An Illinois appellate court has affirmed a $2.8 million civil judgment against the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) for injuries suffered by Sandra Kolalou, who was later convicted of murdering her landlord.
The 1st District Appellate Court declined the CTA’s request to overturn the verdict or reduce damages, noting that evidence of Kolalou’s criminal case was appropriately excluded during the civil trial.
Kolalou, also known in court filings as Sandra White, was hit by a CTA bus in March 2018 while walking across a Chicago street.
She filed a lawsuit against the transit agency and the driver, alleging long-term orthopedic and neurological injuries, including persistent back and leg pain.
Both the CTA and the bus operator admitted negligence, leaving jurors to determine the amount of compensation for her injuries, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
At the time of the civil trial, Kolalou faced separate criminal charges related to the October 2022 death of her 69-year-old landlord, Frances Walker.
Prosecutors reported that Kolalou killed Walker following an eviction notice and dismembered her body, storing the remains in a freezer.
She was subsequently arrested and later sentenced to 58 years in prison for first-degree murder and related charges.
During the proceedings, Kolalou testified via video from jail while wearing civilian clothing. The judge barred any mention of her pending criminal case to prevent juror bias.
The CTA argued that her incarceration should factor into potential damages for future medical treatment and diminished quality of life, but the appellate court rejected this, emphasizing that unrelated criminal matters are typically inadmissible in civil litigation because of their prejudicial effect, CWB Chicago reports.
The initial jury in 2023 awarded Kolalou approximately $3 million. A retrial was ordered after the court found she had not disclosed social media accounts that conflicted with her claims of chronic pain.
Posts depicted activities such as swimming, roller-skating and traveling internationally. A second jury awarded $2.8 million, including $400,000 for projected medical costs and $500,000 for loss of normal life.
The CTA filed another appeal, contending that the civil case should have been delayed until the conclusion of the murder trial and that jurors should have been aware Kolalou could face a lengthy prison term.
The appellate court dismissed these arguments, stating that her incarceration did not negate damages for injuries she sustained years earlier and that the civil trial proceeded in accordance with legal standards.
Legal analysts note that the ruling reinforces the separation between civil liability and unrelated criminal behavior.
The court stressed that its decision does not condone Kolalou’s later crimes but reflects the principles governing civil proceedings, which prioritize compensation for verified injuries regardless of subsequent criminal conduct.
Critics argue the case raises ethical questions about awarding multimillion-dollar settlements to individuals convicted of violent crimes, but precedent favors compensating victims of accidents independently of unrelated legal matters.
This case demonstrates how courts balance fairness, evidence rules and procedural safeguards in civil litigation.
Despite Kolalou’s conviction and prison sentence, the CTA remains legally responsible for the injuries caused by the 2018 bus accident.
Observers say the appellate decision underscores a critical aspect of civil justice: victims may obtain restitution for harm suffered even when later criminal developments might appear shocking or morally complicated.
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