A Cook County jury returned a verdict in favor of a Berwyn couple totaling $982,135 for injuries sustained to a seven-month pregnant motorist when her car was struck by a semi-tanker/trailer on I-290.

The Plaintiff, a 29 year-old Post Office worker who was seven-months pregnant at the time of the collision, had her east-bound Dodge Intrepid propelled over the separating wall of I-290 near Mannheim into westbound traffic. The tanker truck owned by the Defendants, had swerved to avoid oncoming traffic, crossing over three lanes eventually striking five vehicles, including the Plaintiff's.

Rescue efforts, involving emergency personnel from three municipalities, were headed by the Westchester Fire Department. The Motorist was extricated after 30 minutes from her vehicle by rescue personnel who were forced to cut the roof off of her vehicle. Due to the extraordinary efforts of emergency workers at the scene, the child the motorist was carrying was not injured nor did the Plaintiff suffer paralysis. The injured driver was taken to Loyola Hospital and treated by the Head of Spinal Surgery, orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Alexander Ghanaym who diagnosed her with a fractured neck.

The Cook County jury of five women and six men returned a verdict against the Defendants.

The Plaintiffs were represented by James J. Morici, Jr., and Cristina Mungai of the Chicago personal injury and worker’s compensation firm Morici, Figlioli & Associates. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours. Mr. Morici is a long time veteran of Northern Illinois trial courtrooms and a former First Chair, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Circuit Judge Debra Mary Dooling presided over the five day trial at Chicago's Daley Center.