Current Employment Position(s)

AssociateAttorney, since 1979

Lawyer Overview

Mr. Ocasek received his J.D. from DePaul University School of Law in 1979 and his B.A from the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1976. Mr. Ocasek joined the firm in 1979 and represents clients at both the trial and appellate levels.

Mr. Ocasek has won numerous personal injury verdicts and settlements for his clients in a variety of areas including wrongful death, medical and professional malpractice, product liability, construction negligence, premises and transportation liability, in various counties throughout the State of Illinois. He has also obtained settlement of many significant cases including a seven-figure settlement of the only personal injury lawsuit occurring as a result of the Chicago Flood.

He is admitted to practice before the Illinois State Bar and the United States District Court and is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Fenwick Bar Association, and has provided service as a moot court appellate judge and as an independent and court-appointed arbitrator.

Cases of local and national significance

Sims v. 32 West Randolph Limited Partnership, et al., Mary Sims, a Cook County clerical worker, suffered a leg injury when she was descending 22 flights of a dark stairwell when the building was forced to evacuate during the Chicago Flood. The leg injury accelerated a diabetic related amputation below the knee.  Mr. Ocasek filed an action against the building owners for inadequate life safety systems within the building.  Investigation revealed that the building's failure to have an evacuation plan and emergency lighting caused her injuries.  This result was feature in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Michelle Gaines v. Harrah's Casino , involved a casino dealer who severely injured her knee when required to quickly transfer buckets of coins from a bank to a cart.  Investigation during this lawsuit revealed that the casino had conflicting mandates that employees must follow for safety of the money which required lifting procedures that were not safe for the workers.  A Cook County jury awarded substantial damages based on Mr. Ocasek's argument that Ms. Gaines was not provided with a safe place to work as required by the Jones Act maritime law.  The result was published in the Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter and the National Law Journal.

Clark v. City of Chicago , involved a transport bus driver who crashed into the rear of Aviation truck repairing the roadway which enters O'Hare Airport, resulting in multiple fractures and nerve damage in the leg.  With the aid of expert testimony regarding road construction, Mr. Ocasek successfully argued to a jury that the Department violated numerous road safety codes mandating traffic control and warnings to motorists resulting in a substantial jury verdict in favor of Mr. Clark.

Construction Negligence :  Mr. Ocasek has achieved numerous successful results for substantial damages for construction workers through litigation, including McAdoo v. Meadowood Bldrs. (jury verdict for crushed ankle from falling drywall stack); Johnson v. AirTech (jury verdict for arm fractures from unsafe scaffold); Durham v. Amoco (knee reconstruction as a result of unsafe access to work area); Heelien v. CSR (ankle fusion as a result of unsafe job conditions).  Mr. Ocasek has authored and argued numerous court briefs and memoranda supporting his clients' right to a safe place to work.

Product Liability :  Mr. Ocasek has achieved numerous successful results through litigation for substantial damages for consumers and workers injured by defective products including Nguyen v. Brown (traumatic finger amputations in a forming press); Gettis v. Asplundh (multiple fractures and nerve damage of the arm from defective mechanical and hydraulic systems of a bucket truck); Davidson v. Standard (serious hand injuries due to a design defect in a conveyor system); Walski v. Bd. of Ed., (burn injuries from defective classroom chemistry equipment); Hansen v. Galion (defective access system on a road grader).

Premises Liability :  Mr. Ocasek has achieved successful results for substantial damages through litigation for individuals injured due to premises defects including Sims v. 32 West Randolph Building ($1.1 million for acceleration of diabetic amputation from unsafe evacuation); Josic v. Florsheim (jury verdict for multiple ankle fractures after fall from loading dock); Salmen v. A. Suburban (jury verdict for multiple wrist fractures from faulty storage and maintenance); Reisenmy v. Lewin (multiple ankle fractures from defective exterior stairs).

Vehicular and Transportation Negligence: Mr. Ocasek has achieved numerous successful results by jury trial, mediation, arbitration and settlement for clients injured in collisions including Chatskis v. Schulte ($1.3 million for an elderly pedestrian struck by a vehicle).

Jones Act, Maritime:  Mr. Ocasek has achieved several successful results for substantial damages for maritime employees through litigation including Gaines v. Harrah's (knee injuries from employer's unsafe work policies and procedures): Paytosh v. Harrah's (necrotizing fasciitis flesh eating disease form employer's unsafe place to work and failure to provide supervision and medical care).

Areas of Practice

• Injury Litigation 100%

West Practice Categories

Jones Act, Railroad Worker Injury/FELA, Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA) -- Employer, Animal Bites -- Plaintiff, Assault & Battery -- Plaintiff, Motor Vehicle Accidents -- Plaintiff, Premises Liability -- Plaintiff, Railroad Accidents -- Plaintiff, Slip and Fall -- Plaintiff, Wrongful Death -- Plaintiff, Asbestos, Machinery & Tools

Bar Admissions

• Illinois, 1979
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1979

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 1995 - Present (Member)

Education

• DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, Illinois
  J.D.
• University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA
  B.S.
  Major: Political Science

Offers Free Initial Consultation

Address

# 3000
120 N Lasalle St
Chicago, IL 60602-2415

Phones

(312) 236-6166

Faxes

(312) 236-3029

Emails

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Websites

http://www.cooneyconway.com