Trial News

Rohan Ward, 34, was at Chicago’s Benchmark Bar & Grill when he stood up and raised his hand to wave to a friend. The blades of a ceiling fan struck his left hand, causing a compound fracture to his middle finger. He underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery, incurring $28,000 in medical expenses.

Ward sued Benchmark Bar & Grill, alleging it negligently installed the ceiling fan so that its blades were less than 8 feet from the ground, despite the fan’s manufacturer instructions, which called for the blades to be at least 10 feet from the ground. Suit did not claim lost income.

The defense argued that Ward’s injury occurred because he was standing on furniture and that the city building code was silent regarding height placement for ceiling fans in commercial establishments.

The jury awarded $148,000, finding the plaintiff 15% at fault.

Citation: Ward v. Benchmark Bar & Grill, No. 17L9762 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook Cnty. Oct. 4, 2019).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member John W. Chwarzynski Jr., Chicago.