In what is the highest verdict for a minor outside of Cook County, yesterday Clifford Law Offices obtained a $16 million verdict for two teenagers who were killed in a grain bin incident in Mt. Carroll, Illinois, in 2010. Each of the boys’ families were awarded $8 million, a record in the state outside of Cook County in the wrongful death of a minor, according to John Kirkton of the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter. Kevin Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices, tried the case for 15 days before a nine-man-three-woman jury in Carroll County near the Mississippi River. The jury deliberated eight hours before making their determination. The news of the verdict has swept around the state, including coverage by Associated Press wire service. Here are some links to coverage of this story that highlights the need for greater accountability in working at and around grain bins.
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140206/NEWS/140209536 — Rockford Register paper
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/25429379-418/families-awarded-8-million-each-in-death-of-teen-man-in-grain-bin.html — Chicago Sun-Times story
http://qctimes.com/news/local/jury-awards-m-to-families-of-teens-killed-in-grain/article_f5926556-389d-5d47-a6f9-1f2acbe48667.html http://wwwwhbf.com/story/24658320/record-setting-verdict-in-deadly-grain-bin-accident
http://www.journalstandard.com/article/20140206/NEWS/140209535 — Freeport Journal Standard newspaper
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/6/2-families-awarded-8-million-for-grain-bin-deaths/print/ — Washington Times
http://www.kljb.com/story/24659357/substantial-grain-bin-accident-award — Fox news in Quad Cities
http://www.bnd.com/2014/02/06/3044225/2-families-awarded-8-million-for.html –Belleville News Democrat
http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/16-Million-Awarded-for-Grain-Bin-Deaths-244150811.html — WIFR-TV
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