Family of Killed City Worker Receives $7.5 Million Verdict

CHICAGO, Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday evening, a Cook County jury returned a $7.5 million verdict on behalf of the family of a City of Chicago laborer who was killed while working on January 27, 2009.

Julian Mitchell, age 37, was a 13-year veteran of the City of Chicago Department of Transportation, and was standing near the 100th Street Bridge on the southeast side of the City. His crew was preparing to do tuck-pointing work on the City's bridge house at that location. While unloading materials from the City's truck, Mitchell was struck by a 22 thousand pound, 18-wheel semi-tractor trailer rig operated by Dale Smith. He was pinned between Smith's vehicle and the City truck and dragged 20 feet across the bridge before coming to rest. Mitchell died less than two hours later at Advocate Christ Hospital.

Mitchell's family was represented by Dan Kotin and Tim Tomasik of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman in Chicago. The verdict found liability against Smith, Monica's Trucking, Inc. who owned the vehicle he was driving, and Z Force Transportation, Inc., the company for whom Smith was performing hauling services.

"This was a hard fought battle," said Kotin, "but the jury's verdict truly reflects the terrible loss suffered by Julian Mitchell's four boys." The jury verdict was itemized as $1 million for Mitchell's future lost financial support to his family, $500,000 for his conscious pain and suffering before death, and $6 million for the loss suffered by his sons.

According to Tomasik, "Z Force Transportation attempted to escape responsibility by hiding behind clever independent contractor paperwork. The jury, through their verdict, recognized that Z Force was earning huge profits at the expense of the victims of this tragedy. It took a two week jury trial to hold that company accountable."

The two-week trial was presided over by Circuit Court Judge Thomas Lyons, II. Patrick Fanning of Grant & Fanning represented Z Force Transportation, Inc. Bill McElligott of Leahy, Eisenberg & Fraenkel represented Monica's Trucking, Inc. and the driver, Dale Smith.

The Mitchell family lawyers Dan Kotin and Tim Tomasik are available for comment.

The Tomasik Kotin Kasserman firm is located at 161 North Clark Street, Suite 3050, Chicago, IL 60601, 312-605-8800. The firm's website is www.tkklaw.com.