HANSEN ARGUES BEFORE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, SRNM partner Jim Hansen
argued in front of the Illinois Supreme Court on a case that he tried in 2023. Specifically, Hansen defended a family care physician and a medical group in defense of a medical negligence case that resulted in a Plaintiff sustaining a below knee amputation. Plaintiff had alleged that the physician failed to timely diagnose a Lis Franc injury which resulted in delayed treatment, complications and after multiple attempts to salvage his leg a below knee amputation. After six days of testimony the jury deliberated for a day and a half. On the eighth day of trial the jury returned a verdict of not guilty in favor of the Defendants.
Plaintiff appealed claiming the trial court erred in denying the Plaintiff's motion for a mistrial after a juror sent a note back indicating to end deliberations, s/he would sign the verdict form for the Defendants. After receiving the note, the Court called the jury into the courtroom and issued the Prim instruction. The jury went back to deliberate further. After receiving an additional question, the jury returned a verdict 50 minutes later. The jury was polled. Plaintiff claimed the trial court erred in the polling process. On appeal, the Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the trial court's decision and the verdict (2024 Ill.App. 4th) 240520-U. The Plaintiff petitioned for leave to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court who accepted the case. (See link to article from Law 360).