$1.3 Million Settlement Reached in Death of 80 Year-Old Woman

The estate of an 80 year old woman who died from injuries received when she was struck by a pickup truck while crossing the street agreed to accept a settlement offer of $1.3 million yesterday to resolve a lawsuit that had been filed in DuPage County. The case had been set to start trial on Monday before Judge Stephen Culliton.

On March 27, 2000, Florence Hansen was hit by a vehicle while crossing Ogden Avenue at its intersection with Main Street in Lisle, Illinois. There was no marked pedestrian crosswalk on the side of the intersection where she was crossing. Hansen was struck by a westbound vehicle operated by Sven Mollberg, who was on his way to a construction project that he managed for Kern Konstruction Kompany of Tinley Park. Although Mollberg was employed by Kern Konstruction as a project superintendent, Kern Konstruction argued that Mollberg’s driving from home to a jobsite did not place him within the scope of his employment at the time of the incident.

Ms. Hansen was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where she was treated for a severe brain injury. Her condition was complicated by a heart attack she suffered three days into her admission. She remained at Good Samaritan Hospital for 37 days and was then transferred to Oak Brook Health Center, where she remained bedridden due to her head injury until her death more than three years later. Ms. Hansen was survived by her niece, Jane Smith, and two cousins in Wisconsin.

The Hansen's attorney stated: 

Florence Hansen was a vibrant 77 year old woman who was still very active at the time of the incident. This was a tragic end to a life that was filled with energy, enthusiasm and caring. Her family will always remember Flo’s zest for life.