Suburban Man Gets $91M Settlement From 7-Eleven After Losing Legs

BENSENVILLE, IL — A 57-year-old Bensenville man was awarded a $91 million settlement this week from 7-Eleven, nearly six years after losing both of his legs after being struck by a car and pinned against a Bensenville location of the chain convenience store.

A Cook County judge approved the settlement this week for the man, whose attorney said his client prefers to be known as “Carl” due to the size of the settlement. James Power, Jr., who represented the man in the claim, said that the case was one of thousands leveled against 7-Eleven by victims of crippling accidents at store locations across the country.

Power said the settlement was the largest pre-trial personal injury settlement in Illinois history and was awarded the day before the case was to go to trial.

Power said that the man was pinned against the front of the Bensenville store after a vehicle pulled into a parking spot and the driver hit the gas pedal instead of the brake before crashing into the suburban man. Power said “Carl” was a frequent visitor to the 7-Eleven, which is just a few blocks from his apartment.

As a result of the incident, “Carl” had to have both of his legs amputated above the knee and now gets around with prosthetics.

“We are heartbroken by this tragedy and our thoughts continue to be with Mr. Garcia and his loved ones,” a spokesperson for 7-Eleven said. “It is important to note that this unfortunate accident was caused by a reckless driver who pled guilty, and this store followed all local building codes and ordinances.”

Power said that there have been more than 6,200 crashes in front of 7-Eleven stores around the country, according to studies done by the law firm. A previous lawsuit indicated that there had been an additional 1,500 crashes at 7-Eleven stores between 1990 and 1995, Power said.