$36+Million Verdict Madison County, Illinois

By The Cagle Law Firm | May 28, 2025 |

Congratulations!!! Zane Cagle and Andrew Mundwiller obtained a jury verdict in Madison County, IL for $35,450,000.00 on behalf of a great client with a traumatic brain injury. Bifurcated, $5,950,000.00 compensatory and $29,500,000.00 punitive damages–total judgement after pre-trial interest, just over $36M

Defendant was prior DUI offender, drunk and driving on wrong side of the roadway, speeding and struck vehicle in which Plaintiff was a passenger. Plaintiff unconscious and trapped inside the stranded vehicle was struck by a second vehicle. Defendant fled and pled guilty to aggravated DUI. Defendant testified via video from prison. Plaintiff  was life-flighted to ER where he spent a month. Plaintiff suffered TBI and broken bones. He can walk, he can talk but requires 24 hour supervision. Past medical was $700K
State Farm failed to tender the $250K policy timely. State Farm eventually offered the $250,000.00 and it was rejected.  On the Friday before trial, State Farm offered $4.5 M. This was three years after the incident and two years into the lawsuit.  Offer was rejected.

After closing arguments in the compensatory phase of the trial, State Farm offered a high/low of $6M/$18M which was rejected. State Farm then offered a final high/low of $10M/$25M. Before the client could be reached, the jury came back with the compensatory verdict of $5.9M.
Def counsel requested State Farm re-open the $10M/$25M high low, but the brass at State Farm said that was crazy. A short time later, the punitive verdict came back at $35,450,000.00

Great job for a great client!!

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