Matthew J. Leonard Results

  • $464,000 total settlement for a Local 786 truck driver after undergoing a one level lumbar fusion. This was comprised of $185,000 in a lump sum and $279,000 payable over the next ten years of Petitioner’s life.
  • $275,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 701 car mechanic after undergoing two left shoulder arthroscopies.
  • $275,000 lump sum settlement for a local 705 fuel truck driver after undergoing a one level lumbar with full duty release and a two level cervical fusion with restricted release that the employer accommodated.
  • $225,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 597 pipe fitter after undergoing three right shoulder arthroscopies.
  • $225,000 personal injury settlement for a Hispanic truck driver injured in a third parties warehouse when a roll of unfastened plastic rolled off a shelf and struck him in the head and right shoulder. Plaintiff underwent repair of a type 2 degenerative SLAP tear to his right shoulder.
  • $222,500 lump sum settlement for a Local 744 bottle machine operator after undergoing two right knee arthroscopies.
  • $217,000 lump sum settlement for a 50 year old furniture laborer after undergoing a two level cervical fusion and two right shoulder arthroscopies.
  • $215,000 lump sum settlement for a non union 32 year old Hispanic construction worker after a two level lumbar fusion.
  • $206,000 lump sum settlement for a local 744 forklift driver after undergoing a right shoulder arthroscopy followed by a partial replacement.
  • $200,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 710 bottle machine operator after undergoing a two level lumbar fusion with permanent restrictions. The employer paid nearly three years of wage differential benefits of $250.66 per week prior to lumping out this settlement.
  • $180,000 lump sum settlement for a non union plumber after rotator cuff repair and restricted release.
  • $180,000 lump sum settlement for a local 673 garbage man after a non dominant left elbow ulnar nerve transposition surgery.
  • $175,000 lump sum settlement for a 60 year old Local 710 dock worker after undergoing an L2-L5 laminectomy and L4-L5 fusion.
  • $174,000 total lump sum settlement for a Hispanic janitor after undergoing a one level lumbar fusion, followed by a second surgical procedure to remove the retained hardware. This was comprised of $130,000 in a lump sum and a lump sum future medical set aside of $44,000.
  • $170,000 total settlement for a restaurant hostess after crushing her left index finger and developing CRS syndrome. This settlement was comprised of $90,000 in a lump sum and $80,000 payable over the next ten years. Petitioner was earning $8.00 per hour on the accident date.
  • $166,000 lump sum settlement for a non union truck driver after undergoing a one level lumbar microdiscectomy followed by a spinal cord stimulator. The vocational plan eliminated all wage loss for Petitioner.
  • $165,000 lump sum settlement for a Hispanic laborer after sustain a lumbar herniated disc in a lifting accident. Petitioner underwent no surgery.
  • $165,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 744 product driver who underwent a one level lumbar fusion after a fall down a set of stairs.
  • $162,500 lump sum settlement for a Local 701 truck mechanic after undergoing an ulnar nerve transposition surgery. Petitioner worked for Respondent for three weeks prior to this repetitive injury. This case was settled after a successful trial.
  • $154,000 total settlement for a 72 year old truck driver after sustaining soft tissue cervical spine injuries. This was comprised of a $120,000 lump sum and a $34,000 self directed future medical set aside.
  • $150,000 lump sum settlement for a non union carpenter after undergoing a one level lumbar discectomy followed by a one level lumbar fusion.
  • $150,000 lump sum settlement for a 62 year old seamstress after bilateral cubital tunnel and bilateral carpal tunnel surgeries.
  • $150,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 705 liquor driver after falling down stairs and undergoing a one level lumbar fusion.
  • $150,000 lump sum settlement for a non union sheet metal worker after undergoing a right shoulder arthroscopy and discussion of replacement.
  • $148,000 lump sum settlement for a local 18007 gas worker after undergoing lumbar spine, elbow and hand surgeries. Petitioner returned to full duty work.
  • $140,000 lump sum settlement for a local 705 package car driver after aggravating a pre-existing lumbar herniated disc.
  • $140,000 lump sum settlement for a garage laborer after undergoing a two level cervical fusion and a revision fusion surgery.
  • $135,000 lump sum settlement for a local 705 package car driver after undergoing two shoulder arthroscopies.
  • $130,000 lump sum settlement for a local 705 package car driver after undergoing a right shoulder arthroscopy.
  • $130,000 lump sum settlement for a local 705 package car driver after undergoing a right shoulder rotator cuff repair and bone spur removal from his right elbow.
  • $130,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 705 mover after undergoing a one level cervical fusion.
  • $125,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 705 package car driver after undergoing a right shoulder arthroscopy.
  • $122,000 lump sum settlement for a restaurant worker after two lumbar spine surgeries.
  • $120,000 lump sum settlement for a Hispanic restaurant employee after sustaining a lumbar spine injury with a recommendation for a fusion. Petitioner’s first attorney recommended a $15,000 lump sum settlement.
  • $120,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 703 truck driver after undergoing a two level cervical fusion and full duty release.
  • $115,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 705 package car driver after undergoing bilateral shoulder arthroscopies and a full duty release from his surgeon.
  • $115,000 lump sum settlement for a local 18007 gas worker after undergoing bilateral hand and bilateral elbow surgeries.
  • $111,000 lump sum settlement for a gardening department employee after twisting her knee.  Petitioner underwent a knee arthroscopy and had a disputed diagnosis of CRPS. Petitioner was earning minimum wage at the time of her accident and was a part time employee.
  • $111,000 lump sum settlement for a hotel employee after sustaining soft tissue lumbar spine, cervical spine and knee injuries.
  • $110,000 lump sum settlement for a local 705 railyard worker after a microfracture surgery and recommendation for a second knee surgery.
  • $105,000 lump sum settlement for a mechanic tech after undergoing a one level lumbar spine mircodiscectomy.
  • $102,000 lump sum settlement for a local 11 roofer after sustaining soft tissue lumbar spine injuries.
  • $100,000 personal injury policy limits settlement for a Bridgeview police officer after being struck by a negligent driver. This was paid as the $50,000 policy limit from the defendants policy and $50,000 in underinsured coverage from the Village of Bridgeview.
  • $100,000 lump sum settlement for a Local 21 prem tech after undergoing a right sided cubital tunnel surgery.
  • $100,000 lump sum settlement for a 65 year old IDOT highway maintainer after undergoing two shoulder arthroscopies.
  • $100,000 policy limit personal injury settlement for a Hispanic father rear ended at a stop light in Joliet, Illinois who suffered soft tissue lumbar and cervical spine injuries. This case was settled with no suit filed.
  • $100,000 policy limit personal injury settlement for a Hispanic mother rear ended at a stop sign in Berwyn Illinois who suffered a torn rotator cuff and required arthroscopic repair. This case was settled with no suit filed.
  • $70,000 personal injury settlement for a dental secretary who slipped while inside a bar on a substance that was leaking from the bars garbage can. Plaintiff underwent a menisectomy to her knee.

 

TRIAL AWARDS
  • $250.66 Section 8(d)(1) weekly wage differential trial award for a 28 year old forklift driver after undergoing a two level lumbar fusion. Final lump sum offer of $165,000 rejected by Petitioner prior to trial. Respondent paid three years of weekly wage differential benefits to Petitioner, then paid $200,000 in a lump sum to settle the claim.
  • Award of 28 weeks of disputed TTD benefits and a finding by the Commission that Respondents expert’s testimony regarding causation for a partial knee replacement was not credible. The case was affirmed by the Circuit Court and an appeal to the Appellate Court has followed. This claim was argued before the First District Illinois Appellate Court October 16, 2011 and the decision was affirmed in Petitioner's favor. Matthew Leonard successfully argued this claim before the First District Appellate Court at the age of 31.
  • Award of $45,000 in TTD benefits and an order for payment of Petitioners left elbow surgery following a repetitive stress injury in which Petitioner worked for Respondent for only 21 days prior to the filing of this repetitive stress claim. This case was not appealed to the Commission and settled a year later for an additional $162,500 in a lump sum.
  • Award of 8 weeks of TTD and a PPD lump sum of 20% of the foot for a janitor who tripped and stumbled over his own shoelaces and fractured a bone in his left foot. The case was denied in its entirely by Respondent.