Biography
Owen Blood is a partner with Sinars Slowikowski Tomaska and serves on the firm's Executive Committee. He has over fifteen years of civil litigation experience in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Michigan courts. Owen concentrates his practice on product liability, occupational injury, and toxic tort claims (including asbestos, silica, and benzene exposure cases). He has also defended clients facing a variety of other personal injury and breach of employment contract claims. With extensive experience in the defense of toxic tort personal injury cases, Owen is responsible for all aspects of case management including motion practice, discovery issues, settlement negotiations, and trial preparation. Owen currently coordinates the defense of all Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri cases for a national corporation involved in mass tort litigation. Owen also advises a Fortune 500 corporation on its nationwide asbestos litigation and coordinates with its local counsel throughout the country.
Owen has successfully argued motions ranging from discovery disputes to summary judgments and has participated in several mediations and trials. He recently obtained summary judgment in McLean County based on Illinois’ “frequency, regularity, and proximity” test as set forth in Thacker v. UNR Industries, et al., 151 Ill.2d 343 (1992).” Owen also has significant appellate experience and authored a winning response brief in an intentional infliction of emotional distress case ruled on by the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District. Recently, he appeared before the Iowa Supreme Court on a case involving interpretation of an Iowa tort reform statute.
In his free time, Owen enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and trying to perfect his mediocre golf game.
Owen has successfully argued motions ranging from discovery disputes to summary judgments and has participated in several mediations and trials. He recently obtained summary judgment in McLean County based on Illinois’ “frequency, regularity, and proximity” test as set forth in Thacker v. UNR Industries, et al., 151 Ill.2d 343 (1992).” Owen also has significant appellate experience and authored a winning response brief in an intentional infliction of emotional distress case ruled on by the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District. Recently, he appeared before the Iowa Supreme Court on a case involving interpretation of an Iowa tort reform statute.
In his free time, Owen enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and trying to perfect his mediocre golf game.
Publications and Presentations
- Co-author of “Litigating Sports Brain Injuries: The New Ball Game,” June 2016 Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 104 No. 6
- Co-author, Illinois Civil Practice, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Vol. I "Opening the Case: New Parties" (2015)
- "Shipyard Workers and Asbestos Tort Claims: The Supreme Court's Post-Grubart Silence Creates Jurisdictional Uncertainty," Tulane Maritime Law Journal, 2008.
