Member/Fellow News
Keller & Wise Win in 22nd JDC
Josh Keller and Marianne Wise defended a homeowner against a contractor who claimed the defendant let go of a ladder causing him to fall and sustain serious injuries. Plaintiff underwent two surgeries to repair a broken heel and incurred medical expenses of approximately $112,000. In closing arguments, Plaintiff’s counsel argued that the case had a total value of $1 million. After deliberation, the jury returned a favorable defense verdict.
Robert L. Keller
Courington, Kiefer & Sommers, L.L.C. welcomes Robert Keller as an associate with the firm.
Attorney
John Crawford joined Lommen Abdo Law Firm, bringing his experience to the firm's litigation practices and transportation law practice. John represents clients in cases involving insurance coverage, personal injuries, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, premise liability, property damage, punitive damages, and bad-faith claims.
Orgain Bell & Tucker, LLP Defeats Houston ISD in Complex Construction Lawsuit
On June 9, 2017, a Harris County jury returned a defense verdict in favor of OBT’s client, QC Laboratories, following a five-week trial that implicated six HISD campuses. QC Labs was represented by OBT construction litigation attorneys, Chris McKinney and Kim Daily.
Attorney
David Djirikian, of Kennedy & Associates, P.C. in Chicago, put on a presentation regarding bad faith, claims practices and coverage matters to a group of claim professionals at Stillwater Insurance in Omaha.
Summary Judgment
Vernis & Bowling’s Keith Franklin obtained a full summary judgment in a trip and fall case in Foley, Alabama.
On summary judgment, the defense argued that the step was not only “open and obvious”, which is often a jury question, and that the plaintiff had failed to present any evidence that the step was a dangerous or hazardous condition. The court agreed, and granted summary judgment on all counts.
"Wearables in the workplace . . .Employers who care. . .but be aware"
On May 17, 2017, for our Bar Construction Law Section, I will be presenting "Wearables in the workplace - Employers who care . . . but be aware" - the logistics/issues in modern wearables that monitor movement or health, and what to do with the data collected.
Walsworth Granted MSJs in Two Asbestos Cases
Walsworth’s Ian Dillon and Judiee Pinkerton obtained summary judgment in two personal injury asbestos-related cases. In both cases, the plaintiffs claimed that they were exposed to asbestos from working near Walsworth’s client. Walsworth moved for summary judgment arguing that there was insufficient evidence to establish that the plaintiffs were exposed to any drywall materials, let alone one that contained asbestos.
Walsworth Demurrer Ends Premises Liability Case
Walsworth’s Jennifer Morin and Sedaf Nejat prevailed on demurrer without leave to amend for property owner and property manager clients in a case involving an alleged fall on a stairway that plaintiff claimed was defectively constructed/maintained. The demurrer involved a request for judicial notice that the statute of limitations had expired.
Columbia, South Carolina Managing Attorney
Vernis & Bowling welcomes Laura Robinson as the Managing Attorney of the Columbia, South Carolina office. Having served on the executive management teams of an insurance company and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, Laura brings a unique perspective to her cases. She understands the needs of employers and carriers and advocates on their behalf in all stages of the workers’ compensation process.
HM&B Obtained Directed Verdict After Third Day of Trial
HM&B attorneys, Jerry Hamilton & Schuyler Smith, successfully obtained a directed verdict, after the third day of trial, in an action pending in Federal Court in Florida. Plaintiffs, sought damages up to $250,000 against Williams-Sonoma after an alleged slip and fall. The court granted Williams-Sonoma Motion for Directed Verdict, agreeing with Williams-Sonoma that no reasonable jury could find that Williams-Sonoma acted unreasonably.
Dismissal of Lawsuit
Vernis & Bowling’s Jeffrey Vernis and Susan Kent secured a dismissal of a lawsuit for fraud on the court. Plaintiff claimed he was injured when an insured hit him with her car. The Firm obtained video surveillance and it showed that the insured’s vehicle never hit or injured anyone. Upon receipt of the video, plaintiff’s counsel withdrew. After an evidentiary hearing before the Court, the Firm then secured a dismissal of the suit based on fraud.
Bill Pollock Elected to Membership in Trial Attorneys in America
Ragsdale Liggett partner Bill Pollock has been inducted into the Trial Attorneys of America. Membership is limited to just 200 attorneys in the country who devote a substantial portion of their practice in the defense of product liability litigation. Pollock’s practice of more than 25 years is concentrated in product liability, construction, environmental and toxic torts, trucking and transportation and other complex litigation.
Vaughn and Outzen Get Win for Deutsch Kerrigan LLP Gulfport Office
The trial team of Doug Vaughn and Anna Outzen received a big victory in a jury trial personal injury case resulting from a motor vehicle accident. In the case, liability was admitted, and the case went to trial on damages. The pretrial settlement demand was $275,000. During the trial, Mr. Vaughn and Ms. Outzen exposed the plaintiff’s medical claims as a farce to win the jury over. After deliberations, the jury awarded the plaintiff $10,000.
Formation of Kahana & Feld, PC
After 14 years as a partner at Ulich Ganion Balmuth Fisher & Feld, LLP, Jason Daniel Feld has partnered with Amir Kahana to form the new law firm of Kahana & Feld, PC. Kahana & Feld, PC will specialize in insurance defense, construction litigation, employment, business litigation and general liability defense. www.kahanafeld.com