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Thomas M. Crawford

Thomas M. Crawford

Partner

IL – Chicago
T: 312.781.6679 | F: 312.781.6630

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Tom is a litigator and a trial attorney. He regularly handles multi-million exposures in all types of commercial and civil litigation in state and federal courts across the country. He represents individuals and companies in a broad range of matters including business litigation, construction, insurance coverage, products liability and professional liability.

Prior to joining Litchfield Cavo LLP in 1999, Tom served as claims counsel for CNA Insurance Company where he provided strategic legal oversight on claims with exposure more than $5 million, legal precedent and media interest. These exposures arose out of claims involving professional and malpractice claims including directors and officers liability, employment law, environmental mass torts, managed care, reinsurance, advertising injury, cyber claims, personal lines and extra-contractual liability risks.

Tom’s military service includes serving in the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) 1982-1985.

Practices

  • Prevailed on appeal for oil company after an underground gasoline storage tank was leaking and the fuel fumes caused an explosion at a condo complex where Plaintiff resided, resulting in Plaintiff sustaining second-degree burns and other injuries; the Supreme Court upheld the Trial Court and Appellate Court ruling that Plaintiff had a sufficient remedy in law for their injuries, and the Illinois EPA and LUST Program provide governmental enforcement for violations, and ruled in favor of our client.
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of condominium association and property management clients against Plaintiff who claimed they suffered an eye injury due to unsafe water chemical levels in our clients’ pool; after establishing that our clients fulfilled the duty of reasonable care and refuting claims of proximate cause, the Court granted our motion.
  • Obtained defense jury verdict in legal malpractice involving a city Police Department shooting of an unarmed male who alleged excessive force when twice shot, then tasered, kicked and beat; the two-in-one case included whether Defendant failed to file a civil suit against the officers and whether the police officers used excessive force; the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on both the professional negligence and excessive force.
  • Obtained summary judgment on behalf of client against allegations of defamation, conspiracy and aiding and abetting of both defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress by arguing Plaintiff’s material facts were inadmissible hearsay and not permitted for consideration; the Court agreed, and held that summary judgment was warranted as to the conspiracy claim.
  • Obtained a not guilty verdict in Baltimore City Circuit Court, Maryland for a contractor client against Plaintiff whose vehicle was struck by a pole gate that had swung into the street and into oncoming traffic, sustained serious injuries that later required a craniotomy, duroplasty and other medical procedures; after deliberations, the jury’s verdict found our contractor was not liable due to the co-defendant failing to install a lock and/or maintain the gate.
  • Successfully defended an appeal in the Second Appellate District regarding the application of the Savings Clause (735 ILCS 5/13-207) wherein Appellant sought a reversal of the lower court ruling barred by the statute of limitations; the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in favor of our client and denied Appellant’s Petition for further appeal.