Waitress Injured In Two Collisions Four
Months Apart

Rhonda Ackerman v Steven Caldrone, Donald Sawin 03L-879

• Verdict: $40,604 v both Defendants ($15,604 medical; $20,000 pain & suffering; $5,000 loss of normal life); liability apportioned 50% against each Defendant.
• Special Interrogatories: Was Defendant Caldrone negligent? "Yes.'' Was Caldrone's negligence a proximate cause of Plaintiff's injuries? "Yes."
• Judge: Daniel J. Kelley (IL Cook-Law)
• Pltf Atty: Carl S. Salvato of Navigato & Salvato
• Deft Atty: Joseph A. Baratta of Condon & Cook for Sawin (Allstate) Offer: none; Roselyn R. Pickett of Kopka, Pinkus for Caldrone (Allstate) Offer: none;
• Pltf Medl: Dr. Joseph L. Giacchino, Jr. (Family Practice)

Plaintiff was involved in two separate motor vehicle collisions in 2001: on Aug. 9, eastbound Defendant Sawin rear-ended her while she was stopped at 75th and King Dr. waiting to turn left, and on Dec. 11, eastbound Defendant Caldrone pulled from stop sign at 25th and Chestnut (Franklin Park) and struck Plaintiff traveling southbound on through street, pushing her into northbound traffic and a tree on the corner. Plaintiff F-32 waitress/bartender claimed both accidents caused neck/back soft tissue injuries and head pain ($7,868 medl. after first occurrence, $9,016 medl. after second).

Defendant Sawin was barred from testifying. Defense for Caldrone (M-50 Cook County Sheriff's Deputy) contended he stopped at stop sign, he did not see Plaintiff approaching before he entered intersection, and Plaintiff failed to slow down at intersection despite obstructed view; Caldrone did not appear at trial due to a family emergency.