ABOUT
US
OUR FIRM
Ford & Britton, PC. has offices in the Chicago loop. The firm concentrates its practice in litigation and trial work. The firm has represented clients throughout Illinois and Northern Indiana. The firm takes pride in its record of success, and the personalized service that we provide for our clients. Clients of Ford & Britton, PC are primarily insurers and managers of self-insured ventures with high standards and expectation of efficient, high-quality legal work. We strive to provide early and accurate evaluations of our cases to our clients, to thoroughly and vigorously prepare them for trial, to keep the client informed of the status of their case, and to use our experience and hard work to obtain a favorable result on behalf of the client.
Innovative.
The attorneys of Ford & Britton PC apply innovative strategies to the litigation of complex legal matters. Instead of using the same actions and procedures employed by law firms for decades, our attorneys use an innovative approach to representing the client and achieving verifiable results. These actions enable us to shorten the litigation timeline while at the same time producing positive results in accurate case evaluation, pursuit of dispositive motions and successful trials.
Dedicated.
We consider every client of our firm as though they were our only client. Every matter referred to us will receive the attention and activity required to ensure positive outcomes for both the insured (the person or entity being sued), and the customer (the insurance company or self-insured who retains our services). The time and attention to detail of our attorneys will protect the individuals and companies we represent from unwarranted and frivolous lawsuits and judgments.
Responsive.
Client representatives expect that their questions be answered, their required reports be provided in a timely fashion and, on a basic level, and that their telephone calls are promptly returned. The attorneys of Ford & Britton will not make our clients wait for our advice and counsel. We will provide timely answers to questions posed by our clients in an informed and thorough manner. Our clients have responsibilities to report to their chain of command in a quick and efficient manner and we have the same responsibility to those who retain our services.
LEGAL UPDATES
Ready v. United
by Scott Britton
The Illinois Supreme Court’s recent decision in Ready v. United/Goedecke Services, Inc., Docket No. 103474, 2008 Ill. LEXIS 1439 (November 25, 2008, modified on denial of rehearing on March 23, 2009) settled a long-disputed question regarding the interpretation of a provision of the Illinois Joint Tortfeasors Liability Act, 735 ILCS 5/2-1117. At issue in Ready was whether co-defendants who settle prior to trial should be included on the jury verdict form apportioning fault. The Supreme Court determined that the 2-1117 required exclusion of settling defendants from the verdict form apportioning fault as they are not “defendants sued by the plaintiff” under the statute. This article discusses the Ready decision and the strategy going forward defending tort actions with multiple defendants, including both the question Ready answered and the very important question left unanswered.
Court stifles cry for expansion of affirmative duties
by Scott Britton
The Supreme Court recently considered the extension of affirmative duties to act and the alleged erosion of the “special relationship” doctrine in Iseberg v. Gross. In this case, a joint business venture left one partner financially distraught and mentally unbalanced, blaming an ex-partner, the plaintiff in the case, for his plight.
Illinois Looks Forward at Relation-Back Doctrine
by Scott Britton
The Illinois Supreme Court recently set out to shed light on the “gray area” of the relation back doctrine, codified by 735 ILCS 5/2-616(b), through their January 08 decision in Porter v. Decatur Memorial Hosp.
Untried Allegation Laid to Rest with Res Judicata
by Scott Britton
Recently, Illinois Supreme Court decided Hudson v. City of Chicago. In November of 1998, 5 year old Hudson died of acute asthma exacerbation when a fire engine without advanced life support equipment was dispatched by the 911 operator.
General Assembly is a step behind in preventing step-down provisions
by Scott Britton
Effective January 1, 2008, section 143.13a of the Illinois Insurance Code mandates that private passenger automobile liability policies must provide the same coverage limits to anyone insured under the policy, regardless of whether that person is a named insured or a permissive user.
News & Notes
Advanced Trial Tactics Seminar Given through National Business Institute
Ford and Britton partner Scott Britton recently presented a continuing education seminar through the National Business Institute.
Jury Finds for Ford and Britton Client in Assault Case
Scott Britton recently obtained a not guilty verdict on behalf of his construction company client in a trial in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Scott Britton Appears in Forbes Magazine Insurance Article
Five Mistakes: When Buying Business Insurance