Illinois Attorneys Granted Summary Judgment for Security Services Client

Chicago Partner James E. Abbott and Attorney Brian C. Hoppe recently obtained summary judgment in the Circuit Court of Cook County on behalf of our security services client.

While attending a graduation ceremony at an events venue in Chicago, Plaintiff sustained injuries as they were walking through our client’s security checkpoint. Plaintiff argued that a piece of metal was sticking out of our client’s metal detector and struck the back of his leg, rupturing his Achilles tendon, and contended that our client failed to properly inspect the metal detector used at the checkpoint and/or otherwise failed to properly set it up.

After the Court denied our motion for summary judgment, our Defense attorneys moved for reconsideration of the Court’s order on grounds that the Court misapplied the law. Our attorneys’ argument stated that there was insufficient evidence that the metal detector was defective, and Plaintiff had no way of proving that the machine proximately caused his injury. Jim and Brian further argued that Plaintiff’s circumstantial evidence of a defective machine, which the Court initially relied upon when denying summary judgment, was inadmissible speculation and did not create an issue of fact.

In September 2023, the Court agreed with our attorneys’ arguments and reversed its prior ruling, granting summary judgment in favor of our client.

Jim is an experienced trial attorney who concentrates his practice in defending professionals, businesses, nonprofit and municipal entities. He also defends clients in catastrophic injury and wrongful death actions. Jim has been admitted pro hac vice for trials in multiple states as lead counsel or to serve as national/regional coordinating counsel.

Brian’s vast legal experience spans all aspects of civil litigation defense. He handles various personal injury claims involving auto accidents, premises liability, FELA claims and other general torts, with specific focus on insurance coverage, subrogation matters, and labor and employment law matters.