Dance-floor injuries net $51,000 award
Based on a Lake County jury's verdict, a Hawthorn Woods woman shouldn't expect an invitation to appear on any television dance shows.
Susan Schneider, 51, was accused in a civil lawsuit of dancing too wildly and injuring Barrington-area resident Renate Pesche in the Gino's East pizzeria lounge in Lake Zurich in May 2005.
Jurors returned their verdict Tuesday after a two-day trial and sided with Pesche, awarding her $51,476.13. Lake County Circuit Judge Raymond McKoski presided over the trial.
The jury awarded $476.13 for out-of-pocket medical costs incurred by Pesche and $51,000 for pain and suffering from injuries to her right arm.
"I'm just glad that after two years, justice was done by the jury," Pesche's attorney, David Schwaner of Chicago, said Wednesday.
Schneider issued a written statement.
"The jury made its decision," she said. "In our system, we have to accept that. … But it was definitely a case that will make people second-guess themselves before getting on a dance floor."
Pesche, 46, who underwent two surgeries to her right arm, filed the negligence lawsuit against Schneider and Gino's East in January 2006. Gino's East eventually was dropped from the complaint.
Court documents state Schneider pulled Pesche to the dance floor while in Chuck's Lounge at Gino's East early in the morning of May 14, 2005. The featured attraction was The Only Sons, a cover band that plays dance music.
Schneider and others in her group who gathered for a birthday party were on the dance floor and wanted others to join them, court documents state. Schneider and her chums pulled and pushed some lounge visitors toward the dance floor, according to Pesche's lawsuit.
With the crowd swirling around the dance floor, Pesche was in full control of her body when Schneider collided with her while in an altered or intoxicated state, according to the suit. Schneider then placed her hands on Pesche and pulled her to the ground.
Pesche said the jury's verdict demonstrates there is a price to be paid if good judgment isn't shown on the dance floor.