An insurance company has agreed to settle a lawsuit against its insureds brought by a woman who claimed that she had been injured when their dog caused her to trip and fall down two stairs.
Facts and Allegations
Irena Cwiekala alleged that she was walking down a flight of stairs in the Chicago home where she worked as a caretaker when a small dog belonging to the property owners became tangled with her skirt and caused her to trip and fall down the bottom two stairs. She fractured her right leg.
Ms. Cwiekala sued Micky and Eileen Tichowa, alleging that they had been negligent as the owners of the dog and the property.
The Tichowas contended that the accident had been unwitnessed; that Ms. Cwiekala had tripped and fallen on her own; and that she had not been tripped by their dog.
Result
The parties settled prior to trial, with the Tichowas' insurance carrier, State Farm Insurance Company, agreeing to pay Ms. Cwiekala $50,000.
The case is Cwiekala v. Tichowa, No. 2015-L-010158 (Ill. Cir.Ct. Cook Co. Jan. 17, 2018). Attorneys involved include: James N. Faklis; Faklis, Tallis & Mead P.C.; Chicago, IL, for Irene Cwiekala; Harry N. Arger; Dykema Gossett PLLC; Chicago, IL, for Micky Tichowa, Eileen Tichowa; Anda Tatoiu; Dykema Gossett PLLC; Chicago, IL, for Micky Tichowa, Eileen Tichowa.
FC&S Legal Comment
This report is based on information that was provided by plaintiff's counsel. Defense counsel did not respond to the reporter's phone calls.
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