George T. Brugess is known in the greater Chicago railway community for his generous spirit and the exceptional outcomes he has delivered in many of the toughest FELA cases. He is highly sought for his unrivaled record in the specialty, leading the field in both verdict values and total FELA cases tried. Among his many notable wins, George is recognized for litigating such high-profile cases as the Fox River Grove school bus crash, as well as co-litigating the county’s largest FELA verdict, worth 24 million dollars.
While he modestly acknowledges his courtroom success and multiple awards for excellence in jury trial litigation, his pride of accomplishment comes in helping injured workers and their families through the most traumatic times in their lives.
George will choose trial over settlement any day, and he studies the merits of each case as if it were his only one. He is not afraid to fight for verdicts that bring deserved compensation to injured workers. The Chicago railway system has been George’s stomping ground for over 30 years. He knows the systems and policies within railway administration as well as the practical, geographical, and logistical conditions that railway workers face every day. More importantly, he knows what he is up against in court, coming at every case with a depth of knowledge that rivals opposing counsel’s. He has represented all parties in FELA cases. He was the appointed General Attorney for the CNW Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad for 15 years during which time he was responsible to oversee occupational illness trials across six states. He later turned his talents to the personal injury side, where he has shattered settlement offers and rendered verdicts in the tens of millions of dollars. He now focuses his efforts exclusively on the local region.
He is union-designated and represents the injured worker’s best chance at a fair trial on a level playing field. Further contributing to his courtroom prowess is his ability to connect with jurors with sincerity and simple language. George is an experienced classroom instructor with the Bar Association and a frequent featured speaker for unions. He is trusted in the field, having built lasting friendships with clients and colleagues across the many services involved in personal injury cases. He approaches every client relationship with a compassionate understanding of the difficulties that lie ahead and takes great pleasure in seeing his efforts contribute to many of his client’s full recovery
and return to work after grim prognoses.
George frequently lends himself to causes he cares about, among which he served as President of the Morton School District Board of Education and is a long-time supporter of Misericordia.
If you have been injured in a personal injury or medical malpractice accident, do not hesitate to contact the Chicago accident and injury law firm of Cogan & Power, P.C. at (312) 477-2500 to schedule a free case consultation, so that we can help you begin the process of recovery as soon as possible.
