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Cases Current and Past Cases The current cases we're working on section are provided to show how we work our cases. The information disclosed has already been made public. We are not disclosing any work product or privileged information. The clients have agreed to share the limited content. 1) $14,500,000 verdict: DeNoon v. Farmers Bad faith action against Farmers for wrongful denial of coverage and benefits to its insured. This case was tried in El Dorado County Superior Court before a jury. The matter was handled by Matt Donahue and his partner Rich Caulfield. Farmers offered $50,000.00 to settle prior to trial. 2) $2,500,000 settlement: This case involved allegations against a trucking company for negligently changing lanes colliding with my client. The vehicle overturned and my client suffered head injuries. The matter settled on the first day of trial. The defendants increased their offer from $900,000 to $2,500,000. 3) $2,250,000 settlement: This case involved an action for wrongful death. My client’s husband was killed when he swerved on the freeway to avoid a ladder that fell out of the back of defendant’s pickup truck. Defendant denied the ladder was his, or that it came out of his truck. Our investigator was able to trace the ladder to defendant, who had fled the scene. Defendant claims the ladder was stolen on the morning of the accident. Defendant later admitted he lied, and that the ladder did come out of his truck. 4) $1,350,000 settlement: Gas well injury. Kelly hose with 3500 lbs. of pressure came loose and hit our client in the head. Liability appears clear, however experts have been retained who confirm defendants fault. Plaintiff suffered a significant skull fracture and resulting brain injury. His injuries include brain damage, loss of hearing, bilateral tinnitus, floaters in the eyes, facial and head scars. Defendants have substantial insurance policies. Plaintiff has been examined by many doctors; some include a neurologist, neurosurgeon, neuropsychologist, and ear nose and throat Doctor. Plaintiff's attorney retained a Vocational Rehabilitation expert and Economist to evaluate past and future wage loss. The Plaintiff was placed in a new job earning a significant income. 5) $875,000 jury verdict: Gonzales v. Dollar Center – This action involved injury to John Gonzales following an impact to his low back by a Dollar Center employee. Mr. Gonzales had surgery by Pasquale Montesano, M.D. to repair a herniated disc in his low back. Dollar Center denied all responsibility, and even denied the individual causing the injury was an employee. Offer prior to trial by Dollar Center’s attorney was $7,500. 6) $650,000 Settlement: Trucking accident. Client was driving a 63,000 lb Kershaw crane truck up a grade at 10 to 15 mph, with flashers activated. Defendant was driving a tractor trailer 18 wheeler, and was ¾ loaded with sodas and vending machine products. Defendant ran into the rear of client's truck at approximately 55 mph. It appears defendant wasn't paying attention. The highway had 3 lanes, and defendant, if paying attention could have slowed or gone around client. Liability appeared clear. The impact pushed client's truck 40 to 50 feet forward. Defendant's tractor and trailer were totaled. Client's seat broke leaving him flat on his back. Client saw white at impact and may have loss consciousness. Subsequently plaintiff suffered injuries as follows: Client is now on full disability and unable to do his usual employment. We retained an accident reconstructionist to determine and verify impact speed and forces involved. We retained a biomechanical expert to explain the forces on the body and how they explain the injuries received. We retained a professional animator to show the jury the effects of the impact to the various body parts injured. We retained a retinal specialist who opined the eye loss was related to the accident. We retained a neurosurgeon to discuss the brain injury and L5 radiculopathy. We retained an orthopedic doctor to discuss the shoulder surgery. We retained a vocational rehabilitation expert to help retrain the client to obtain some type of gainful employment. We retained an economist to work with the vocational expert to explain client’s past and future wage loss. The difficulty with the case was client suffers from a rare disorder known as PXE. There is some literature evidencing loss of peripheral vision caused by this disease. 7) Pending: Client was involved in an incident at a local bar. Client was hit numerous times on the head and face. Low budget bouncers were the culprits. Client suffered a frontal lobe injury. The injury has changed his personality and his life. Client was sent to a neurologist who prescribed an MRI. The MRI revealed frontal lobe damage. Client underwent a neuropsychological examination evidencing brain damage. The case was recently filed. 8) Pending: Client was rear ended by a large logging truck. Client was unconscious at the scene. His first memory took place while at the hospital undergoing an MRI of the brain. Client has no automobile insurance and no health insurance. We sent him to a Neurosurgeon for further work up. Client underwent an MRI for low back pain as well. The Neurosurgeon prescribed neuropsychological testing and L5-S1 surgery. As indicated above the client did not have automobile insurance. The effect of this is that he is not entitled to be compensated for general damages. General damages are essentially pain and suffering. The client is therefore limited to medical bills, and wage loss. Our intent is to work up his loss of future income by using a vocational rehabilitation expert and economist. We will also use medical experts to show the necessary cost of any future care. Potentially this case could have a value of over $1,000,000. We have many active files which range from automobile accidents to bicycle accidents to trip and falls. Each case is carefully followed and managed. We are very helpful in making sure the clients are seen by the best doctors applicable to the client's injuries. Each case evidencing any type of traumatic brain injury is referred to a neurosurgeon for further work up. If necessary a neuropsychologist is recommended for appropriate and necessary testing. We believe in taking control early to make sure our clients are properly taken care of. Being seen by your own doctors is great, however we've found that if left to your own doctor the appropriate tests are never done. Sometimes your health insurance plan prevents the proper testing and diagnostic tests which we need in order to prove your case at trial. If anything, we err in the side of caution. We believe being overly cautious provides our clients with a better understanding of their injuries. 9) $600,000 Settlement: Client, age 36 driving a Lexus sedan was rear ended by another vehicle. Client's car suffered approximately $7,000 in property damage. Client suffered injury to her neck. Client had no prior neck symptoms before the accident. Client was sent to see a neurosurgeon for her neck problems. She underwent an MRI, which revealed nothing. Her symptoms persisted. She was sent for a cervical discogram. A discogram helps diagnose discogenic pain, and annular tears. The results evidenced a significant problem. Without the discogram client would have never been properly diagnosed and her case would have been worth significantly less money. Client subsequently underwent a cervical discectomy and fusion. Because of the progressive nature and potential for future neck problems we were able to obtain medical testimony evidencing client’s work life would be reduced by ten years. Client was earning $70,000 a year, and had not missed much work to date. Client works for the State in a desk position. However, using the medical testimony we were able to resolve her case for $600,000. Thinking ahead and outside the box sometimes opens doors to damages other lawyers never think about. Most lawyers would not have realized that surgery is usually a temporary fix to a problem. Neck pain will return at some point and it will affect the client's ability in the future to work. 10) $400,000 Settlement: Client age 42 was rear ended. Client was driving a large Dodge pickup truck. Defendant was driving a pickup truck. Client’s vehicle was pushed forward a significant distance. Client was an avid horse rider. She suffered injury to her neck. An MRI was performed showing slight abnormalities. Client underwent a discogram. The results evidenced 4 levels affected. The neurosurgeon agreed that it was extremely rare to have 4 levels affected. It's kind of like if you bend a coat hanger, you only expect it to bend in one spot. A second discogram was performed. This time it revealed a problem at 1 level. Client was told she needed surgery. Of course surgery is the client’s choice, and she declined. Her wage loss was minimal, however we once again argued for loss of future income based upon reduced work life. Her case was resolved for $400,000. To date she has never undergone surgery. 11) $300,000 Settlement: Client was hit at approximately 5:30 am while riding his bike. Liability was difficult, since client had no headlight on his bicycle. Client was also not wearing a helmet. The impact was slight, but client claimed he hit his head. Client claimed he suffered from headaches and memory problems. Client was seen by numerous doctors including neuropsychological testing. Due to issues of liability and differing testimony from the doctors we resolved the case for $300,000. Client was happy and is doing much better now. 12) $400,000 Settlement: Client was injured when a vehicle rolled back hitting him on the head and knocking him on his back. Defendant forgot to engage her brakes when she exited her vehicle for a phone call from her mom. Client was picking up recycling bins and never noticed the vehicle until he was struck. This occurred on the sidewalk in front of defendants home. Client was seen by a neurosurgeon and underwent a discogram. The results evidence annular tears at L4-5. The doctor recommended surgery. The client refused surgery. The client was retrained by a vocational rehabilitation expert we retained. He changed jobs and became a jeweler. His income significantly reduced, and he was left with no health insurance. We retained an economist and resolved the case for $400,000. The client now owns his own jewelry store, and is now able to afford health insurance. 13) $300,000 Settlement: Client was injured working for Railroad. Client tried to open a 70 lb metal door to a signal box. The door hinges were rusted, and the door fell off into his hands. Client injured his low back. Client did not seek medical attention for almost one year. This obviously made our job difficult. Eventually he was seen by an orthopedist and was diagnosed with low back problems. We met with the doctor and showed the doctor a job description. The doctor opined the back injury was related to the metal door incident one year prior. We retained an economist and vocational rehabilitation expert and were able to settle the case for $300,000. This was a good result, since the client had been very active the prior year with work and deer hunting. We were concerned with the gap in treatment. However with meeting his doctor we were able to persuade the defense to pay a significant amount. 14) $300,000 Settlement: Client was injured in an auto accident. Client suffered a fractured wrist requiring surgery and fixation of a plate. We settled for the policy limits of $300,000. Client went back to work as an operating engineer scrapper driver, and is doing well. 15) $100,000 Settlement: Client suffered significant headaches when a clock fell from a shelf of a wall. Client was diagnosed with a mild post concussion syndrome. Client lost little time at work. The case settled for $100,000. We've handled over 1,500 cases. Each case is unique. Our experience and knowledge gained over the years now places us in a valuable position to help our clients. Cases can range from the minor automobile accident to the significant brain injury and wrongful death cases. We prefer to handle the more complex and significant injury cases, but even the minor injury cases require attention. Without an attorney to help you it's difficult to really figure a value for each case. Sometimes smaller cases become large cases, and that's one area we're good at. We could list more cases, and our results, but they are all different with different complexities. Contact us, or E-mail us and we will be glad to help you with your case. |
