Martin D. Gould is a trial attorney representing individuals and classes of victims in wrongful death, toxic exposure, medical malpractice, auto and trucking accidents, construction and other workplace accidents, product defect, and sexual abuse cases across the country.
Martin has played a key role in securing numerous record-breaking multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients who have been harmed as a result of wrongful conduct. In 2017, Martin played a key role in securing a $44.7 million verdict at trial against the City of Chicago in a case where an off-duty police officer shot a construction worker in the head leaving him paralyzed; this was the largest verdict in Illinois and one of the largest in the country for a police misconduct case.
In 2019, Martin and his team secured a $21.337 million verdict at trial on behalf of the family of a mother of five young children who was killed in a car accident. Later that same year, Martin played a key role in securing a $12.35 million settlement at the beginning of trial on behalf of the family of a young mother of three children in a medical malpractice case; the settlement was the largest recorded in Illinois for a misdiagnosis of breast cancer case.
In addition to obtaining significant recoveries for his clients, Martin takes on many cases where he believes he can change policies or the law to protect future generations. In that regard, Martin has represented countless victims of childhood sexual abuse, and currently represents dozens of individuals in cases against the Boy Scouts of America, University of Michigan (abuse involving Dr. Robert Anderson), school districts, private institutions, and countless religious institutions. He has helped shed light on systemic abuse and cover-ups while securing millions of dollars in settlements on behalf of survivors, including a recent $2.1 million settlement on behalf of 7-year-old abused by a Church camp counselor. Understanding the lasting impact child abuse can have on someone, Martin has also taken on school bullying cases, securing a $250,000 verdict in a school bullying case in Woodford County, Illinois, the largest bullying verdict ever reported in Illinois.
In helping manage a mass tort litigation practice, Martin currently represents hundreds of individuals whose homes were destroyed when after years of neglect, the Edenville and Sanford dams near Midland, Michigan failed, devastating the surrounding community. He also represents hundreds of individuals injured by consumption of and/or exposure to harmful products, including exposure to ethylene oxide emissions; RoundUp herbicide exposure; Johnson & Johnson talc baby powder; and individuals who took prescription and over-the-counter Zantac/ranitidine medication, which was recalled by the FDA due to defects in its design potentially leading to cancer.
Martin regularly appears in the media to discuss cases, including appearances on Fox 32 and ABC 7 to discuss the toxic exposure involving Sterigenics, interviews with the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin to discuss clergy abuse lawsuits and settlements, and appearances on the Legal Broadcasting Network to discuss a federal class action lawsuit against a large municipality.
Martin graduated toward the top of his class from Chicago-Kent College of Law, cum laude, and was a published member of the Chicago-Kent Law Review. He was also a Legal Writing Teaching Assistant and six-time recipient of the CALI Award for receiving the highest grade in the class in Legal Writing I, I & III, Illinois Evidence, Pre-Trial Civil Litigation, and Conflicts of Law. Currently, Martin holds leadership positions within numerous legal organizations, including serving as a member of the National Crime Victims Bar Association’s Child Sexual Abuse Section, Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Torts Litigation Group, and Co-Chair of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s Young Lawyers Division. Martin earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Northwestern University, where he was also a four-year member of the Northwestern Varsity Wrestling Team. The team placed 4th in the NCAAs Martin’s sophomore year in 2007.
J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, cum laude
B.A., Political Science, Minor in Business Institutions, Northwestern University
LaPorta v. City of Chicago
Co-counsel
Construction worker shot in the head causing paralysis
Verdict: $44.7 million*
*Largest verdict in Illinois for a police misconduct case
Carreon v. City of Chicago
Co-counsel
Mother of five children killed in car accident
Verdict: $21.337 million
Client v. Chicago-Area Hospital, Radiologists, Breast Surgeon and OBGYN
Co-Counsel
Breast cancer misdiagnosis spanning two years
Settlement: $12.35 million*
*Largest medical malpractice settlement ever reported in Illinois for a misdiagnosis of breast cancer case
Client v. Chicago-Area Hospital and Neurosurgeon
Co-Counsel
Medical malpractice settlement involving failure to properly treat cauda equina syndrome resulting in partial paralysis
Settlement: $2.875 million
Jane Doe v. Archdiocese of Chicago
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse
Settlement: $2.1 million
Jane Doe v. GPT
Co-counsel
Two girls abused by school bus driver
Settlement: $2 million
Wdziekonski v. S Saft & Company
Co-counsel
Motor vehicle accident case in Florida
Settlement: $1.75 million
John Doe v. Diocese of Joliet
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse
Settlement: $1.4 million
John Doe v. Private U.S. Boarding School
Lead counsel
Sexual abuse by teacher
Settlement: $1.2 million*
*One of the largest settlements reported involving male victim and female perpetrator
Barker v. Restrepo and Ruiz
Client fell through plexiglass ceiling on rooftop
Settlement: $1.175 million
Estate of John Brown v. Walworth County, et. al.
Co-counsel
Police shot and killed teenager locked in his room
Settlement: $1.1 million
Estate of Norton v. Roosevelt City, et. al.
Co-counsel
Settlement: Confidential
Larios v. Chadron State College
Co-Lead counsel
Title IX case involving wrongful death of student who committed suicide on campus where school failed respond to ongoing verbal and physical abuse by boyfriend in the dorms
Settlement: $900,000
John Doe A and B v. Archdiocese of Chicago (St. Bede’s the Venerable parish)
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse where two altar boys fondled by priest
Settlement: $880,000
Client v. Bus Company and Abuser
Lead counsel
75 year old client with Alzheimer’s sexually abused by bus driver
Settlement: $865,000
John Doe v. Archdiocese of Chicago (Mt. Carmel High School)
Lead counsel
Clergy abuse where client fondled by priest
Settlement: $330,000
Kessler v. Walker (Indiana)
Lead counsel
Settlement: $300,000 (vehicle full policy limits)
Liggett v. El-Paso Gridley Community School District, et. al.
Lead counsel
Verdict: $250,000*
*Largest verdict reported in Illinois for a school bullying case
Mack v. Metra, et. al.
Lead counsel
Settlement: $225,000
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