Jury Award in Non-Paralysis Cervical Disc Injury Said to be 'Highest for Type'

A Cook County jury has awarded nearly $3.6 million to a 42-year-old woman who was injured in a traffic accident in suburban South Barrington.

The jury returned its verdict Thursday afternoon in the Law Division before Circuit Judge Jerome T. Burke, attorneys said.

A total of $3,585,000 was awarded to Christina Puelo, who in May 1993 was involved in a car accident that left her with cervical disc and shoulder injuries, according to her attorney, Keith A. Hebeisen of the Clifford Law Offices .

Puelo's vehicle was struck head-on at Barrington and Covered Bridge roads by a car that had been stopped waiting to turn, Hebeisen said. The stopped car was struck from behind by a car driven by Clarence Johnson, who was traveling to a business meeting on behalf of the McGladrey & Pullen accounting firm, where he was a partner.

The impact of the crash sent the stopped car across the center line of Barrington Road and into the path of Puelo's oncoming car, Hebeisen said.

Puelo has not been able to work since the accident due to pain, periodic surgeries and frequent physical therapy sessions, said Hebeisen, who tried the case with Pamela S. Menaker. The one-week trial ended on Thursday and jurors deliberated for two hours before reaching their verdict, lawyers said.

The award breaks down as follows, according to Hebeisen: $2.25 million for pain and suffering; $500,000 for loss of earnings; $750,000 for disability; $50,000 for disfigurement from scars as a result of surgery; and $60,000 for hospital and medical bills.

"This is a huge verdict, given the absence of paralysis from the cervical herniation, even though the award includes compensation for some bilateral shoulder damage," said John Kirkton, manager of the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter. "It is certainly the highest award that we have reported for this type of injury."

Puelo rejected a settlement offer before trial from the defendants - Johnson and McGladrey & Pullen - for $700,000, and later rejected a high-low settlement offer ranging from $750,000 to $1.7 million, attorneys said.

James L. Rados of Beverly & Pause represented Johnson, while Thaddeus J. Gustafson of the Law Offices of Shelmerdeane A. Miller represented McGladrey & Pullen.

"At this point in time I have no comment on the case or the verdict," Rados said Friday morning. Gustafson was out of his office and could not be reached for comment.

The case is Puelo v. Johnson and McGladrey & Pullen, No. 94 L 15897.