Tom Pender and Jennifer Lee recently won dismissal of two lawsuits filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County by airline passengers who alleged that they were injured at O'Hare International Airport. Tom and Jenni represented the cleaning/janitorial company that services the airport.  In the first case, the firm's client was accused of failing to properly clean and maintain the carpeting on the jet bridge.  The plaintiff alleged that she fell on the metal transition point in a jet bridge and was seriously injured.  They filed a motion for summary judgment in which they argued that there was simply no evidence that their client failed to meet the contractual requirements of its cleaning agreement with the airlines and no evidence that the client had actual or constructive notice of any hazardous condition on the jet bridge.  Judge Moira Johnson entered the order of dismissal.  No appeal was taken.

In the second case, the plaintiff alleged that she fell on a spill in the baggage claim area, resulting in a fractured spine and spinal surgery.  During discovery, witnesses testified that airline employees laughed at plaintiff as she lay on the ground injured.  Tom and Jenni filed a motion for summary judgment which again argued compliance with the contract and lack of notice.  Judge Kathy Flanagan granted summary judgment to the firm's client based on both arguments.  No appeal was taken.