Klest Law Firm Achieves Record 28 Million Dollar Verdict in Childhood Sexual Abuse Case

The Klest Law Firm set a milestone victory for sexual abuse victims this week when they received a 28 million dollar verdict in the matter of Snyder v. Kenny. The verdict represents the largest civil sexual abuse verdict in Illinois history and is among the largest in the country. The jury verdict was returned on Tuesday afternoon at the Daley Center after about two hours of deliberation. The jury awarded Snyder seven million in compensatory damages and 21 million in punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish a wrongdoer and also deter others from similar conduct.

It was a very emotional scene as Larry Snyder took the stand and chronicled over four years of graphic and disturbing sexual abuse. He testified that he was molested at least three times a week over the course of four years. He eventually dropped out of high school and came to live with the sexual abuser for almost a year. His life continued to spiral downwards as he became addicted to heroin. The verdict is a testament to the strength of Larry Snyder and the jury’s desire to expose and punish the man that tormented him as a child. The verdict also sends a message to the broader community that childhood sexual abuse will not be tolerated.

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