Illinois State Jury Awards $1.4 Million To Driver Injured In Parking Lot Rear-End Collision In Negligence Suit Against At-Fault Driver
On June 14, 2010, Stacy Stepancik-Goff entered her van in the parking lot of a Village Pantry convenience store in Roscoe, IL. Before Stepancik-Goff could buckle her seat belt or drive away, her vehicle was rear-ended by a vehicle operated by Janice Warner. Stepancik-Goff, who was 38 at the time of the accident, claimed that she sustained disc herniations at C5-C6 and C6-C7, as well as left arm and shoulder neuropathic pain and post-traumatic stress. Stepancik-Goff also developed symptoms of depression from the collision and related chronic pain.
On Jan. 30, 2012, Stepancik-Goff filed a negligence suit against Warner in the Circuit Court for the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit for Winnebago County, Illinois. Stepancik-Goff alleged Warner was negligent in failing to keep a proper lookout, operating her motor vehicle at an excessive rate of speed under the circumstances, failing to keep her vehicle under proper control, failing to properly apply the brakes, and failing to take proper evasive action to avoid a collision once it became imminent.
Prior to trial, Stepancik-Goff demanded $1,250,000 in damages. Warner offered $25,000 to settle the case. At trial, Stepancik-Goff requested an award of $3,000,085.
Trial began on Nov. 14, 2016, and was presided over by Judge J. Edward Prochaska. On Nov. 17, 2016, the jury found in favor of Stepancik-Goff and awarded her damages of $1,400,000. The award consisted of $140,000 for future medical expenses; $35,000 for risk of harm; $325,000 for past emotional distress; $150,000 for future emotional distress; $200,000 for past pain and suffering; $100,000 for future pain and suffering; $200,000 for past loss of a normal life; and $250,000 for future loss of a normal life.
Plaintiff was represented by Brian Salvi, Patrick, Salvi, and Andrew Burkavage of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Defendant was represented by William Porter of Chilton, Yambert & Porter LLP.
Lexis Advance subscribers may view the entire summary here: Stacy Stepancik-Goff v. Janice Warner; 2016 Jury Verdicts LEXIS 9302
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