By: dmc-admin//August 2, 2010//
Jury backs defense in Ace Hardware case
PERSONAL INJURY: Zero dollars
Case name: Jackson v. Harris Ace Hardware of Beloit, Inc., et al.
Case number: 08-CV-2516
Court: Rock County Circuit Court
Judge: James Welker
Verdict amount: Zero dollars, jury returned defense verdict
Insurance: General Casualty Company of Wisconsin, Inc.
Injuries claimed: Soft-tissue injuries to right shoulder, right arm, back and right hip.
Verdict & settlement: Jury returned defense verdict
Original amount sought: $10,000
Original offer: Zero dollars
Award: Zero dollars
Date of incident: April 11, 2007
Original filing date: Dec. 23, 2008
Date of disposition: May 17, 2010
Plaintiff’s attorneys: George Chaparas, Weigel, Carlson, Blau & Clemens, S.C., Milwaukee
Defendant’s attorneys: Chester Isaacson, Corneille Law Group, L.L.C., Madison
Defense counsel's summary of the facts: In this case, the Corneille Law Group defended Harris Ace Hardware of Beloit, Inc. and one of its employees in a lawsuit brought by a store patron. The patron claimed that he suffered injuries to his right shoulder, right arm, back and right hip after he was involved in an altercation with an employee of Harris Ace Hardware. Defendants vehemently denied these allegations, arguing that such an altercation never took place and that plaintiff therefore suffered no injuries. Prior to trial, the defendants moved for the dismissal of plaintiff's claim for medical expenses. This motion was granted. Consequently, plaintiff was only permitted to seek compensation for his alleged pain and suffering. In closing argument, plaintiff requested an award of $10,000. After approximately ten minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of no negligence on the part of the employee of Harris Ace Hardware. Plaintiff was therefore awarded nothing.