$2.1 million jury verdict for the Tuscola Chief of Police after he fell down a staircase that was removed without any warning resulting in orthopedic injuries and hearing loss. Craig Hastings v. Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign County (“PACA”). Craig Hastings was setting up a police training exercise at the North Ward School in Tuscola, Illinois. Prior to that, workers from PACA removed a spiral staircase but failed to put up any warning signs that the staircase was removed. On the day of the training exercise, Chief Hastings went to open the door leading to the staircase and fell fifteen feet down to the ground. He suffered a torn rotator cuff, temporary brain injury, and partial hearing loss in one ear.
