October 30 2008
$6 Million Settlement Reached; Woman Collides with Sign Placed too Close to Sidewalk
LAKE COUNTY, IL – Michael P. Schostok of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. announced a $6 million personal injury settlement on behalf of a 43-year-old woman who suffered a brain injury when her bicycle collided into a warning sign placed and maintained by a utility service provider. The Honorable Raymond J. McKoski, Law Division, Circuit Court of Lake County (Illinois) approved the settlement.
On June 22, 2004, the Plaintiff, Michele Coulson, a clinical pharmacist and mother of two, was riding her bike on a sidewalk in Libertyville, when her handlebars collided with the warning sign, causing her bike to flip. Michelle landed on the concrete with the back of her head hitting first. She was immediately transported by ambulance to Condell Hospital. Doctor’s later determined that she had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that caused cerebral edema and brain stem infarction. Michele currently has memory loss, cognitive deficits, and vision problems.
"This accident was a terrible tragedy because it was so avoidable," said David Pribyl. "The sign was simply too close to the sidewalk and posed a danger to Ms. Coulson and other persons. If the owner of the sign had merely inspected it, they could have moved the sign just a few feet and the tragedy would have been avoided."
No. 05 L 527, STEVEN COULSON, Individually and as Plenary Guardian of the Estate of MICHELE COULSON, a disabled person, Plaintiff, v A UTILITY SERVICE PROVIDER, an Illinois Corporation, et al, Defendants.
