Johnson & Bell shareholder Caroline Vickrey and associate Nick Sandowski, with the assistance of appellate counsel David Macksey, recently prevailed on plaintiff’s post-trial motion after securing a defense verdict in a 2024 jury trial before Cook County Circuit Judge Robert Harris for clients Randi Israel and LivHome Inc.
The case, Crystal Brandon v. Jewel Companies Inc. et al., was originally filed in 2021and involved claims of negligence, failure to warn, and negligent infliction of emotional distress against Brandon’s employer and manager. Brandon was a home health nurse providing services with LivHome manager Israel during the pandemic. During COVID LivHome followed CDC guidelines and Illinois Executive Orders, requiring caregivers to wash hands or use hand sanitizer while providing care. Brandon claimed that the required hand sanitizer caused permanent skin damage and pain.
Caroline and Nick won the trial in 2024, and Brandon’s lawyers moved for a new trial, citing a long list of alleged trial errors. Judge Harris rejected all of the plaintiff’s arguments and denied the motion, upholding the jury’s verdict in favor of Israel and LivHome.
Congratulations to Caroline, Nick, and David for securing another great client result.
