$4.4 Million TBI crash

“TBI” – The firm settled a vehicular roll-over freeway collision case resulting in a traumatic brain injury for the sum of $4.4 million, present cash value. A portion of the recovery was used to secure a structured annuity, paying the client a guaranteed recovery of over $6 million and a potential recovery of over $7,500,000. Plaintiff was a 55- year old CIO and unable to return to work. Firm succeeded in having medical plan waive extensive subrogation claim.

$2,950,000 Wrongful Death

The firm resolved a wrongful death claim on behalf of a 53 yr.old widow and his three grown children for the loss of a 52 yr old wife and mother. The deceased was driving to work on the I-15 at 6:15 a.m. in Rancho Bernardo during rush hour when a apprentice electrician, on his way to work at a jobsite in San Diego, failed to see traffic stopped ahead and rear-ended deceased’s vehicle at high speed, causing a four car chain reaction collision. The deceased died of a ruptured aorta shortly after arriving at the ER. The husband and wife, married 27 years, had just started a family magazine business and opened a Postal Annex franchise 11 months before the incident.The matter was resolve two months before trial for an all cash payment by the employer’s primary and excess insurers.

$2.3M arm amputation

Our firm represented 57- yr old salesman riding as passenger in a truck when a “big rig” cut his driver off, causing client’s right arm to be severed in collision outside Salt Lake City. Case resolved for a present cash value and structured annuity worth $2.3M  prior to trial in Utah.

UPS truck accident $700K

The firm represented a 28 yr-old UPS driver whose truck was hit at low-speed in a broadisde collision. No emergency care was necessary, but client developed increasing low back stiffness and was not able to continue his route the following day. Conservative therapies were unsuccessful and a discogram revealed an L4-5 annular tear. An IDET cauterization procedure was performed in SF with limited results. Prognoisis was for future lumbar fusion. Client changed occupations and began working as a real estate agent, unable to lift heavy UPS boxes.Case settled at mediation for $700,000, including loss of consortium claim.

$875K Wrongful Death Med Mal

The firm represented the wife and family of a 57 year-old Asian gentleman with a history of asthma who presented to his HMO on 3 occasions within  two weeks with GI pain and tarry stools. He was diagnosed with anxiety and asthma and advised the tarry stools were caused by his medications. He passed out at home a week later and died 24 hours later in the ICU from a GI bleed. The case resolved for $875,000.00 .

$800K roll over

$500,000 maritime injury

Client was fishing in a dingy in a harbor at anchor near a restricted area. Another vessel exiting harbor struck the dingy, causing  55- year old man to fall off dingy into water. Client had prior laminectomy 3 years previous with DDD, and had just returned to work months before incident. One year post-accident plaintiff underwent cervical fusion, 18 months later a lumbar fusion, although he remained able to work for 12 months following incident. Causation for injuries contested, case settled after expert depositions prior to trial for $500,000.00

$105,000 DUI settlement

Client had been at an overnight party with 2 girlfriends in San Clemente and was on her way to breakfast at 8:30 a.m. on Coast Highway when defendant made a left turn directly into her path. All three girls were taken to the hospital. Client had an .08 blood alcohol reading and was charged with a DUI, even though the CHP faulted the other driver for the collision. Firm was able to have the DUI charge dismissed and settled client’s claim against adverse driver for $105,000 after missing a week of work as a waitress. Medical bills were resolved for $6,000.00.

$245K neck injury

Client was 45 year-old sales manager for insurance company and was involved in relatively mild freeway collision while on the job with no emergency room care. However, he’d had a long history of prior neck and arm problems,and his employer sent him to their clinic for examination. He was essentially told at the WCAB clinic to take two aspirin and rest , so he transferred his care back to his prior chiropractor without employer approval. After six months of adjustments paid for by his group health insurer, he was released from care. A few months later while playing golf, he noticed increased  neck pain and returned to the DC, who referred him to an orthopedic surgeon. A surgical fusion at C5-6  was performed with good results a month later, and he worked at home for two weeks before returning to his  job, which required extensive traveling. He had no lost income. Adverse driver had minimal policy and paid their $15,000 limits, which were held in trust pending outcome of WCAB claim. WCAB insurer denied claim initially based on failure to treat with prescribed physician and lack of proper documentation from DC. WCAB claim was thereafter settled for $30,000, plus payment of outstanding medicals not covered by group health insurer. UIM claim was then brought against client’s employer, which was settled for $230,000 after WCAB insurer  was given credit for $5,000 out of $15,000 3rd party settlement.

$230K UM settlement

Clients were husband, wife and grandmother traveling from OC to Oakland in a rental car. Uninsured driver struck their left rear on the freeway in Oakland, causing car to swerve to center median and roll over on embankment. All three were taken to different hospitals. Wife sustained fractured  arm and treated with Kaiser for 3 months without residuals. Husband had lumbar sprain and treated with Kaiser for 5 follow-up exams. 80- year old grandmother had multiple contusions and abrasions but no fractures. She remained in hospital for 5 days due to pre-existing heart condition. Wife’s UM claim settled for $110,000, husband’s for $45,000 and grandmother’s for $75,000.