$5,350,000 Verdict Following Limo Tragedy

A Cook County jury Tuesday returned a verdict of $5,350,000 to a 55-year-old former limousine driver who lost his right leg at the knee when another limousine careened into him at O'Hare Airport in February, 2000.

The jury verdict was returned following a five day trial in the courtroom of Hon. William D. Maddux at the Richard J. Daley Center Tuesday afternoon. Plaintiff, Michael Perger, a limousine driver, had exited his automobile in order to retrieve the luggage of his passenger while at the departure drop-off zone at the United Airlines terminal on February 2, 2000 when another limousine driver rammed into him. The other driver, Segundo Pineda-Ovalle, was driving for Carey International Inc. and one its subsidiaries, American Airport Limousine Corporation. All three were named defendants.

Philip Harnett Corboy, Jr. of Corboy & Demetrio, the plaintiff's attorney, said following the verdict:

"The jury obviously understood that despite the plaintiff's age, he was an active and resourceful man who had enjoyed life and was very disabled by this tragedy. Mike bore no bad intent on the defendants. He's moved on with his life and looks forward to his remaining years with joy and enthusiasm. It was a real pleasure and honor to work for him."