Jon P. Malartsik
Senior Partner
Chicago Office
141 West Jackson Boulevard Suite 1575
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Jon P. Malartsik is a senior partner in the Chicago Hub of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. He concentrates his practice on civil litigation, with a strong emphasis on defending insurance carriers, businesses, and individuals in a wide range of personal injury and property damage claims. His experience spans matters involving transportation and trucking litigation, product liability, construction accidents, occupational accident defense, motor vehicle negligence, premises liability, wrongful death, consumer law defense, subrogation, and insurance coverage disputes.
An accomplished trial attorney, Mr. Malartsik has tried cases to verdict in numerous Illinois Circuit Courts, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will, Winnebago, and McHenry Counties. He has represented clients before the U.S. District Courts in the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois and has argued appeals before the First, Second, and Third Districts of the Illinois Appellate Court. Notably, he has also argued before the Illinois Supreme Court.
In addition to his courtroom experience, Mr. Malartsik is well-versed in alternative dispute resolution. He has represented clients in mediations and arbitrations through various forums, including AAA, BBB, ADR, JAMS, and circuit court arbitration programs.
His commercial litigation background includes representation of trucking companies in a variety of alternative dispute venues including Department of Labor, EEOC, Attorney General, and contractual arbitration matters. He also has experience with high-stakes contract actions and large property damage matters, including an eight-year dispute involving more than 130 properties in a multi-family residential construction case.
Mr. Malartsik is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois and before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, and Southern District of Illinois. He is also a member of the Federal Trial Bar, allowing him to represent clients in complex federal litigation matters.
Representative Trial Cases:
- Defense Verdict - Motorcycle Collision on Dealership Property: Mr. Malartsik obtained a defense verdict in a case involving a dealership employee who attempted to operate a co-worker's motorcycle during a break. The employee collided with a customer's vehicle and claimed negligence against the motorcycle owner. Through eyewitness testimony, Mr. Malartsik demonstrated that the plaintiff had no prior experience operating a motorcycle and lost control, persuading the jury to find in favor of the defense.
- Arbitration Win - Fraud and Warranty Claim Involving Luxury Vehicle: At arbitration before the AAA, Mr. Malartsik represented a dealership in a fraud claim brought by a customer who alleged he was misled into believing his Maserati Ghibli would be eligible for a post-sale Apple CarPlay software upgrade. The dealership denied making such a representation. Mr. Malartsik effectively argued that the customer knowingly purchased a vehicle without the feature, resulting in a ruling in favor of the dealership.
- Summary Judgment and Appellate Victory - Premises Liability: Mr. Malartsik secured summary judgment for a commercial property owner after a plaintiff fell from a 19-foot roof access ladder, sustaining severe injuries. He successfully defended the judgment on appeal, eliminating liability exposure in a high-stakes premises case.
- Jury Verdict - Dump Truck Collision: In a Cook County trial, Mr. Malartsik represented the defendant in a T-bone collision case involving a dump truck and an elderly plaintiff who entered the intersection from a stop-signed side street. The plaintiff sought over $5 million in damages. The jury returned a $1 million verdict but attributed 50% comparative fault to the plaintiff, resulting in a net verdict of $500,000. The jury also awarded no damages on the plaintiff's loss of consortium claim.
- Premises Liability Defense - Auto Dealership Slip-and-Fall: Mr. Malartsik defended an auto dealership in a case where the plaintiff alleged serious orthopedic injuries after slipping on an unknown substance in the service area. The plaintiff requested over $2 million in damages. Mr. Malartsik successfully contested claims of future damages related to adjacent disc syndrome, resulting in a net jury verdict of $400,000 with no future damages awarded.
- Favorable Settlement - Large Property Loss Claim: At mediation, Mr. Malartsik defended a client in a $2.3 million fire loss claim. He successfully negotiated a settlement for less than 5% of the claimed amount, significantly reducing the client's potential exposure.
