Walker v. Lewis

Plaintiff-appellant, Andre L. Walker, brought a negligence action for personal injuries he sustained after being struck by an automobile driven by defendant-appellee, William J. Lewis. The matter was submitted to mandatory arbitration under Supreme Court Rule 86(b). 155 Ill. 2d R. 86(b). Defendant did not appear at the arbitration hearing although Walker requested defendant’s presence pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 237, which governs compelling the appearance of witnesses at arbitration hearings. See 166 Ill. 2d Rs. 237, 90(g). Defense counsel, however, appeared and participated. An…