Bruce R. Pfaff
Top rated Medical Malpractice attorney in Chicago, Illinois
Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd.
Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Appellate; view more
Licensed in Illinois since: 1984
Education: University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2006, 2008 - 2024 Call today:
312-638-2407
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One East Wacker DriveSuite 3310
Chicago, IL 60601 Visit website
Details
Bruce Pfaff has been a trial lawyer since 1979, representing people injured or killed by wrongful conduct. He received excellent training from two premier law firms before starting his own practice in 1991. Bruce has succeeded for clients in cases including those hurt by unsafe or defective products, medical malpractice by obstetricians, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, neurosurgeons, other doctors and hospital personnel, careless driving, poor maintenance of property, sexual assault, legal malpractice, and other forms of personal injury cases in Chicago.
In six cases, his clients have each received more than $10 million in jury verdicts. He is one of only a handful of Illinois lawyers who individual have had similar trial success. He has also achieved settlements for clients exceeding $10 million.
Lawyer Ratings & Honors
Bruce has been rated among the Top Ten of Illinois lawyers rated by Super Lawyers continuously from 2018.
Bruce has twice received the President's Award from the Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association, once in 2000 and again in 2022. He also received the ABA Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award 2020, the ABA's "Access to Justice Award," July 2015, Chicago's Product Liability Litigator of the Year, 2011; and "Trial Lawyer Excellence" awards from Jury Verdict Reporter, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010, 2015.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Appellate, Personal Injury - Products: PlaintiffFocus areas
Appeals, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Informed Consent, Medical Devices, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Defects, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Pharmaceutical, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 60% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 20% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Appellate
- 10% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1979, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.pfaffgill.com/attorney/bruce-r-pfaff/
Honors/Awards:
- "10.0 Superb" rating by www.avvo.com, highest possible rating
- 10.0 Superb rating by www.avvo.com, Highest Possible Rating
- AV Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell, highest possible peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards
- Trial Lawyer Excellence Award, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2010, 2015
- Chicago Product Liability Litigator of the Year, Best Lawyers, 2018
- One of the Top 10 Illinois Personal Injury Lawyers ranked in Leading Lawyers Network, 2012-present.
- President's Award, Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association, 2000, 2022
- Elected as one of The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury, Products Liability and Medical Malpractice Law
- Finalist - 1998 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ)
- President's Award, Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association, 2000
- Top 10, Illinois Super Lawyers award, Chicago magazine, 2011, 2018-2023, Chosen as Top 10 Illinois lawyer ranked by Superlawyers, Chicago Magazine, 2021
- Elected as one of the Top 100 trial lawyers by the American Association for Justice
- Chosen one of the Top 5% of Illinois lawyers in the fields of Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law, Leading Lawyers Network Advisory Board
- "AV Preeminent" rating by Martindale Hubbell, highest possible Peer Review rating for Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
- Top 100 leading Consumer Lawyers, Leading Lawyers Network
- Medico-Legal Relations Committee, Chicago Bar Association (CBA), 1985 to 1989
- Bruce was rated 6th by Leading Lawyers in its 2013 listing of Illinois personal injury plaintiffs' lawyers. , Top Ten Personal Injury Plaintiffs' Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, 2013
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- “Liability for Cerebral Palsy,” presentation to AIEG, October 2021.
- “Implications of Health Care Technology for Trial Practice,” Chicago Bar Ass’n., April 2012.
- “Presenting the Case to a Jury,” Illinois State Bar Ass’n., May 2012
- “Trying and Settling a Complex Multiple Defendant Medical Negligence Case,” Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Ass’n Medical Negligence Committee, March 2013.
- “Relief from the Waiver/Forfeiture Rule: Hux v. Raven and its Progeny,” 16 ITLA Trial Journal 46-49 (Winter 2014)
- “The Gifts You Receive at Trial,” Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Ass’n, December 2014.
- Moderator, Attorneys’ Information Exchange Group, Mock Trial of a Truck Accident Case, November 2017.
- Mock Jury Selection and Moderator, Attorneys’ Information Exchange Group, Mock Trial of Product Liability Case, November 2018.
- “Civility Matters,” ABOTA/CBA Panel presentation, November 2018.
- “Liability for Hemorrhages,” AIEG Voice, Winter 2020
- The article describes how to effectively prove cases of medical negligence where hemorrhages are involved. , sole author, "Liability for Hemorrhages", AIEG Voice, Trial Lawyers, 2020
- Jury Selection in a Civil Case, Chicago Bar Association, September 1997
- "Crashworthiness Cases, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Chicago, November 2007
- Legal Issues Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury, McHenry County Mental Health Board, in cooperation with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, November 1992
- Client Relations 101, Illinois State Bar Association's Bridging the Gap Program, December 1996
- Masters in Trial presenter, American Board of Trial Advocate, Dallas, Texas, October 2007
- Legal Malpractice - Update & Review, Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association, Chicago September 1992
- Winning the Battle of the Experts at Trial, Chicago Bar Association, November 1996
- "Products Liability: Update and Review," Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association, October 2006
- Closing Argument: Lead Exposure Mock Trial, Lead Poisoning Seminar, June 1992, sponsored by Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly, June 1992
- Jury Selection, Chicago Bar Association's Summer Boot Camp for Aspiring Litigators, August 1996
- "Investigating and Proving Crashworthiness Cases," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Midwinter Convention, February 2006
- Human Factors & Reconstruction, Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association, Annual Meeting, June 1992
- Product Liability Litigation, Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association, January 1996
- Masters in Trial presenter, American Board of Trial Advocates, Seattle, November 2005
- Recent Trends in Product Liability Law, Chicago Bar Association Chicago, March 1992
- Direct Examination of Plaintiff's Expert at Trial, Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association, Chicago, February 1992
- Pre-Suit Investigation of Medical Malpractice Cases, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, December 1995
- "Preserving the Jury Trial," Defense Research Institute, October 2005
- Trial Considerations of the Plaintiff's Lawyer in Premises Liability Cases, Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, February 1992
- Rule 215 Medical Examinations, Illinois State Bar Association, November 1995
- "Enforcing Darling Liabilities," Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Journal, Winter 2005
- Direct Exam of the Injured Plaintiff: Intersection Collision - Disc Injury, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Chicago, October 1991
- Civil Discovery Rule Changes, Chicago Bar Association, September, 1995 and November 1995
- "Medical Negligence," ITLA’s Annual Update and Review Seminar, Chicago, October, 2004
- Plaintiff's Perspective on the Kotecki Decision: Contribution Against Employers, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Chicago, September 1991
- Obstetrical Nursing Negligence, Illinois Hospital Association, May 1995
- "Medical Malpractice-Have They No Shame," Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Ass’n, September 2004
- High Risk Cases in Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, Mock Trial, Trial Attorney Participant, 1991
- Expert Witnesses and Medical Malpractice Cases, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, May 1995
- "The Wall of Shame," presented at Bryce Downey, Chicago, August 2004
- "Jury Trials in Complex Cases Survive Iowa Fight," Voir Dire, Spring 2004
- Trial Considerations of a Plaintiff's Lawyer in Premises Liability Cases, Chicago Bar Association, 1991
- Effective Depositions, Chicago Bar Association, May 1995
- Masters in Trial presenter, ABOTA, New Orleans, December 2003
- The Role of the Lawyer in Medical Advances: Protector or Obstructer, Conference, Chicago Neurosurgery Center, Keynote Address, 1990
- Product Liability Trials: Plaintiff's Perspective, Chicago Bar Association, February 1995
- Trial presenter of Plaintiff’s Opening Statement at Advocacy Showcase, Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association, May 2003
- High Risk Cases in Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, Mock Trial, Trial Attorney, Participant, 1990
- The Trial of Medical Negligence Cases, Chicago Bar Association, June 1994
- "Too Complex for a Jury?" Voir Dire, Spring 2003
- Developing the Damage Case for the Plaintiff, American Law Institute-American Bar Association, Kansas City, MO, 1990
- The Masters in Trial - Mock Trial, Chair, American Board of Trial Advocates, March 1994
- "Common Defenses in Cerebral Palsy Cases," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Atlanta, February 2003
- Explosion Cases: Preparation and Trial, Chicago Bar Association, 1990
- Medical Evidence, Chicago Bar Association, April 1993
- "Automotive Seat Design Liability: Discussion of Carrillo v. Ford Motor Co.," Attorney’s Information Exchange Group program, Washington D.C., April 2002
- Negotiating and Settling Personal Injury Cases, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Settlement Conference Demonstration, 1990
- Opening Statements, Mock Trial, American Board of Trial Advocates, Chicago, March 1993
- "Automobile Products Liability" in Winning Techniques from Voir Dire to Closing, ITLA, February 2002
- Plaintiff's Perspective on Medical Malpractice Cases, Illinois Founders Trust Annual Meeting, 1989
- "Direct Examination" and "Closing Argument" presented at the Chicago Bar Association’s program
- Cross Examination of Defendant's Medical Expert, Chicago Bar Association, March 1993
- Mock Deposition: Litigation Hits Home, Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice, presented by American Healthcare Institute, November 1992
- Masters in Trial presenter, ABOTA, Detroit, November 2001
- Proving Present Cash Value of Future Economic Damages, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1989
- Creative Insights for the Tort Trial Lawyer, March 2009
- Legal Issues Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury, McHenry County Mental Health Board, in cooperation with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, November 1992
- "Texts Should Have Vital Role in Litigation," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, October 19, 2001
- Successful Settlement Negotiations: Plaintiff's Attorney's Perspective, MMI Companies, Inc., Focused Training Workshop on Advanced Claims Management, 1989
- "Crashworthiness Cases," Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Chicago, November 2007
- Legal Malpractice - Update & Review, Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association, Chicago September 1992
- Res Ipsa Loquitor chapter in ITLA's Medical Malpractice Notebook, published December 2000
- Malpractice Protection, Academy of Ambulatory Foot Surgery, 1989
- Masters in Trial presenter, American Board of Trial Advocate, Dallas, Texas, October 2007
- Rule 215 Medical Examinations, Illinois State Bar Association, November 1995
- Res Ipsa Loquitor, presented to Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association's Medical Malpractice seminar, December 2000
- Plaintiff's Perspective on Medical Malpractice, Institute for Health Law, Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, 1989
- Masters in Trial presenter, American Board of Trial Advocates, Oxford, Ms., April 2007
- Civil Discovery Rule Changes, Chicago Bar Association, September, 1995 and November 1995
- The Last 90 Days before Trial, Chicago Bar Association, December 2000
- Preparation and Trial of Medical Negligence Cases, Medico-Legal Relations Committee of Chicago Bar Association, Moderator and Seminar Chair, 1989
- "Automotive Seat Design Liability," Attorney's Information Exchange Group program, Chicago, April 2007
- "Product Liability: Evidence and Jury Instructions," Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association, February 2007
- Obstetrical Nursing Negligence, Illinois Hospital Association, May 1995
- Starting Your Own Law Practice, Chicago Bar Association, June 1999
- Investigation, Pleading and Discovery in Strict Product Liability Cases, Chicago Bar Association, Author and Speaker (reprinted in CBA Record, March 1989), 1988
- "Opening Statements," Chicago Bar Association, February 2007
- Expert Witnesses and Medical Malpractice Cases, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, May 1995
- Pre-Suit Investigation- Ethical-Considerations, Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association's annual Product Liability Seminar, February 1999
- Product Liability Practice: How to Obtain the Successful Result, Chicago Bar Association, 1988
- "Use of Literature," Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association, January 2007
- Effective Depositions, Chicago Bar Association, May 1995
- Testimony re Proposed Changes to the F.R.C.P. before Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Judicial Conference of the United States, January 1999
- Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practices Act, Illinois Trial Lawyers Annual Convention, 1988
- Jury Instructions in a Product Liability Case: A Plaintiff's Perspective, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1988
- "Multi Party Cases: Who Belongs on the Verdict Form?" accepted for publication in ITLA Journal, Winter 2011
- Product Liability Trials: Plaintiff's Perspective, Chicago Bar Association, February 1995
- Client Relations 101, Illinois State Bar Association's Bridging the Gap Program, December 1998
- Preparation and Trial of a Medical Negligence Case, Chicago Bar Association, Co-Moderator, 1988
- "Product Liability Update and Review," Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Ass’n, October 2010
- The Trial of Medical Negligence Cases, Chicago Bar Association, June 1994
- Relations Between Lawyers and Treating Doctors, Chicago Bar Association, Tort Litigation Committee, November 1998
- Product Liability, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1988
- "Consumer Expectations and Risk-Utility in Products Liability," American Association for Justice Annual Convention, July 2009
- The Masters in Trial - Mock Trial, Chair, American Board of Trial Advocates, March 1994
- Client Relations 101, Illinois State Bar Association's Bridging the Gap Program, December 1997
- Crash Cases: A Hands-On Guide to Vehicle Collision Litigation, American Bar Association, 1988
- "The Right to Submit Questions to Witnesses," CBA Record, May 2009.
- Medical Evidence, Chicago Bar Association, April 1993
- Presenting the Plaintiff as a Witness in a Medical Negligence Case, Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association, December 1997
- Representing the Plaintiff: Soft Tissue Injuries and Closed-Head Trauma, Legal-Medical Seminars, Inc., 1987
- "Direct Examination" and "Closing Argument" presentations at Chicago Bar Association program "Creative Insights for the Tort Trial Lawyer," March 2009
- Opening Statements, Mock Trial, American Board of Trial Advocates, Chicago, March 1993
- Recent Developments in Medical Negligence Law, Chicago Bar Association, Medico-Legal Relations Committee, December 1997
- Trial of a Premises Liability Case under House Bill 20, Northwest Suburban Bar Association, November 1997
- "Settlement Approaches," Zurich Insurance Company presentation, January 2008
- Cross Examination of Defendant's Medical Expert, Chicago Bar Association, March 1993
- Motions in Limine and Motions for Mistrial, Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association, October 1997
- Update for Medical Negligence Notebook, "Res Ipsa Loquitor," for the Illinois Trial Lawyers’ Association, November 2007
- Mock Deposition: Litigation Hits Home, Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice, presented by American Healthcare Institute, November 1992
Educational Background:
- Dartmouth College, A.B. degree, History major, 1976
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Chair, Amicus Curiae Committee, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 1999-2007, 2007
- American College of Trial Lawyers, inducted, 2017
- California, 1979-1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
- Covid Taskforce for American Board of Trial Advocates, 2020
- Elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, 2017
- Amicus Curiae Committee, American Association for Justice (AAJ), 1997-present
- Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association, chair Amicus Curiae Committee. In this capacity, I prepare and organize friend of the court briefs filed in appellate courts throughout the state on issues of substance for injured people.
- Amicus Curiae Committee, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 1989 - Present
- Legislation Committee, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), 2002 - Present
- Elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 1997
- Medical Malpractice Committee, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 1986 - Present
- Invited Member, The American Trial Lawyers' Association, 2008
- Elected Fellow, International Society of Barristers, 2008
- Ad Hoc Supreme Court Appeal Committee, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 2005-Present
- Leading Lawyers Network Advisory Board
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- Tort Litigation Committee, Chicago Bar Association (CBA), 1989 to present
- Editorial Board, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2003 - Present
- State Captain, ATLA Exchange, American Association for Justice (AAJ), 1992
- Senior Life Fellow, ABOTA Foundation
- Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Tort Law Section Council, 1999- 2002
- IPI Civil jury instruction committee, appointed by Illinois Supreme Court.
- Board of Managers, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 1993 - 1995
- Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Amicus Curiae Committee, 2003-present
- Member, ABOTA's National Board of Directors, 2001-2007
- Ad Hoc Supreme Court Appeal Committee, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 1995 to 1998
- Sustaining Member, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ)
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Subcommittee re: Lawyers Referral Service, Chicago Bar Association (CBA), 1991 to present
- Elected to International Academy of Trial Lawyers. , 2013
- National Board of Directors, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2001-2007
- Chair, Chicago Bar Association (CBA), 1987-1988
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), President Illinois Chapter, 1999-2000
- Children's SSI Project Volunteer, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), 1997-1999
- Vice Chair, Legislation Committee, Illinois State Bar Association
- Chair, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 1994-present
- Vice Chair, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), 2003-Present
- President, Illinois Chapter of ABOTA, 1999-2000
- Chair, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA), 1989
- Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Jury, Instructions in Civil Cases, 1999 to present
- State Bar of Illinois
- Special Committee on Proposed Revisions to Illinois Supreme Court Rules, Chicago Bar Association (CBA), 1995
- Elected Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
- U.S. District Court - various Districts
- Chair, Chicago Bar Association (CBA), 1992-1993
Representative Clients:
- Stone v. MiTek Industries, IL App (3d) 1201222-U. The Appellate Court affirmed the $13.5M verdict we obtained for a 22 year old man who sustained a leg amputation due to a defective truss press machine. The case was tried in a county where there had never been a million dollar verdict before. The jury awarded every penny requested. The judgment was affirmed by the Third District Appellate Court and the Supreme Court denied defendant’s petition for leave to appeal. Defendant paid the full amount of the judgment and interest. , 2014
- Mikolajczyk v. Ford Motor Co., 369 Ill.App.3d 78, 2006
- Estate of K.S. v. Methodist Medical Center of Illinois et al. - $5,008,921.72 jury verdict for the estate of a 36 year old woman who hemorrhaged to death in an operating room during a DaVinci robotic hysterectomy surgery. The jury found the gynecologist and the anesthesiologist negligently caused the death. She is survived by three children and her husband from whom she separated 10 months earlier. The previous high wrongful death verdict in Tazewell County where this case was tried was $970,000., 2016
- J.G. v. Advocate Christ Medical Center - $12,261,171 jury verdict for the estate of a 49 year-old man who died from a rare blood disease, thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP). He was admitted to the hospital on a Sunday morning, the diagnosis was confirmed by 4:30 p.m., but the plasmapheresis nurse took 6 hours to come to the hospital to provide the essential emergency treatment. His wife and three adult children survive him. The judgment was affirmed by the First District Appellate Court and was paid in full with interest., 2015
- Burger v. Lutheran General Hospital, 198 Ill.2d 21 (2001)
- Movitz v. First Nat’l Bank
- Jablonski v. Ford Motors
- Schaffner v. C & NW Transp. Co, 129 Ill.2d 1 (1989)
- People v. Philip Morris et al.
- Kotecki v. Cyclops
- Clayton v. County of Cook
- Gann v. TTI, Inc., 491 F.Supp.2d 771 (2007); 508 F.Supp.2d 654 (2007) and 522 F.Supp.2d 1021 (2007)
- Thompson v. County of Cook
- York v. Rush
- Carrillo v. Ford Motor Co., 325 Ill.App.3d 955 (1st Dist. 2001)
- Gill v. Foster
- Ready v. United/Gorecki
- In re U.S., 398 F. 3d. 615 (7th Cir. 2005)
- People v. City of Chicago
- LeBron v. Gottleib
- DeYoung v. Alpha Construction Co., 186 Ill.App.3d 758 (1989)
- Hills v. Bridgeview et al.
- Wakeford v. Rodehouse
- Rieff v. Evans
- Mikolajczyk v. Ford Motor Company, 374 Ill.App.3d 646 (1st Dist. 2007)
- Jones v. O'Young
- Melena v. Anheuser-Busch
- Bryant v. LaGrange Memorial Hosp., 345 Ill.App.3d 565 (1st Dist. 2003)
- Dominguez v. St. Johns
- Calles v. Scripto-Tokai
- Schaffner v. Chicago & North Western Transp. Co., 129 Ill.2d 1 (1989)
- Beavers v. Consolidated
- Studt v. Sherman Hosp.
- Gracia v. Volvo N.V., 112 F.3d 291 (7th Cir. 1997), cert. den. 522 U.S. 1050 (1998)
- Lafever v. Kemlite Company
- Schultz v. Gotlund
- Hagen v. LeDuc
- Mikolajczyk v. Ford Motor Company, 231 Ill.2d 516 (2008)
- Boatman's v. Martin
- Mele v. Howmedica Inc.
- Rennert v. Great Dane Ltd. Partnership, 543 F.3d 914 (7th Cir. 2008)
- Roach v. Springfield Clinic
- Blue v. Environmental
- DeYoung v. Alpha Const. Co., 186 Ill.App.3d 758 (1st Dist. 1989)
- Herzog v. Lexington T’ship
- Mount v. HCA Corp.
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Founded and continue to fund The Riley Spreadbury Scholarships at Moraine Valley Community College. , 2018
- Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
- Public Citizen
- Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation
- Equestrian Committee, Village of Barrington Hills
- Erin's Handicapped Children's Fund
- Public Justice
- Western Golf Association
- Equestrian Commission, Village of Barrington Hills
- Misericordia
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Evans Scholars, Western Golf Association
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Deceased husband v. Downstate Medical Clinic: settled for $12.5M with all proceeds to his surviving wife. , 2019
- Estate of K.S. v. Methodist Medical Center of Illinois et al. – $5,008,921.72 jury verdict for the estate of a 36-year-old woman who hemorrhaged to death in an operating room after a DaVinci robotic hysterectomy surgery. The jury found the gynecologist and the anesthesiologist negligently caused the death. She is survived by three children and her husband from whom she separated 10 months earlier. The previous high wrongful death verdict in Tazewell County where this case was tried was $970,000.
- Estate of Corina Miller v. Cluver Milk Transport – $7,020,882 jury verdict for the wrongful death of a 41-year-old woman in Toulon, IL, caused by the admitted negligence of a trucking company and its driver. She is survived by her adult daughter and her spouse who remarried before trial. It is the high verdict in a wrongful death case in Peoria County and was paid in full shortly after trial.
- M. v. Ford Motor Co. – $27,000,000 jury verdict for the estate of a 46 year-old man who died because the driver’s seat of his vehicle failed in a rear impact, causing him to suffer fatal head injuries. The jury’s award included $25,000,000 for loss of society suffered by his wife and two children, an Illinois record. This verdict was named one of the Top 100 Verdicts in America in 2005 by Verdict Search, a national publication. The case was ultimately settled.
- $7,020,000 verdict for the wrongful death of a 41 year old woman in a truck crash, survived by her adult daughter and husband, tried in Peoria County, IL, 2021
- A.O. v. Edgewater Medical Center - $9,346,663 jury verdict for the estate of a 42 year-old man who died because of an unnecessary cardiac catheterization performed negligently. The jury’s award included $8,350,000 for loss of society.
- R.H. v. Central Telephone Company of Illinois – $9,623,000 jury verdict for a 48 year-old roofing contractor who suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury and thermal injury to his skull as a result of contacting a bare 7200 volt electrical wire suspended above a roof where he was working. The jury awarded $16,000,000, but reduced the award by 40% contributory negligence, resulting in a total judgment of $9,623,000. The case was subsequently settled for $10.2 million, which included interest on the judgment and $500,000 awarded to his wife for loss of consortium.
- L.C. v. Ford Motor Co. - $14,500,000 jury verdict for a woman paralyzed below the chest and her husband due to the unsafe design of the driver's seat of a 1991 Ford Explorer, which broke when she was rear ended in Hammond, Ind. This is the highest verdict for paraplegia in the State of Illinois, according to the Jury Verdict Reporter. The 1st District Appellate Court affirmed the judgment, and the full amount of the judgment and interest was paid.
- J.G. v. TTI, Inc. - $9,362,580 jury verdict for the estate of a 48 year-old man who was killed when a truck’s trailer backed into him, pinching his legs and causing fatal hemorrhages. The jury’s verdict included $8,800,000 in non-economic losses.
- D.S. v. MiTek Industries, Inc. - $13,544,171 jury verdict for a 22 year-old worker who suffered a leg amputation using a roof truss press designed by MiTek. The case was tried in a county where there had never been a million dollar verdict before. The jury awarded every penny requested.
- J. M. v. Ford Motor Co. - $27,000,000 jury verdict for the estate of a 46 year-old man who died because the driver’s seat of his vehicle failed in a rear impact, causing him to suffer fatal head injuries. The jury's award included $25,000,000 for loss of society suffered by his wife and two children, an Illinois record. This verdict was named one of the Top 100 Verdicts in America in 2005 by Verdict Search, a national publication. The case was ultimately settled.
- D.B. v. Advocate Medical Group S.C. - $10,500,000 jury verdict for a 72 year-old woman who suffered an above knee amputation of her leg due to a failure of the emergency room doctor to diagnose bacterial cellulitis. The jury award included $10,000,000 for non-economic losses.
- D.S. v. Chicago & Northwestern Transportation Company - Tried case and handled appeal with Philip H. Corboy on behalf of a young man who suffered a closed head injury when the front wheel of his bicycle came off the fork as he was traversing the Central Avenue Crossing in Highland Park. The verdict of $8,235,000 was affirmed both by the Illinois Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court (1985-1989).
- J.G. v. Advocate Christ Medical Center and Fresenius Medical Care: Verdict of more than $12,000,000 for the estate of a gentleman who died due to a rare blood disease, TTP, that was untreated at Christ Hospital largely because a plasmapheresis nurse decided that she did not need to travel immediately to him despite being called to provide "emergency plasmapheresis.", 2013
- K.B. v. Kim - $30,000,000 jury verdict for a six year-old girl who suffered cerebral palsy due to a delayed emergency cesarean section delivery.
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- ABA Military Pro Bono Project Outstanding Services Award for providing pro bono legal services to an active duty member of the military., 2020
- Husband, father, grandfather, golfer
Industry Groups:
- AMERICAN BOARD OF TRIAL ADVOCATES
- American College Of Trial Lawyers
- Chicago Bar Association. Lawyers
- Fellow
- Illinois State Bar Association
- International Academy Of Trial Lawyers Illinois Trial Lawyers' Association
- International Society Of Barristers
Office location for Bruce R. Pfaff
One East Wacker Drive
Suite 3310
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-638-2407
Selections
19 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2005 - 2006, 2008 - 2024
Top Lists
Top 100: Illinois Super Lawyers: 2006, 2009 - 2024- Top 100: 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2019 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2016 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2012 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2011 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2010 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2009 Illinois Super Lawyers
- Top 100: 2006 Illinois Super Lawyers
