Cavanagh Sorich Law Group Obtains $104M Verdict, Largest in Illinois History

Cavanagh Sorich Law Group Obtains a $104 Million Verdict, the Largest Verdict or Settlement in Illinois History for an Automobile Crash CaseChicago-October 13, 2025 Cavanagh Sorich Law Group obtained a $104 million verdict, the largest verdict or settlement in Illinois history for an automobile crash case, on October 9, 2025 in the Circuit Court of Cook County. It ending a nine-in-a-half year legal battle. After six hours of deliberation, the jury found the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority negligent in the design and construction of its temporary construction zone on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90). The jury found in favor of the plaintiffs Rob Rosā, who was rendered a quadriplegic in the crash, and his husband Michael Johnson. The jury found the negligent design and construction of the zone in addition to not having the required number of warning signs were major factors causing the crash which also left another passenger dead.

The crash occurred on March 25, 2016. Johnson, Rosā and four others were traveling in a limousine to O’Hare Airport to go on vacation together. At the time, the 1-90 toll road near the Fox River Bridge was being rebuilt and widened as part of a $14 billion capital program. Their lives were tragically and permanently harmed when their limo driver failed to negotiate a dangerous curve and lane shift in the construction zone and crashed into a temporary concrete barrier and flipped over.

During the four-week trial, the Cavanagh Sorich Law Group legal team presented evidence that only one of the required six signs were in place warning drivers of the dangerous curve and lane shift at the time of the crash. They also presented evidence showing the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority oversaw and approved deficient and dangerous design and construction plans that ignored and violated both national, and tollway standards as well as other requirements in place to keep construction zones safe.

“For nearly a decade, our clients have had to navigate the devastating consequences of what was a preventable tragedy. They will have to continue to do so for as long as they live,” said Timothy J. Cavanagh, founding partner at Cavanagh Sorich Law Group. “If the required signs were in place, the crash probably would not have occurred because the limo driver would have had warning about the dangerous curve and lane shift. Even if it had occurred, if the temporary construction barrier had been designed and built according to required safety standards, the crash would not have been nearly as serious. The limousine would not have overturned, and Rob Rosā would not have been rendered a quadriplegic.” 

“We asked the jurors to award full justice to the plaintiffs and they did,” said Michael J. Sorich, partner at Cavanagh Sorich Law Group. “We hope the jury’s verdict sends a strong message that ignoring safety requirements and standards and putting citizens at risk will not be tolerated and those guilty of it will be held accountable.” 

Prior to the crash, Rosā was an independent and athletic man with a successful career. He and Johnson enjoyed an active social life with friends and family. As a result of his injuries, Rosā is paralyzed from his neck down and will require 24/7 care for the rest of his life. He needs assistance with even the simplest of tasks. Johnson also had had a thriving career but had to quit his job to be a full-time caretaker for Rosā.

“We are both very grateful to the jury and our legal team. We now have the peace of mind that my medical needs and daily care will be taken care of and that is a great relief.  But I live in pain 24 hours a day. No amount of money will take that away or give us back the way of life we have lost,” said plaintiff Rob Rosā. 

The plaintiffs say their case was not just about compensation, it was also about accountability. 

“The long legal battle has been very difficult for us especially for Rob with all his medical issues. Part of the reason we fought so hard is we didn’t want this to happen to anybody else. We drive these tollways and we pay to use them and the tollway has the responsibility to keep us all safe,” said plaintiff Michael Johnson. “I feel like I can breathe now and we can finally move on.

Timothy J. Cavanagh and Michael J. Sorich were the lead trial lawyers for the plaintiffs. Jason Kroot, and Chris Dietmann also represented the plaintiffs. Honorable Scott McKenna presided during the four-week trial.

More About Cavanagh Sorich Law Group (CavanaghLawGroup.com) The Chicago-based law firm is nationally recognized for sophisticated strategies, aggressive representation and record-breaking victories. Since our founding in 1997, Cavanagh Sorich Law Group has recovered nearly a billion dollars in verdicts and settlements across the country — including record-breaking triumphs in Illinois. Our award-winning attorneys are skilled litigators and have expertise in every facet of personal injury law — from medical malpractice and wrongful death cases to catastrophic railroad crashes.