Hinshaw's Adam Guetzow Discusses Governor Pritzker Veto of 9% Pre-Judgment Interest Bill in McKnight's Long-Term Care News

March 30, 2021

Hinshaw attorney Adam Guetzow, a Chicago-based partner, was quoted in a story by McKnight's Long-Term Care News about Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's veto of SB 3360, which would have allowed plaintiffs to collect 9% pre-judgment interest in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Hospitals or health care providers are frequently defendants in such cases.

Guetzow, outside counsel on this issue for LeadingAge Illinois—a leading association of providers serving older adults in Illinois—said permitting pre-judgment interest would increase healthcare costs across sectors:

"The Nursing Home industry has long been disproportionately penalized throughout the litigation process in Illinois," he said. The original bill "incentivized plaintiffs and their attorneys alike to delay commencement of legal actions to the outer end of the statutory limitation period by allowing the pre-judgment interest to accrue from the date of injury. "

The Illinois legislature subsequently passed a second, similar bill on the same day as the Governor's veto, this one featuring a 6% flat rate of pre-judgment interest.

Read the full McKnight's article

"Providers say malpractice law would encourage claimants to drag out cases" was published by McKnight's Long-Term Care News, March 30, 2021.

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