Tressler attorneys Rick Capra and Alexander T. Myers successfully defended an Illinois school district in a premises liability case filed in Cook County. Injured parties included a grandmother, a young child, and an infant who were violently struck by a vehicle in the parking lot. The lawsuit alleged that the school district failed to maintain a safe dismissal policy and inadequately staffed the parking lot despite alleged prior complaints and alleged “near miss” incidents.

Rick and Alex sought an early dismissal based on provisions of the Tort Immunity Act in Illinois. Specifically, that plaintiffs were not intended users of the section of the parking lot where they sustained injuries. Rick and Alex established that plaintiffs were crossing the parking lot outside of the intended crosswalk area. Following extensive briefing and argument, the court agreed and dismissed all claims against the district with prejudice.

Tressler’s early and assertive use of tort immunity defenses ended the multi-plaintiff litigation and saved what would have been extensive discovery costs.

Congratulations on a fantastic result, Rick and Alex!

About Rick Capra

Rick Capra is Chair of Tressler’s Litigation Practice Group. Rick focuses his practice on the defense of insureds/insurers in the areas of transportation, products liability, toxic tort, and governmental tort immunity. Due to his in-house legal background and corporate insurance experience, Rick brings a deep knowledge of insurance programs and coverages. He provides insurance coverage counseling, and litigation services for a wide range of clients. Rick has successfully defended an extensive number of lawsuits involving fatalities, amputations, and serious bodily injuries. He also has significant experience in the defense of mass tort events. Rick has trial and appellate experience in both state and federal courts. He currently holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) certification in commercial insurance, a professional designation held by less than 5% of all property and casualty insurance professionals.

About Alexander T. Myers

Alexander (Alex) T. Myers serves as an associate in Tressler’s Local Government and Litigation Practice Groups. His practice is primarily focused on civil rights litigation, tort litigation, employment litigation and counseling, matters arising from section 1983, and police misconduct. Alex’s legal background as a Deputy Attorney General for the Office of the Indiana Attorney General (OAG) encompassed numerous litigation topics across both state and federal courts.

About Tressler LLP

Headquartered in Chicago, with ten offices located in six states, Tressler LLP is a national law firm comprised primarily of attorneys who devote their practice to the representation of the insurance industry in coverage analysis and resolution, litigation, underwriting consultation, product development, claims management, and reinsurance.

In addition, Tressler has one of the most experienced and multi-faceted government law practices in Illinois, and has attorneys who represent clients in commercial litigation, defense litigation, corporate transactions, employment law and litigation, intellectual property, and condominium and common interest community association law.

For more information, please visit www.tresslerllp.com.