Source: http://lcllaw.com/partners/melanie-a-strubbe/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 19:48:15+00:00

Document:
West v. Henry Bros. Co., et al. Defended the general contractor in a case involving an ironworker who alleged he was injured when a crane operator lowered a beam toward him without a signal. Plaintiff alleged a career-ending injury and demanded in excess of $1 million to settle the case. Settled on behalf of the general contractor prior to trial for $75,000. Case went to trial against the crane operator and plaintiff received a verdict of over $2 million.
Bieruta v. Klein Creek, et al. Successfully defended the owner’s representative in a case involving a plaintiff who was employed by the excavation contractor at the site. Plaintiff alleged he was forced to climb out of the machine he was operating and go into the trench he was digging, and while climbing out of the trench, the trench caved-in, causing him injury. Brought motion for summary judgment on behalf of the owner’s representative alleging owner’s representative did not control the means and methods of the excavation contractor’s work. Motion was granted by the trial court, and plaintiff appealed. The First District Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the trial court’s ruling in a published opinion.
Howard v. Loop Paper Recycling. Represented Loop Paper in a class action medical monitoring case filed by plaintiffs who alleged that cardboard that caught on fire at a nearby recycling facility caused them injury. Initially brought motion to dismiss strict liability claim which was granted by the court with prejudice. Entire suit was eventually dismissed based on plaintiffs failure to prosecute case, and plaintiffs did not re-file case within required statutory time limit.
Portfolio v. Marvin Windows. Defended Marvin Windows, a window supplier, on a third-party claim for contribution filed by the general contractor in a construction defect case. Brought motion to dismiss based on a statute of limitations argument that was granted by the court. Portfolio was given leave to amend its third-party complaint. After receiving the amended third-party complaint, Marvin brought another motion to dismiss. Prior to ruling, Portfolio agreed to voluntarily dismiss Marvin from the case with prejudice.
Mendoza v. Rockford Forging, et. al. Successfully defended Rockford Forging, a company who allegedly manufactured part of the mold that closed on plaintiff’s hand, causing her injury. Rockford was sued by plaintiff, and motion to dismiss was brought on Rockford’s behalf alleging plaintiff’s claim was time barred by the statute of limitations. Rockford’s motion was granted with prejudice. Co-defendant refused to dismiss counterclaim, so motion for summary judgment was filed on Rockford’s behalf, arguing that the product had been substantially altered and changed since it left Rockford’s control. Rockford was ultimately dismissed from the case.
Reed v. Midpack Corporation, et. al. Plaintiff was mother of decedent who hung himself while in police lock-up with a paper isolation gown provided to him by the City of Chicago. Plaintiff sued the City and several gown manufacturers and distributors in federal court, including Midpack Corporation, who distributed gowns to the City several years prior to this incident. A motion for summary judgment was filed on Midpack’s behalf, citing the fact that plaintiff had no evidence that the gown the decedent used to hang himself with was a gown distributed by Midpack. After the filing of the motion, Midpack settled out of the case for $12,500. Motion for good faith settlement was approved by the court.

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