Appellate panel issues 2 rulings on answering jury questions

For the Defense

By Patrick Eckler

Patrick Eckler is a partner at Freeman, Mathis, & Gary LLP representing defendants in civil matters. He is secretary/treasurer of the Illinois Defense Counsel and co-host of the Podium and Panel podcast. The views expressed here are solely his own.

Posted March 14, 2024 11:13 AM

Illinois trial lawyers should pay attention to two Illinois Appellate Court decisions issued March 8 regarding the proper manner to handle questions from the jury.The cases are Edson v. Horwich¸ 2024 IL App (1st) 221877-U, and Galich v. Advocate Health and Hospital Corp., 2024 IL App (1st) 230134, and both were issued by a 1st District panel comprising Justices Carl Anthony Walker, Michael B. Hyman and Sanjay T. Tailor.These decisions make clear that the trial court should directly address questions posed by the jury …

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