Case Results of Zane Thomas Cagle

Illinois-Plaintiff suffered serious injuries as a result of a motor vehicle. All parties agreed to a confidential settlement of $2.5 Million

Plaintiff suffered serious, life-changing injuries as a result of a motor vehicle incident as a pedestrian.

Cedar County Jury Finds $2.5 Million for Plaintiff Zane T. Cagle and Andrew G. Mundwiller of The Cagle Law Firm secured a $2.5 million jury verdict on behalf of their client, Jose Cabrales. The verdict was reached on August 29, 2025, in Cedar County, Missouri before Hon. David Munton. The lawsuit, Plaintiffs Jose Cabrales, et al. v. Defendant the Estate of Jamie Kirch, stemmed from a motor vehicle collision that occurred on December 7, 2021. The Defendant Estate of Jamie Kirch was found to be 100% liable. Case Background Subsequent to filing the lawsuit Plaintiffs moved for a change of venue and the matter was transferred to Cedar County. The collision took place at the intersection of Routes T and U in Barton County, Missouri. The defendant's van failed to yield the right of way and pulled into the path of the plaintiff's northbound vehicle. The driver of the van was killed in the crash, and her three passengers, including two children, were taken to the hospital. The plaintiff, Jose Cabrales, was also transported to the hospital with a neck injury, bruises, and lacerations. The Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted an accident reconstruction and determined that Plaintiff was traveling 8 mph over the speed limit seconds before the collision and that the van failed to yield and entered the roadway in front of the plaintiff, whom had the right of way. Plaintiff's Injuries and Damages Following the crash, Mr. Cabrales was hospitalized and later underwent a cervical disc replacement surgery nearly two (2) years after the collision. He had a pre-existing low- back injury, which defense counsel argued meant Defendant was not responsible for his injuries. Furthermore, Defendant argued that Plaintiff’s medical records consistently stated he had chronic neck pain prior to the motor vehicle collision. Plaintiff’s counsel did not submit any past or future medical bills, past or future wage loss claims, to the jury. Instead, the plaintiff argued Mr. Cabrales past and future pain and suffering and loss of a normal life. As well, Mr. Cabrales wife made a loss of consortium claim due to the permanent nature of Mr. Cabrales injuries. Pre-Trial and Trial Details The insurance carrier for the defendant was Progressive Insurance. Prior to the trial, Progressive made an offer of $50,000 to resolve all claims, which the plaintiff rejected. The trial was held before a jury, presided over by the Honorable David R. Munton. The defendant was represented by George R. Lewis and Christopher Harper of Franke Schultz & Mullen.

Description of case:On June 16, 2025, Zane Cagle of The Cagle Law Firm and Kyle Sherman of Brandt Sherman secured a $6,050,000.00 verdict on behalf of Plaintiff George Guinn VI in Christian County, State of Illinois. Plaintiff was involved in a crash with a tractor trailer at an uncontrolled intersection in Christian County, Illinois on March 26, 2018 at approximately 3:30 p.m. Subsequent to the collision, plaintiff was transported to the emergency room via ambulance where he was treated for a head injury and laceration across the left side of his face. Plaintiff did not suffer loss of consciousness but could not recall any of the facts surrounding the collision. Defense counsel argued that Plaintiff entered the intersection .3 seconds after the tractor trailer and was thus negligent. Likewise, the Defendant argued Plaintiff failed to keep a careful lookout, and failed to reduce speed prior to entering the intersection. Furthermore, defense counsel argued that Plaintiff sustained a mild to moderate concussion which resolved in six to eight months after the collision. At the time of the collision, Plaintiff was a union member who spent his career building scaffolding for various companies such as power plants in Central Illinois. Once injured, Plaintiff attempted to continue this work but was unable to climb scaffolds and supervise other union workers safely. Plaintiff continued to seek treatment and still has ongoing complications due to the traumatic brain injury including headaches, nausea, and challenges to balance still yet almost eight years later, Plaintiff still suffers daily symptoms and has not been able to return to his daily activities and career he had prior to the collision. Plaintiff did not submit any past medical charges, past loss wage claims, or future loss wage claims. Plaintiff only economic damages submitted to the jury was future medical care which he argued would be needed in the future due to his traumatic brain injury. Northland Insurance Company was the insurance carrier for Farmdog Trucking, LLC. Defense counsel offered $60,000.00 to resolve the claim prior to the lawsuit being filed in 2020. The week prior to trial, defense counsel on behalf of Northland Insurance offered $1,000,000 which Plaintiff rejected. At the conclusion of a six-day trial, a Christian County Jury found for plaintiff in the amount of $6,050,000.00 with a 25% reduction for contributory liability. The jury awarded $2,500,000.00 in future medical expenses, $600,000.00 loss of normal life, $350,000.00 past pain and suffering, $350,000.00 future pain and suffering, $250,000.00 past emotional distress, and $2,000,000.00 future emotional distress.

Plaintiff sustained serious, life-changing injuries in a pedestrian incident. All parties agreed to a confidential settlement in the amount of $7 Million.

Description of case:On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Zane Cagle and Andrew Mundwiller of The Cagle Law Firm obtained a jury verdict for $35,450,000.00 on behalf of a man with a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle collision. Compensatory damages were $5,950,000.00 and punitive damages in the amount of $29,500,000.00. The compensatory and punitive damages were bifurcated. Total judgement after pre-judgement interest exceeds $36 million. On February 6, 2022, Defendant whom was a prior DUI offender was traveling on New Highway 50 in Clinton, County, IL. . Defendant was drunk, speeding, and driving on the wrong side of the road. Defendant struck the vehicle in which Plaintiff was a passenger head on. Plaintiff’s vehicle was left disabled in the roadway facing sideways. Plaintiff was unconscious and trapped inside. A second vehicle struck Plaintiff’s vehicle again while disabled in the roadway. Defendant fled the scene on foot, but was later captured in a field near the crash site. Defendant pled guilty to aggravated DUI. Plaintiff was life flighted to the ER/Hospital where he spent almost a month. Plaintiff sustained a moderate traumatic brain injury and several broken bones. While Plaintiff can walk and talk, he will require 24-hour supervision for the remainder of his life. The past medical charges stipulated to by the parties was $700,000.00 State Farm failed to respond to several policy limits offers of settlement. Over a year after filing a lawsuit, State Farm offered their applicable single person policy limits of $250,000. It was rejected. After years of litigation and the week prior to trial, State Farm offered $4.5 million to settle all claims, which was rejected. After closing arguments during the compensatory phase of the trial, State Farm offered a high/low agreement of $6 million/$18 million which included any punitive damage award. Plaintiff rejected this offer and made a counter offer to settle all claims in return for a high/low of $10 million/$30 million, which was rejected by State Farm.

Plaintff sustained serious injuries in a Jackson County collision. All parties agreed to a confidential settelment of $4 Million

Description of case:On August 23, 2021, Plaintiff Andrew Jackson was stopped in his passenger vehicle in traffic at a red light on College Street in Columbia, Missouri. He was rear-ended by Dana Hartgrove while she was employed as a delivery driver for Jimmy Johns. Plaintiff sought treatment for neck and shoulder pain at two urgent care facilities. Within weeks, Plaintiff consulted an orthopedic surgeon at Columbia Orthopedic. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tyler Jenkins recommended physical therapy, medication and injections. Two months later after no relief for symptoms, Dr. Jenkins ordered an MRI, diagnosed a disc injury, and recommended a C5-C6 disc replacement. As Plaintiff was only 29 years old, Plaintiff sought a second opinion at Missouri Orthopedic Institute. The doctor recommended observing his symptoms and scheduled him to return in three months. The doctor then left the practice ending treatment. Plaintiff continued to have symptoms with no relief. In August 2022, Plaintiff sought another opinion in St. Louis with Dr. David Raskas, The Orthopedic and Spine Institute of St. Louis. After a second MRI, Dr. Raskas recommended the same C5-C6 disc replacement as initially recommended by Dr. Jenkins. The surgery occurred on January 17, 2023. The insurance carrier for Dana Hartgrove offered their applicable policy limits of $500,000.00 in response to Plaintiff’s $1,2500.00 demand. However, Jimmy John’s refused to make an offer of settlement. Thus, the driver, Dana Hartgrove was dismissed from the suit. Subsequently, the insurance carrier for Jimmy Johns offered $200,000.00 in addition to the prior offer of $500,000.00 by the driver’s insurance carrier for a total offer of $700,000.00. The two-day trial occurred in Boone County and began on February 20, 2024. Jimmy Johns argued the surgery may not have been needed due to the Plaintiff having degenerative disc disease at 29 years of age. Defense also argued that the damages should not exceed $210,000.00 for treatment to date and argued no real future medical treatment needed. Jimmy Johns listed Dr. Jenkins as the defense expert and argued that Plaintiff had returned to work full time and was doing fine. Plaintiff counsel argued that not only was the first spine surgery serious, but due to Plaintiff’s age, there would be at least one more surgery needed in the future if not two surgeries. Plaintiff’s treating surgeon testified another surgery would be needed in the next 10-15 years and possibly two surgeries. Neither expert testified to the estimated cost of surgeries 10-15 years in the future. On February 9, 2024, Jimmy Johns acknowledged that Ms. Hartgrove was in fact working for Jimmy Johns and admitted liability. Plaintiff rejected a proposed high low agree of $500,000.00 to $1,250,000.00 on the second day of trial. The jury found for the plaintiff and awarded damages of $2.5 million after nearly three hours of deliberation.

Plaintiff was injured because of a crash resulting in serious, life-changing injuries. All parties agreed to a confidential settlement