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The firm recently managed to settle a bodily injury case for a client who was badly injured in a motorcycle accident for more than nine times the policy limits. The carrier waited until a lawsuit was filed before offering the limits. The firm claimed the carrier failed in its duty to do a proper investigation. The defense pre-trial strategy placed heavy reliance on the fact that the injured motorcycle rider failed to wear a helmet. The carrier hired a well-known professor who testified that the helmet would have prevented the entire head injury had it been worn and since the head injury was the only serious injury; the rider could have essentially walked away from the accident. Factors in the settlement included an effective challenge of the defense expert at deposition and the firm’s willingness to try both the underlying and bad faith cases despite problems with liability unless a substantial sum was offered in settlement
$175,000 - A 31 year-old female was rear-ended and it caused approximately $5000 worth of damage to her mini-van. The other passengers in her vehicle were not injured. However this young mother of one child continued to complain of neck and arm pain. She saw a medical specialist who advised her that, at some point in her life, she would probably require surgery on her neck. After settling with the person that caused the accident, and then filing suit against the clients own insurance company, the case settled shortly before trial for $175,000.
$200,000 - A 69 year-old brick mason was building a fire place when he went to step on decking boards that, unbeknownst to him, had been moved. He fell through the ceiling and landed on the first floor. The homeowner and the insurance company contended the only people in the attic were the brick mason and his helper. After filing suit, the claim was successfully resolved for $200,000.
$750,000 - An 18-wheeler blocked both southbound lanes of a divided interstate highway. Our client wasn't able to see this vehicle in the dark and ran into it. The defense vigorously maintained that it was our client's fault because the truck driver couldn't have anticipated the failure of a component and our client should have seen him blocking the road. The case was settled for $750,000 after the firm secured the failed part and had it inspected. The inspection revealed that a factor in the failure was improper maintenance.
$2,500,000 settlement for man maimed in motor vehicle accident in Gulf County.
$2,450,000 settlement for 70 year-old woman who sustained severe injuries in motor vehicle accident in Okaloosa County.
$2,600,000 settlement for woman killed in motor vehicle accident in Escambia County.
$1,800,191.72 settlement in medical malpractice case for death of man against doctor who failed to diagnose cardiac arrest in Bay County.
$3,500,000 settlement for a 62 year-old woman and her 39 year-old son who both suffered multiple broken bones in a MVA (motor vehicle accident). They were riding together in a small vehicle when a construction truck crossed the centerline of a four lane highway and struck them almost head on. The case was settled at mediation.
$3,000,000 settlement for elderly woman attacked by a patient at an assisted living facility in Escambia County.
The firm recently achieved a seven-figure settlement for the estate of a client who was killed in an auto accident. The challenge was convincing the carrier to pay despite having only minimum ($10,000) Bodily Injury liability limits. KERM&T lawyers argued that the carrier was in “bad faith” for delaying an offer of its limits while attempting to settle two smaller cases along with the death case. This conduct would expose their insured to a huge judgment. A factor in the successful resolution was the firm’s experience and success in identifying and trying bad faith cases.
$2,250,000 settlement for 76 year-old woman whose legs were crushed in an a motor vehicle accident in Escambia County.
A 12 year-old girl was spending the day at her friend’s home. Although the friend's parents were home, the children were allowed to play around a fire and the 12 year-old threw an aerosol can on the fire. As a result she received 1st and 2nd degree burns on her face and hands. In less than 8 months, we were able to pay all the child’s medical expenses, pre-pay for her college education and provide her with a substantial stream of income until her 30th birthday. |
