Romanucci & Blandin secures $6.9 million settlement for two family members killed in horrific vehicle accident

CHICAGO (November 16, 2022) — Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, announces a $6.9 million settlement on behalf of the families of two women who were fatally injured in a motor vehicle collision on October 12, 2020 in Michigan. The case settled on August 1, 2022 and the settlement was approved in the Circuit Court of Cook County on  August 30, 2022. The plaintiff decedents, Helen Hackel, 86, and Robin Hackel, 59, were a mother and daughter-in-law stopped at a stop sign on a rural road when the defendant decedent, a director of Brooktree Arlington IL, LLC operating a company vehicle, reached speeds in excess of 130 mph and collided with the plaintiffs’ vehicle. Every person involved was declared deceased at the scene of the crash.

Defendants in this case were the estate of the deceased defendant driver and Brooktree Arlington IL, LLC. The case was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois and resolved through mediation. Both Helen Hackel and the defendant driver were residents of Cook County.

“While nothing can bring back the loved ones lost in this horrific accident, we are proud to have been able to bring an essential measure of accountability and justice to our clients’ lives after this avoidable tragedy. It simply didn’t have to happen,” said Romanucci & Blandin Partner Bruno R. Marasso.

“In discovery, we learned there were numerous driving violations reflecting the driver’s unfitness to be operating a company vehicle. Our firm is honored to have secured a fair verdict in such a devastating and preventable crash, which sends a clear message to organizations that own and operate motor vehicles,” said Romanucci & Blandin Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci.

The mediation was facilitated by the Honorable Christopher E. Lawler, (Ret.) of ADR Systems.

The plaintiffs were represented at Romanucci & Blandin by Partner Bruno R. Marasso and Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci.

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About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death arising from police misconduct, corporate negligence, civil rights actions, medical malpractice, mass torts and class actions. The attorneys’ steadfast commitment to fighting for those seeking justice around the country has helped the firm obtain multiple verdicts and settlements in the millions of dollars. The Chicago-based personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing victims who suffered injury as a result of another’s wrongdoing full and fair compensation in a diligent, professional, skilled and caring manner. The lawyers actively support their communities and provide advocacy at the national, state and local levels on issues that support the U.S. tort system. Founded in 1998, Romanucci & Blandin is widely recognized for representing plaintiffs in numerous practice areas including: personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, pharmaceutical, mass torts, civil rights, police misconduct, excessive force, aviation, product liability and premises liability.  For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.