Michael R. LaBarge received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1982. Mr. LaBarge devotes his practice to preparing and trying personal injury and wrongful death cases in all substantive areas with a primary focus in transportation and trucking law. He has handled and tried cases throughout the state of Illinois and in several other states. Mr. LaBarge has been a speaker at numerous seminars and was selected by his peers as a Leading Illinois Attorney as published in Law and Leading Attorneys. Mr. LaBarge can be contacted at MLaBarge@LCLLaw.com
Admitted: Illinois U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming
Pro Hac Vice Admissions: Texas Indiana Michigan Wyoming Alabama
Affiliations: Illinois State Bar Chicago Bar Association Defense Research Institute Trucking Industry Defense Association Association for Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy
Areas of Practice: Transportation Law Trucking Law Construction Law Products Liability Law Insurance Law Personal Injury-Defense Coverage
Litigation: 100% of practice devoted to litigation
Representative Cases:
Defended owner of tractor-trailer in a personal injury case. Plaintiff, operator of a forklift, claims he fell through a hole in the trailer floor because of an unsecured metal plate. Plaintiff sustained back injury resulting in permanent total disability. Verdict for the defendant.
Defended trucking company and driver in wrongful death case brought by estate of pedestrian run over by tractor-trailer at intersection. Dispute as to whether pedestrian in crosswalk. Verdict for the defendants.
Defended automobile driver who made left turn in front of vehicle in which plaintiff was a passenger, allegedly causing driver of plaintiff’s vehicle to lose control and go off the roadway. Verdict in favor of the defendant.
Defended trucking company and driver in chemical release case involving over 5,000 plaintiffs and multiple defendants. Plaintiffs alleged exposure to chemical fumes resulting in a variety of respiratory injuries. After extensive discovery over several years, obtained summary judgment for trucking company and driver.
Defended trucking company and driver who allegedly made an excessively wide right turn at intersection and hit plaintiff’s car that was stopped in the opposite direction waiting to make a left turn. Plaintiff claimed ligament tear in wrist and resulting surgery caused by accident. Net verdict for plaintiff was less than 8% of offer and less than 5% of demand.
Defended homeowners sued by invitee who fractured leg as a result of fall, allegedly due to inadequate lighting. Verdict for the defendants.
