Bernesak v. Catholic Bishop of Chicago

Plaintiff Anita Bemasek, an eighth-grade pupil at Our Lady of Charity School in Cicero, sustained serious and permanent personal injuries as she and 15 or 20 of her classmates played a game identified as “crack-the-whip” in the school playground. She brought an action against defendant Catholic Bishop of Chicago, a corporation sole and, following a jury trial, was awarded damages of $200,000 based upon wilful and wanton misconduct of defendant’s agents and employees. Defendant appeals from the verdict and judgment and plaintiff cross-appeals therefrom.

The issues presented for review on appeal…