Settlements & Verdicts Archives

Phoenix sex abuse lawyers take note of $30 million Delaware jury verdict

Priest sexual abuse attorneys in the State of Delaware have received a verdict of $30 million against the St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic parish after a jury found the church was grossly negligent in not properly supervising a former priest, according to the New York Times. The 58-year-old plaintiff was abused as a teenager in the 1960s.

The church is reportedly responsible for paying $3 million of the verdict. However, they could be responsible for paying more money after the jury rules on the issue of punitive damages. The judge hearing the case has instructed the jurors to come back next week for more testimony and decide the issue. Sometimes a punitive damages verdict can dwarf the initial verdict.

During the trial, the plaintiff reportedly stated to the jury that the case was not about money and he just wanted the truth to be told.

Read the story as reported by delawareonline.com here.

Arizona pedestrian accident lawyer settles case on behalf of insurance adjuster

by Dave Abels

A Phoenix pedestrian injury lawyer at Abels & Annes has reached a settlement on behalf of a woman that was hit by a bus in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The plaintiff is a claims adjuster with the major insurance carrier.

Our law firm takes it as a compliment to represent insurance adjusters who have been injured in accidents. Off the top of my head, we currently represent two claims adjusters, an insurance agent, and the daughter of insurance agent, all from major insurance carriers.

The bus vs. pedestrian accident took place back on February 25, 2010 at the intersection of State Street and Lake Street, which is a major downtown intersection. The plaintiff was walking across the intersection in a crosswalk with a green walk sign. At that time the defendant, who was driving a city bus, was traveling northbound and took a right turn to go eastbound. The bus driver failed to observe the pedestrian in the marked crosswalk and hit her.

The Chicago Police Department responded to the collision and handled the investigation. The investigating officer ticketed the bus driver for striking a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. The defendant later pleaded guilty in traffic court.

Our client started having left leg pain right after the accident. She was seen at an area emergency room the next morning. There, she was examined by physicians and x-rays were taken. X-ray films showed a fracture in her left leg.

The plaintiff went to follow up treatment with an orthopedic physician. The break in her leg was later confirmed by an MRI in March of 2010.

The case was negotiated and resolved without having to go to court.

If you have been hurt in a Phoenix pedestrian accident or bus crash, contact an Arizona injury attorney at Abels & Annes for free consultation. Call 602-819-5191 to speak directly to a lawyer.

$162,000 settlement reached by Phoenix pedestrian accident attorney

by Dave Abels

A Phoenix personal injury lawyer at Abels & Annes has settled an automobile vs. pedestrian accident lawsuit for $162,000. The accident took place in Chicago, Illinois back on January 24, 2008 on the North Side near Wrigley Field.

The plaintiff was crossing a street in a crosswalk with a green light when a driver ran a red light and struck him. After the accident, the at fault driver tried to claim that she had a green light. However, there was an independent witness at the scene of the accident that saw the collision and agreed with our client’s version of events. The accident was investigated by the Chicago Police Department.

After the accident, our client was taken by ambulance to an emergency room. At the ER, he had multiple complaints which included right wrist pain, shoulder pain,and he had a large cut on his forehead. The laceration was close with nine stitches and x-rays showed he had a right fractured wrist. He was discharged from the emergency room with instructions to follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon.

Our client followed up with a surgeon a few days after the accident. Due to his complaints, the doctor ordered an MRI of his left shoulder. The scan revealed a rotator cuff tear.

The physician recommended surgery to repair the shoulder. Surgery was performed weeks later Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago.

The lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County alleged the driver failed to stop for red light, was driving too fast for conditions on the road, and failed to stop for pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. The defendant had auto insurance with State Farm and the case settled shortly before the scheduled trial date.

If you have been hurt in a Phoenix pedestrian accident, call the Arizona accident attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Call 602-819-5191 speak to an injury lawyer now.

Arizona bike accident lawyer settles case

by Dave Abels

Phoenix bicycle accident attorneys Abels & Annes have reached a settlement in an incident that occurred in Chicago, Illinois in February of 2010. Our client was riding his bicycle southbound on Clark Street when the defendant, who was driving a 2005 Ford going northbound, turned left and struck the bike rider. The at fault driver was trying to turn left/westbound on Cornelia Street and failed to yield to oncoming traffic.

The Chicago Police responded to the crash. After their investigation they issued a citation to the defendant for failing to yield on a left turn.

The bicyclist injured his right knee and left shoulder in the crash. After the accident he was seen in the ER at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. Diagnostic testing was negative for fractures.

Days after the accident our client’s pain remained. He sought follow-up treatment with a medical doctor. The physician then referred him to physical therapy.

Weeks later the bicycle rider’s shoulder pain remained so an MRI was ordered. The test showed he had sustained a mild AC joint separation in the accident. He continued with physical therapy and his condition eventually improved.

The claim resolved for a little over $31,000 and we did not need to file a lawsuit to settle the case. Nationwide insured the at fault driver.
Continue reading “Arizona bike accident lawyer settles case”