delivered the opinion of the court:
Plаintiff Terry Downing was injured during a midget car race that was held on premises operated by defendants United Auto Racing Association (UARA) and Aaron Willis (Willis) (hereinafter collectively referred to as defendants). The plaintiff’s injuries occurred when a car driven by defendant Robert Guess (Guess) overturned on the racetrack and struck plaintiff, who was standing just off the track in an area unprotected by a guardrail. A jury found that Guess was not negligent in his driving of the car, and he is not a party to this appeal. The jury determined that the actions of defendants UARA and Willis with respect to their maintenance of the track amounted to willful and wanton misconduct, and awarded plaintiff $1.5 million in damages. The jury also found that plaintiff was 59% comparatively negligent in causing his own injuries and reduced the award by this percentage, for a net damages award of $615,000.
Defendants UARA and Willis raise numerous issues on appeal. Based upon our review of the record, we conclude that: (1) the evidence of record supports the jury’s determination that the actions of these defendants constituted willful and wanton misconduct; (2) a release signed by plaintiff was properly excluded from evidence; (3) the advent of -comparative negligence does not abolish the distinction between ordinary negligence and willful and wanton misconduct; (4) the trial court’s instruction to the jury to disregard certain testimony from the plaintiff’s expert was sufficient to cure any prejudice to the defendants arising from such testimony; (5) the trial court's instruction to the jury to disregard hearsay testimony from one of plaintiff’s occurrence witnesses was adequate to prevent any prejudice to the defendants; (6) there was no error in any of the trial court’s rulings with respect to testimony provided by plaintiff’s experts at trial; (7) defendants are not entitled to a new trial because of allegedly improper testimony regarding the scope of plаintiff’s injuries; and (8) there were no cumulative errors that entitle defendants to a new trial.
Plaintiff also cross-appeals from the judgment entered upon the jury’s verdict, claiming that his ordinary negligence could not offset defendants’ liability for willful and wanton acts. We conclude that, in light of the adoption of comparative fault, a jury may consider a plaintiff’s ordinary negligence to reduce the amount of damages assessed for a defendant’s willful and wanton acts.
In accordance with these determinations, we affirm.
Plaintiff was injured on August 12, 1978, during a midget car race at Joliet Memorial Stadium. Defendant Willis leased the track to promote, organize and supervise such races. Under the agreement, defendant Willis was to provide a safe, adequate, and properly prepared track for the races, including personnel to supervise activities near the track and in the pit area. Defendant UARA agreed to sanction races held by defendant Willis at the stadium.
At the time of his injury, plаintiff was a member of a pit crew for Richard Pole (Pole), a midget car driver. Plaintiff helped others in the crew to prepare the car and push it onto the track. As plaintiff waited on the track for the car to be pushed into a warm-up race, he noticed that the car being driven by Guess bicycled in the turns nearer to plaintiff. “Bicycling” occurs when the car’s inner wheels lose contact with the track surface.
According to plaintiff’s trial testimony, Guess’ car bicycled approximately two feet off the asphalt in these turns. After Guess’ car passed through the turns, plaintiff and other members of the crew pushed Pole’s car onto the track to participate in the warm-up race. Thereafter, plaintiff began to walk off the track toward the pit area. He was accompanied by George Boban (Boban), who was also a pit crew member for Pole. Both plaintiff and Boban noted that Guess’ car again biсycled a few feet in the air when the car made the two turns at the far end of the track. Plaintiff testified that he mentioned to Boban, and to David Valentino (Valentino), a pit crew member for another driver who was nearby, that Guess’ car should be blackflagged off the track. “Blackflag” occurs when the racing steward waves a black flag to a driver to signal to the driver that his car should leave the track. Valentino also testified at trial that he noticed that Guess’ car bicycled when making turns around the track.
Boban and Valentino testified that they were standing with plaintiff in the grassy area near the track when they noticed Guess’ car bicycling in turns on the track. Also, Boban and Valentino testified that Guess’ car bicycled both during warm-up laps, where the cars are running at a reduced speed, and during hot laps, where the cars are making trial runs at full speed. However, plaintiff testified that he believed Guess’ car was operating a warm-up lap when he first noticed the bicycling, but that he did not know whether Guess was operating during a hot lap when Guess’ car repeated its bicycling around the track.
It was established at trial that a racing steward controlled whether the cars were racing a warm-up lap or a hot lap. To indicate a warm-up lap, the steward would wave a yellow flag. To indicate a hot lap, the steward would wave a green flag. In addition, there was a light signal at the far end of the track, away from the pit area, that would show a yellow or green light depending upon the signals given by the racing steward.
During the time that plaintiff, Boban, and Valentino noticed Guess’ car bicycling at the far end of the track, they were located in a grassy area off the track between the pit and the straightaway. A guardrail separated the track from the pit area at the turns at this end of the track, and there was a fence along the track straightaway. Boban, Valentino, and plaintiff all testified that they were aware that it was dangerous to remain in this area during a hot lap.
Plaintiff testified at trial that because he believed that the bicycling of Guess’ car created a hazardous condition on the track, he concluded that Guess’ car should be removed from the race. In an effort to find a race official to blackflag Guess' car, plaintiff began to walk away from Boban and Valentino. He walked in the grassy strip along the track, away from the guardrail, in the direction of the fence along the straightaway. Plaintiff did not watch Guess’ car as it continued on the track.
Boban and Valentino testified that as Guess’ car reached the turns nearer to the pit area, the car again bicycled. It then flipped over and began skidding toward the area where plaintiff, Boban, and Valentino were located. Although Boban and Valentino avoided injury, plaintiff was struck by the car and pinned against thе fence next to the track straightaway. He sustained injuries requiring extensive surgery and lengthy post-operative care.
Plaintiff contended that defendants UARA and Willis were guilty of willful and wanton conduct because they (1) failed to extend the guardrail near the pit area and (2) failed to provide a pit steward to ensure that persons did not remain in the exposed area near the pit. In addition, plaintiff claimed that defendant UARA was guilty of willful and wanton misconduct because it failed to blackflag Guess’ car off the track once it began to bicycle.
To support his contentions, plaintiff produced evidence at trial to show that defendants were aware that the area where plaintiff had been located was dangerous because it exposed persons standing there to the risk of being hit by cars driven on the track. Plaintiff’s expert at trial, Dr. John Fitch, stated that the guardrail along the pit area should have been extendеd toward the straightaway to minimize this hazard. Dr. Fitch also testified that, as an alternative to a guardrail, defendants should have placed a steward in the area where plaintiff was located at the time he was injured, who would be responsible for preventing persons from remaining in that vicinity. Dr. Fitch also stated that the defendant UARA should have blackflagged Guess’ car off the track before it bicycled, lost control, and spun into plaintiff. Dr. Fitch testified that either an extended guardrail, the presence of a steward to warn plaintiff off the area unprotected by a guardrail, or the removal of Guess’ car probably would have prevented plaintiff’s injuries.
Defendants presented evidence to show that none of the alternatives suggested by plaintiff was reasonably necessary and that none would have prevented plaintiff’s injuries. Testimony from experts detailed these points. Defendants also presented testimony to establish that they had warned pit crew members, including plaintiff, not to stand in the area where the plaintiff’s injuries occurred.
Based upon this evidence, the jury returned a verdict against defendants UARA and Willis. It awarded plaintiff $1.5 million in damages, reduced to $615,000 for plaintiff’s comparative fault, which the jury assessed at 59%. The trial court entered judgment in conformity with this verdict. Defendants UARA and Willis appeal, and plaintiff cross-appeals.
I
Defendants argue that the jury’s finding of willful and wanton misconduct was not supported by the evidence of record. They contend that the trial court should have granted their motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or in the alternative for a new trial. A motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict should be granted when all the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, so overwhelmingly favors the movant that no contrary verdict could ever stand. (Pedrick v. Peoria & Eastern R.R. Co. (1967),
Willful and wanton acts are those which, under the circumstances of the particular case, exhibit reckless disregard for the safety of others, including the failure to exercise ordinary care to prevent an impending danger. (Schneiderman v. Interstate Transit Lines, Inc. (1946),
A review of the record reveals sufficient basis to justify the jury’s verdict that defendants UARA and Willis were willful and wanton. Plaintiff produced evidence that showed defendants were aware that the exposed area near the pit presented a substantial risk of serious injury to persons who stood there, and that defendants knew pit crew members were often located in the vicinity during warm-up and hot laps. The testimony of plaintiff’s expert, Dr. John Fitch, established that defendants should have either extended the guardrail near the pit area, or secured the presence of a pit steward who would be responsible for preventing pit crew members from standing in the area. Dr. Fitch also testified that defendant UARA, in addition to these alternatives, should have had Guess’ car blackflagged off the track before it bicycled, lost control, and spun into plaintiff. Dr. Fitch testified that in his opinion, the defendants’ failure to extend the guardrail, or require the presence of a pit steward, was an utter disregard for the safety of pit crew members. The plaintiff’s expert gave similar testimony with respect to defendant UARA’s failure to black-flag Guess’ car. We cannot say, as a matter of law, that this evidence was insufficient to prove that defendants’ omissions constituted willful and wanton conduct. It is not the province of this court, on appeal from a jury verdict, to reweigh the evidence of record or to question the validity of the opinions stated by the plaintiff’s expert. See, e.g., Doser v. Savage Manufacturing & Sales, Inc. (1990),
Defendants do not dispute the sufficiency of the evidence with respect to their knowledge that the exposed area between the guardrail and the fence was hazardous to pit crew members who stood in that location. Instead, defendants argue that the jury could not find them liable for willful and wanton misconduct, because the defendants warned pit crew members not to stand in the exposed area during hot laps, and because they provided light signals at the far end of the track, visible to pit crew members, to indicate whether the cars were running a warm-up lap or a hot lap. Defendants also note that their opportunity to have plaintiff removed from the exposed area prior to his injury lasted only a few seconds and was too short a period of time in which to prevent plaintiff from remaining in the exposed area. Defendants further observe that plaintiff was fully aware of the hazards associated with his staying in the exposed area near the pit. On these bases, the defendants urge that the jury could not find defendants willful and wanton on any of the grounds alleged by the plaintiff.
We are unable to find defendants’ arguments sufficient ground to disturb the jury’s verdict. As defendants concede, defendants were aware that the exposed аrea remained hazardous to pit crew members and required a warning to pit crew members to avoid the area. Defendants also acknowledge that because of the hazardous nature of the exposed area near the pit, light signals at the far end of the track were intended to show whether the cars were running warm-up laps or hot laps. Plaintiff’s expert testified that, in his opinion, the defendants’ warnings and light signals were insufficient to adequately protect plaintiff, in view of the high degree of risk of serious bodily harm created by the exposed area near the pit. Plaintiff’s expert stated that because of the likelihood of serious bodily injury associated with the exposed vicinity near the pit, defendants should have either extended the guardrail near the pit area or provided a pit steward to prevent pit crew members from remaining in the exposed area near the pit. Plaintiffs expert testified that the рrobability of serious bodily injury also required that defendant UARA should have blackflagged Guess’ car before it bicycled, lost control, and spun into plaintiff. It was the opinion of the plaintiff’s expert that each of these alternatives probably would have been sufficient to avoid plaintiff’s injuries, in spite of the short period of time he remained in the exposed area prior to his being struck by Guess’ car. The defendants’ knowledge that a short time was required for a midget car to complete a lap on the track, and that injury could occur within seconds, was further indication that these additional alternatives should have been pursued by the defendants in order to lessen the high degree of serious bodily injury created by the exposed area near the pit. It was the jury’s responsibility to assess the weight to be given to the testimony of plaintiff’s expert, and to determine whether defendants’ warnings were sufficient under the circumstances of this case. Upon review, we are not empowered to usurp this jury function. (See Doser v. Savage Manufacturing & Sales, Inc. (1990),
Defendants essentially argue that, because the defendants undertook some acts to provide for the safety of pit crew members in the exposed area by warning them about the hazards and by providing light signals to alert them to whether the cars were running a warmup lap or a hot lap, defendants’ failure to undertake additional steps could not be deemed willful and wanton. Defendants note that there are Illinois cases in which the defendants’ provision of some safety measures led the courts to conclude that the defendants were not liable for willful and wanton misconduct for their failure to provide other or additional safety measures. See Lynch v. Board of Education of Collinsville Community Unit District No. 10 (1980),
However, in none of these cases did the plaintiff’s expert testify that the failure to provide an additional safety measure was, in the expert’s opinion, an utter disregard for the plaintiff’s safety. In the instant cause, the plaintiff's expert identified two alternatives, i.e., the extension of the guardrail near the pit or the provision of a pit steward near the exposed area of the track, that defendants could have undertaken in order to protect plaintiff from the dangers created by the open area between the pit and the straightaway. Plaintiff’s expert identified a third alternative that should have been performed by defendant UARA, i.e., to have Guess’ car blackflagged off the track before it bicycled, lost control, and spun into plaintiff. Plaintiff’s expert further testified that the failure to undertake any of these steps was, in his opinion, an utter disregard for the plaintiff’s safety.
This critical distinction renders factually inapposite the cases cited by defendants in the instant cause. It was the jury’s task to determine whether, under the facts of this case, the defendants’ failure to provide additional safety measures amounted to willful and wanton misconduct. We cannot say, as a matter of law, that the defendants were not willful and wanton merely because they undertook the safety measures upon which the defendants rely in this appeal. Defendants’ position asks this court to ignore the testimony of plaintiff’s expert to the effect that the measures undertaken by defendants were substantially inadequate, that the provision of one or more of the safety measures enumеrated by the plaintiff’s expert probably would have prevented plaintiff’s injuries, and that defendants’ failure to undertake one or more of these safety measures evidenced an utter disregard for the plaintiff’s safety. Our scope of review does not grant us such authority. See Doser v. Savage Manufacturing and Sales, Inc. (1990),
Defendants also claim that the jury’s verdict was erroneous, because plaintiff produced no evidence to show that defendants had actual or constructive knowledge that the existing safety features were unreasonably dangerous. Specifically, defendants assert that plaintiff produced no evidence of any prior accidents or complaints, or industry custom or practice, regarding the existing safety measures at the track. However, the cases cited by defendants do not hold that proof of industry custom or practice, or proof of prior incidents or complaints, is a рrerequisite in all instances to support a finding of willful and wanton conduct (see Holsapple v. Casey Community Unit School District C-1 (1987),
Defendants also contend that the jury’s determination was not supported by the record because plaintiff’s expert, Dr. Fitch, testified on cross-examination that he did not know, with certainty, whether an extended guardrail would have prevented the accident. Although an expert’s opinion may not be based on speculation or conjecture, “an expert opinion couched in terms of probabilities *** is not improper or inadmissible. [Citation.]” (Rodrian v. Seiber (1990),
In light of these considerations, we conclude that the trial court properly denied defendants’ motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial.
II
Defendants urge that they should receive a new trial because the trial court committed reversible error when it denied dеfendants’ motion to pursue their affirmative defense that defendants were not liable because plaintiff had executed a release relieving defendants of liability for injuries sustained at the track. We find no error in the trial court’s ruling.
Generally, a release does not bar plaintiff’s maintenance of an action alleging willful and wanton misconduct by the defendants. This rule is based on the determination that, as a matter of public policy, a plaintiff cannot exculpate or indemnify a defendant for the defendant’s willful and wanton acts. (See Falkner v. Hinckley Parachute Center, Inc. (1989),
Defendants argue that the trial court’s ruling was in error, because Illinois courts have recognized the validity of a release in cases involving injuries sustained as a result of a race car accident. However, the cases cited by defendants are inapposite, because they pertained to suits alleging negligence, rather than those alleging willful and wanton acts. (See Schlessman v. Henson (1980),
Defendants also argue that they should have been permitted to cross-examine plaintiff regarding the contents of the release in order to show that plaintiff had assumed the risk of injuries at the track. Initially, defendants contend that the release was relevant to the question of plaintiff’s implied primary assumption of the risk.
Under implied primary assumption of the risk, the plaintiff’s conduct is deemed an implicit assumption of all of the risk arising from a certain activity. As a result, under implied primary assumption of the risk, a plaintiff may relieve a defendant of any duty to the plaintiff to be free from ordinary negligence. See Goad v. Evans (1989),
Implied primary assumption of the risk is similar to an express assumption of the risk. Under express assumption of the risk, a plaintiff has explicitly, usually in writing, agreed to relieve the defendant of liability for any injuries arising from an activity. However, an express assumption of the risk does not preclude a plaintiff’s suit for willful and wanton misconduct, because public policy dictates that a plaintiff cannot absolve a defendant of liability for the defendant’s willful and wanton acts. (See, e.g., Falkner v. Hinckley Parachute Center, Inc. (1989),
Defendants also argue that they should have been permitted to offer the release to prove plaintiff’s implied secondary assumption of the risk. Implied secondary assumption of the risk occurs when a plaintiff, by his conduct, has assumed certain consequences from his participation in an activity. Implied secondary assumption of the risk is a damage-reducing factor considered as an element of comparative fault. See Simpson v. General Motors Corp. (1985),
Defendants fully cross-examined plaintiff regarding his understanding of the hazards associated with his remaining in the exposed area of the track between the pit area and the straightaway, and defendants acknowledge that the area was hazardous to anyone who remained there. Defendants do not demonstrate in what respect plaintiff’s trial testimony contradicted his written acknowledgment, in the release, that the exposed area near the pit was dangerous. As a result, we are unable to conclude that defendants’ lack of cross-examination of plaintiff regarding the provision in the release should warrant a new trial.
In addition, the record shows that prior to trial, the court expressly reserved ruling on whether defendants should be permitted to cross-examine plaintiff regarding a provision in the release wherein plaintiff recognized the hazards associated with the exposed area near the pit, in order to show that plaintiff’s implied secondary assumption of the risk should act as an offset under comparative fault. However, during their cross-examinаtion of plaintiff, defendants did not renew their request to question plaintiff regarding this provision in the release. Defendants’ failure to renew their request constituted a waiver of this argument and cannot be asserted on appeal. See, e.g., Morris v. Illinois State Board of Education (1990),
Ill
Defendants also assert that they should have been permitted to pursue their affirmative defense that plaintiff was precluded from any recovery because of his execution of the release, because the rule regarding unenforceability of a release with respect to willful and wanton conduct is no longer supported by Illinois precedent. Defendants contend that the advent of comparative negligence has abolished the distinction between ordinary negligence and willful and wanton acts, and that liability for willful and wanton misconduct remains viable only in the context of punitive damages.
To support this argument, defendants note that prior to Alvis v. Ribar (1981),
We cannot accept defendants’ argument that the adoption of comparative fault dictates the conclusion that a plaintiff’s execution of a release relieves the defendant of liability for the defendant’s willful and wanton conduct. (See Montag v. Board of Education, School District No. 40 (1983),
In light of these considerations, we decline to hold that the adoption of comparative fault has abolished the distinction between ordinary negligence and willful and wanton conduct in the context of enforcement of an exculpatory clause between the parties. Whether a plaintiff’s comparative fault may offset the amount of damages recovered from the defendants for willful and wanton acts is considered below with respect to plaintiff’s cross-appeal.
IV
Defendants argue that the plaintiff intentionally violated the trial court’s orders excluding evidence regarding post-accident changes to the racetrack undertaken by defendants. Specifically, defendants claim that plaintiff impermissibly elicited testimony from Dr. Fitch to the effect that there should have been an additional guardrail along the track straightaway, following the turn on the track where the exposed area near the pit was located. The trial court held this testimony inadmissible and instructed the jury to disregard it. However, the defendants argue that they were substantially prejudiced by the stricken testimony, that the trial court’s instruction to the jury did not cure this prejudice, and that, therefore, they should receive a new trial. We disagree.
As noted more fully above with respect to defendants’ motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial, the record contains sufficient evidence to sustain the jury’s verdict that defendants’ failure to extend a guardrail or provide a pit steward amounted to willful and wanton misconduct. The record also supports the jury’s verdict that defendant UARA was willful and wanton with regard to its failure to have Guess’ car blackflagged off the track before it bicyclеd, lost control, and spun into plaintiff. In light of this evidence of record, the trial court’s curative instruction was sufficient to dispel any prejudice to the defendants resulting from this testimony. In addition, because of the adequate evidence to support the jury's determination, we cannot say that defendants should be entitled to a new trial on the ground that plaintiff’s actions were purposely designed to avoid an earlier trial court in limine order. See Dugan v. Weber (1988),
V
Defendants assert that plaintiff improperly elicited hearsay testimony from Valentino to the effect that shortly before the accident, Valentino heard Boban say that Guess’ car should be black-flagged off the track. The trial court struck Valentino’s testimony for reasons unchallenged in this appeal and instructed the jury to disregard this evidence.
Based upon our review of the record, we conclude that the trial court’s instructions to the jury were adequate to curе any prejudice to the defendants on this point. (See, e.g., Dugan v. Weber (1988),
VI and VII
Defendants also challenge the trial court’s admission into evidence of Dr. Fitch’s expert opinion regarding the need for an extension of the existing guardrail. Defendants renew arguments they made with respect to the sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury’s verdict, to wit: (1) plaintiff produced no evidence that the existing guardrail violated industry standards or practices; and (2) the plaintiff’s expert could not testify with absolute certainty that an extended guardrail would have prevented plaintiff’s injuries. In addition, defendants argue that the trial court’s cautionary instruction to the jury, to disregard a statement made by Dr. Fitch regarding the basis of defendant Willis’ liability for the failure to extend the guardrail, was insufficient to cure the prejudice arising from this stricken testimony.
As stated earlier with respect to whether defendants are entitled to judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial, the record contains ample evidence to support the jury’s conclusion that defendants were liable for willful and wanton misconduct because of their failure to either extend the guardrial or to provide a pit steward near the exposed area of the track. The record also supports the jury’s determination that defendant UARA was liable for willful and wanton miscоnduct because of its failure to have Guess’ car blackflagged off the track before the car bicycled, lost control, and spun into plaintiff. The plaintiff’s evidence also showed that defendant Willis was responsible for maintenance of the track in order to ensure the safety of pit crew members. Consequently, even if the trial court committed error in its rulings with regard to the testimony of Dr. Fitch pertaining to the need for an extended guardrail and defendant Willis’ liability therefor, we are unable to conclude that such error would warrant a new trial.
VIII
Defendants also attack the trial court's ruling that the plaintiff’s trial expert, Dr. John Fitch, was qualified to render an expert opinion at trial. The record supports the trial court’s determination that Dr. Fitch was qualified to render an expert opinion.
A person is qualified as an expert when he has peculiar knowledge, training, or experience that is relevant to an issue at trial. (See, e.g., Schaffner v. Chicago & North Western Transportation Co. (1989),
The case of Galindo v. Riddell, Inc. (1982),
IX
Defendants assert that they should receive a new trial because plaintiff’s treating physician, Dr. Campbell, should not have been permitted to testify that plaintiff’s condition may deteriorate to such a degree that amputation of his lower leg and foot might be required. It has been held that, when the defendant does not challenge on appeal the amount of damages assessed against the defendant, the trial court’s erroneous admission of evidence regarding the extent of a plaintiff’s injuries is insufficient ground to reverse for a new trial. (See, e.g., Illinois Piping Co. v. Industrial Commission (1987),
X
In light of these considerations, we also find that there were no cumulative errors that deprived defendants of a fair trial. Our review of the record reveals sufficient evidence to support the jury’s verdict against the defendants, and that none of the alleged errors affected the jury's determination. We conclude that defendants’ arguments are insufficient to disturb the trial court’s entry of judgment against them.
XI
In a cross-appeal, plaintiff challenges the apportionment of damages between the parties. Specifically, plaintiff argues that his ordinary negligence could not be considered by the jury as an offset in the assessment of compensatory damages for the defendants’ willful and wanton misconduct.
Illinois precedent is in conflict with respect to this question. In State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Mendenhall (1987),
However, the decisions of Mendenhall and Yates were subsequently rejected in Burke v. 12 Rothschild’s Liquor Mart, Inc. (1991),
The decisions of Mendenhall and Burke fоunded much of their analysis on the Illinois Supreme Court’s adoption of comparative fault in Alvis v. Ribar (1981),
The courts in Mendenhall and Burke adopted divergent views with respect to the significance that should be accorded to the equitable principles underlying comparative fault. The Mendenhall court concluded that equitable principles of comparative fault outweigh the social opprobrium associated with willful and wanton acts, because of the “thin line” between ordinary negligence and willful and wanton conduct. (
The courts in Mendenhall and Burke also differed with respect to the significance they attached to Illinois Supreme Court decisions that have limited, or refused to apply, comparative fault principles in certain situations. In Structural Work Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 48, par. 60 et seq.) cases, a plaintiff’s comparative fault is not considered as an offset or a bar tо the defendant’s damages, in order to preserve the social interest in providing safe working conditions in those instances governed by the Act. (See Hollis v. R. Latoria Construction, Inc. (1985),
Under the facts of the instant cause, we conclude that the trial court properly permitted the jury to consider the plaintiff’s comparative fault, based upon principles of ordinary negligence, as an offset to the compensatory damages awarded for the defendants’ willful and wanton conduct. In light of the hybrid nature of the concept of willful and wanton conduct, and the circumstance that such behavior may not amount to an intentional tort per se, we agree with the court in Mendenhall that “the fact finder’s ability to prorate the damages between plaintiff and defendant best serves justice and is most consistent with the reasons for comparative negligence.” (
We note that the jury in the instant cause awarded only compensatory damages, and we exрress no opinion with respect to whether comparative fault principles apply to a plaintiff’s award for punitive damages. Also, since the case at bar does not involve a defendant found liable for an intentional tort, we do not address the applicability of comparative fault as an offset to the damages assessed against an intentional tortfeasor. In addition, we express no view with regard to whether willful and wanton conduct is governed by the modified comparative fault statute (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 110, par. 2—1116 (effective November 26, 1986)) enacted following the Illinois Supreme Court’s decisions in Alvis, Hollis and Coney, since the parties did not present the question to the trial court in this 1988 jury trial, nor do the parties raise the issue in this appeal. We would also note that the applicability of the modified comparative fault statute was not considered by the courts in Mendenhall, Yates, or Burke.
For the reasons stated, the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County is affirmed.
Affirmed.
JIGANTI, P.J., and LINN, J., concur.