To-Am Equipment Co., Inc. v. Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America, Inc..

This case arose out of another wrongful termination of one of a forklift dealership. The case was tried to the jury on the hotly contested issue of whether or not the forklift dealer, was a "franchise" under the Illinois Franchise Act. The jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. Leydig's client in the amount of $1,525,000. That verdict was then increased by the trial judge by another $246,000 to compensate the dealer for its attorneys' fees and expenses. The verdict and judgment were affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. This appellate court decision has become one of the leading decisions in the country for the liberal interpretation of state franchise laws for the protection of dealerships and distributorships. Click here to read the opinion.