Jeff Lipe, Tom Pontikis and Ryan Kelly recently achieved an extremely favorable settlement on behalf of a crane company in a lawsuit brought by an ironworker in the Circuit Court of Cook County. In that case, the plaintiff alleged that a load of steel decking weighing more than 5,000 pounds was swung into his leg, causing injury to his knee. The plaintiff underwent six surgeries to his knee and alleged that he would never work as an ironworker again. Summary Judgment was granted on behalf of the crane company on Section 414 and Section 343 grounds. Thereafter, the plaintiff’s claim proceeded solely as a negligence claim. The plaintiff’s initial demand was $1.2 million plus a waiver of the workers’ compensation lien. The plaintiff lowered his demand prior to mediation to $800,000 plus a waiver of the workers’ compensation lien. The case settled at mediation for less than 7% of the plaintiff’s initial demand.
About Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis, Ltd.
Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis was founded after the five name partners, with decades of experience, departed from their former firm together in order to better serve their long-standing clients. A testament to the relationships that the firm builds with each of its clients, the firm and its clients work in partnership to maximize the value afforded to each client. This dedication to client service serves as the foundation of every firm undertaking.
Their case handling philosophy is simple. They investigate and evaluate cases promptly and accurately. They work closely with their clients in order to determine the most effective and efficient way to resolve a dispute. They attempt to resolve cases on a fair and equitable basis as soon as possible, with minimal expense to their clients. If a fair and equitable resolution cannot be reached, they are ready, willing and able to take a case to verdict. Collectively, the name partners of the firm have tried more than 100 cases to verdict.
Lipe Lyons Murphy Nahrstadt & Pontikis, Ltd. is a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms.