Illinois Appellate Court Overturns Record Emotional Distress Damages in Landmark Ruling

Christopher Drinkwine and Kristina Bitzer successfully convinced the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District, to overturn the largest amount of emotional distress damages ever awarded by the Illinois Human Rights Commission. The Heyl Royster appellate attorneys also convinced the Appellate Court to vacate a joint and several judgment entered against one of their clients for back pay because that form of relief was not prayed for in the complaint filed in the Commission. The matter has been remanded to the Commission for a new evidentiary hearing on emotional distress damages.

Heyl Royster serves communities throughout the Midwest and beyond with seven regional offices, and a national reputation in litigation. Heyl Royster’s long history in civil rights, casualty, and employment litigation has permitted the firm to develop a cadre of premier trial and appellate attorneys with an exceptional record of success.