Personal Injury Lawsuit Settlement - 2 Million for Pedestrian Hit in Downtown Chicago

October 5, 2009 - Attorneys Michael Cogan and James Navarre of Cogan & McNabola settled a personal injury case today on behalf of his client, Marla Gray-Moores, for $2 million.

Ms. Gray-Moores, formerly a manager for Starbucks in the Loop, was struck by a car driven by Kevin Hwang, who was attempting to make a left turn onto southbound Clark from westbound Randolph. Ms. Gray-Moores, who was a pedestrian crossing the street with the light, was knocked unconscious and transported by ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She ultimately underwent a fusion at L5-S1 performed by Dr. Christopher Bergin at Oak Park Hospital. Ms. Gray-Moores has since moved to Wisconsin.

Mr. Hwang was speaking on his cell phone at the time of the occurrence and testified that he never saw Ms. Gray-Moores until the front of his vehicle struck her in the intersection. His former girlfriend testified that seconds before the impact, she warned him of a pedestrian in the intersection but that he was too distracted by his conversation to pay attention to her warning. As a result, a willful and wanton count was added, Ms. Gray-Moores was granted leave to seek punitive damages at the time of trial and Mr. Hwang provided pertinent personal financial information for use at trial. Settlement discussions accelerated at that point and Mr. Hwang's $2,000,000 umbrella policy was tendered.

Michael P. Cogan, Esq. of Cogan & McNabola, P.C. represented the plaintiff.

Joseph P. DiPino, Esq. of Beverly & Pause represented the defendant.

About Cogan & McNabola

Founded in 1992, Cogan & McNabola is a Chicago personal injury and medical malpractice law firm. The attorneys at our firm have obtained over $350 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. We represent people who have been injured through the fault of others. Please visit our website at http://www.cogan-mcnabola.com/ to see our results in the courtroom.