Opinion ID: 2121781
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Lawsuit # 3: Plaintiff v. Defendant

Text: Plaintiff filed the instant suit in Jackson County against defendant, Dr. Geyer, Dr. Jan Meier, an employee of defendant, and Memorial Hospital of Carbondale on February 5, 1988. In this suit, plaintiff sought to recover for Susanne's death under the Wrongful Death Act, for Susanne's pain and suffering under the Survival Act, and for medical and burial expenses under the family expense act. Drs. Geyer and Meier and Memorial Hospital of Carbondale were later dismissed from the suit. Prior to trial, on April 7, 1988, defendant filed an affirmative defense denying liability but asking for a setoff in the amount of $100,000, the amount plaintiff received in the Zieba settlement, in the event a verdict was entered against defendant. This motion was later withdrawn without prejudice. Also, prior to trial, plaintiff filed a motion in limine requesting the court to prohibit defendant from arguing or presenting evidence that the automobile accident was the cause of Susanne's death. Defendant did not object to the motion and the trial court granted the motion. The matter proceeded to trial in May 1990, and the trial court directed a verdict against defendant on the issue of liability. The jury then awarded plaintiff $700,000 in damages as follows: $600,000 for loss of society; $18,598 for money, goods and services Susanne was likely to have contributed in the future; $75,000 for Susanne's pain and suffering; and $6,402 for funeral expenses. After trial, on June 15, 1990, defendants filed a post-trial motion requesting a setoff and reduction of the judgment based on the settlements with Zieba and Ford. The trial court denied a setoff and stated: The instant case involved separate and distinct injuries flowing from a car accident. There was a set of injuries occasioned by the collision itself which included a transected jejunum. There was [ sic ] separate and distinct injuries caused by the medical service providers [ sic] failure to diagnose the transected jejunum and the peritonitis which ultimately caused the death of the decedent. The collision and the injuries immediately attributable to the collision were kept separate and distinct from the injuries and suffering caused by the failure to diagnose. This can be seen in the manner in which the lawsuits were pled as well as in the way they were resolved or tried. The facts were kept as separate as the circumstances would allow. These were clearly separate and distinct causes of action. Therefore, each separate and distinct cause of action was subject to a separate and distinct claim for damages. The appellate court affirmed the trial court, finding: Susanne was indeed injured in the automobile accident, but the record is clear that but for negligent treatment of her injuries she would still be alive today. 241 Ill.App.3d at 155, 181 Ill.Dec. 615, 608 N.E.2d 688. Defendant appeals and argues that Susanne suffered only one injury, wrongful death, and that defendant, Zieba, and Ford are joint tortfeasors. Defendant asks this court for a setoff against plaintiff's verdict in the amount of plaintiff's settlements with Zieba and Ford.