Trials:

On January 11, 2012, after a three day trial, Mr. Melton obtained a not guilty verdict on behalf of his client.  Mr. Melton’s client was the driver of a truck that rear-ended the Plaintiff’s vehicle on a snowy day in December of 2008.  Subsequent to the accident, the Plaintiff was diagnosed with a herniated disc at L5-S1 and underwent an epidural injection as performed by Dr. Antoine Chami.  The defense disputed negligence, but also disputed the Plaintiff’s alleged damages through the testimony of physical medicine and rehabilitation expert, Dr. Dinora Ingberman, and biomechanical expert, Brian Weaver, P.E.  At the close of arguments, the Plaintiff requested an award of over $100,000, which included approximately $12,732.15 in medical bills as approximately $20,000 were barred prior to trial.  After fifteen minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Defendant.  For a copy of the Jury Verdict Reporter, please click here.

On June 23, 2010, Mr. Melton successfully defended his client, a driver of a car, in a case brought by a Plaintiff taxi driver who claimed injuries as a result of a rear end impact.  During the trial, Mr. Melton’s client argued that the Plaintiff stopped suddenly and without warning in an attempt to pick up a fare.  After a three day trial, Plaintiff’s attorney asked the jury for an award of $52,000, which included over $20,000 in medical bills.  The jury returned a verdict of only $11,000, which included a 50% deduction for the Plaintiff’s contributory negligence.   For a copy of the Jury Verdict Reporter, please click here.

On September 25, 2009, Mr. Melton was successful in defending his client in a case brought by a Plaintiff and her husband after an automobile accident.  The Plaintiff claimed injuries including hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of the accident and her husband brought a loss of consortium claim as a result of the Plaintiff’s injuries.  At the time of the accident, the Plaintiff was traveling westbound on Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates when Mr. Melton’s client attempted to make a left turn from the eastbound lanes of travel on Higgins and an impact occurred.  As a result of the impact, the Plaintiff’s airbags deployed and she contended this caused hearing loss and tinnitus.  After a four day trial, Plaintiff’s attorney asked the jury for an award of $307,013, which included an award for the Plaintiff’s husband’s loss of consortium claim.  The jury returned a verdict of only $9,109, which included a 30% deduction for the Plaintiff’s contributory negligence along with a not guilty verdict relative to the loss of consortium claim.   For a copy of the Jury Verdict Reporter, please click here.

On May 15, 2009, Mr. Melton obtained a favorable verdict for his client who was the driver of an automobile that rear-ended a twenty-one year old female driver.  As a result of the collision, the Plaintiff claimed numerous personal injuries and made a pre-trial policy demand of $50,000.  At trial, Mr. Melton’s client admitted negligence but denied the nature and extent of damages caused by the impact.  After a five day trial, Plaintiff’s asked the jury for an award of $120,000, which included approximately $27,500 in medical bills.  The jury returned a verdict of only $34,931.   For a copy of the Jury Verdict Reporter, please click here.

Articles

Author, Issues Regarding Treatment at Unlicensed Surgery Centers, Johnson & Bell, Ltd. Insurance Law Alert, Fall 2011

Author, Anti-Indemnity Statutes that Affect the Transportation Industry, AFLA Transportation Compendium, May 2011

Presentations

Co-Presenter, “Answer/Affirmative Defense Practice”, CLE Seminar, Johnson & Bell, Ltd., Chicago, Illinois, February 22, 2012

Co-Presenter, "The Tripartite Relationship: Attorney-Insured-Insured", CLE Seminar, Johnson & Bell, Ltd., Chicago, Illinois, September 22, 2010

Presenter, "Legal and Investigative Issues Arising from Treatment at an Unlicensed Facility", State Farm Insurance, Downers Grove, Illinois, August 25, 2011