By The Cagle Law Firm | July 16, 2025 |

Landmark $6 Million Personal Injury Verdict Secured in Christian County, IL

Our firm successfully secured a $6,000,000 verdict for a client in Christian County, Illinois, following a complex litigation process involving catastrophic personal injuries. This case represents one of the largest recent recoveries in the region, highlighting our commitment to holding negligent parties accountable.

The Incident and Legal Hurdles:

The plaintiff sustained life-altering injuries due to  tractor trailer crash at an uncontrolled intersection in Christian County, Illinois on March 26, 2018 at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Incident: On June 16, 2025, Zane Cagle of The Cagle Law Firm and Kyle Sherman of Brandt Sherman secured a $6,050,000.00 jury verdict on behalf of Plaintiff George Guinn VI in Christian County, State of Illinois.  Subsequent to the collision, plaintiff was transported to the emergency room via ambulance where he was treated for a head injury and laceration across the left side of his face.   Plaintiff did not suffer loss of consciousness but could not recall any of the facts surrounding the collision.  The defense contested both liability and the severity of the long-term damage.

To Overcome these challenges, our legal team:

• Utilized Accident Reconstruction: We employed industry-leading experts to recreate the scene and prove negligence.

• Medical Expert Testimony: We worked with neurological and brain injury specialists to quantify the “Loss of Normal Life” and future medical requirements.

• Navigated Illinois Statutes: Our strategy focused on rules of right of way at an uncontrolled intersection where the point of argument was a matter of .3 seconds

Legal Challenges: Defense counsel argued that Plaintiff entered the intersection .3 seconds after the tractor-trailer and was thus negligent. Likewise, the Defendant argued Plaintiff failed to keep a careful lookout, and failed to reduce speed prior to entering the intersection.  Furthermore, defense counsel argued that Plaintiff sustained a mild to moderate concussion which resolved in six to eight months after the collision.

Plaintiff argued that the legally, when two vehicles enter an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right-of-way. The vehicle to the right was the Plaintiff. At the time of the collision, Plaintiff was a union member of 18 years building scaffolding for various companies such as power plants in Central Illinois and managing a team of employees.  Once injured, Plaintiff attempted to continue this work but was unable to climb scaffolds and supervise other union workers safely.

Plaintiff continued to seek treatment and still has ongoing complications due to the traumatic brain injury including headaches, nausea, and challenges to balance almost eight years later after the collision.

Plaintiff did not submit any past medical charges, past loss wage claims, or future loss wage claims.  Plaintiff only submitted economic damages to the jury including future medical care which will be needed for his traumatic brain injury.

Northland Insurance Company was the insurance carrier for Farmdog Trucking, LLC. Defense counsel offered $60,000.00 to resolve the claim prior to the lawsuit being filed in 2020. The week prior to trial, defense counsel on behalf of Northland Insurance offered $1,000,000 which Plaintiff rejected.

At the conclusion of a six-day trial, a Christian County Jury found for plaintiff in the amount of $6,050,000.00 with a 25% reduction for contributory liability.  The jury awarded $2,500,000.00 in future medical expenses, $600,000.00 loss of normal life, $350,000.00 past pain and suffering, $350,000.00 future pain and suffering, $250,000.00 past emotional distress, and $2,000,000.00 future emotional distress.

While the insurance carrier told plaintiff a central Illinois jury would never render a $1M verdict, a Christian County jury found for the plaintiff in excess of $6M.  The Christian County Illinois jury’s verdict communicates Christian County does value people and injuries just as much as any other area in the great state of Illinois.

Establishing Liability and Damages To secure the $6,050,000 recovery, it was essential to prove:

• Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal obligation to operate safely.

• Breach of Duty: Evidence showing the specific negligent actions taken.

• Causation: Directly linking the defendant’s actions to the plaintiff’s life-altering injuries.

• Comprehensive Damages: Factoring in past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic pain and suffering.

How This Verdict Impacts Illinois Case Law Securing a multi-million dollar verdict in Christian County serves as a vital benchmark for future personal injury claims in the region. It reinforces the standard that victims of negligence deserve full and fair compensation, regardless of the complexity of the trial.

Featured in Missouri Lawyers Media, $6.05M reached in verdict in Illinois trucking crash case. 10/1/25

Author: Zane T. Cagle of The Cagle Law Firm and Kyle Sherman of Brandt & Sherman are both members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, both have been recognized as Super Lawyers nominated and approved by their peers.  Our legal team zealously fights insurance carriers on behalf of our deserving clients.

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