The case described in the enclosed news clippings, which was settled on the day we were scheduled to begin trial, involved several matters which you may find of interest.
My client, a 30 year old single woman, on Social Security disability for years because of juvenile diabetes, chronic gastroparesis and depression was extremely vulnerable to life threatening infection and, therefore, it was especially important to obtain as early a trial setting as possible. I contacted Dr. Craig Lichtblau, a physiatrist of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Bernard Pettingill, a Ph.D. economist also of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, who were identified in a letter Larry Grassini had sent to the Circle regarding their participation in his case, which resulted in a $51,000,000.00 verdict. Both were willing to address the relevant damage issues immediately and Dr. Lichtblau promptly flew to Chicago to examine the Plaintiff, photograph her and secure the necessary information concerning costs and services provided by local long-term life care facilities. Their prompt attention to the case helped us obtain a March 11th trial, which was only 10 months from the date we filed suit, which is most unusual for the Circuit Court of Cook County.
The Defendant, Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital's first layer of insurance was with St. Paul Insurance Company. I was not surprised that I experienced similar conduct from St. Paul which ignored this case until 3 weeks prior to trial, when it made its first offer of $3,000,000.00.
Two days before trial, I was called by Defendant's counsel and told that the Senior Vice President in charge of claims for St. Paul had been fired and a claims executive from Traveler's Insurance Company was hired to replace the fired Vice President. He flew to Chicago to engage in settlement negotiations two days before trial was to commence, which resulted in the settlement on the day of trial.