Firm News
News about the Law Firm
November 2024
TPMB Associate Cameron J. Tober was honored to be a guest panel speaker last week discussing tips for motion practice in the Law Division and recent updates in the law. Programming was coordinated by the Chicago Bar Association’s Municipal and Law Division Committee, offered CLE credits, and was well attended by various Law and Municipal Division Judges at the Daley Center.
November 2024
TPMB is proud to be ranked “Tier 1” in the Chicagoland area for personal injury litigation by Best Law Firms in the US by Best Lawyers. We strive to provide the highest level of representation to our clients, many of whom are going through the most difficult times of their lives.
October 2024
Associate Trish Hudson recently settled a slip and fall case for $950,000.00. The 47-year-old client was leaving a restaurant when she slipped and fell on a substance in an area of the restaurant that was being cleaned. The client injured her neck and back undergoing a C4-C5 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and L4-L5 and L5-S1 fusion. A lawsuit was filed alleging that the restaurant created and/or allowed the condition on the premises and failed to warn. Liability and damages were contested.
October 2024
Associate Trish Hudson has been appointed as a Co-Chair for the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Associate (ITLA) for a second consecutive year. She recently co-hosted the YLD Happy Hour at Hubbard Inn to kick off the bar association year. Trish and the YLD Co-Chairs are planning exciting events and providing many resources to the young lawyers community of the plaintiff’s bar.
October 2024
We are proud to have sponsored the Steve Jones Memorial Scramble, hosted by NOBLE and Aurora’s African American Heritage Advisory Board. It was a fantastic event, and we’re thrilled that all proceeds will go towards scholarships for up-and-coming high school graduates. At Taxman, Pollock, Murray, and Bekkerman, we believe in supporting our community and investing in the future of our youth. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed!
September 2024
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Jackson D. Wingert to the firm. Jackson focuses his practice on cases involving personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death. He obtained his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he was a member of Loyola’s National Moot Court team, tutored first-year students in legal writing, and mediated small claims matters with the Center for Conflict Resolution. Prior to joining TPMB, Jackson worked as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Raymond Mitchell of the Illinois Appellate Court, First District.
Welcome, Jackson!
September 2024
Partners Sean Murray and Mac Mahony recently settled a work injury case in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin for $2,800,000.00. The case was brought on behalf of the Estate of a 24-year-old man who was working as a laborer at a multi-level construction project. Our client fell from a four-story wall opening while operating an ATV as part of his work duties at the project. Our client later died from his injuries the same day. Mac and Sean argued that the construction project’s safety plan, policies, and training were deficient, and, had appropriate policies been enacted, this incident would have been prevented.
September 2024
TPMB was proud to sponsor for The Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) Foundation’s 29th Annual Race Judicata 5K event and fundraiser. TPMB is a dedicated supporter of the CVLS Foundation, which is comprised of over 2,300 volunteer attorneys who donate free legal services to thousands of low-income Chicagoans each year. TPMB was thrilled to have our staff and their families participate in the 5K run and event.
August 2024
On August 7, 2024, Jack Rubin was sworn in as a member of the Wisconsin Bar. Jack joins Marc Taxman, Gerald Bekkerman and Mac Mahoney as an attorney licensed to represent injured victims and their families throughout the state of Wisconsin.
August 2024
Partner Gerald Bekkerman and Associate Cameron Tober recently secured a $3.4 million-dollar settlement on behalf of an HVAC installer who was electrocuted and fell from a step ladder while installing furnace piping on a jobsite. The 59-year-old client sustained various shoulder and spinal injuries necessitating surgery. TPMB brought suit against the project’s owner, general contractor, and electrical subcontractor alleging they failed to warn, and left dangerous and uncapped live wires dangling in the Plaintiff’s workspace.
August 2024
Attorneys Grant A. Bosnich and Sean P. Murray recently settled a negligent security case for $7,000,000.00. On July 31, 2020, a nine year old boy was shot and killed at the Cabrini Green housing projects in Chicago, Illinois. TPMB’s investigation into the tragedy uncovered that the intended target of the shooting was known to engage in criminal activity and had been placed on an exclusion list maintained by the Chicago Housing Authority (“CHA”). It was alleged that had the Defendants followed their own protocols, the intended victim would have been excluded from the property and the boy would not have been killed. The case presented unique legal issues involving legal foreseeability and proximate cause.
July 2024
Partners Bradley N. Pollock and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis recently obtained a $1.85 million medical malpractice recovery on behalf of a 58-year-old woman. Plaintiff underwent a carpal tunnel release surgery performed by an undisclosed orthopedic surgeon. Following the surgery, she experienced significant pain and loss of sensation in her hand. It was ultimately determined that her median nerve was cut during the surgery requiring her to undergo repair surgery. Plaintiff is left with permanent deficits. Congratulations on a great result!
July 2024
Partners Bradley N. Pollock, Gerald J. Bekkerman, and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis secured a $4.5 million medical malpractice settlement for the Estate of a 1-year-old toddler. The child tragically died from untimely diagnosed and treated meningitis after being prematurely discharged from a Chicagoland hospital after being diagnosed with bronchiolitis Plaintiff claimed that the Chicagoland Hospital was negligent in failing to perform a lumbar puncture tests to diagnose the meningitis and treat the condition resulting in the toddler’s death. The Chicagoland hospital denied any negligence or responsibility for the toddler’s death.
July 2024
TPMB was a proud sponsor of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ 110th Annual Presidential and Board Installation Dinner held at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago on June 27, 2024. The WBAI was founded in 1914 by only 9 women lawyers. Today, women make up 40% of the legal profession in Illinois, and the WBAI Annual Installation Dinner is one of the most-well attended events in the Chicago legal community, including Women Judges from State and Federal Courts at every level, Legislators, and prominent Attorneys. TPMB is proud of the powerful women Partners and Associates at our firm and the incredible work they do in advocating for our clients.
July 2024
TPMB Partner, James Hardy, was selected to give a presentation at the Annual Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education Workers’ Compensation Seminar in Chicago. Jim was a member of a distinguished panel of Worker Compensation Law Experts, and he discussed the topic: Navigating Transitions: Resolving Cases with Petitioners Exiting Previous Employment, Mastering Medicare Set-Asides, and Ensuring Legal Integrity to Safeguard Worker Interests. The seminar was attended by several hundred attorneys throughout Illinois both in person and through webcast. Jim was chosen to be a part of this educational seminar due to his vast experience representing injured workers throughout the State of Illinois and his leadership in this field of law exemplified by being a Past-President of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association, a state-wide Bar Association of over 700 members.
June 2024
Associate Patricia A. Hudson obtained a $500,000.00 settlement on behalf of a 37-year-old woman, who worked as an Assistant Manager at a Discount Store located on the Westside of Chicago. While doing her job closing the store for the night, our client was accidentally shot in the leg by the store’s security guard. Patricia filed suit against the company that employed the security guard, based on negligence for failing to screen, hire, train, and supervise the security guard, who was out on bond for carjacking, robbery, and unlawful restraint at the time of the occurrence. Our client made a nice recovery and returned to work and all normal activities of daily living, but unfortunately still bears the physical and emotional scars from the incident. TPMB is proud of this result and of Patricia for zealously litigating the case to overcome insurance coverage and legal duty issues to win this settlement for our deserving client.
June 2024
TPMB Partners James P. Lynch and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis recently obtained a $2,850,000.00 medical malpractice recovery on behalf of the family of a 32-year-old woman, who died two days after undergoing brain surgery to remove a benign cyst at a Chicago-area hospital. Post-surgery, Plaintiff’s neurological condition deteriorated due to swelling in her brain and the Defendant neurosurgeon and Chicago-area hospital failed to timely perform surgery to alleviate the pressure in her brain caused by the swelling. Defendants’ failure to timely lessen the Plaintiff’s intercranial pressure caused Plaintiff to become brain dead while still hospitalized and pass away at age 32, where she left behind her mother and three adult siblings.
May 2024
Partners James P. Lynch, Gerald J. Bekkerman and Associate Grant A. Bosnich recently completed a two-week jury trial and obtained a $13.8 million verdict in a fatal motor vehicle collision on behalf of the estate of a 33-year-old man, who left behind an 8-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.
The victim was the front-seat passenger of a SUV traveling southbound on I-55 that collided with a disabled box truck on the morning of January 19, 2020. The disabled box truck was stopped in lane four of the expressway (closest to the shoulder), in the dark, without power and no emergency triangles deployed behind the vehicle to warn oncoming traffic. The driver of the box truck, who was acting in the course and scope of his employment with a delivery company at the time of the crash, failed to utilize reflective emergency warning triangles that were in his vehicle, among other negligent acts.
Please join us in congratulating Jim, Jerry Grant and the TPMB team on winning another hardfought case.
May 2024
Partner, Marc Taxman was a featured speaker at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Practice Tips for the Young Lawyers Webinar on Friday, April 26th. The program was well attended and accredited for Continuing Legal Education. Marc spoke on the topic of effective advocacy.
April 2024
On Thursday night, TPMB attorneys, paralegals and spouses attended the Lawyers Lend-A-Hand (LLAH) Annual Gala and Spring Awards Celebration, where TPMB was proud to again serve as a Philanthropic Sponsor for the event and Partner Jim Lynch serves on the Board of Directors. LLAH is a non-profit organization that channels the Chicago legal community’s resources to promote mentoring and tutoring programs in disadvantaged Chicago communities. LLAH’s primary initiative is Lend-A-Hand Tutoring through the Chicago Bar Association, which provides free one-to-one tutoring and mentoring to students from the west and south sides of Chicago.
April 2024
TPMB Associates Cameron Tober and Bill Parrish recently secured a $2,300,000.00 settlement for a 63 y/o client who suffered post concussive symptoms and a lower back injury when he fell from his cargo van while delivering car parts for work. Both the shipping and receiving manufacturers knew the shipping containers had doors that would snap open when pulled upon. The client was instructed by the receiving manufacturer to pull a container rearward in his van so it could be reached with a forklift. While pulling on it, the door snapped open and the client fell backwards from his cargo van, landing on his back and hitting his head. Cam and Bill argued the shipping manufacturer negligently loaded the container into the client’s van, the receiving manufacturer failed to provide the proper equipment to their personnel to unload, and that both failed to warn the client of the known dangers of pulling on said container.
March 2024
Partner Sean Murray recently settled a Will County lawsuit for the Defendant’s entire $1.25 million insurance policy limits on behalf of a 52 year-old woman who was involved in an automobile collision. Sean’s client sustained neck and back injuries requiring surgery. The Defendant initially denied liability, and then Sean litigated the case through expert discovery at which time the Defendant tendered their entire insurance policy. Congratulations to Sean on another great result for one of our clients!
March 2024
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, along with their family and friends, marched in the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Downtown Parade. TPMB had the privilege of marching in the parade alongside some of Chicago’s finest trade unions. TPMB also recently attended the Celtic Legal Society of Chicago Annual Luncheon honoring Judge Brendan A. O’Brien as the 2024 Celt of the Year. Congratulations Judge O’Brien on a well deserved award!
March 2024
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, continues to support and sponsor Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children’s Charities. For the second consecutive year, TPMB’s Freezin’ for a Reason Team participant in The 2024 Chicago Polar Plunge! Funds raised will help programs for people with intellectual disabilities to have the opportunity to discover new strengths, abilities, and accomplishments.
March 2024
The women of Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC spent the day with the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Women’s Caucus for their annual lobby day at our state capitol in Springfield meeting with legislators and advocating on behalf of victims of injury and sexual violence.
March 2024
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Emma Boyer to the firm. Emma’s reputation precedes her arrival at TPMB. Beyond her impressive track record, Emma’s commitment to client satisfaction sets her apart. With a history of recovering millions and resolving hundreds of cases, Emma’s prowess in civil litigation is prevalent by her success rate. Emma honed her skills as an attorney for a leading national insurance carrier, her strength lies in spotting nuanced legal issues, distinguishing her as a unique force in the legal field.
Welcome, Emma!
February 2024
Associate Attorney Patricia “Trish” Hudson was recognized by her sorority, the Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in their campaign highlighting impactful members during each day of Black History Month. Trish Hudson has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc for 12 years. She is an active charter member of The Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter. The organization is comprised of college educated women committed to the constructive development of its member and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.
February 2024
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Bryan Ruggiero to the firm. Bryan’s practice principally involves representing victims and their families, and he specializes in Plaintiff’s personal injury litigation, including complex medical malpractice, nursing home, wrongful death, premise liability, construction, motor vehicle and trucking accidents, and dog bite cases. He has a tenacious litigation style, and his attention to detail and passion for advocacy and helping others makes him one of the most dynamic and talented trial lawyers in Illinois and across the nation.
Prior to joining Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, Bryan worked at prominent plaintiffs and insurance defense firms, where he developed a well-rounded and extensive background as a trial attorney. Bryan’s zealous advocacy, coupled with his strategic ability to prosecute cases to maximize results, has led to the recovery of tens of millions of dollars for his clients. Bryan obtained his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School, and he graduated cum laude, in the top 5% of his class.
Mr. Ruggiero is admitted to the Illinois State Bar, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh District. Welcome, Bryan!
February 2024
Attorneys Julie L. Pustilnik, Mackenzie J. Mahony, and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis obtained a $1,000,000 recovery on behalf of the Estate of a 70-year-old man with cognitive and developmental disabilities who fell and suffered a hip fracture in the group home where he lived. The group home was supposed to provide support and care for adults with intellectual disabilities and other special needs. TPMB’s attorneys argued that the group home failed to protect him from preventable falls, and as a result, he sustained a hip fracture that required surgery and ultimately led to his premature death. TPMB is dedicated to advocating on behalf of those most vulnerable in our community.
February 2024
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Jake Pawlowski to the firm. Jake is a dedicated Workers’ Compensation Attorney, known for his deep-rooted passion for defending the rights of the working class. Born and raised in Belvidere, IL, a town with a rich history of labor workers, Jake’s upbringing instilled in him a profound admiration for the hardworking individuals who form the backbone of our society. Driven by his dedication to advocating on behalf of the working man and woman, and his unwavering commitment to challenging corporations and insurance companies, Jake has found his true calling in Plaintiff’s civil litigation, specifically within the realm of Workers’ Compensation.
Jake’s journey with TPMB began during his second year of law school when he joined the firm as a law clerk. In this pivotal role, he gained invaluable hands-on experience and training, which uniquely prepared him for a seamless transition into his current position as an Associate Attorney. During his leisure time, Jake is a passionate follow of Notre Dame Football, participates in softball leagues, and travels the city to try new restaurants with his family.
Welcome, Jake!
January 2024
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that our partners, Marc A. Taxman, Bradley N. Pollock, Sean P. Murray, Gerald J. Bekkerman, James P. Lynch and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis were recognized and honored to receive the distinguished Super Lawyer in Plaintiff Personal Injury distinction. Also, attorneys Grant A. Bosnich, Patricia A. Hudson, William Parrish, Jack S. Rubin and Cameron J. Tober were recognized and honored to receive the distinguished Rising Stars in Plaintiff Personal Injury distinction in the 2024 Super Lawyer’s Magazine. Please join us in congratulating them for their outstanding work and recognition for their accomplishments. The Super Lawyers recognition is a coveted distinction based on a solely peer review methodology. The award is given to only 2.5% of Illinois attorneys and is awarded based solely on the recommendation of peers in the legal profession.
January 2024
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis successfully obtained a $3,400,000.00 settlement on behalf of a sixty-seven-year-old female patient who was admitted to a Chicagoland hospital for acute confusion in March of 2021. Due to the Defendant Hospital’s medical negligence, the patient suffered an unwitnessed and traumatic fall on April 3, 2021, with head trauma, resulting in multiple inoperable brain bleeds and which caused her premature death three (3) days later.
January 2024
Congratulations to our founding partner Gerald J. Bekkerman who recently published an article “Practice Tips: Voi Dire in a Motor Vehicle Case, Excess Verdict” in the 2023 Winter edition of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) Trial Journal. The article is a transcript of the jury selection by Mr. Bekkerman in a trial in which he and fellow partner Marc Taxman obtained a $5,025,000.00 verdict for a 74-years-old female that was injured in a car accident and sustained a hip fracture. The insurance company paid over $2 million in excess of the limits of the at fault driver for this excess bad faith verdict.
December 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Jack Rubin to the firm. Jack is a passionate advocate who thrives on competition and excels in high-stress situations both in and out of the courtroom. Jack concentrates his practice in the areas of motor vehicle collisions, premises liability, police misconduct, sexual assault, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases.
Jack was licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois in 2019. Since that time he has been named as an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2022, 2023 and 2024. This distinction is reserved for the top 2.5% of lawyers who are under 40 years old or who are still in their first 10 years of practice.
Before attending law school, Jack graduated from the University of South Carolina-Upstate where he was the goalkeeper on the soccer team. He then attended DePaul University College of Law where he served as the Business Manager of the Law Review. Jack graduated in the top 10% of his class with the distinctions of Magna Cum Laude and Order of the Coif. Welcome Jack!
December 2023
TPMB had a wonderful time this year with one of our favorite holiday traditions – the “Letters to Santa” program! We were thrilled to once again partner with Chicago Public Schools to spread holiday cheer and bring gifts to children in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. Happy Holidays to all from TPMB and may you feel the joy that giving brings!
December 2023
Grant A. Bosnich and Gerald J. Bekkerman have settled a premises liability case for 1.5 million dollars. On January 9, 2022, Plaintiff (86 y/o F), exited her apartment that she had lived in for 20 years to take the trash out, slipped, and fell on ice at the foot of the front entryway. She sustained a fractured femur that required open repair and internal fixation, following which she received in-patient rehab for approximately three months ($190,000 medl. expense). Plaintiff had been the primary caregiver for her husband who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, who sadly passed away while she was admitted to inpatient care.
December 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is pleased to announce that Haig A. Himidian, one of the attorneys who has been with us from the beginning, has been promoted to the position of Partner. Since TPMB opened its doors in January 2017, Haig has secured compensation for hundreds of clients in complex cases involving injuries in motor vehicle accidents, slip/trip and fall cases, and many others. Beyond his exceptional work representing his clients, Haig has been in charge of the firm’s Intake Department, overseeing a dedicated staff of specialists who are on call nearly 24 hours a day and seven days a week speaking with prospective clients and counseling them regarding the handling of their cases. Haig’s knowledge of the law and aggressive investigation of new cases in the critical time period immediately following a loss has resulted in early strategies resulting in millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. We congratulate Haig on his success and look forward to more to come.
December 2023
Partners Bradley N. Pollock and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis just resolved a medical negligence case for $900,000.00 on behalf of seventy-year-old patient who suffered a traumatic fall while undergoing PT to learn to walk with a prosthetic leg following a leg amputation at a Rockford area clinic. As a result, our client sustained wrist fractures and disputed torn left rotator cuff, both of which necessitated surgical repair and resulted in permanent injuries. The case settled at the trial motion in limine conference.
November 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Sarah Riess to the firm. Sarah is a trial lawyer who has dedicated her career to fighting for victims of negligence. Sarah concentrates her practice in the areas of medical malpractice, products liability, sexual abuse and assault, and nursing home abuse litigation.
Sarah is a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2022-2023), a distinction reserved for only the top 2.5% of attorneys in the state of Illinois. Sarah was also recognized as a Top 40 under 40 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers in 2019 and 2020.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Sarah obtained an M.S. in Physiology and Biophysics. She also worked in the medical industry as an orthopedic sales representative, where she regularly attended orthopedic surgeries. These experiences provided Sarah with the background necessary to understand complex medical issues, which she uses to maximize recovery for her clients. Welcome Sarah!
November 2023
Attorney Trish Hudson is actively involved in the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) as a co-chair of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD). She recently co-hosted a Happy Hour event at the Hubbard Inn. Trish and her fellow Co-Chairs of YLD work hard to provide valuable resources for newer trial attorneys in Illinois. TPMB Associates (pictured L-R) Jake Pawloski, Cameron Tober, Bill Parrish and Alex Evans proudly supported the Happy Hour and Trish.
November 2023
Partner Gerald Bekkerman has filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen for refusing to provide GPS tracking information to police until payment of $150 dollars was made to renew a subscription service. The case involves a pregnant mother who was run over during a carjacking and had her child abducted in a terrifying incident in Libertyville. Due to Volkswagen’s refusal to tell police where the car was located until the $150 ‘ransom’ was paid, the family was kept in the dark about the safety and well-being of their kidnapped 2-year-old, who was eventually found abandoned by the side of a road miles away from their home. https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1311464?fbclid=IwAR2D0bSwVevAgk8osNZ8U-6kvy62VtgdnRs5PDJr0a96OAe-iyNZ4gfig8s
November 2023
Attorneys Bradley N. Pollock and Mackenzie J. Mahony obtained a $1,000,000 construction recovery (along with a waiver of the $155,000 workers compensation lien) on behalf of a 60-year-old drywall taper who attempted to move a loaded drywall cart – when the cart’s wheel got caught on a piece of construction garbage and tipped over striking him. Plaintiff suffered rotator cuff injuries and a broken leg with medical bills of $172,134.52.
November 2023
Attorney Mackenzie J. Mahony obtained a $1,000,000 recovery on behalf of the Estate of a 95-year-old resident of an assisted living facility (“ALF”). Pltf F-95, resided at an ALF in Will County, IL with diagnoses including vascular dementia with behavioral disturbance. Pltf also needed assistance and monitoring with ambulation and transferring for her safety. Pltf alleged that, as a result of the Defendant’s failure to provide appropriate assistance and monitoring, Pltf suffered two falls – one in October of 2020 resulting in right-sided pelvic and humerus fractures, and a second in March of 2021 resulting in a hip fracture. Pltf alleged that, as a result of the Defendant’s negligence, Pltf died prematurely on July 25, 2021. This result is the highest reported verdict or settlement against a nursing home or assisted living facility in Will County, IL.
October 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC congratulates Associate Trish Hudson on her nomination and induction as a 40 under 40 honoree for the 2023 Black Women’s Professional League. For seven years, BWPL has honored 40 rising black women leaders, under the age of 40, across industries, for their contributions to society, their communities, and their industry fields. In addition to the honor, all awardees and members volunteer with Simpson Career Academy for Young Women to assist and empower young mothers for success in college, career and life.
October 2023
TPMB Achieves Top 10 National Settlement! Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC has secured a spot in the Top 10 Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in the U.S. for 2022! Our standout results in the Estate of Burse v. SCR Medical Transportation Inc., et al. case earned us this prestigious recognition
October 2023
Partner Sean Murray recently secured a $1,250,000 settlement for a woman that was injured in a car accident in Will County. His client sustained severe injuries requiring separate neck and back fusion surgeries. Sean litigated the case through expert discovery when the insurance company agreed to tender their full insurance policy limits. Congratulations on a great result!
October 2023
Attorneys Bradley N. Pollock and Mackenzie J. Mahony obtained a $1,000,000 medical malpractice recovery for the Estate of a 64-year-old man (single, age 64, with no children) who died following a delay in diagnosing metastatic liver cancer. Before getting liver cancer, our client had HIV, Hepatitis B, and liver cirrhosis. Brad & Mac achieved this result despite the Plaintiff’s reduced life expectancy from pre-existing serious medical conditions.
October 2023
Mackenzie Mahony’s selection as a 40 Under Forty honoree is a remarkable achievement, and TPMB is immensely proud of his accomplishment. This recognition highlights his outstanding talent and dedication as a young attorney, as the selection process for this prestigious award is highly competitive, with over 1,500 nominations received for attorneys practicing in Illinois.
September 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to support &Rise and its Mission striving to empower female survivors of trauma and abuse to become the ultimate versions of themselves no matter what adversities they’ve faced. &Rise provides counselling, resources, and support groups for any and all women in need.
We were a sponsor of the &Rise “Bet on Us” Casino Night charity fund raiser on September 15th. This event helped raise much needed funds for &Rise . If you would like to contribute to this worthy organization, follow this Link to the &Rise website: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/donate-shop-support
September 2023 TPMB was happy to sponsor “Pedal Over Cancer” in DePue, Illinois. This event is a fundraiser for Illinois Cancer Center in Peru, Illinois and the Sauk Valley Pink Heals Fire Truck out of Rock Falls, Illinios. In addition to fundraising, kids from DePue ride a course around town to raise awareness. With the help of various sponsors, and “Pedal Over Cancer” was able to raise over $5,000.00 this year. Congratulations!
September 2023 We are proud to announce that Partners, Julie Levinson Pustilnik and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis, were named as Leading Emerging Women Lawyers by Chicago Lawyer Magazine. This distinction is given to attorneys who are recommended by their peers to be among the Top Lawyers in Illinois under age 40. Julie and Colleen are both incredibly talented, intelligent, and fierce advocates who exemplify excellence in their practice of law. They are leaders in our firm and in the courtroom, and we are not at all surprised to see them achieve this honor! Congratulations to you both!
September 2023 Brad Pollock elected to the Loyola University Chicago School of Law Alumni Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors advocates for the Loyola Law School and its members act as advisors to the School of Law Office of Alumni Relations and Development and to the Dean of the Law School. Brad will work alongside fellow board members to foster alumni engagement, support of the school’s educational initiative, and contribute to its continued growth and success. Congratulations, Brad!
September 2023
The (CVLS) Foundation hosted their 28th Annual Race Judicata 5K event and fundraiser. Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman actively supports the CVLS Foundation, which is comprised of 2,100+ volunteer attorneys who donate free legal services to thousands of low-income Chicagoans each year. TPMB had a booth, served as a sponsor, and had multiple firm members run in the Race Judicata 5K Race. This event helps raise thousands of dollars that benefits the CVLS Foundation in their commendable service and mission.
August 2023
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis secured a $1,000,000.00 settlement on behalf of a female client in a lawsuit alleging of invasion of privacy.
August 2023 Partners Bradley N. Pollock and Colleen Mixan Mikaitis recently obtained a 3.75 million medical malpractice recovery on behalf of middle-aged woman with a history of obstructive sleep apnea and who underwent a successful back surgery at a Chicagoland Hospital. The patient elected to stay inpatient at the hospital for monitoring due to her sleep apnea and medications required after surgery. However, the morning after surgery, she was found unresponsive and after resuscitative efforts failed, she tragically died. Plaintiff’s estate alleged that the Chicagoland Hospital failed to properly monitor the patient, in light of her history of sleep apnea and administration of pain medications post-surgery.
July 2023
Partners Bradley N. Pollock and James P. Lynch recently obtained a $2.25 million medical malpractice recovery on behalf of the estate of a 68-year-old female. She reported to a Chicagoland area hospital with complaints of chronic leg swelling and difficulty breathing. Plaintiff had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and reported it had worsened with smoking. Plaintiff was diagnosed as having COPD with acute exacerbation and admitted to the hospital. The following day, Plaintiff’s condition deteriorated due to undiagnosed pulmonary emboli. A rapid response was called, but Plaintiff died in the hospital. Plaintiff’s estate alleged a failure to timely diagnose and treat Plaintiff’s pulmonary emboli which caused her death.
July 2023
Partner Bradley N. Pollock and Associate William Parrish recently obtained $2.25 million settlement on behalf of the Estate of a man who was the victim of a fatal motorcycle accident. Plaintiff was operating his motorcycle on a residential street in Cook County at approximately 90 MPH when Defendant, who was heading in the opposite direction, made a left turn in front of the Plaintiff causing Plaintiff’s motorcycle to strike the rear passenger door of the Defendant’s motor vehicle. The Plaintiff was killed as a result of the collision
June 2023 TPMB prides itself on providing service to injured clients statewide and nationally. For example, in the first quarter of this year, Partner Jim Lynch secured $2.7M in settlement money for clients injured by negligence in incidents across the State of Illinois.
Do not hesitate to contact TPMB should you, a family member or friend need assistance or counsel with any matter involving an injury or loss caused by the negligence of an individual or company.
June 2023
Associate Attorney Cameron J. Tober filed a lawsuit in Chariton County, Missouri, on behalf of an Amtrak train passenger who became permanently injured when the train derailed near Mendon Missouri last summer. The highly publicized train derailment left hundreds injured and resulted in numerous fatalities. TPMB is doing its part to advocate for public safety in public transportation across the Midwest.
June 2023
Attorneys Brad Pollock, Colleen Mixan Mikaitis, and Mac Mahony obtained a medical malpractice recovery on behalf of their 21-year-old client for $4,275,000. The result was obtained at the time of jury selection and after years of litigation. The Plaintiff arrived in the ER with life threatening endocarditis and was in severe cardiogenic and septic shock. He underwent emergency surgery all night to address the infection and replace his heart valves. After the surgery, Plaintiff had to be placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) – a machine that did the work of his heart and lungs so that his heart could rest and recover.
However, the placement of the ECMO catheter limited the blood flow down Plaintiff’s leg. Brad, Mac, and Colleen alleged that the hospital defendants failed to properly treat Plaintiff’s reduced blood flow resulting in ischemia and leg amputation. Our team also alleged that a Suburban Immediate Care, where Plaintiff had reported 1 ½ days before his emergency surgery, was negligent by not sending him to the ER instead of discharging him home. All defendants denied they did anything negligent and, among other things, the hospital defendant indicated that any additional efforts to increase blood flow risked the patient’s life.
June 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman was a proud sponsor of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ Installation Dinner & Awards Gala at The Field Museum. The WBAI was founded to promote the interests and welfare of women lawyers and aid in the enactment of legislation for the common good and in the administration of justice. TPMB celebrates our incredible women lawyers and partners who continue to make an impact in the lives of our clients and in the Chicago legal community.
May 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to introduce Associate Attorney Alexandra K. Evans. With admission to practice law in both Illinois and Indiana, Alex handles personal injury claims of all types, including those involving car accidents, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, and animal bites/attacks. Before joining Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman as an Associate Attorney, Alex began her career with the firm as a law clerk where she gained valuable experience and training which allowed for her to seamlessly transition into an Associate Attorney role. Welcome, Alex!
May 2023
Partner Sean Murray and Associate Cameron Tober recently settled a disputed liability case on behalf of a union insulator for $2,700,000.00. Sean and Cameron filed suit after their client tripped and fell over a piece of wooden cribbing on a construction site. They argued that the owner of the property as well as various contractors were liable for failing to keep the job site in a safe condition. Please join us in congratulating Sean, Cameron and the TPMB team on winning another hard-fought case.
May 2023
One of TPMB’s partners, Colleen Mixan Mikaitis spoke on the importance of protecting clients and their right to privacy at a seminar hosted by the Illinois Women’s Caucus of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association this past Friday, May 5, 2023. Clients DO NOT sacrifice all aspects of their right to privacy afforded by our U.S. and Illinois Constitutions when they decide to pursue a claim and/or lawsuit for personal injuries. Protecting clients’ right to privacy is imperative when it comes to mental health records and/or communications – which are also protected by Illinois’ Mental Health and Development Disabilities Confidential Act (740 ILCS 110/10(a).
May 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is a proud sponsor of Active Transportation Alliance. Based in Chicago, the Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit advocacy organization that works to improve conditions for bicycling, walking and transit and engage people in healthy and active ways to get around. Partner Gerald J. Bekkerman has served on the Advisory Board of the Active Transportation Alliance since 2016.
April 2023
Founding Partners Marc Taxman, and Sean P. Murray, secured a $13 million settlement for the family of a woman killed in a PACE bus crash. PACE and its subcontractor, SCR Medical Transportation, violated the public trust and failed to follow safety standards that would have prevented the occurrence. TPMB hopes this settlement brings closure to the family and will act as a deterrent so this type of tragedy does not happen again.
Full story on the WGN News: https://bit.ly/3LWeNu5
April 2023
Partner James P. Lynch was recently invited to speak at the annual Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) Ethics Seminar, held at the Hilton Oak Brook Resort & Conference Center on March 31, 2013. Jim spoke to a large group of Illinois trial lawyers from throughout the state on the topic of the “Ethics of Law Firm Departures.” Attendees listened to Jim detail the relevant Illinois case law on this subject, as well as explain recent American Bar Association and Illinois Supreme Court advisory opinions related to the ethical steps an attorney must take when leaving one law firm and moving to another with clients in tow. TPMB attorneys are pleased to serve as speakers at ITLA events statewide in support of continuing legal education requirements.
March 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC was a proud sponsor and participant of The 2023 Chicago Polar Plunge! TPMB’s Freezin’ for a Reason Team took the plunge into Lake Michigan in support of Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children’s Charities, which provide year-round athletic sports training and athletic competition for children and adults in Chicago with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
March 2023
Partners, Marc A. Taxman and Gerald J. Bekkerman, completed a jury trial and obtained a $5,025,000.00 Verdict for their very deserving 74 year old female client. We believe this jury verdict is a record award for a fractured hip with open reduction internal fixation surgery and no economic damages, such as medical bills submitted into evidence. The case involved a motor vehicle collision that occurred on May 30, 2020. Prior to trial three separate time-limited settlement demands for the full $3,250,00.00 insurance policy limits were made in an effort to resolve the case. The final settlement demand was made with the warning that it would expire upon the start of Jury Selection. The insurance company finally tried to settle the case for $3,250,00.00 minutes before opening statements, but our client turned it down, went to trial, and let the Jury decide. Congratulations to Marc and Gerald on achieving this fantastic, record-breaking result for your injured client.
February 2023
Founding Partner Bradley N. Pollock was invited to speak to Illinois trial lawyers at the annual ITLA Damages Seminar held at the Westin Hotel in Chicago on February 17, 2023. Brad spoke to a large group of Illinois trial lawyers from throughout the state on the topic of “Using Experts to Enhance Your Damages.” Attendees listened to Brad outline his suggestions and experiences related to engaging, preparing, and presenting experts to maximize damages in personal injury and medical malpractice recoveries.
February 2023
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis settled a sexual violence case for $1.375 million. This settlement was reached on behalf of a young woman who endured sexual violence, including sexual exploitation, assault, abuse, and rape, by a mental health technician while she was sixteen (16) and seventeen (17) years old and while undergoing court ordered inpatient mental health services by and through a confidential educational provider. As a result of said sexual violence, Plaintiff suffered severe psychological and emotional damages, which will necessitate lifelong care and treatment. Congratulations Colleen on another fantastic result for your injured client.
February 2023
Associate attorneys Patricia Hudson and Cameron Tober attended the 7th Annual HLAI Judicial Reception. HLAI is a community of lawyers committed to promoting and supporting the advancement of Hispanic and Latinx attorneys in the legal profession and advocating for justice and fairness in Illinois. The organization strives for a robust, engaged, diverse legal professional community. Congratulations to Honorees – Justice David R. Navarro and Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez!
February 2023
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis and Associates Patricia A. Hudson and Kristin M. Johnson traveled to Springfield with ITLA’s Women’s Caucus for their 2023 Lobby Days in support of HB2231 Rideshare Company Accountability for Assault and Injuries of Passengers. The bill proposed by Illinois State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz seeks to amend the Transportation Network Providers Act (TNP) to recognize rideshare entities as common carriers to provide liability protection for rideshare passengers who are victims of injuries, including sexual violence.
February 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman was proud to sponsor and attend the 2022 Unity Award Gala & 20th Swearing-In of Bar Presidents Ceremony. The Diversity Scholarship Foundation was established by a group of attorneys and judges committed to the ideal that diverse law school student bodies are a means of ensuring further diversification in the legal community. The gala includes an awards presentation that recognizes the tireless efforts of individuals who have made significant contributions to the legal community and the community at large, including embracing diversity and the ideals diversity represents. Congratulations to all honorees for their many accomplishments!
February 2023
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to annually sponsor the Chicago-Kent College of Law Trial Advocacy Team. Chicago-Kent has earned a national reputation for having one of the top Trial Advocacy Programs in the country. A large part of this recognition is due to its trial advocacy teams, which have a long tradition of excellence at national and regional competitions. The law school has won the National Trial Competition, the premier trial advocacy competition in the United States, and they are currently ranked seventh in the country by U.S. News and World Report. TPMB Founding Partners, Marc Taxman, Gerald Bekkerman, Partner Julie Pustilnik, and Associate Patrick J. Bovie are proud Chicago-Kent alumni.
February 2023
Founding Partner Sean P. Murray and Associate Patricia A. Hudson were recently recognized with the lead settlement in the January 2023 issue of the Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter. Sean and Patricia recovered the entire $500,000.00 insurance policy limits on behalf of their client who sustained a back injury after being struck by a vehicle. The client is a former #1 ranked boxer and was signed professionally with Don King Productions at the time of the accident. He claimed earnings from his past and future fights as his lost wages. Congratulations to Sean and Patricia for a great settlement on behalf of their client.
February 2023
Congratulations to one of our founding partners, Bradley N. Pollock, on being reappointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Review Board of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission for another two-year term. There are only 9 lawyers in the State of Illinois appointed to this important Committee, which acts as an appellate tribunal in attorney disciplinary cases. Brad has been successfully representing people hurt or killed by the wrongful conduct of others for more than twenty-five years. He has secured numerous record-setting financial recoveries for his clients both at trial and through settlement, which have been featured in the news.
February 2023
Partners Bradley Pollock, Gerald Bekkerman, James Lynch, Marc Taxman, and Sean Murray have been recognized and received the award for distinguished Super Lawyer in the Plaintiff Personal Injury distinction.
Additionally, Attorneys Cameron Tober, Grant Bosnich, Haig Himidian, Mac Mahoney, and Patricia Hudson have been recognized and received the award for distinguished Rising Stars in the Plaintiff Personal Injury distinction in the Super Lawyer’s Magazine.
Please join us in congratulating them for their outstanding work and recognition for their accomplishments. The Super Lawyers recognition is a coveted distinction based on a solely peer review methodology. The award is given to only 2.5% of Illinois attorneys and is awarded based solely on the recommendation of peers in the legal profession.
January 2023
Partner James P. Lynch and Associate Grant Bosnich authored the enclosed article in the 2023 Winter edition of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) Trial Journal, which is published bi-annually. In the article, Jim and Grant advocate for the adoption of a “John Doe” statute in the State of Illinois in order to protect injured plaintiffs who are up against the statute of limitations, when all potential defendants have not been identified. TPMB prides itself on providing service and protecting the legal rights of injured clients statewide and throughout the Midwest. Do not hesitate to contact us should you, a family member or friend suffer injury and need assistance.
January 2023
Founding Partner Sean P. Murray has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Illinois for the second consecutive year. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
January 2023
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis and Attorney Kristin Johnson Holevas were published in the Winter 2023 Trial Journal Magazine. The article published by the two was titled, “Expansion of the Illinois Petrillo Doctrine,” and discusses the rationale and public policy considerations behind the Petrillo Doctrine and the need for its continued expansion.
January 2023
Founding Partner Gerald J. Bekkerman has been appointed to serve on the Executive Committee of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Gerald has been on the ITLA Board of Managers since 2016 and now joins the Executive Committee to take on an even larger leadership role in the organization. The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is a statewide organization whose members specialize in representing injured consumers and workers. Founded in 1952, the organization has more than 2,000 members. Members of ITLA help victims of wrongdoing achieve justice by securing and protecting the rights of those injured in their persons or civil rights.
December 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC partnered with Chicago Public Schools in the Letters to Santa Program. Our staff at TPMB spread the holiday cheer to CPS students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade and fulfilled their gift requests in the letters they wrote to Santa.
December 2022
Associate Attorneys Patricia Hudson, Bill Parrish, and Patrick Bovie proudly attended the Cook County BAR Association Winter Ball. The CCBA is the oldest Bar association of African American lawyers in the country. For over 100 years, the CCBA has opposed injustice, and promoted and protected the civic and legal rights of African Americans.
December 2022
Partner Jim Lynch played an integral part in securing multiple settlements for its clients in the past month:
- Partner Jim Lynch secured a $505,000 settlement for a 54-year-old woman who suffered a neck injury while riding in a golf cart in Belvidere, Illinois during a health fair event.
- The teamwork of Attorney Bill Parrish and Jim Lynch secured a $675,000 settlement for a 59-year-old man that suffered a lower back injury in a car accident in Franklin County, Illinois.
- Jim Lynch secured a $700,000 settlement for a 50-year-old man that was rear ended at a high speed on Interstate 90 in Schaumburg, Illinois causing the man to suffer knee and shoulder injuries.
December 2022
Partners Bradley Pollock, Colleen Mixan Mikaitis, and Gerald Bekkerman litigated, and secured, a $3.5 million Medical Recovery on behalf of a 10-month-old infant who died as a result of a suburban Chicago area hospital’s negligence. The child was taken to a Chicago area suburban hospital and admitted to its pediatric unit with a diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis, also commonly referred to as “RSV”. During the hospitalization, the child’s condition worsened due to his RSV deteriorating into pneumonia. Brad, Jerry, and Colleen utilized expert witnesses to support the Plaintiff’s claim that the Defendants failed to timely diagnose and treat the infant’s declining condition, pneumonia, and resulting respiratory failure resulting in the tragic death.
December 2022
Partners Jim Lynch, Julie Pustilnik, and Jonathan Treshansky were honored at The Law Bulletin Media 40 Under 40 Event. The firm congratulates partners Jim, Julie and Jon on their accomplishments, and this distinguished honor.
November 2022
Partners Julie Pustilnik and Gerald Bekkerman obtained a $1,500,000 settlement on behalf of a 48-year-old woman who was hit by a large piece of falling ice while enjoying the holiday season with her son in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago. The ice was reported by eyewitnesses to be the size of a mattress, which caused our client to sustain significant injuries, requiring surgeries to her neck and ankle. TPMB argued that the building failed to take safety precautions to protect pedestrians from falling ice, a known danger in the Chicagoland area. The incident was covered by local news broadcasts: https://abc7chicago.com/falling-ice-chicago…/4801016/
November 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC continues to support WINGS and sponsored The Main Event: Featuring Christy Martin. As the largest domestic violence service provider in Illinois, WINGS Program provides housing and integrated services to adults and children escaping abuse.
November 2022
Partner Brad Pollock and Attorney Haig Himidian presented on the PACT Act and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act for the DuPage County BAR Association’s Veteran’s Day Zoom Seminar. TPMB is handling claims against the federal government for service members and their families who have been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
November 2022
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis filed a lawsuit with the Circuit Court of Cook County on March 25, 2022, against Michael B. Johnston and Kelly Halverson for covertly videotaping and audio-recording Jade Doe while she was undressing and/or naked, without her knowledge or consent in 2019, by Michael B. Johnston and Kelly Halverson after convincing Jade Doe to use their master bedroom while Jade Doe was house and dog-sitting while the couple was out of town. TPMB alleges that Michael B. Johnston and Kelly Halverson sexually assaulted, intentionally inflicted emotional distress, invaded the privacy, and intruded upon the seclusion of Jade Doe by videotaping and/or audio-recording Jade Doe without her knowledge or consent. TPMB is seeking damages on behalf of Jade Doe for the physical, mental, and psychological damages caused by Michael B. Johnston and Kelly Halverson’s assault and abuse.
November 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC sponsored the Quad County Urban League’s 2022 Night of Bright Futures Annual Equality Gala, with Associate Attorney Bill Parish being a featured speaker. TPMB is honored to sponsor the organization which tirelessly supports our communities and our youth across the Quad Counties and the nation.
November 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC sponsored the Women’s BAR Association 2022 Top Women Lawyers & Legislators in Leadership event. The awards emphasize the accomplishments and diverse backgrounds of women who are making major professional contributions through their service in a leadership role.
October 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC was listed in the top 10 of the Chicago Lawyer Settlement Report for the fourth straight year. In the past reporting year, TPMB settled over $100 million in gross settlement and $55 million for cases in excess of $500k.
- $18.5 million for a trucking negligence case
- $7.5 million for an automobile negligence case
- $4.5 million for a pedestrian accident
- $3.5 million for a medical malpractice case
- $3 million for a premises liability case
- $3 million for a construction negligence case
- $2.2 million for a trucking negligence case
October 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC staff volunteered and sponsored the Bet on Us Casino Night Fundraiser hosted by &Rise. &Rise is a community of strong survivors supporting one another through their experiences and healing journey. This fundraiser aims to provide free counseling and support groups to sexual and domestic abuse survivors they serve in their communities.
October 2022
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis resolved a lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County against the Catholic Bishop of Chicago, Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, and Vincent McCaffrey for the sexual abuse and assault of their client, John Doe in approximately 1989-1995, by sex-abuser priest, Vincent McCaffrey, when John Doe was a minor child for $1,200,000.00, to be paid by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
TPMB alleges that Catholic Bishop of Chicago and Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church were negligent in the hiring, retention, and supervision of Vincent McCaffrey, when they knew he been accused of child molestation and was spending unsupervised time alone with minor children, including John Doe. TPMB recovered damages on behalf of John Doe for the physical, mental, and psychological damages caused by Catholic Bishop of Chicago and Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church’s failure to protect its minor parishioners.
October 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC files a lawsuit on behalf of a woman murdered by her estranged husband in a downtown high-rise. The victim’s murderer was allowed into the building despite being banned from the building after he committed numerous threatening acts toward the woman. Despite this ban, the building never checked his ID.
September 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC happily co-sponsored the Pedal Over Cancer event in DePue, Illinois. This event raises money for local organizations working to heal cancer in our communities. Bike riders from all over the Illinois Valley attended to ride the route in support of those they know and love battling cancer.
September 2022
Partner Jonathan Treshansky is selected as a 2022 “40 Under Forty” honoree. This Law Bulletin Media award recognizes attorneys under the age of forty for their accomplishments and their commitment to give back to the community through civic or pro bono efforts.
September 2022
Partner Jim Lynch, Associate Grant Bosnich and Law Clerk Patrick Bovie recently appeared before the Fourth District Appellate Court in Springfield, Illinois on behalf of the estate of a man from Bloomington, Illinois. This man lost his life due to negligence on his property committed by a plumbing contractor. Mr. Lynch handled the oral argument before three justices of the Illinois Appellate Court, in support of the deceased’s man two sons, who the man left behind when his life was lost on February 2, 2020. Mr. Bosnich and Mr. Bovie worked on the appellate briefs and researched extensive Illinois case law in support of the briefs.
TPMB attorneys, law clerks and staff will support their clients throughout the entire State of Illinois and Midwest, representing their clients’ interests not just at the trial court level, but through the appellate courts as well. We are hopeful the justices rule in our client’s favor. Audio of the oral argument from the Appellate Court can be found here by clicking on “Price v. CK Brush Plumbing, LLC”. https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/appellate-court/oral-argument-audio?d=4
September 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC staff runs the 27th annual Race Judicata 5K race. Race Judicata raises money to benefit the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation which helps provide access to lawyers for those who cannot afford much needed legal services. TPMB is proud to run the race to raise money for such an important cause.
September 2022
Partner Jim Lynch was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Chicago BAR Association’s Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth (LLAH) program. Jim’s achievement truly illustrates how committed the attorneys at TPMB are to supporting our communities.
August 2022
Partner Mackenzie Mahoney was featured on Fox 32 Chicago to discuss a lawsuit filed on behalf of a 12-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by an Alpine Resort employee, who exploited his status as a trusted instructor to commit these heinous acts. The full story and interview can be found at: https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1104528
August 2022
Partner Brad Pollock has been retained to represent a 64-year-old client from Crystal Lake, Illinois, who sustained life-threatening injuries when a vehicle crashed into his home at a high rate of speed while he was showering inside. Brad is a relentless advocate for his clients and proudly seeks justice for clients who are victims to these negligent acts. The full story can be found on WGN’s website: https://wgntv.com/news/wonderful-guy-suburban-man-paralyzed-after-car-crashes-into-shower/
July 2022
Partners Jim Lynch, Julie Pustilnik, and Mackenzie Mahoney, as well as Associate Attorneys Bill Parish and Patricia A. Hudson attended the annual President’s Installation Dinner for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, where TPMB partner Gerald Bekkerman was named to the Executive Board of ITLA. TPMB attorneys are involved in BAR associations statewide and Gerald Bekkerman will be an excellent asset to ITLA.
July 2022
Associate Attorneys Bill Parish, Grant Bosnich, and Patricia A. Hudson attended the 108th Installation and Awards Program for the Cook County BAR Association. The CCBA is the oldest association of African American Lawyers and Judges in America.
July 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC proudly announces that attorneys Colleen Mixan Mikaitis and Mackenzie Mahoney have been promoted to partner. Colleen and Mac achieved this accomplishment through continued success in the courtroom on behalf of the firm’s clients. Colleen and Mac specialize in all aspects of personal injury litigation, with a focus on medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, sex abuse, and products liability causes of action.
July 2022
Partner Colleen Mixan Mikaitis, Associate Attorneys Patricia A. Hudson, Kristin Holevas, and Andrea Ramirez, and Law Clerk Alex Stern attend the annual Executive Board Ceremony for the Women’s BAR Association. These five talented women perfectly reflect TPMB’s support of the mission of the Women’s BAR Association and portray what can be achieved through support of one another in the legal field.
June 2022
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Daily Law Magazine awarded Partner, Julie Pustilnik, as a top 40 Attorney Under 40 by featuring her in an article. The article accentuates Julie’s hard work, tenacity, intelligence, and compassion in representing her clients. The way Julie utilizes these skills not only achieves a high rate of success for her clients in numerous cases, but also makes her “A force among the top trial attorneys in Chicago.”
May 2022
Partner, Julie Pustilnik and Mac Mahony obtained a $1,027,500 settlement on behalf of the Estate of a 72-year-old man who fell down newly constructed concrete steps at a residence. The steps were constructed in an unsafe manner because there was no handrail. TPMB argued that the failure to install a handrail was a dangerous violation of the Chicago Residential Building Code and a proximate cause of the fall. We believe this settlement will be an incentive to ensure compliance with Safety Codes.
April 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that Partner Jonathan D. Treshansky achieved a $3 Million settlement on behalf of 49-year-old woman who was walking on an exterior porch outside her Chicago area apartment when the porch collapsed, causing her to fall approximately ten feet to the ground. Our client sustained a fractured left wrist and a left leg laceration. The Defendants responsible for the safety of the porch denied having any notice of any defects in the porch system. Congratulations to Jonathan for resolving this matter for our client.
April 2022
Associate Attorney Grant Bosnich was published in the April Illinois Bar Journal by the Illinois State Bar Association for his article, “It’s Tough to be Ford.” Grant’s article discusses the details and implications of the United States Supreme Court’s 2021 decision on specific personal jurisdiction.
April 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Gerald Bekkerman and Associate Attorney Patricia A. Hudson were featured in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin for their recent 18.5 million settlement on behalf of a woman who was involved in an automobile collision. Our client, 31-year-old woman sustained multiple fractures and crush injuries, including in her shoulder blade, hip, pelvis, arm, and ribs, as well as injuries to her liver and arteries. She underwent several surgeries and spent nearly eight months in various medical facilities. Congratulations on such a remarkable achievement on behalf of our client.
March 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC achieves Illinois State record jury verdict for a 98-year-old client in a medical malpractice case. Attorneys, Jonathan D. Treshansky, Colleen Mixan Mikaitis, and Cameron J. Tober were featured in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin for their recent $1.3 Million verdict awarded by a Cook County jury on behalf of a 98-year-old woman who experienced bleeding as a result of the negligent over prescription of her blood thinner medication.
From February 2009 through October 2016 our client, Sylvia Shearin had been prescribed the same strength of 1 mg Warfarin tablets by her Cardiologist, Dr. Nicolaos Abariotis, of DEV Medical Associates, S.C. Unfortunately, on October 28, 2016, Dr. Abariotis prescribed a 90-day supply of 3 mg Warfarin tablets for Shearin. The jury found that Dr. Abariotis negligently tripled the strength of Sylvia’s medication and failed to communicate the increase and dosing directions. The jury agreed that Dr. Abariotis did not live up to his duty of care to protect his patient. This jury verdict is significant because it is the largest sum ever awarded to a 98-year-old person in Illinois and will help in evaluating cases involving injuries suffered by the most vulnerable and elderly members of our population.
March 2022
Partners Marc Taxman, Gerald Bekkerman and Associate Attorney Patricia A. Hudson were featured in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin for their recent 18.5 million settlement on behalf of a woman who was involved in an automobile collision. Our client, 31-year-old woman sustained multiple fractures and crush injuries, including in her shoulder blade, hip, pelvis, arm, and ribs, as well as injuries to her liver and arteries. She underwent several surgeries and spent nearly eight months in various medical facilities. Congratulations on such a remarkable achievement on behalf of our client.
March 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that our partners, Marc A. Taxman, Bradley N. Pollock, Sean P. Murray, Gerald J. Bekkerman and James P. Lynch were recognized and honored to receive the distinguished Super Lawyer in Plaintiff Personal Injury distinction in the 2022 Super Lawyer’s Magazine.
Additionally, James B. Hardy was recognized and honored to receive Super Lawyer in Workers’ Compensation distinction. Please join us in congratulating them for their outstanding work and recognition for their accomplishments. The Super Lawyers recognition is a coveted distinction based on a solely peer review methodology. The award is given to only 2.5% of Illinois attorneys and is awarded based solely on the recommendation of peers in the legal profession.
February 2022
Partner Sean P. Murray has been named one of the top 100 Super Lawyers in the State of Illinois for 2022. This honor recognizes the best of the Super Lawyers in the state. Sean achieved this honor by having a long record of vigorously representing his clients in the courtroom.
January 2022
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proudly announces our association with Attorney Marvet Sweis Drnovsek. Marvet is an accomplished lawyer and community leader who focuses her practice on serious personal injury matters. As Of Counsel to the firm, Marvet and TPMB are joining forces to better serve our mutual clients.
November 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that for the third consecutive year, the firm has placed in the top ten in the Chicago Lawyer Magazine Annual Settlements Report.
For the 2020-2021 reporting period, the firm placed eight in reported settlements throughout Illinois. The survey accounts for all Illinois settlements more than $500,000 per case throughout the state for the past 12 months.
These settlements represent victories for our firm’s clients among various practice areas in which our firm specializes, including automobile and motorcycle crashes, pedestrian injuries, premises liability and slip and falls, product liability, medical malpractice, nursing home, dram shop, railroad, and construction negligence and work injury cases.
Since our founding just over four years ago, Taxman, Pollock, Murray and Bekkerman has obtained more than $250 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Collectively, our lawyers have obtained more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements. We look to continue this track record of results into 2022 and beyond.
A digital copy of the Chicago Lawyer Magazine can be found here along with our firm’s announcement: https://www.chicagolawyermagazine.com/home
November 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman partner Marc Taxman is proud to announce a $1,515,000.00 settlement for a 57 year old man who slipped and fell, while exiting a restaurant, on take away food that had been dropped by a prior patron of the restaurant. The food was only present for 29 seconds before the fall, but with the aid of the restaurant’s own video footage, we proved they had notice and should have cleaned and/or protected the area. Our client suffered a left tibial plateau fracture that required open reduction and internal fixation surgery and a L2 burst fracture in his back that healed with conservative care. Our client had a pre-existing bone condition that made him more susceptible to fractures. He returned to work 2 months after the incident.
October 2021
Our firm is proud to announce that partners Brad Pollock and Julie Pustilnik have just secured a $1.85 million medical malpractice recovery for a 67-year-old female nurse in Cook County resulting from a failed total knee replacement which required a revision knee replacement surgery. The $1.8 million was paid by the hospital, orthopedic surgeon, and product defendant. (October 2021). Medical malpractice cases like these are often difficult and expensive to prosecute. Our firm and its years of experience and roster of talented attorneys routinely gets results on complex case such as these. Congrats to Brad and Julie.
October 2021
Partner Jonathan Treshansky was recently able to secure a settlement of $1.5 million in a motor vehicle crash case, representing the full limits of the available insurance policy for the estate of three family members who were killed in a motor vehicle crash. In March of 2021 the family members went to Wal-Mart for an early morning shopping trip. On the way home, a teenage driver operating his motor vehicle at a high rate of speed blew a red light crashing into the family’s vehicle. All three family members were killed. The insurance company of the parents of the teenager paid the policy limits.
October 2021
Partners Brad Pollock and Jonathan Treshansky were recently able to settle a wrongful death motor vehicle versus semi-truck crash for $1.5 million dollars, well more than the available insurance limits for the defendant trucking company and driver. On September 1, 2018, decedent (F-74) was a passenger traveling in a minivan to a family reunion in Mississippi on I-57 in Effingham, IL. While driving, the minivan she was in was rear-ended by a semi-tractor trailer. The decedent was airlifted from the scene and later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The at-fault semi-tractor had only 1mm in coverage that needed to be split between 6 additional injured parties. Taxman, Pollock, Murray and Bekkerman sued the freight broker who hired the negligent driver and the trucking company, and was able to show that semi-tractor trailer had an agency relationship with the freight broker which afforded our client additional coverage. A total of $1.5 was obtained for the Estate of the Decedent.
September 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce that our very own Julie Pustilnik, a partner at our firm, has been honored as a 2021 top 40 Attorney Under 40 by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine. This award recognizes only the most accomplished attorneys in the Chicago area across all practice areas and is one of the most coveted and highly sought-after recognitions for young attorneys in Chicago. Julie has earned this honor through her hard work, tenacity, intelligence, and compassion in representing our firm’s injured clients. Julie has tried to verdict and settled numerous six and seven-figure cases in complex practice areas, including construction negligence, product liability, and medical malpractice. Congrats Julie!
September 2021:
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman partner Marc Taxman is proud to have settled an automobile crash case for $1,200,000.00. This seven-figure settlement is for a 37-year-old woman who sustained a neck injury from a rear-end automobile collision. The injury was initially treated conservatively with physical therapy and then 9 months after the incident, an anterior fusion surgery at C6-7 was performed. Due to continued complaints of pain, a spinal cord stimulator was placed. The defense contested the injuries because there was little to no property damage to either vehicle from the impact. Congrats Marc on another fantastic result for your injured client.
September 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce that our very own founding partner Gerald J. Bekkerman has been honored by the Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law as a distinguished young alumni at the annual IIT Alumni Awards held this month. This year’s awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 18th in-person, on the Mies Campus as part of the Alumni Awards & Reunion Luncheon at Homecoming 2021 and will be a semi-formal, sit-down luncheon.
This award recognizes the accomplishment of Gerald as a distinguished alumni of Chicago Kent College of Law. Gerald, a 2007 graduate, is a respected trial lawyer with a history of success representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases nationwide. Prior to becoming a founding member of the firm, Gerald ran his own practice, which, in just six years, he grew to six attorneys. During that time Gerald has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients in various areas of personal injury practice throughout Chicago, Illinois and the country. Gerald’s accomplishments include obtaining an eight figure confidential product liability settlement in California for an injured passenger in a motor vehicle crash, a $7.5 million dollar motorcycle crash settlement in Chicago, a $5.25 motorcycle crash settlement in Indiana, and dozens of other seven-figure settlements. Gerald has tried over a dozen cases to verdict and holds record verdicts in several jurisdictions including Illinois and Tennessee.
We congratulate Gerald on this well-deserved award.
August 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, Sean Murray and Gerald Bekkerman, James Lynch and James Hardy have been named Super Lawyers for 2021. Additionally, Julie Pustilnik, Jon Treshansky, Mac Mahony, Josh Rubin, Patricia Hudson, Haig Himidian, Jared Duke, and Grant Bosnich were recognized as Super Lawyers Rising Stars. All of these lawyers will be featured in Chicago Magazine for this distinction.
The Super Lawyers recognition is a coveted distinction based on a solely peer review methodology. The award is given to only 2.5% of Illinois attorneys and is awarded based solely on the recommendation of peers in the legal profession. Super Lawyers have ten years or more of practice, while Rising Stars have less than ten years’ experience.
These recognitions of our firm’s attorneys represent the efforts and hard work our lawyers have put forward in helping our injured clients. Efforts we continue to make going forward as our firm continues to grow.
July 2021
We are proud to announce that partners Jonathan Treshansky and Sean Murray have obtained a $1,800,000 settlement for a man who was badly injured while training at a gym in Chicago. In October 2018, the plaintiff, M-43 went to his local gym for a personal training session. The trainer instructed plaintiff to jump onto and off a fitness product that, unknown to the trainer, was not meant for jumping. The product’s manufacturer warned against jumping onto the product in the instructions that accompanied it, but there was no warning on the product itself. On his19th jump, the product collapsed and plaintiff fell onto his left arm, suffering a fractured elbow that required multiple procedures during three surgeries. Plaintiff alleges ongoing range of motion loss and reduced strength. He sued the gym for negligence and the manufacturer for failure to warn.
July 2021
We are proud to announce that partner Julie Pustilnik was able to obtain a significant $2,200,000 settlement on behalf of a 45 year old woman who sustained a back injury after she was rear ended by a commercial van in Rockford, IL. She sustained a herniated disk which ultimately necessitated a spine surgery and a spinal cord stimulator for pain management. The case settled after years of contested litigation over the nature and extent of the damages suffered by the Plaintiff.
June 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Patricia A. Hudson, Esq. to the firm. Patricia is a trial lawyer who focuses her practice on personal injury and wrongful death cases. Prior to joining TPMB, Patricia was an associate attorney at a Chicagoland personal injury firm. Patricia has had many successes for her clients throughout her career through mediations, arbitrations, trial, and settlement negotiations. She has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of her clients. In 2020, Patricia received the distinguished honor of Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers and The National Black Lawyers. Patricia is formidable at all working aspects of litigation. Her previous experiences have equipped her to be direct in her proceedings, and her personable approach keeps her clients grounded in reality. She realistically evaluates cases and keeps her clients focused on the big picture. Welcome, Patricia!
May 2021
We are proud to report that partner, Marc A Taxman, reached a $3 Million settlement of a case involving a hand injury that occurred in a power plant during maintenance, clean-up and repairs of equipment at the plant. It was a complicated case pending in Southern Illinois. TPMB has a particular interest and vast experience in handling injuries that occur on construction sites, power plants and other commercial premises. Partner Jim Hardy handled the companion workers compensation case and Partners, Jerry Bekkerman, Julie Pustilnik and Jonathan Treshansky were on the trial team and we stood ready to go to trial if this matter did not settle. We continue to prosecute our cases by Zoom, remote hearings and of course jury trials in any venue.
May 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to welcome Bill Parrish to the firm. Bill is a trial lawyer who focuses his practice on personal injury and wrongful death cases. Bill comes to Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman with a background in insurance defense after working in litigation for a prominent Illinois defense firm. There, Bill represented insurance carriers in coverage disputes of all natures and insured parties in litigation. Prior to his law career, Bill spent eight years with a nationally recognized insurance company handling a number of complex injury claims and coverage disputes. While there, he won several awards for his experienced claim handling and customer service. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in all areas of insurance to our team and clients. Welcome, Bill!
May 2021
We are proud to announce that partners Gerald J. Bekkerman and Julie Pustilnik have settled a boat explosion case for $1,564,374 in Cook County Illinois. The firm represented the estate of a 68 year old who was killed when his boat exploded at Wilmette Harbor on August 11, 2018 (survived by two adult children). The retiree had just finished filling the boat’s fuel tanks and turned-on the engine when the blast occurred. Our firm hired experts who opined that the boat’s fuel hoses were cracked and degraded, which allowed fuel to leak into the boat’s bilge, where vapors formed and were ignited. Allegedly, Aquaman Marine, the marine mechanic that serviced the boat in the months prior to the explosion, and Bay Marine of Chicago, the marina that stored and winterized the boat,, failed to inspect the fuel hoses. Defendants insisted that the fuel hoses were not the cause of the explosion–but that in any event they were inaccessible and not visible without removal of the boat’s deck. Defendants also faulted Mitchell for allegedly failing to properly maintain his boat, and for not starting the bilge blower before fueling.
April 2021
We at TPMB are proud to announce that Partner Julie Levinson Pustilnik has been selected to receive the IIT Chicago Kent College of Law Outstanding Young Alumni Award! This recognition is a testament to Julie’s zealous advocacy and dedication to victims of catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death. Julie is also the President of Chicago-Kent’s Young Alumni Council. Please help us congratulate Julie on this tremendous honor!
April 2021
Firm partners Gerald Bekkerman and Sean Murray have settled a Cook County construction negligence case for $1,550,000 on behalf of the Estate of a 62 year old Ukrainian citizen who was killed when an unknown object fell on his head at a construction project. The object that struck him was allegedly dropped from the third floor by employees of a masonry contractor on the project. The estate claimed the masonry company negligently failed to implement safety protocols, such as providing netting or scaffolding to protect workers on the ground. We further alleged that the general contractor retained control over safety and operations at the jobsite–which they denied, noting that it had no employees at the site, and its contract with the masonry company delegated all safety responsibility to the masons. The masonry company denied negligence and denied that its employees had anything to do with the falling object as all its workers on the jobsite that day were seasonal independent contractors. Both companies blamed the decedent for walking in an area where he was not supposed to be and for not wearing a hard hat.
February 2021
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Estate of Janari Ricks, a minor, who was killed in July of 2020 while playing near his home in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood on the City’s Near North side. Jalisa Ford, the mother of Janari Ricks, alleges in the lawsuit that AGB Investigative Services, which was tasked with providing security, was negligent in allowing a known criminal to trespass in the area and was negligent in failing to warn residents “of the increased incidents of unauthorized persons as well as gang activity and crime.” As partner Sean Murray stated in the Chicago Tribune, “On behalf of Janari’s family, we have filed this lawsuit to determine exactly why this senseless death happened and to hold those responsible for his death fully accountable under the law.” More information can be found in this article.
January 2021
We at TPMB would like to start 2021 off with some excellent news! We are so pleased to announce that James P. Lynch, Julie L. Pustilnik and Jonathan D. Treshansky have been named partners at Taxman Pollock Murray & Bekkerman, LLC. This promotion within the firm is in recognition of their tremendous legal skill, tireless efforts and leadership. These are serious lawyers who routinely handle high profile, multi-million-dollar cases. This elevation is also a statement to the Legal Community that these fine lawyers have reached the highest level within our field. Their individual accolades speak volumes for the positive impact they have made on the lives of the clients who have entrusted them by recovering Millions of dollars in compensatory awards by way of trial and settlement. So please join us in congratulating these fine lawyers that we are so proud to name Partners!
December 2020
TPMB announces a $2,550,000 million-dollar confidential product liability settlement in Will County obtained by Sean Murray, Brad Pollock, and Mackenzie Mahony. On April 23, 2014 a two year old girl sustained bilateral second and third-degree burns to her hands due to an allegedly defective appliance at a home in Shorewood, IL. The injuries required multiple surgeries (debridements; skin grafts and web space releases) and a two-week stay at the Loyola University Medical Center Burn Unit ($255,556 medical. expense). Reportedly, additional procedures will be required to address permanent scarring.
November 2020
TPMB partner Sean Murray has obtained a spectacular $5 million dollar settlement for a woman injured by a defective power saw while at work. Our client, age 24 was a program director at a camp. She lived in the camp facilities full-time. On November 21, 2016, after work hours, she was using the maintenance shop to build an outdoor house for her cat, Byron. The maintenance man showed her how to use the shop’s equipment including the table saw. However, he failed to inform her that the guard had been removed and that the saw was therefore unsafe. As plaintiff was using the saw, a piece of wood became caught and caused her hand to be drawn in and come into contact with the blade. She lost the ring and middle finger of her right (dominant) hand. This result allows for financial security and comfort for the young woman. We are happy to have helped her.
October 2020
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that for the second consecutive year, the firm has placed in the top ten in the Chicago Lawyer Magazine annual Settlements Report. For the 2019-2020 reporting period, the firm placed sixth with over $52 million dollars in reported settlements throughout Illinois. These settlements represent victories for our firm’s clients among various practice areas in which our firm specializes; including work and construction injuries, auto, bike and truck crashes, premises liability, product liability, civil rights, medical malpractice, and nursing home neglect. A digital copy of the Chicago Lawyer Magazine can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gTmi2kH
October 2020
Jim Lynch-Chicago Daily Law Bulletin 40 Under 40
TPMB Congratulates its very own Jim Lynch on being selected as a Top 40 attorney under 40, across all practice areas, by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Chicago Lawyer Magazine.
Throughout his career, Jim has been a leader at the firm and in the community. He has achieved spectacular results for the firm’s clients both at trial and through settlement. This nomination acknowledges Jim’s hard work, fantastic character, and his exceptional results.
Jim Lynch and the other attorneys at TPMB have recovered over $450 million for our clients and are Chicago’s fastest growing Plaintiffs Personal Injury Firm! Contact us today for a free consultation.
April 2020
Brad Pollock – 2019 Trial Lawyer Excellence Award Winner
TPMB would like to congratulate partner Brad Pollock on his receipt of the 2019 Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter Trial Lawyer Excellence Award for his record setting settlement. Brad is featured in the recently published magazine commemorating the award ceremony. Brad was one of only sixteen attorneys in the State of Illinois selected to receive a Trial Lawyer Excellence Award. The ceremony was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel and over 300 judges and lawyers were in attendance at the invitation only event.
Click on the link to access a list of the award winners: https://lawbulletinmedia.com/…/trial-lawyer-excellence…/. Click on the picture of the magazine cover to access the full magazine and to see Brad’s full page feature on page 49.
March 2020
TPMB obtains record $8.5 million settlement for an ankle injury:
We are proud to announce that partners Sean Murray and Marc Taxman along with Jon Treshansky set a new Illinois record for an ankle injury settlement with an $8.5 Million dollar settlement for a truck driver who sustained injuries while manually covering the load on his truck at a loading dock.
On December 9, 2013, over-the-road truck driver Jeffrey (54) was picking up a load of steel conduit from the defendant’s facilities. Per defendants requirements, loads must be covered by tarp before leaving the facility. They had an automatic tarping system where drivers would place their trucks under the machine which lowers the tarp over the loads. Before the facility acquired the machine, drivers placed tarps manually. But this involved climbing over the loads of steel and there had been numerous injuries that occurred, including one fatality. On the day Jeffrey was collecting his load, a foreman allegedly told Jeffrey that the tarping machine was not working and Jeffrey would have to manually cover the load. While he did so, he slipped and suffered bilateral pilon fractures with anterior subluxation of the ankle joints, or AO Type C fractures — the most serious type of ankle fracture. Jeffrey has undergone six surgeries and will require future surgeries. Defense denied that the machine was not operational on the day of the accident, but plaintiffs claimed that the foreman misrepresented that the machine was not working as they were backlogged and had Jeffrey manually cover the load in order to expedite the process. This is the highest reported Illinois ankle injury settlement or verdict.
The settlement was a front page news story in the February 18, 2020 edition of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, which can be read here.
Congrats to the TPMB team for this record result on behalf of our client.
February 2020
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC takes great pride in being a leader in the legal community. Our years of experience and extraordinary results have been recognized by our peers. Those same peers look to our firm for guidance and education in the handling of complex personal injury cases.
On February 21, 2020 partner Brad Pollock will be a speaker at the annual Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Damages Seminar held at the JW Marriott in Chicago. Brad will speak on the topic of punitive damages in personal injury actions. Brad is uniquely qualified to lecture on this topic, having successfully obtained claims for punitive damages in numerous significant cases.
On Friday December 6, 2019 partner Marc Taxman spoke at the annual Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Medical Malpractice Seminar, also held at the JW Marriott in Chicago. Marc spoke on the topic of learning and teaching the medicine in medical malpractice cases. Marc’s years of handling complex medical cases and taking medical malpractice trials to verdict gave him a unique perspective to share with the 300 plus attendees of the conference.
February 2020
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman Attorneys Julie Levinson Pustilnik and Mac Mahony were featured in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin for their recent $1.482 million verdict from a Cook County jury on behalf of a 36-year-old woman who sustained permanent injuries when she was doored while riding her bicycle.
Plaintiff was riding her bicycle to work when the defendant opened his driver-side door in her path, causing her to be thrown from her bicycle and sustain permanent injuries to her pelvic floor and teeth. Plaintiff suffers chronic pain from her injuries.
The defendant’s insurer, State Farm, had a $100,000 policy, but only offered the policy on the eve of trial. After a weeklong trial, the jury returned a verdict of $1.482 million, with a net result of over $800,000 after the jury determined our client was 46% at fault.
State Farm paid the excess verdict in its entirety. Once again, this result is an example of when an insurance company is trying to save money at a client’s expense, the case needs to go to trial and be decided by a jury.
Due to Julie and Mac’s hard work, our client recovered eight times more than State Farm’s policy. This award will help our client and her family begin to see positive changes in her life and pay for future medical needs.
January 2020
$1 million dollar settlement in assisted living facility case:
Partner Sean Murray and Jim Lynch recently settled a lawsuit on behalf of the estate of a mentally disabled individual for $1,000,000. The decedent resided at a UCP Seguin group home for the developmentally disabled due to having various mental and physical disabilities. Among his disabilities, the decedent suffered from an inability to properly chew or swallow his food, so he required strict supervision while eating as well as adherence to a strict diet. It was alleged that the Defendant UCP Seguin caretakers negligently fed him a grilled cheese sandwich – a food that was contraindicated on his diet plan – and then failed to watch him causing him to choke to death. The case was previously handled by another Chicago personal injury firm that recommended the family settle the case pre-lawsuit for $45,000. The family rejected that advice, terminated their contract that firm, and hired TPMB. Sean and Jim then immediately filed a lawsuit and worked tirelessly on the case through two years of contentious litigation. Sean and Jim succeeded in having several of the Defendant’s experts barred on the eve of trial, eventually leading to the $1,000,000 settlement. This is another example of the effort, dedication, and skill that TPMB utilizes on every one if their cases in order to achieve the maximum amount of compensation and justice for their clients.
November 2019
This past November, partners Brad Pollock and Gerald Bekkerman, as well as Jim Lynch and Mac Mahony obtained a $5.35 million dollar settlement in a golf cart rollover injury case for a 48 year old who sustained significant ankle injuries as a result of a September 20, 2016 accident at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, IL.
The plaintiff’s rollover occurrence took place in the middle of one of the sharp turns on a descending golf cart path. The Plaintiff claimed that the cart path violated industry guidelines in that it had too steep of a decline, too sharp of a turn, improper turn banking and a lack of warnings which made the path prone to causing golf carts to rollover. As a result, in September of 2016, the golf cart rolled onto its passenger side while turning and crushed the Plaintiff’s leg – causing him to suffer, among other injuries, an open trimalleolar fracture of his right ankle. The Plaintiff underwent surgery for his ankle fracture, but unfortunately developed an infection following surgery. As a result, the Plaintiff was required to undergo numerous surgeries that ultimately resulted in his ankle needing to be fused. The Plaintiff suffers from permanent pain and limitations resulting from his fused ankle.
The case was filed in Cook County against the driver of the golf cart (a Minnesota Resident) and the various golf course defendants. Motions were brought seeking to transfer the case to Jo Davies County and were overcome by the Plaintiff. During the course of litigation, it was uncovered that there was a prior history of documented golf cart rollover occurrences on the subject cart path. It was claimed that safeguards were installed by some of the golf course defendants to address this known history of prior rollovers. However, satellite imagery was used to contradict these claims. Based upon the history of golf cart rollovers and Plaintiff’s claim that nothing was done to address them, the Plaintiff was successful in obtaining leave from the court to file punitive damages counts against defendants.
The case settled on the eve of trial after mediation.
September 2019
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce that it was recognized as a top 10 law firm in the 2019 Chicago Lawyer Magazine Settlement Reporter. In just our third year as a firm, we placed 9th in total settlements for all Plaintiff personal injury firms in the Chicago area. This follows us being ranked 16th in 2018 and 21st in 2017.
In the three years since we opened our doors we have recovered over $150 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients and have grown from 9 to 17 attorneys. We look to continue our pattern of consistent success and growth in 2020 and will be highlighting some of our recent verdicts and settlements in the coming days and weeks.
August 2019
TPMB gets record high $850k jury verdict in Lee County!
Lots of law firms can settle a personal injury case. But the best law firms know that when an insurance company is trying to save money at a client’s expense, the case needs to be decided by a jury. That is exactly what partner Gerald Bekkerman did this past summer by obtaining a record high $850,000 jury verdict in Lee County, IL.
The trial involved a defendant, an elderly lady, who failed to yield before making a left hand turn in front of a motorcyclist. As a result he sustained a wrist fracture. It did not heal properly and he had to several surgeries. He also was no longer able to work at his old factory job and had to take a job that paid him less money. Defendant claimed the motorcyclist was speeding.
Defendant’s insurance company had a $500k policy but only offered $350k to settle. After a four day trial in Dixon, IL, the jury verdict was for $850k with 100% fault against the defendant. This is a record high verdict for Lee County, IL and was the subject of an article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Country Insurance, the carrier, was on the hook for and paid the excess verdict in its entirety. Due to Gerald’s hard work our client recovered $500k more than the offer.
June 2019
Firm partner Sean Murray was recently quoted in a New York Times article about the recent bankruptcy of the Rosewood Care Center group of nursing homes and the general state of the inadequacy of care found in the nursing home system. The article can be read by clicking here. Unfortunately, even though millions of people entrust their loved ones to the care of nursing homes, the standard of care is often deplorable. Understaffing, incompetence, small budgets, lack of supplies and medicine all lead to problems for the elderly patients that require around-the-clock care.
The law firm of Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC has been at the forefront of nursing home litigation in Illinois. Our partners and associates have secured millions of dollars in settlements against nursing homes, skilled care facilities, and community-integrated living arrangement facilities for victims of negligence. We currently have hundreds of pending cases for clients who have suffered bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, infection, or who were left unprotected and sustained falls and fractures. We also unfortunately represent dozens of family members of the estates of the victims of nursing home injury negligence.
Nursing home litigation and allegations of neglect against skilled nursing workers are nuanced and an experienced attorney can help you and your family members navigate the pitfalls of this unique area of law. Our team brings over 100 years of combined experience litigating nursing home negligence cases. Call our office for a free consultation today.
May 2019
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC has been retained by the families of four victims of the May 3, 2019, AB Specialty Silicone Explosion Case in Waukegan, IL. The blast shook nearby homes and scattered debris across Sunset Avenue and was heard and seen from miles away in communities all across the northern suburbs. Nine employees were inside the building at the time; four died as a result of injuries sustained during the explosion, and several others were seriously injured. The inquiry into the precise cause of the blast is ongoing. Investigations are underway by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (“CSB”), and the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). The attorneys at Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC have a history of handling complex litigation in the areas of product liability, hazardous chemical and material handling, and construction and workplace injury. All inquiries can be directed to Brad Pollock. More information to follow.
May 2019
Partner Gerald Bekkerman and senior associate Julie Pustilnik have settled a motor vehicle crash lawsuit in Chicago for $2.5 million dollars. The firm represented a 78 years old former Cook County Sherriff, who was a passenger in a physical therapy transport vehicle and was on his way to physical therapy when he was involved in a collision. He sustained fractures to his 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th ribs, developed respiratory distress, and underwent a tracheotomy. He required in-patient hospital care, before he was transferred to an extended care facility and then an assisted living facility, returning home approximately two months following the collision. His wife, 57, filed a loss of consortium claim.
The firm argued that following the collision, Plaintiff’s physical condition deteriorated, that he was independent prior, but as a result of the collision, required assistance with activities of daily living. The defense disputed his physical and mental condition prior to the collision, and argued that his post-collision status was due to pre-existing conditions, including, among other pre-existing conditions, a prior stroke, prior hip and knee replacements, prior g-tube placement, prior tracheotomy, and multiple prior hospitalizations and stays in skilled nursing facilities, including a hospitalization weeks before the collision, for which he was receiving physical therapy at the time of the collision.
May 2019
Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to welcome Chester (“Chet”) L. Cameron, Jr. as the firm’s 15th attorney. Chet is a trial lawyer who represents victims and their families in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases in Illinois and Indiana. Since becoming a licensed attorney in 2013, Chet has dedicated his practice exclusively to representing injury victims and their families and has gained a reputation as a talented and aggressive advocate for his clients. To date, Chet has recovered millions of dollars for his clients through jury verdicts and settlements. Growing up in the heavily industrial area of Northwest Indiana, Chet takes a special interest in representing tradesmen and their families for injuries and death that may have been occasioned by the negligent acts of third parties.
Chet has been recognized for his work by being selected as a “Rising Star,” by Indiana Super Lawyers. Additionally, Chet has authored several continuing legal education white papers and has presented at several continuing legal education conferences on topics relating to personal injury and wrongful death in Indiana.
Chet received a Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, from Valparaiso University where he also was a Kemper Scholar and associate of Christ College (Valparaiso University’s interdisciplinary honors college). In 2013, Chet received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he was a member of the Dean’s List. During law school, Chet served as a legal extern to U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul R. Cherry (Ret.) of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
The firm welcomes Chet and welcomes all referrals and inquiries for potential Indiana personal injury cases.
April 2019
Firm partner Marc Taxman was featured in a three-page write-up in the 2019 Leading Lawyers Magazine Consumer Edition. The article, titled “A Passionate Advocate in Personal Injury and Construction Negligence” highlighted Marc’s career accomplishments, including verdicts of $67 million and $21 million in construction negligence cases, an $18 million medical malpractice settlement for a birth injury case, and his arguments in the 1998 Illinois Supreme Court decision LaFever v. Kemlite, which still remains seminal law in the area of premises liability in Illinois. A link to the PDF of the feature can be found by clicking here.
April 2019
The law firm of Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC was featured in the 2019 Leading Lawyers Magazine Consumer Edition. A link to the PDF version of the feature is available by clicking here. The firm is also proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, Sean Murray, Gerald Bekkerman, and Jim Hardy have been recognized as Illinois Leading Lawyers. Leading Lawyers is a distinction governed by Law Bulletin Media. Law Bulletin Media is a diversified print and electronic information company that has been serving the Chicago legal and business communities since 1854. Selection for this accolade is stringent, with only a select few professionals in select fields of law being recognized and nominated by their peers and judges.
Additionally, for the second straight year, associates Jared Duke, Julie Pustilnik, and Jim Lynch have been recognized as Illinois Emerging Lawyers. Emerging Lawyers are selected from the top two percent of lawyers who are 40 years old or younger or practicing law 10 years or less and have proven themselves professional, ethical, and experienced at an early point in their legal career. The firm congratulates everyone on these accolades.
March 2019
The law firm of Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a 19-year-old driver who struck and killed our client lawfully riding his bicycle on a public street. Partner Sean Murray filed the lawsuit alleging that the teenage driver was speeding and texting in the moments before the crash. Mr. Murray has obtained a traffic crash reconstruction and cell phone records to substantiate these allegations. The lawsuit is proceeding in Federal Court in Chicago.
The attorneys at Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC have over 100 combined years of experience handling wrongful death cases in Illinois. Additionally, many of the firm’s lawyers have a specialty in bicycle crash litigation. Cyclists and drivers must share the road and follow the rules of the road equally. Drivers who are distracted by texting or talking on their phones present a danger for cyclists on Illinois’ roadways. Finding an experienced attorney is critical following a bicycle crash as information pertinent to the potential litigation needs to be obtained and stored.
March 2019
Partner Gerald J. Bekkerman, along with his wife, Jennifer Bekkerman, of counsel to the firm, were recently sworn in to the United States Supreme Court Bar. The swearing-in admission took place at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington D.C. prior to oral arguments in two cases before the full Court. Gerald and Jennifer join partner Marc Taxman as members of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and are eligible to argue and handle cases before the Supreme Court. The lawyers at Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC are licensed in numerous states, including Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois, as well as working on a pro hac vice basis in California, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Michigan, among other states. Additionally, our lawyers are licensed in numerous Federal Courts, including the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, and Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. The firm’s partners are also all members of the Federal Trial Bar in the Northern District of Illinois.
March 2019
The law firm of Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC has filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County representing the estate of a 67-year-old man who died in August of 2018 as a result of a boat explosion in Wilmette Harbor in Wilmette, IL. The violent explosion happened about 8:05 a.m. in Wilmette Harbor near 20 Harbor Drive, just after the privately-owned boat had been fueled, according to Wilmette Deputy Fire Chief Robert Brill and the Village of Wilmette. A boat explosion of that magnitude was “uncommon in the marine world,” Brill said, noting the community had not seen something like it in his time there or the past several decades. The lawsuit claims allegations of negligent maintenance and repair of the boat by two marinas who maintained the boat prior to the explosion. It seeks compensation for the wrongful death of the 67-year-old victim, including his children’s loss of society and grief and sorrow under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act.
February 2019
On Monday, February 18, 2019 Partner Brad Pollock spoke at the Illinois Trial Lawyers “Damages” seminar in Chicago, Il. Brad’s topic was “Best Use of Treating Physicians”. Brad addressed a crowd of over 200 lawyers and discussed how to work with and utilize an injured client’s treating physician during litigation and at jury trial.
Mr. Pollock has tried dozens of cases to jury and obtained significant seven and eight-figure verdicts and settlements in his over twenty years of practice representing injured people in Illinois. He has previously been recognized for his work by being named the DuPage Bar Association Lawyer of the Year.
February 2019
For the second straight year, firm founding partner Bradley N. Pollock has been selected by Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the lawyers on ‘The Top 100’ list in Illinois for 2019. ‘The Top 100’ list consists of 100 lawyers selected from all areas of the legal practice throughout the State of Illinois. With over 90,000 lawyers in Illinois, it is quite a distinction to be named to this exclusive group of 100. Super Lawyers has a rigorous selection process that includes independent research, peer evaluation, peer recognition, and professional achievement. Brad has been rightfully recognized again. Brad specializes his work in complex personal injury cases, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, defective product, and medical malpractice cases.
February 2019
Partners Gerald Bekkerman and Sean Murray have settled a lawsuit for $1.2 on behalf of an injured railroad worker. The lawsuit, filed under the FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act) was on behalf of a 59-year-old railroad worker who sustained a lower left leg crush injury from a piece of heavy machinery while on the job at the rail yard. No fractures were involved, only soft-tissue edema and lacerations, but Plaintiff developed multiple DVTs (deep vein thrombosis) and now has permanent leg swelling and discomfort which he claims prevents his return to work. Lawyers for the railroad argued that Plaintiff’s obesity, hypertension, and history of lower extremity DVT contributed to his inability to work. The case settled on the eve of a jury trial in Cook County Circuit Court.
The attorneys at Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC are experienced at handling cases for injured railroad workers. We have collectively settled millions of dollars of lawsuits for injured railroad workers under FELA and negligence standards of care.
January 2019
Partner Brad Pollock has secured a $1.5 million dollar settlement in an electrocution wrongful death case. Brad represented the widow of a forty-seven-year-old property maintenance worker at a condo building in Palatine. In September of 2015, he was performing maintenance on a light fixture on the building’s exterior. He accessed the light using an aluminum ladder. Allegedly, an overhead service line was placed in close proximity to the fixture and caused him to suffer an electric shock. He then fell from the ladder and sustained massive head injuries which caused his death. Various insurance companies representing defendants in the case contributed to this wrongful death settlement.
January 2019
On January 19, 2019, firm partner Jim Hardy was installed as the new President of the Illinois Workers Compensation Lawyers Association. Founded in 1942, the WCLA is a membership organization promoting fellowship among members of the Illinois Bar engaged in the trial of workers’ compensation matters. Partner Gerald Bekkerman introduced Jim at the event at the Hotel Intercontinental in front of a room of hundreds of attendees. The honor of being appointed President is well earned by him. Jim has spent his entire legal career helping injured workers and their families. Jim has obtained millions of dollars of settlements and wage disputes for injured workers in Illinois and has argued vigorously on behalf of his clients before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Cook County Circuit Court, and the Illinois Appellate Court.
December 2018
Partner Brad Pollock has secured a record $2.6 million dollar settlement for his client in a motorcycle crash in DuPage County. In July of 2016, Brad’s client was driving his motorcycle east on Chicago Avenue (Naperville), using the inside lane. At the intersection with Naper Boulevard, the light turned yellow and the car ahead of him slowed. He switched to the outer lane and entered the intersection. At that moment, deft, coming from the opposite direction, made a left turn. Brian crashed into deft’s SUV and sustained injuries including a fractured hip, leg, and foot, and lost a portion of his big toe. His medical bills topped $500,000.00. He underwent four surgeries and extensive rehab. He was able to return to his job as an auto mechanic but suffers permanent pain, limitations, and gait abnormalities. He will likely require future medical treatment and his earning capacity is diminished. This settlement is the highest reported verdict or settlement for a motorcycle case in DuPage County. This matter was reported in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on November 23, 2018.
November 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce Partners Sean Murray, Marc Taxman, James Hardy, and Associate Lindsay Scheidt have settled federal civil rights and workers compensation claims in the amount of $9.1M on behalf of four nurses who were involved in a hostage situation at Delnor Hospital. It was alleged that on May 13, 2017, a Kane County Sheriff Officer unshackled a violent inmate who was brought to the hospital for surgery. After the inmate was unshackled, the inmate took control of the officer’s gun and took two of the nurses hostage. The inmate repeatedly beat and raped one of the nurses before he was shot and killed by a S.W.A.T. team officer. TPMB filed a federal civil rights 1983 action alleging that the officer violated the nurses’ 14th Amendment Due Process Rights by creating a danger that did not otherwise exist pursuant to the “State Created Danger” doctrine. TPMB also alleged that the hospital security company failed to properly take action. TPMB also made workers’ compensation claims on behalf of the four nurses. The case made national headlines. Our firm is proud to resolve the cases for the nurses who were victims of this horrific event.
November 2018
It’s another overwhelming trial victory for the firm in Court this week as associates Lindsay Scheidt and Haig Himidian obtained a $220k verdict on a soft tissue injury auto case in Chicago. Our firm’s client was a backseat passenger in an airport shuttle heading home from a work conference. While stopped in traffic on I-190, the airport shuttle was rear-ended by a taxi cab driver. As a result of the impact, Plaintiff was caused to hit her head against the seat in front of her. She sustained neck and upper back strain and pain in her head. Plaintiff incurred approximately $26,000.00 in medical bills. The offer before trial was $15,000.00, which was rejected. The jury awarded $220,000.00.
November 2018
On December 10, 2018, Marc A. Taxman will be speaking at the Illinois Trial Lawyers “Medical Malpractice Seminar” held at the JW Marriot Hotel in Chicago. This prestigious seminar is held annually and attended by hundreds of the top lawyers in Illinois. Marc spoke on the topic of Closing Arguments in Medical Malpractice Trials.
November 2018
On November 8, 2018, our firm welcomed Brennan Hutson as an Associate Attorney at Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC. Brennan has been with Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman from the day the firm was founded. Previously a law clerk at Bekkerman Law Offices, Brennan eagerly followed Gerald J. Bekkerman to become a part of the TPMB team.
Brennan graduated cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law in May of 2018. In the classroom, Brennan earned the CALI award for scoring the highest grade in five of his classes: Constitutional Law, Evidence, Pre-Trial Litigation, Supreme Court Review, and Criminal Procedure. As a trial lawyer, he is proud to represent victims of wrongful death, automobile accidents, premises liability, construction negligence, and other catastrophic personal injuries.
Our firm welcomes Brennan and wishes him the best as he embarks on his career helping those injured by the negligence of others. Brennan is now the 15th attorney at the firm.
November 2018
Partner Brad Pollock has settled a record high DuPage County motorcycle accident case for $2.6 million dollars. Brad represented an automobile mechanic who was riding a motorcycle in suburban DuPage when he was hit by a left-turning vehicle in an intersection. Our client testified his light had changed from green to yellow as he had started to enter the intersection and expected the left turning vehicle to yield to him, which it did not. In addition to alleging negligence, Mr. Pollock alleged spoliation and destruction of evidence against the insurance company which destroyed the vehicle’s black box even though our firm asked for it to be preserved. Our client sustained several fractures to his foot and required several surgeries, but has returned back to work full time.
November 2018
Partner Brad Pollock resolved a difficult medical malpractice case on behalf of our 85-year-old client who suffered a spinal cord injury during the course of a procedure to implant a spinal cord stimulator. Brad specializes in complex medical malpractice cases throughout northern Illinois.
November 2018
Partner Marc A. Taxman settles a difficult case involving a 15-year-old boy who was hit by a car while running across a street mid-block. The case was contested and the $750K settlement was reached at mediation.
October 2018
Partners Sean Murray and Marc Taxman and associate Lindsay Scheidt settled a case for a union insulator during trial for a total package of over $1.1M. Our client was involved in a trip and fall incident during a construction project. While carrying materials he tripped over another contractor’s tool belt resulting in a knee injury and aggravating arthritis in his knees. The case was highly contested. Our firm fought hard and obtained an excellent result in this disputed case. Taxman, Pollock Murray & Bekkerman has decades of experience representing union members and tradespeople injured on construction sites and takes great pride in doing so.
October 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC was proud to host and sponsor the annual Chicago-Kent Young Alumni Council happy hour and networking event on October 14, 2018. Associate attorney Julie Pustilnik is President of the Council and several of the firm’s lawyers are alumni of the law school.
October 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC, welcomes Joshua Rubin as the 14th, and newest, associate attorney at our Chicago office. Joshua brings with him an extensive knowledge regarding medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and other types of personal injury cases. Joshua takes pride in protecting the injured and helping them navigate an oftentimes difficult journey after suffering a catastrophic injury or loss.
Prior to joining Taxman, Pollock, Murray, & Bekkerman, LLC, Joshua spent his career defending claims against hospitals, nursing homes, physicians, and other practitioners at a premier national defense firm. This experience has given Joshua valuable insight into how the defense evaluates cases, works them up, and eventually determines whether to resolve a case or take it to trial. Joshua uses that knowledge to identify those factors that made him uncomfortable as a defense lawyer and utilize them to his advantage when seeking justice for his clients.
Joshua received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law located in Chicago, Illinois, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Joshua is married and lives in downtown Chicago with his wife. In his free time, Joshua enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and cheering on his favorite Chicago sports teams.
October 2018
The personal injury and workers compensation law firm of Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman was once again proud to be a named sponsor and supporter of the annual Illinois Bar Foundation Gala, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. Our firm is proud to support the IBF and its mission. Over fifty years ago, a handful of visionary leaders founded the Illinois Bar Foundation. Their initial commitment was to provide aid to deserving members of the Illinois Bar who, because of age or infirmity, could no longer provide for their own care or support. Since then, the Foundation has expanded its scope to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity.
September 2018
Many law firms say they take cases to trial but few actually do. The law firm of Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC takes pride in taking cases to trial, small and big. Our lawyers are taught to prepare every case as if it is going to trial in order to put maximum pressure on insurance companies and corporations who face us in Court.
A recent example of this was when Partner Gerald J. Bekkerman and associate Jonathan Treshansky took a case to verdict and obtained a $517k jury verdict against a truck driver and truck company following a rear-end crash on I-294 in the fall of 2014. As a result of the crash, our client re-aggravated a pre-existing back injury that had bothered him his whole life and underwent a microdiscectomy back surgery to try to fix the problem. We argued that the injuries and the surgery greatly affected his life and that he deserved compensation for his injuries, his pain and suffering, and his possible future medical bills.
The insurance company for the trucking company did not offer more than $15k before trial and only got serious about a settlement after a jury was picked and trial got underway. In the end, the jury fairly and properly compensated our client for the damages caused in this crash, awarding over half a million dollars.
August 2018
Our firm is pleased to announce that associate Jon Treshansky reached a record settlement in Will County for $1,600,000.00 for a client who slipped and fell on an unnatural accumulation of ice in a parking lot of a business office. Evidence uncovered showed that despite numerous complaints, the owner of the building refused to repair a leak in the gutter that caused water to freeze. The property owners blamed the snow and ice removal company, who in turn argued they were only contracted to clean the parking lot, not the walkway. Our client sustained a fractured left tibia/fibula and underwent surgery, she then, unfortunately, developed a neurologic component to the injury called CRPS. The Defendants hired “experts” to dispute both liability and the nature and extent of the injuries. Jon sorted it out with hard work, passion, and great lawyering – which is what he does for his clients.
July 2018
Partner Marc A. Taxman and associate James P. Lynch obtained a $1,032,300.79 excess verdict in an automobile case for two women who sustained back injuries. Our firm tried to settle the case without filing a lawsuit for the full policy limit of $250,000.00, but Allstate refused to offer the money and denied the claims arguing that the injuries suffered by our clients were not related to the collision. Allstate ultimately settled for a total of $1,045,923.61 after the trial and excess verdict.
July 2018
Partners Sean Murray and Gerald Bekkerman have reached a settlement in the amount of $5.25 million for a motorcyclist injured in an intersection crash in rural Indiana in July of 2017. The settlement represents the maximum amount of the insurance coverage available for the defendant driver. The case stemmed from a disputed “he said, she said” intersection crash where our client sustained devastating injuries to his leg, ultimately necessitating a below-the-knee amputation. Our firm was aggressive in the early stages of the case, hiring the best experts, including an accident reconstructionist, and was able to collect critical evidence to support the position that our client was not at fault and was not speeding at the time of the crash. The settlement concluded the lawsuit that was pending in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana filed by our firm.
June 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman associate attorney Jim Lynch achieved a noteworthy settlement on the eve of a jury trial scheduled to begin in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The settlement of $800,000.00 is against the City of Chicago and a group of various contractors and subcontractors for their negligence in repairing a sinkhole that developed on a busy residential street in Chicago. The sinkhole was negligently paved over, leaving a huge crater, but no warning signs were put down for motorists. Our firm’s client, a young business executive, was riding on his scooter at a normal speed in his lane of traffic when his scooter hit the cave-in, flipping him off, and causing him to fracture his leg. He needed surgery to place hardware to repair his broken leg and lost significant income being away from his business.
Jim sued several defendants, who all pointed fingers at each other, and refused to take the blame for this avoidable error. In the end, Jim’s tenacity in bringing the case to trial and holding all involved, including the City of Chicago, responsible, resulted in an $800,000.00 settlement for his client.
May 2018
Partner Gerald Bekkerman and associate Katie Moorehouse have recently settled a Nursing Home negligence case in Illinois for an 85-year-old woman that involved a stage 3 bed sore on the sacrum that became infected and necessitated debridement and surgery. Our firm alleged that the defendant nursing home violated custom and practice and the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act in their treatment and handling of our client. On a positive note, the bedsore fully healed, after a few months of extra nursing home care at another facility. The case settled for $837,500.00, one of the highest nursing home negligence settlements in Illinois this year. Trial was set to begin in September.
May 2018
Partner Gerald J. Bekkerman was recently honored with being selected as one of the “40 Under 40” attorneys to watch in Illinois by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company. This prestigious award is given annually to Illinois attorneys under the age of 40 who have shown themselves to stand out with their results and acumen. Jerry’s accolades made his selection, from a field of over 2000 other peer-nominated lawyers, an easy task for the selection committee. Selection is limited to 40 attorneys across all practice areas and each candidate can only submit 10 nomination forms from peers in the community. Jerry was nominated by several current and retired Judges, mediators, and defense lawyers for this honor. The firm congratulates him on this honor.
May 2018
Partner, Marc A. Taxman, obtained a $1.5 million settlement for a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a truck at an intersection. Our client suffered a fractured pelvis and other injuries. This was a partial settlement with the driver of the vehicle and the case continues against the trucking company.
May 2018
This May marked the one-year anniversary of the tragic hostage situation at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, IL. The hostage crisis and escape of the dangerous criminal was a national news story. A dangerous inmate with a history of multiple felonies who was in jail awaiting trial and potentially a lengthy prison sentence was brought to the hospital after he intentionally ingested a jail-issued sandal. While in the hospital, he was unshackled by his guard. The inmate then used that opportunity to attack the guard and take his gun. The inmate left his room and encountered several Delnor nurses, at which time he physically assaulted several nurses and took one nurse hostage, brutally beating and raping her before he was killed by police.
Our firm was retained by four nurses, including the nurse who was brutally beaten and raped. A lawsuit was filed, and is currently pending, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for violations of the nurses’ civil rights by the Sheriff’s Office of Kane County and negligence by the private security company contracted to keep the hospital secure.
The case has made national and international headlines and has raised awareness of the risks that nurses and medical professionals have to face as part of their jobs. Our law firm is proud to represent the brave Delnor Hospital nurses and hopes to get them justice for their trauma.
April 2018
Anyone can settle a case, but to get extraordinary results, trial lawyers need to take cases to trial! If our adversary makes a fair settlement offer that we can recommend to our client – we resolve the case. BUT, if they do not – we proceed to trial and let a Jury resolve the matter. For the second time in a row, one of our youngest trial lawyers, Ms. Lindsay Scheidt, counseled our client to refuse a settlement offer that she felt was simply not fair. Ms. Scheidt took the case, a motor vehicle crash, to trial and the Jury agreed with her! In this case, a City of Chicago Police Officer struck our client off his bike in Chicago, causing him to suffer back and shoulder injuries. The jury found that the Officer was 100% at fault. Before trial began, the City of Chicago offered $15,000.00 to settle and then issued an ultimatum before jury selection; IF our client would accept it they would pay $45,000.00 to settle. This was refused. Ms. Scheidt tried the case and the Jury returned an award of $180,000.00! Lindsay was also assisted at trial by one of our newest attorneys, Sam Carl.
April 2018
Partners Sean Murray and Gerald Bekkerman have reached a partial settlement of $2 million dollars in a wrongful death construction site accident case currently pending in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. The settlement was reached against two subcontractors working at a roofing project at a warehouse in Waukegan, IL. Our firm represents the estate of a 20-year-old roofer who fell through an open and unmarked skylight and died as a result. A lawsuit was filed against the building owner, general contractor, and several subcontractors for negligence in the control, operation, and management of the job site, which led to this unfortunate tragedy. The case remains pending and in litigation against the general contractor and owners, with a trial date set for 2019.
April 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, Sean Murray, and Gerald Bekkerman have been named Super Lawyers for 2019. Additionally, Julie Pustilnik, Jim Lynch, and Jon Treshansky were recognized as Rising Stars. All of these lawyers will be featured in Chicago Magazine for this distinction.
The Super Lawyers recognition is a coveted distinction based on a solely peer-review methodology. The award is given to only 2.5% of Illinois attorneys and is awarded based solely on the recommendation of peers in the legal profession.
March 2018
On Friday, March 23, 2018 Partner Gerald Bekkerman spoke at the Illinois Trial Lawyers “Ethics & Professionalism Seminar” in Oak Brook, Il. Jerry’s topic was “Ethics and the Use of Social Media During Trial”. Jerry addressed a crowd of over 200 lawyers and discussed social media and its interaction with all aspects of a Civil Jury Trial. Mr. Bekkerman has tried over a dozen cases to jury and has picked even more juries throughout Illinois and nationally. He understands that a firm of trial lawyers representing injured people need to be able to understand the minds of jurors and why people get compensation from their peers when they have been injured by people, businesses and corporations, and their insurance companies.
March 2018
Partners, Marc A. Taxman and Bradley N. Pollock, settled a case in DuPage County for $1,550,000.00. The case involved a 60-year-old Electrician who fell from a ladder during the construction of a garage at a residential home. Our client suffered a torn rotator cuff and nerve entrapment. We are proud of this result and happy that our client was properly compensated under the law. Our firm is known for our expertise in handling the most complex personal injury cases, throughout the Chicago area, including DuPage County where we have an office and where partner Brad Pollock has previously been recognized by the DuPage County Bar Association as their lawyer of the year!
March 2018
While our firm is one of the preeminent and recognized personal injury firms in Chicago and throughout Illinois, we handle cases and obtain fantastic results all over the Country. The lawyers of Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC have obtained settlement and verdicts all across the United States and routinely handle complex personal injury litigation nationally. One example was recently when associate Jon Treshansky reached a $700k settlement on behalf of an injured Chicago truck driver who was involved in a rear-end crash with another truck in rural Nebraska. Our client sustained a back injury that caused him to miss time from driving after back surgery. His colleague, also in the truck with him, also sustained a soft tissue neck injury, and that case was resolved for $400k, for a total settlement of $1.1 million.
February 2018
A good lawyer knows when to settle a case and when to take one to trial. Associate Jonathan Treshansky recently resolved a case for his client for $850,000.00 on the eve of trial. A fantastic result considering the maximum insurance limit available was $1 million, and the defense lawyers had strong arguments to make that could have potentially brought a lower result at a jury trial. Our client was injured when a semi-truck merged into his lane, injuring his shoulder and back, and requiring surgery. However, there was evidence that the insurance defense lawyers for the truck driver would have made arguments at trial showing our client could share a percentage of the blame, and that his injuries may have pre-dated the crash. Instead of risking a jury verdict that could have been less than the offer, or potential appeals if an excess verdict over the insurance policy limits was obtained, Jon made the economic and efficient decision for his client to settle the case for $850,000.00. The money was paid quickly and the client was satisfied with the result, in light of the risks and delays that potentially awaited.
February 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman would like to welcome Casey L. Stanton, R.N., to our team. Casey is a registered Critical Care Nurse in active practice with 15 years of experience. Nurse Casey has joined the TPMB team to assist us in evaluating medical malpractice and nursing home neglect cases. We are fortunate to be working with such a talented, experienced and passionate medical professional who will be able to assist our attorneys and clients in complex medical cases.
February 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is pleased to announce that founding partner Bradley N. Pollock has been selected by Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the lawyers on ‘The Top 100’ list in Illinois for 2018. ‘The Top 100’ list consists of 100 lawyers selected from all areas of the legal practice throughout the State of Illinois. With over 90,000 lawyers in Illinois, it is quite a distinction to be named to this exclusive group of 100. Super Lawyers has a rigorous selection process that includes independent research, peer evaluation, peer recognition, and professional achievement.
January 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce that we have added Samuel Carl as an associate attorney. Prior to joining the firm, Sam spent years protecting the rights of injured victims and their families, securing millions of dollars for his clients winning jury verdicts and settlements. Sam has shown throughout his career that he is not afraid of a challenge, and will fight passionately to hold accountable those responsible for harming innocent people. Known as a caring, diligent, and fierce advocate, he is well-respected by his colleagues as well as his opponents. Sam obtained his Juris Doctor from DePaul’s College of Law in May 2011, where he was named to the Dean’s List. Before that, he received his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Delaware where he earned distinctions as a scholar-athlete playing Division 1 tennis. Sam was born and raised in the Chicagoland area.
January 2018
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, Sean Murray, Gerald Bekkerman, and Jim Hardy have been recognized as Illinois Leading Lawyers. Leading Lawyers is a distinction governed by Law Bulletin Media. Law Bulletin Media is a diversified print and electronic information company that has been serving the Chicago legal and business communities since 1854. Selection for this accolade is stringent, with only a select few professionals in select fields of law being recognized and nominated by their peers and judges.
Additionally, associates Jared Duke, Julie Pustilnik, and Jim Lynch have been recognized as Illinois Emerging Lawyers. Emerging Lawyers are selected from the top two percent of lawyers who are 40 years old or younger or practicing law 10 years or less and have proven themselves professional, ethical, and experienced at an early point in their legal career. The firm congratulates everyone on these accolades.
December 2017
Taxman Pollock Murray & Bekkerman is proud to conclude its first year as a law firm. This first year was one of many accolades, accomplishments, and significant growth. We started this firm with 9 accomplished attorneys, 4 partners, and 5 associates, who brought over decades of experience combined with them and in excess of $300 million of verdicts and settlements. We finished the year totaling an additional $27million in verdicts and settlements. We won three jury trials. We added a workers compensation department, adding veteran attorney Jim Hardy as a partner leading that department. We added an additional two attorneys, Jim Lynch, an Illinois Emerging Lawyer, and Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star with 10 years experience. We also added Katherine Moorhouse, an experienced nursing home attorney to lead our firm’s nursing home negligence practice. We added almost 500 new clients, all innocent people injured due to the negligence of others, across dozens of counties across Illinois, and nationwide.
As we look forward to 2018, Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC continues to grow and achieve impressive results in and out of the courtroom. We look forward to even bigger things ahead in 2018!
November 2017
Partner Sean P. Murray has been recognized by his peers to be featured in the 24th edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his high caliber work in the area of Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation. With this distinction, Mr. Murray now ranks among the top five percent of private practice attorneys nationwide, as determined by his peers. Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 7.4 million confidential evaluations by other attorneys.
November 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that partner Sean P. Murray presented the coveted Thurgood Marshall award to Mr. Eric Whitaker at the U.S. Minority Contractors Association 26th Annual Gala on November 8, 2017. Thurgood Marshall was a legendary and groundbreaking civil rights attorney who went on to become one of the most influential Supreme Court justices in the history of the court. We congratulate Mr. Whitaker on receiving the USMCA’s highest award. TPMB is also proud to continue to sponsor the USMCA’s mission and to be a strategic partner with this great organization.
TPMB partner Gerald J. Bekkerman is proud to announce a $700,000.00 settlement for an over-the-road courier who was injured while driving in Ohio. While there, he was cut off by a driver towing a trailer park home, causing him to crash into a median. He sustained a fractured ankle which required surgery and has affected his ability to drive. His medical bills were just over $100,00.00. The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Illinois under diversity jurisdiction against an Indiana corporation. The issue of whether Ohio law and Ohio caps on non-economic damages of $350,000.00 applied to this case was disputed, which means this result is even more significant for the client.
Partner Sean Murray is proud to announce that he has obtained a $400,000.00 settlement plus a waiver of a $142,000.00 workers compensation lien for a 52-year-old Local 393 Ironworker who injured his shoulder while attempting to move a glass window panel at a jobsite in unstable, muddy ground conditions. Our office alleged that the defendant General Contractor failed to provide safe ground conditions for the ironworkers to perform their work, resulting in our client having to work in unsafe, unstable conditions. Sean Murray and the other partners at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman have over decades of experience in representing hard-working men and women injured on the job and have been proud to represent ironworkers who have been injured on the job site due to the negligence of others.
October 2017
TPMB partner Marc Taxman, along with partner Gerald J. Bekkerman and associate Julie Pustilnik, are proud to announce that the office has finalized a $3 million dollar settlement for the estate of a man who died after a tracheostomy tube that was placed inside him became dislodged at a Chicago area hospital. This case involved a 70-year-old, retired male ICU patient, who had been hospitalized in a Chicago Area Hospital since March 31, 2012, for acute necrotizing pancreatitis and was in kidney, cardio, and respiratory failure. On April 12, 2012, he was given a Tracheotomy tube airway due to the respiratory failure. On April 15, 2012, when a nurse was turning him she claimed that she noticed the tracheostomy tube was broken. The tracheotomy tube became dislodged either because of it being pulled by the ventilator tubing or because it was broken and an airway emergency was called. The patient lost oxygen and suffered an irreparable anoxic brain injury leaving him in a vegetative state. Life support was removed and he died 2 days later on April 18, 2012. The Estate brought claims based on Hospital negligence for losing the airway and not re-establishing it timely and against the “Medical Device Manufacturer” based on a defective Tracheostomy tube. The decedent left his wife, who is now 70 years old, and an adult daughter, who is now 35 years old. No wage loss or medical bills. The case settled after a jury trial was commenced and a jury was selected and sworn in.
TPMB partner Marc Taxman is proud to announce a $1,160,000.00 settlement (with a full waiver of the workers’ compensation lien) for a personal injury case involving an ironworker who was tying rebar in a basement on top of a waterproofing membrane before the concrete pour. The waterproofing membrane got wet and the Plaintiff, an experienced ironworker, slipped and fell and injured his shoulder. He had 2 rotator cuff repair surgeries and has permanent overhead restrictions. The ironworker’s medical bills were $119,000.00 and his lost wages and benefits claim was $190,000.00. This result was achieved after years of hard work by Mr. Taxman on behalf of his client.
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, and Sean Murray have been yet again recognized as Leading Lawyers by the Law Bulletin Media Publishing Company. In addition, partner Gerald Bekkerman and associate Julie Pustilnik have been recognized as Emerging Lawyers. This distinction is peer-recognized and awarded to only the top 2% of attorneys in the State of Illinois.
September 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce that the Illinois Super Lawyers publication has once again recognized many attorneys from the firm as both Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, and Sean Murray were recognized as Super Lawyers, while Gerald J. Bekkerman, Julie Pustilnik, Jim Lynch, and Jon Treshansky were recognized as Rising Stars. All of these lawyers will be featured in Chicago Magazine for this distinction, which is a selective peer-nominated selection process, which is limited to fewer than 2.5% of attorneys practicing in Illinois.
TPMB partner Gerald J. Bekkerman, with the help of attorneys Jim Lynch and Jennifer Bekkerman, has secured a $1 million dollar settlement for the estate of an intoxicated man who fell onto the elevated tracks at a CTA train station in Chicago when security failed to identify him and remove him from the station. The 2014 incident occurred on the Green Line “Pulaski” stop at 2:00 a.m., a time when the station was supposed to be closed to the public. However, on this date the CTA agent working at the station failed to lower the gate and close the turnstiles, thus allowing the decedent, who was highly intoxicated and trying to take the train to his house, to enter the station. After he entered, despite the CTA agent being present, decedent was allowed to roam the platform for 20 minutes while intoxicated and stumbling. Eventually, he got too close to the tracks, slipped and fell, and landed onto the tracks where 30 seconds later he was run over by an overnight cleaning train that sped through the station. This tragic event could have been avoided had the station been properly closed and had he had been escorted out, as required under CTA rules. The decent, unemployed, left behind two small children and an ex-wife.
On Labor Day weekend, Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman was proud to sponsor and participate in the annual Southeast Side Labor Day Parade. This event is an old 10th Ward tradition, which celebrates union pride and solidarity, a true community event. The parade consists of dedicated Unions such as Iron Workers Local 63, Sprinkler Fitters Local 281, UFCW Local 881, and IBEW Local 134 to name a few, along with neighborhood schools, local businesses, and non-profits. For years, our firm has dedicated our work to representing men and women of labor from various trades and unions across the Chicago area and Northern Illinois. Our experience and reputation in worker’s compensation and personal injury work injury cases is well known in the community. We look forward to continuing to represent the hard-working men and women of labor with their legal needs.
August 2017
TPMB is proud to have entered into a Strategic Partnership with the U.S. Minority Contractors Association. The purpose of USMCA is to provide unique professional, educational, technical, and consultive services to both the membership and the community at large. The organization aims to provide the best consultive services possible in the construction, environmental, building maintenance, architectural engineering design, hospitality training, and general service industries. It also serves as the advocacy agency for minority contractors and subcontractors in the suburban community. TPMB is proud to associate with such a great organization and is proud to assist its members who have legal questions and need legal help. We are looking forward to assisting the USMCA in its advocacy for minority business owners, contractors, and subcontractors in the community. In August the firm sponsored the annual Golf Outing and looks forward to a long relationship with this great organization.
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce that we have obtained a $1,500,000 settlement on behalf of a Local 63 ironworker that injured his left non-dominant shoulder while moving a 400-600 pound piece of glass on a jobsite. We alleged that his injury occurred because he did not have the proper equipment to move the glass. Our firm has dozens of years of experience representing ironworkers, tradesmen, laborers, and all types of construction workers in injury cases. We have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for men and women in labor and in the trades. We are extremely pleased we could assist this particular ironworker and his family.
Partners Sean Murray and Gerald J. Bekkerman have filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division, for a longshoreman who was riding his motorcycle home from work when he was struck and injured by a driver in a Mercedes Benz. The crash caused a horrific leg injury for our client and eventually led to his being amputated. The defendant, a Florida resident, was found to be at fault after a thorough accident reconstruction and investigation. Our office will now be working to make sure every possible dollar of insurance coverage available can be obtained to compensate our client for his horrific injuries.
July 2017
Partner Sean P. Murray has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate of a man who died from choking on a piece of bread while residing at a Community Integrated Living “CILA” facility. CILA facilities are homes for individuals with mental impairments. CILA staff members are expected to supervise and monitor the residents of the homes and make sure they are kept safe. In our case, in addition to having a severe mental impairment, the resident had a history of difficulty swallowing and was on a strict soft diet. We have alleged that the CILA home negligently allowed the resident to eat bread in violation of his diet and failed to appropriately monitor him while eating, leading to his death. The case is currently pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Associate Jim Lynch was recently recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Attorneys in the Civil Plaintiff Litigation category. This result is a great honor for Jim and reflects the hard work Jim has put in over his career. Jim is an avid trial lawyer, and his years of experience as a defense lawyer prior to joining our firm has given him a unique perspective on how to efficiently litigate cases for maximum value. TPMB congratulates Jim on this well-deserved recognition.
June 2017
TPMB Attorneys Gerald J. Bekkerman and Julie L. Pustilnik recently settled a case for $1,185,000.00 for a woman who sustained significant injuries when she was hit by a delivery truck while walking through a pedestrian crosswalk in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. The woman suffered a head injury resulting in dizziness, vomiting, headaches, jaw pain, reduced cognitive stamina, and cognitive impairment, as well as low back pain, radiculopathy, and disc bulges in her lower back requiring multiple rounds of physical therapy. Her low back pain continued and radiated into her left hip, ultimately leading to a hip labral repair surgery 2 and a half years after the incident. While the Defendant claimed that the hip surgery was unrelated to the collision, Jerry and Julie’s advocacy for their client prevailed, and they were able to secure an outstanding result.
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce the hiring of Katherine Moorhouse as an associate. Katie brings with her an extensive knowledge regarding medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and other types of injury cases. Known as both a tough litigator and compassionate ally for her clients, Katherine has built a positive reputation due to her record of success and client-friendly approach. Katherine received her law degree from DePaul University College of Law School located in Chicago, Illinois. She began her legal career at a law firm that dealt extensively with medical malpractice and nursing home work, gaining extensive experience in claims against hospitals, nursing home cases, and plaintiff’s litigation. As an active part of the legal community, she holds memberships with the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois State Trial Lawyers Association, and the Women’s Bar Association. Katie is a welcome addition to the team at TPMB.
Partners Sean Murray and Gerald J. Bekkerman have filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois for the wrongful death of a young roofer who fell through an open skylight at a roofing construction project in Waukegan, IL. The roofer was originally from Tennessee and came to Illinois to work as a subcontractor on the project. Numerous safety violations and OSHA violations have been discovered on the project, and prior to the death of this worker, another worker had fallen through a similar open skylight. The owner of the project, the general contractor, and the roofing company who hired the decedent have been sued by the grieving family of the decedent for their damages under the Wrongful Death and Survival Act.
May 2017
TPMB has been retained by four nurses who were involved in a tragic hostage-taking incident at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, IL on May 13, 2017. The hostage crisis and escape of the dangerous criminal was a national news story. A dangerous inmate with a history of multiple felonies who was in jail awaiting trial and potentially a lengthy prison sentence was brought to the hospital after he intentionally ingested a jail-issued sandal. While in the hospital, he was unshackled by his guard. The inmate then used that opportunity to attack the guard and take his gun. The inmate left his room and encountered the Delnor nurses and took one of them hostage for several hours, during which time he repeatedly assaulted her. Partner Sean Murray has filed a federal lawsuit alleging violations of the nurses’ Due Process rights for the actions of the guard and the Kane County Sheriff’s Department in creating a danger by unshackling the inmate and other violations of protocol. A news conference was held on the date of the filing. Further information on this lawsuit can be found in various media articles, including:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/05/25/delnor-hospital-hostage-nurse-lawsuit-rape/
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170525/attorney-delnor-nurse-was-tortured-raped-during-hostage-situationhttps://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/More-Nurses-Join-Lawsuit-After-Hostage-Situation-at-Suburban-Hospital-425913003.html
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce the addition of partner James B. Hardy to the law firm. Jim Hardy will be heading the firm’s workers’ compensation department. Jim has spent his entire legal career helping injured workers and their families. He has argued vigorously on behalf of his clients before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, Cook County Circuit Court, and the Illinois Appellate Court. Jim has practiced exclusively in the field of workers’ compensation law for over 15 years and has achieved numerous noteworthy results. Jim has been recognized by his peers in Illinois Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Association (WCLA), where he has served on the Board of Directors since 2009 and was elected to the Officer position of Treasurer in January of 2016. Notably, Jim is slated to become President of the WCLA in 2019. For more information on Jim, please read his full biography here (link to Jim Hardy bio).
May 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Gerald Bekkerman, and associate Julie Pustilnik have just settled a case for a total of $4.8 million dollars for a family of three that sustained significant injuries in an automobile crash on the Kennedy Expressway in 2014. The aggregate result is a combination of a jury verdict and two settlements that were reached during jury selection. The clients, a son, his Mom, and his Aunt, alleged that a driver of a pickup truck cut them off in their car on the highway, forcing them off the road and into a light pole. The defendant alleged that the son rear-ended him. The offer on the date of trial was ZERO to the son. Our office was able to secure a settlement of $1.6 million for the aunt (spine fracture, shoulder fracture), and $1.1 million for the mom (spine fracture) during jury selection. After a one-week trial, the jury returned a $1.25 million verdict for the son, which our office subsequently resolved for $2.1 million in lieu of a re-trial, bringing the total settlement for this automobile crash to $4.8 million. The TPMB trial team put on a spectacular trial in a difficult case and earned a great result for the clients.
April 2017
TPMB has filed a lawsuit against the owner, general contractor, and subcontractor of a housing complex being built in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago for the death of a construction worker in February of 2017. The construction worker had a brick fall on him from the third floor where employees of other contractors were negligently performing their job. Numerous OSHA safety violations were discovered at the construction site. The family of the decedent has hired the firm to prosecute its case for damages under the Wrongful Death Act, including for their grief and sorrow, loss of companionship and society, and burial expenses.
TPMB partner Gerald J. Bekkerman was an invited lecturer at the Annual Illinois Trial Lawyers Association “Damages” Seminar which was held on March 31, 2017, in Oak Brook, IL. The seminar attracts hundreds of Plaintiff lawyers from the Chicago area. Gerald’s presentation was called “Addressing and Overcoming Weaknesses with Your Client’s Damages” Gerald’s shared his experiences and tips on maximizing value on personal injury cases and preparing a case for trial. Gerald, along with partners Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, and Sean Murray, serves as an elected Manager on the Illinois Trial Lawyers Board of Managers.
TPMB senior associate James P. Lynch presented a continuing legal education seminar to the DuPage County Bar Association Elder Law Section on “The Current State of Mandatory Arbitration Provisions in Nursing Home Contracts and Related Negligence Lawsuits.” Jim has many years of experience in the litigation of nursing home negligence lawsuits and shared his wisdom and experiences with members of the DuPage Bar Association.
April 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC associate attorney, Jonathan D. Treshansky recently settled a case against a trucking company for the full insurance policy limits of One Million Dollars. Jon meticulously worked the case up for our 36-year-old male client who was rear-ended at a stoplight by a semi-tractor-trailer at a low speed. Because there was minimal property damage and more than a month’s gap in medical treatment, the pre-suit offer was only $15,000. Jon filed suit and patiently waited when conservative treatment failed to relieve our client’s back pain and he eventually followed up with a neurosurgeon requiring back surgery. There was no wage loss claim made. The settlement is meant to account for the pain and suffering and loss of normal life experienced by our client, as well as paying for any potential future medical treatment he may need going forward by the injuries caused by the trucking company.
April 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce that Jennifer L. Bekkerman and Lauren Tuckey Murray have joined the firm as of counsel. Here’s a little background on these two outstanding lawyers:
Jennifer L. Bekkerman has been practicing for 7 years. She began her career in the litigation department at Winston & Strawn LLP gaining experience that only the highest echelon of lawyers can receive in civil litigation defending corporations in lawsuits and government investigations. Jenny was appointed Deputy Special Prosecutor to assist Mr. Dan Webb in a high-profile criminal investigation. Jenny now focuses on strategizing and researching complex issues in our civil cases and assisting with trial strategy and procedure for our attorneys. Jenny is also the founder and Co-Chair of the WBAI “Legally Mom” Initiative.
Lauren Tuckey Murray has been practicing for 6 years. She began her career with a prestigious insurance defense firm and had her first trial right out of the gate. Lauren continued to post impressive results defending multi-million dollar professional negligence, product liability, construction negligence, and wrongful death lawsuits in both State and Federal Courts. Lauren was named a Leading Lawyers “Emerging Lawyer” in 2014, ’15, and ’16 and a “Rising Star” in 2016 and 2017, and she currently serves as a pro bono Child Representative at the CVLS.
Both lawyers are active in the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois holding offices, receiving accolades, and chairing events and committees.
The resource of insight, collaboration, and counsel that these lawyers provide to our firm makes us better, smarter, more prepared, and more effective in our representation of our clients’ interests.
March 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce the hiring of James P. Lynch as a senior associate attorney. James P. Lynch is a trial lawyer who represents victims and their families in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. Prior to joining Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, he practiced commercial litigation at a prominent Chicago law firm, where he defended some of the largest trucking companies, bus operators, and insurance companies in the country against personal injury claims. Jim’s experience defending against such personal injury claims gives him valuable insight to maximize his clients’ recovery due to the negligence of others. In the short time period that Jim has represented the injured and their families throughout Illinois, he has been selected as a “Rising Star” by Illinois Super Lawyers (2016, 2017) and featured in Chicago Magazine for this distinction, which is limited to fewer than 2.5% of attorneys in Illinois. During this same time period, Mr. Lynch has recovered millions in the process for injured clients through settlement, mediation, and trial.
Jim received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2007, where he was a recipient of the Corboy Trial Advocacy Fellowship, the CALI Award for the highest grade in Appellate Advocacy, and a member of the Dean’s List. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
March 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC partner Brad Pollock believes in giving back to the legal community. On Friday, March 4th Brad was bestowed the honor of being the course instructor selected to give the demonstration Opening Statement at the Keith E. Roberts, Sr. Civil Trial Advocacy Program held at the DuPage County Courthouse. Brad gave the mock opening statement on behalf of an injured Plaintiff. The four-week limited enrollment tuition-based course is open to licensed attorneys seeking to sharpen their jury trial skills. The program is unique in that the mock trial presentations are presided over by sitting Circuit Court Judges. Lawyers interested in future programs can contact the DuPage County Bar Association for more information.
March 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC partner Gerald J. Bekkerman was honored to be asked to speak at an upcoming seminar being put on by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. The annual “Damages” seminar brings together some of the top attorneys in the field of Plaintiff’s personal injury in the State of Illinois and is attended by hundreds of attorneys. The seminar is taking place on March 31, 2017, at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort. Gerald will present on the topic of “Overcoming weaknesses in your client’s damages.”
February 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC is proud to announce the opening of a second office in DuPage County. The new office will be located at 1001 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, in Lisle, IL. The second office will provide the firm’s suburban clients easier access to the firm and its lawyers. Our Plaintiff’s personal injury law firm handles cases in every county in the Chicagoland area, including DuPage, Will, Kane, Kendall, Winnebago, Lake, and of course Cook. We are proud to represent victims of negligence and injured people throughout the state and are available for new client appointments at the Lisle office starting February 1, 2017.
February 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate of a construction worker who was killed at a construction site of a condominium building in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago on February 4, 2017. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (O.S.H.A.), as well as the Chicago Police, is investigating the incident.
Our firm specializes in construction negligence and work injury cases, including wrongful death cases at construction projects. These types of cases require the most experienced and dedicated attorneys. For a listing of just some of our firm’s results in previous construction accident and work injury cases, click here.
February 2017
The law firm of Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman is proud to announce that partners Marc Taxman, Brad Pollock, and Sean Murray have been named Illinois Super Lawyers for the year 2017. In addition, partner Gerald Bekkerman, and associates Julie Pustilnik and Jon Treshansky, were recognized as Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2017. The Super Lawyers recognition comes after a thorough selection and peer review process conducted by lawyers and judges in the State of Illinois. Only 5% of all practicing attorneys are recognized as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5% are recognized as Rising Stars. The TPMB firm is proud of these peer-based recognitions for its attorneys.
January 2017
On January 16, 2017, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin ran a feature front-page story on the formation of Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC. The news story, titled “Old Colleagues Launch New Firm” discusses the history of the partners and their relationships and the motivation for the launch of the new firm.
January 2017
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC has filed two separate lawsuits in the Circuit Court of Cook County for two seriously injured railroad workers under the F.E.L.A. (Federal Employers Liability Act). This act protects railroad workers who are injured in the course and scope of their employment. The two lawsuits, one against Amtrak, the other against BNSF, stem from the negligence of the railroad in causing the severe and life-altering injuries suffered by two hard-working railroad workers. For more information on your rights if you are injured while working for the railroad, read our firm’s Practice Areas summary of F.E.L.A. and railroad work injuries.