A few of the 200 trials and many more settlements are noted here:
$10 Million Post Trial Recovery for Breast Implant/Scleroderma Victim
A 30 yr. old Hollywood wardrobe stylist suffered extreme Scleroderma from exposure to certain silicone formulations designed by Dow Corning in her multiple breast implants. In 1994, after a 2 month trial and no offer, on the day before closing arguments, Dow Corning agreed to pay $7.8 million plus litigation costs to avoid a jury verdict. Other manufacturers contributed $2.2 million in recovery just prior to trial. This was the largest known recovery for a single plaintiff in any breast implant case.
$5.5 Million Recovery for Low Profile Tire
A 30 year old law student, while riding as a passenger during a rollover of a van due to an under inflated low profile tire and a defective wheel. Expert analysis demonstrated that a manufacturing defect in the wheel allowed air to slowly escape and that a massive air loss in a low profile tire cannot be visually detected by the average driver. This case provided impetus to the Dept. of Transportation decision that now requires tire air gauges to be installed on dashboard.
Golf Cart Rollover: $5.5 Million Recovery
Defective design case against the manufacturer of a three wheel golf cart, was on behalf of a severely brain damaged 40 year old golf course maintenance man, resulting in a $5.5 million recovery, just prior to final argument. That case spelled the death knell to the highly unstable three wheel golf carts in America possessing a high propensity to roll causing severe injury & death to many.
$2.5 Million Recovery for Driver Negligence in Suden Ice Storm
Wrongful death of 17 year old, venued in Humboldt County (Eureka) consequent to defendant driver losing control in hail storm on Hwy 101 in an attempt to avoid a prior accident. State of Calif. paid $750,000 for lack of a guardrail; driver causing prior accident paid $750,000 and driver who skidded off the road & struck decedent paid $1 million. No offer made prior to our freelance association.
$2.3 Million Verdict for Termite Infestation
55 year old female was rendered paraplegic consequent to the collapse of a second floor balcony on her rented residence. Balcony was heavily infested and weakened by termite and dry rot infestation. Inspection by defendant pest control company occurred few weeks prior to collapse and neglected to note damage to balcony. Plaintiff had blood alcohol of .42%, excluded from evidence in a motion in limine as non contributory.
$2.3 million recovery for aggravation of pre-existing brain damage
Just prior to trial, a 30 yr. old pedestrian due to a negligent driver and a negligent utility pole placement by the city and utility company, obscuring visibility. Highest offer prior to our freelance association was $100,000.
$2.3 Million Recovery for Injured Athlete Preparing to Compete in the 2002 Winter Olympic Bobsled Team.
30 year old accomplished amateur bobsled athlete competing for the 2002 Winter Olympic bobsled team drove a bobsled on the Utah Olympic Bobsled track modified with a front rigging camera mount to film for a GM Cadillac television commercial. During the course of the bobsled run, the rigging collapsed causing a crash of the bobsled, head injury, seizures, and permanent disability. A workman's compensation exclusivity defense was defeated despite benefits having been paid. Obtained $2.3 million recovery after trial and final arguments.
$2.2 million recovery
for Degloved Leg in Pedestrian/Truck Collision
Just prior to trial in Alameda County for a degloving soft tissue injury to the leg of a 49 year old unemployed female. Initial police investigation placed all fault on plaintiff pedestrian and completely exonerated truck driver and his company. No offer was made by defendants prior to our freelance association 8 months subsequent to the accident. Complaint was filed but minimal discovery. From the time of our association, we expedited the litigation to bring the case to the courthouse steps within 6 months.
$1.8 million recovery for defective parking gate collapsing on motorcycle client. Prior to our freelance association, highest offer was $200,000.
$1.25 Million Verdict for Oral Contraceptive ("The Pill")
Obtained highest verdict in nation against a pharmaceutical company at that time. Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary, Ortho Pharmaceutical Company, for the formulation and sale of an oral contraceptive causing blood clots resulting in total permanent bilateral blindness to a 29 year old mother of three children. That verdict resulted in manufacturers issuing warnings to the medical world for the first time in medical history that oral contraceptives can cause blood clotting, blindness, death and other very serious complications in some women. The trial court, using its power as the 13th juror, took away the verdict and ruled for Johnson & Johnson. Sal appealed to the Court of Appeals which reinstated the verdict. California Supreme Court denied hearing to J&J thereby confirming the Court of Appeals decision.
$880,000 Recovery for Defective Aerial Lift
Just prior to trial in Mendocino County, settled complex product liability case involving multiple foot fractures. The plaintiff, while pruning trees on a 20 foot high aerial lift platform fell during its collapse, consequent to the failure of a 12-year-old chain. The aerial lift was manufactured in the late 70's by an entity which sold the name and the design of the product to a successor corporation which, in turn, sold the same assets to the existing corporation. After defeating summary judgment, a substantial sum was paid by the twice removed successor for defective design. Negligent inspection by a professional licensed entity, prior to its collapse, resulted in a further substantial contribution. Employer negligence was utilized to obtain a waiver of a substantial workers' compensation intervention case. No offer made prior to our freelance association.
$500,000 for Lumbar Disc Injury
Verdict in Eureka, California for lumbar disc injury consequent to auto collision.
Substantial Recovery in Negligent Fork-lift Design Case
A 20 year old U.S. Marine Corp. fork-lift operator had leg amputation due to negligent fork lift design. A substantial recovery was obtained despite a strong case of "defense contractor immunity." Safety modifications by the manufacturer followed.
110% Recovery for 187 Victims of Technical Equities Corporation Scam
Represented 187 defrauded victims of TEC in a 1990s security scam. Extensive litigation over several years resulted in 110% recovery obtained from Aiders and Abettors, Banks, Wall Street Brokerage Firm, Major Accounting Firm and Law Firms by each of our clients of their out of pocket loss, despite insolvency and bankruptcy of the primary principals of TEC.
Corvair and other Automobile Design Defect and Crash-Worthiness Trials
Brought to trial the first case involving a rollover of the Corvair against GM. Within 3 years, manufacture of the Corvair ceased. Subsequently, through the years, tried and settled many design defect and crash-worthiness cases against the major world automobile manufacturers which had caused catastrophic injuries/death to the occupants. These trials contributed, with others throughout America, to bring about safer designs in modern vehicles and thereby a substantial lowering of the annual highway injury and death toll.
