Jurisdiction Intelligence Report

Personal Injury Case Values in Illinois (2026)

Data-driven verdict and settlement analysis for Personal Injury cases in Illinois. Median outcome: $6.7M across 7 tracked cases.

Verdicts Tracked
7
Median Outcome
$6.7M
Mean Outcome
$14.0M
Range
$2.5M–$43.8M

Verdict Distribution

RangeCasesPercent
$1M–$5M343%
$5M+457%

Key Valuation Factors

Severity and permanency of plaintiff's injuriesCorporate or commercial defendant status and deep pocketsVenue selection and jury composition within Illinois jurisdictionsDegree of defendant negligence and availability of punitive damagesQuality and credibility of expert medical and liability witnesses

Key Trends & Insights

Personal Injury verdicts and settlements in Illinois are trending at notably high valuations, with a median outcome of $6.7M and a mean of $14.0M driven upward by several landmark awards, including a $43.8M verdict in Kroft v. Viper Trans, Inc. and a $27.5M award in Klucker v. Zobrist in 2025 alone, signaling aggressive jury valuations in plaintiff-favorable Cook and collar county venues. Transportation and railway-related incidents appear to be a recurring category among high-value outcomes, suggesting that cases involving commercial carriers and rail operators draw substantial damages, likely reflecting corporate defendant profiles and catastrophic injury severity. The absence of a general non-economic damages cap in Illinois, combined with the state's modified comparative fault threshold of 50%, continues to empower plaintiffs to pursue and recover significant non-economic awards, keeping the overall range wide and the ceiling exceptionally high.

Notable Cases

Klucker v. Zobrist $27.5M
2025 · Expert Institute

Grayson Klucker on motorcycle struck by Ashton Zobrist's pickup at intersection; severe leg injuries req 4 surgeries. Jury found defendant 100% liable after 4-day trial. Incl $421k med, $75k punitive, rest pain/suffering [Expert Institute](https://www.expertinstitute.com/resources/insights/illinois-

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Kroft v. Viper Trans, Inc. $43.8M
2025 · MDR Law LLC

Rear-end collision with semi-truck caused catastrophic injuries including spinal cord damage and vocal cord paralysis. Illinois Appellate Court vacated the $43.8 million verdict due to attorney social media misconduct during trial and ordered new trial.

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Heiston v. Illinois Railway LLC, et al. $11.0M
2024 · TopVerdict.com

Railroad worker injured in work accident due to failure to warn, FELA violations, lack of supervision/training. Suffered amputation and permanent disability. $10,958,000 verdict.

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Cozen, et al. v. RDK Ventures, LLC $6.7M
2024 · TopVerdict.com

Work accident from dangerous condition leading to gas explosion at premises. Plaintiffs suffered burn injuries. Awarded $6,729,225.55.

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Kozik v. Union Pac. R.R. Co. $3.5M
2024 · TopVerdict.com

Falling object in railroad work accident under FELA, causing brain injury. Negligent workplace safety. $3,515,000 verdict.

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