March 30, 2022. Following a 10-day trial, a jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois returned a unanimous verdict in favor of a Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. client in the amount of $6,624,000 for a lumbar spine injury suffered in a construction worksite accident. The defendant was FCA US, LLC, better known as Chrysler.
The record-setting jury verdict was featured in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Lead trial attorney Matthew S. Sims of Rapoport Weisberg & Sims P.C. was brought in by another law firm to assist with the expert workup and trial of the matter. The case involved an ironworker who while performing structural reinforcement to the roof of the Chrysler Belvidere Assembly Plant, tripped and fell over a concealed piece of plywood that had been covered by welding blankets.
After hearing all of the evidence and argument, the jury found Chrysler had failed to properly exercise its control over the work being performed at its facility, permitting a dangerous and OSHA violative condition to exist for days on the worksite. The jury
Following the trial Mr. Sims stated, “This case was about unnecessary risk that was created by Chrysler. Chrysler agreed to provide safety oversight on this project, but shirked its responsibility by choosing not to staff the nightshift with any safety professionals whatsoever.”
Mr. Sims added, “At the end of the day, the jury unanimously decided that Chrysler needed to be held accountable for its failures. We are grateful for the jury’s time and service.”
