

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff. On October 26, 2003, Plaintiff was driving northbound on Harlem Avenue in Chicago Ridge when she slowed down to read the street name at 99th Street and was rear-e ... nded by Defendant’s vehicle. Plaintiff sustained TMJ syndrome, neck pain, and migraine headaches. Defense for Defendant truck driver contended Plaintiff came to a sudden stop at a green light, she appeared to be attempting an illegal U-turn, and Defendant could not stop his car in time to avoid the impact.

Personal injury

Kymberlie Lobacz v. James Cummings

Mar 08, 2006

OUTCOME: After a one-day trial, the jury returned a verdict for the defense.

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff ina rear-end car accident.

Personal injury

Alma Morgan v. City of Chicago

Oct 21, 2005

OUTCOME: After a four-day trial, the jury returned a defense verdict after determining: (1) the sidewalk did not present an unreasonable risk; (2) the City did not know or should have known of the condition; and (3) Plaintiff was more than 50% at fault.

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff. On August 6, 2003, Plaintiff was on her way to the beauty shop when she tripped-and-fell on a defective sidewalk at 450 East 61st Street, sustaining a nondisplace ... d three-part proximal humerus fracture in her left arm. The defense contended the condition was open and obvious and the City had no notice.

Personal injury

Peter Maxwell v. Marius Nekrosius and the Estate of Valerie Bonolo

Sep 22, 2005

OUTCOME: After a three-day trial in which the jury heard testimony from Plaintiff, Plaintiff’s wife, Plaintiff’s chiropractor, and Defendant’s expert, the jury returned a defense verdict for both Defendants.

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff. On September 25, 2001, Plaintiff was a passenger in a cab driven by Defendant, Nekrosius, traveling southbound on Spring Road in Oak Brook. Nekrosius was changi ... ng lanes and accelerating when a northbound car driven by Defendant, Bonolo, made a left turn at Commerce Drive in front of the cab, causing a collision in the intersection. Plaintiff, a car dealership manger, claimed the impact caused soft tissue injuries to his neck/back, nose, and right leg, with cervical whiplash syndrome and headaches. Bonolo died of unrelated causes several months after the accident, and the Dead Man’s Act applied. However, Bonolo had plead guilty to the moving violation ticket for failure to yield, which was allowed into evidence. Defense for Nekrosius contended that he had a solid green light, and therefore, had the right of way. Defense for both drivers contended Plaintiff was not injured or not injured to the extent claimed.

Personal injury

Richard Rategan, Minor v. Maria Barrazza

Aug 05, 2005

OUTCOME: After a three-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of $3,135.00, after 50% off of $6,270.00, due to Plaintiff’s 50% fault.

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff. On September 5, 2002, Plaintiff, 10-years-old, on a bicycle was struck by Defendant’s vehicle in a McDonald’s parking lot at 1933 N. Harlem, resulting in a keloid ... scar on his left foot. At the time of impact, Defendant, factory worker, had turned to look over her shoulder at her yelling child. Defense contended Plaintiff ran into the side of Defendant’s truck.

Personal injury

Carl Crenetz v. Raymond Rybka

May 11, 2005

OUTCOME: After a one-day trial, the jury returned a verdict on behalf of Plaintiff

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff in a rear-end auto accident.

Personal injury

Eva Marsalkova v. Chicago Transit Authority and Ishmael Adams

Jul 19, 2004

OUTCOME: After a five-day trial, the jury returned a $264,131.00 verdict in favor of Plaintiff.

Michael Agruss represented Plaintiff. On November 18, 1999, Plaintiff, who had recently arrived in the United States from the Czech Republic, was riding a bicycle to work as a housekeeper for Mighty M ... aids. Plaintiff claimed she was traveling eastbound on Diversey just past the intersection of Pulaski when her bike was struck from behind by a CTA bus driven by Defendant, Adams. Plaintiff was knocked off of her bike, after which both the front and rear passenger side tires of the bus ran over her bicycle, and the bus’s front passenger side tire ran over Plaintiff’s right leg. Plaintiff sustained a Grade III open communicated fracture of the right tibia, requiring external fixation with a later bone graft, resulting in a 1.25-inch leg length discrepancy. Defense denied Plaintiff was riding eastbound. Another CTA driver of a northbound bus stopped at the intersection testified that Plaintiff was riding northbound on the sidewalk on the east side of Pulaski and that Plaintiff rode into the side of the bus while it was stopped to pick up passengers. Defense argued there was no physical evidence of damage to the rear of the bicycle, or injury to Plaintiff’s helmetless head, to support her contention of a rear-end impact. The CTA failed to produce 3 completed courtesy cards from the occurrence witnesses and the trial judge gave the 5.01 instruction. Defense also disputed the extent of Plaintiff’s injuries, and contended Plaintiff’s surgeon found no leg length discrepancy 17 months postoperative. Defense also argued that Plaintiff only had residual discomfort, and at trial, Defendant showed a video of Plaintiff rollerblading in a park.

Debt collection

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

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OUTCOME:

Michael has also settled over 1,500 debt collection harassment cases.

Personal injury

Personal Injury Cases

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OUTCOME:

Michael has tried several personal jury jury trials to verdict. He has tried auto accident cases, a trip-and-fall case against the City of Chicago, as well as a case involving bicyclist hit by a CTA b ... us. Agruss Law Firm, LLC, will handle your personal injury case quickly, will advise you every step of the way, and will not hesitate to go to trial for you. This litigation strategy will provide you with the best possible compensation.

Michael Stephen Agruss's Legal Cases (11)

John Doe v. GL Recovery Group

Lisa Edmunds v. Robert D’Adam

Kymberlie Lobacz v. James Cummings

Alma Morgan v. City of Chicago

Peter Maxwell v. Marius Nekrosius and the Estate of Valerie Bonolo

Richard Rategan, Minor v. Maria Barrazza

Carl Crenetz v. Raymond Rybka

Eva Marsalkova v. Chicago Transit Authority and Ishmael Adams

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Personal Injury Cases