$10.2 Million Jury Verdict - Traumatic Brain Injury in Trucking Accident
Zoll v. Werner Enterprises, Inc., Norfolk Circuit Court, Auto Accident (2008)

Woman suffered a traumatic brain injury when struck by a tractor-trailer on I-295. Her difficulties included headaches, speech impairment including stuttering, dizziness, memory loss, difficulty with concentration, inability to communicate thoughts, balance problems, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. The case was tried before a jury who returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $10.2 million.

$7.5 Million Settlement - Traumatic Brain Injury / School Bus Case
Watford v. City of Hampton Public Schools, et al., Hampton Circuit Court (2004)

Motorcycle rider struck in back of head by side mirror of school bus, school bus making negligent left turn in the path of motorcycle. Plaintiff suffered brain stem injury, pelvic and leg fractures and medical bills in excess of $400,000.00. Plaintiff will never be able to return to work at his job at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock and suffered a loss of earning capacity of approximately $900,000.00. Plaintiff will also require future medical costs for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy estimated at $227,000.00 per year for support care. Parties settled after lengthy mediation for $7.5 million dollars.

$3.5 Million Settlement - Traumatic Brain Injury/Auto Crash
Kuffel v. City of Chesapeake, et. al. (2008)

Plaintiff, a teenage girl, was riding as a passenger in a Ford Mustang headed south on Dominion Boulevard just north of the Steel Bridge in Chesapeake, Virginia. A northbound SUV went off the right shoulder, overcorrected, and hit plaintiff head-on in the southbound lane. Deep rutting on the side of the shoulder caused the SUV to lose control. Suit was filed against the City of Chesapeake due to its failure to properly maintain the shoulder in a safe manner. Plaintiff suffered severe injuries including a brain injury. Her symptoms included loss of short-term memory, difficulty with multi-tasking, mood swings, and difficulty finding the right word. The case was settled before trial for $3.5 Million.

$3 Million Jury Verdict - Traumatic Brain Injury / Dump Truck Case
Wood v. S.C. Jones, Inc., et al., Hampton Circuit Court (2005)

Woman was traveling 40 mph when she collided with a dump truck who negligently made a left turn in front of her. Plaintiff suffered a brain injury which caused headaches, dizziness, memory loss, nausea, difficulty with concentration, inability to communicate thoughts, balance problems, dropping things, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. She also suffered injuries to her back, neck, shoulder, and knees. Plaintiff has undergone extensive medical treatment and will require future care for her injuries. Additionally, she is not able to work due to the collision. The case was tried before a jury who returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $3 million.

$2.5 Million Settlement - Traumatic Brain Injury / Trucking Case
Jane Doe v. Roe Trucking Co. (2009)

Plaintiff, a 60 year old, part-time pre-school teacher, was a passenger in a school van that was rear-ended by a tractor trailer truck. Plaintiff's head shattered the rear window, and she was unconscious for 10 minutes. Plaintiff suffered a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury and complex partial seizure disorder which is controlled with medication. Plaintiff's medical bills totaled $112,000 and she experienced no loss of earning capacity. The case was settled through mediation just before trial for $2.5 million.

$2.4 Million - Traumatic Brain Injury / Bicycle Case
John Doe v. Swygert & Eastern Aluminum Supply, Virginia Beach Circuit Court (2003)

60 year old chiropractor, while riding bicycle, was struck in back of head by side mirror of delivery truck. Although initially having refused medical treatment, he later developed cognitive and psychological difficulties which radically altered his lifestyle. His special damages include $26,101.00 in past medical bills, $478,800.00 in future medical costs, and $720,000.00 in lost earning capacity. The parties settled after mediation for $2.4 million.

$1.2 Million - Wrongful Death/DUI
Vega v. Looker, Virginia Beach Circuit Court (2003)

Mrs. Vega, 41, was a passenger in a minivan. As the van entered an intersection, a sport-utility vehicle ran a red light, striking the van, and killed Mrs. Vega. She is survived by two adult children and one minor child. A hotel housekeeper who had earned approximately $25,000 annually, she had also been studying to be a chef's assistant and had been attending beauty school. Her future lost earnings are estimated at between $650,000 and $780,000. Her medical expenses were approximately $330,000. The defendant was criminally indicted for driving under the influence and plead guilty to a charge of vehicular manslaughter. The parties settled the case before trial for $1.2 million.

$1.1 Million Settlement - Traumatic Brain Injury / Trucking Case
Jane Doe v. Roe Trucking Company (2009)

Plaintiff, a 58 year old school principal, was a passenger in a school van that was rear-ended by a tractor trailer truck. Plaintiff may have briefly lost consciousness and suffered a traumatic brain injury. She returned to work full-time. The case was settled through mediation for $1.1 million.

$900,000 Settlement - Auto Accident / Orthopaedic Injuries
Walters v. City of Chesapeake, et. al. (2008)

Plaintiff, a teenage boy, was headed south on Dominion Boulevard just north of the Steel Bridge in Chesapeake, Virginia. A northbound SUV went off the right shoulder, overcorrected, and hit plaintiff head-on in the southbound lane. Deep rutting on the side of the shoulder caused the SUV to lose control. Suit was filed in federal court against the City of Chesapeake due to its failure to properly maintain the shoulder in a safe manner. Plaintiff suffered severe orthopaedic injuries to his legs. The case was settled before trial for $900,000.00.

$884,000 Settlement - I-95 Tractor Trailer Accident Case
Edgecombe County, North Carolina (2008)

Mother and daughter plaintiffs were struck by a tractor trailer truck as they were standing on the side of the highway helping others from a previous accident. Mother suffered a leg injury and her daughter suffered a head injury and was out of work. The cases were settled together for a combined $884,000.00.

$800,000 Settlement - Traumatic Brain Injury Car Accident
Jane Doe v. Janet Roe, Chesapeake Circuit Court (2009)

A woman suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in a two vehicle collision. Her injuries included short term memory loss, depression, mood changes, fatigue, partial complex seizures now controlled by Dilantin, and a knee injury. The defendant contested all conditions except the knee problems, which had pre-existed before the wreck. Plaintiff had also been treated for depression and anxiety in the 15 months before the wreck. The case was settled through mediation one week before trial.

$625,000 Settlement - Automobile Wrongful Death
Minor v. Younger, Chesapeake Circuit Court (2005)

Plaintiff, 16 years old, was killed when riding as a passenger in a car being driven by Defendant. Defendant, a 17 year old who had his driver's license just 30 days, drove down a wet, dark, two-lane road at speeds of up to 100 mph. Defendant lost control of the car on a curve and hit a tree. Plaintiff was killed instantly. The parties reached a settlement for $625,000.

$350,000 Settlement - Nursing Home Case
A Virginia Nursing Home (2008)

A 79 year old nursing home resident, was transferred to the nursing home for rehabilitation following knee replacement surgery. While at the nursing home, the resident developed Stage IV pressure sores of the sacrum and on both heels. The resident was admitted to the hospital and died 7 months later due to end stage renal disease.

$275,000 Settlement - Nursing Home Negligence
John Doe v. Roe Nursing Home, Norfolk Circuit Court (2003)

Plaintiff’s decedent, 95 years old, admitted to Nursing Home with known propensity to fall. Inadequate assessment upon admission to Home, inadequate reassessment after falling in Home, and lack of communication among staff about implementation of least-restrictive fall prevention measures for this patient, lead to his death from subdural hemotoma due to later fall. Statutory beneficiaries were four stepchildren and three estranged natural children. Special damages were $11,291.95 in medical bills, and a $3,010.00 funeral bill. Settlement amount: $275,000.00.

$250,000 - Nursing Home Malpractice
John Doe v. Nursing Home (2005)

Plaintiff was a non-ambulatory, demented resident with severe Alzheimer's who was fed through a feeding tube. When the tube became clogged, the nursing home's RN called and advised the doctor of the situation. The RN then obtained an order to replace the feeding tube. Despite never having replaced a feeding tube before, the RN attempted to replace the feeding tube without any assistance. The nursing home was negligent when it failed to follow procedure for proper placement of the tube, as well as when it failed to confirm the tube was placed correctly after it was inserted. The tube was negligently inserted into the abdomen instead of the stomach pouch. Medication and food were pumped into the abdomen resulting in septic shock and death a few days later.

$250,000 Jury Verdict - Traumatic Brain Injury Case
Armbrister v. McDade, Hampton Circuit Court (2006)

Plaintiff, 17 years old, suffered a mild traumatic brain injury when Defendant broadsided her vehicle going 35 mph. Plaintiff suffered a brain injury which caused headaches, memory loss, concentration problems, and depression. Despite her injury, plaintiff was able to work as an officer in the U.S. Army. The case was tried before a jury who returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $250,000.

$160,000 Settlement - Veterans Nursing Negligence
U.S. District Court, E.D.Va. Lauth v. United States (Dept. of Veterans' Affairs) (2002)

Death of 83 year old amputee from subdural hematoma caused by nurse's improper turning of patient in bed at Hampton VA Medical Center. Settlement amount: $160,000.00.

$150,000 Jury Verdict - Auto Collision
Ellsworth v. Jeter, Hampton Circuit Court (2008)

Man suffered a strained ankle with 16% partial impairment. The case was tried to a jury who returned a verdict of $150,000.

$125,000 Settlement - Nursing Home Malpractice & Federal Tort Claims Act
Pearl Taylor v. U.S.A. and Confidential Nursing Home, U.S. District Court, Norfolk (2002)

99-year-old woman developed a Stage IV sacral decubitus ulcer due to the combined negligence of the Nursing Home, the attending physician, and his nurse practitioner. Upon discovery of the wound, plaintiff’s family removed her from the facility, sought appropriate medical care, placed her in a better facility, and after several months the wound healed. Suit originally was filed in State court against both the Nursing Home, and also the physician and his nurse practitioner, both employees of Eastern Shore Rural Health Systems, Inc., which also was a defendant. It was removed to federal court by Eastern Shore as, unbeknownst to plaintiff and not discoverable beforehand, this defendant was a participant in the federal malpractice insurance program created by the Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act, 42 USC 233; hence, the sole remedy against Eastern Shore and its employees is under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Dismissal was stipulated allowing plaintiff to pursue her administrative remedies under the FTCA and, immediately upon their exhaustion, she filed suit against the United States and Nursing Home. The United States offered judgment, and Nursing Home settled for the remainder. Medical bills totaled $14,341.49. Settlement amount: $125,000.00.

$115,000 Settlement - Personal Injury Boating Case
Virginia Beach Circuit Court

A 16 year old boy was injured by a boat propeller while tubing. The boat operator had left the motor running while the boy attempted to board the boat resulting in severe lacerations to his right leg. The case settled without having to file suit.

$108,000 Settlement - Medical Transport Negligence
Jane Doe v. Moe Transport, Inc., Virginia Beach Circuit Court (2002)

Client falls and fractures hip and hip is pinned by surgeon and he has her admitted for rehab to a nursing home. Client completes rehab and is released to go home and medical transport takes her to her apartment building. Medical transport employee decides to pull client up backwards up the three stairs to the stoop of the apartment building, gets up onto the stoop and then releases the wheelchair, which then falls along with the client, down the three steps, and the employee then falls down the steps on top of the client, re-fracturing her hip. Client has to undergo prosthetic hip placement, recovers and again goes home. Settlement amount $108,000.00.

$50,000 Settlement - Nursing Home Negligence
Jane Doe v. Moe Nursing Home, Richmond Circuit Court (2002)

The plaintiff was admitted to defendant nursing home for skilled rehab. Four days after admission a licensed practical nurse, who worked part-time at defendant nursing home, administered medications to plaintiff that where prescribed for plaintiff's roommate. Plaintiff was on two medications but her roommate was on nine medications and the LPN who was not familiar with plaintiff gave her the roommate's medications in error. Negligent acts by the nursing home included failure to provide plaintiff with a patient name-band; failure to make sure plaintiff was the right patient to receive the medications; failure to mark the pharmacy drawer on the medication cart with plaintiff's name and instead labeled the pharmacy drawer meant for the plaintiff with the roommate's, and failed to correctly label plaintiff's name as being assigned to her bed, but instead labeled the door to the room with the name of her roommate for that bed. Plaintiff had an adverse reaction and her blood pressure fell abruptly, requiring four days of hospitalization and total medical specials of approximately $11,000.00. Parties settled for $50,000.00. Plaintiff did not suffer any long term ill effects.

Confidential Settlement - Nursing Home Malpractice
Estate of Jane Doe v. Roe Nursing Home, Virginia Circuit Court (2001)

Resident transferred by Hoyer Lift is dropped; allegedly "slides" out of sling. Multiple fractures; death. Settlement amount: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Medical Malpractice
Jim Doe v. Larry Roe, M.D., Virginia Circuit Court (2001)

Family physician failed to diagnose prostate cancer resulting in loss of chance for cure. Settlement amount: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Nursing Home Malpractice
Estate of Jane Doe v. Roe Nursing Home, Virginia Circuit Court (2001)

Resident on pureed diet order gets access to a hamburger, eats it, and chokes to death. Settlement amount: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Nursing Home Malpractice
Jane Doe v. Roe Nursing Home, Virginia Circuit Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court (2001)

Unexplained fall by Alzheimer's resident results in facial and upper body bruises and broken clavicle; delay in treatment of broken clavicle. Significant obstacles due to Home's bankruptcy overcome. Settlement amount: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Medical Malpractice
Jane Doe v. John Doe, M.D., Virginia Circuit Court (2000)

Mother of full-term baby is brought to hospital by OB/GYN for induced labor so he can go on vacation. Defendant does not timely respond to delivery difficulties and child suffers anoxia and resulting severe brain damage. Settlement amount: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Medical Malpractice
John Doe v. Mike Moe, M.D., Virginia Circuit Court (2001)

Surgical negligence. Dr. Moe failed to wait for full effect of anesthesia during umbilical hernia operation. Negligently failed to appreciate nicking the bowel; resulting sepsis. Settlement amount: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Wrongful Death/Dialysis/Nursing Malpractice
Jane Doe v. Dialysis Center (2003)

Decedent was exposed to harmful chemical during her regular dialysis treatment, resulting in fatal hemolysis of her blood (destruction of red blood cells). The parties settled for a substantial sum prior to trial.

Confidential Settlement - Nursing Home Malpractice
John Doe v. Moe Nursing Home, Virginia Circuit Court (2000)

Resident fell more than 30 times before the nursing home reassessed his care plan and provided least restrictive restraint. Falls then ceased. Injuries to face and head. Settlement amount: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Nursing Home Malpractice
John Doe v. Nursing Home (2004)

On January 28, 2003, the decedent, age 74, was admitted to defendant nursing home for rehab after a hip fracture suffered at home. The decedent suffered from dementia. Because of immobility and dementia, he was assessed as being at a high risk for the development of pressure sores. On February 21, 2003, a sacral pressure sore was first observed at a Stage II. By February 27, 2003, the wound had advanced to a Stage III. By March 7, the wound had advanced to a Stage IV and continued to advance in size until March 24, 2003 when he was discharged to the hospital. During the period January 28, 2003 through March 7, 2003, the decedent lost 36 pounds which is an excessive weight loss in only 38 days. A special air mattress was not provided until March 21, 2003, three days before his discharge to the hospital with infected sacral decubitus. The defendant facility did not seek a consultation by a wound care nurse until March 7, 2003. The decedent's family effectively testified during mediation that he was not turned or repositioned and that they had to feed him as his tray was left in his room during the day by the CNAs, with no help provided for the decedent to take his meal. The decedent had a life expectancy of approximately 3 years because of his underlying Parkinson's disease and dementia conditions. The parties settled the case at mediation, the amount of settlement being agreed upon as confidential.

Confidential Settlement - North Carolina Adult Long Term Care Negligence
John Doe v. Adult Long Term Care Facility (2005)

Plaintiff, who suffered from dementia and severe Alzheimer's, was ambulatory and had all his teeth removed. Plaintiff did not have dentures, and his meals were required to be soft-mechanical (pureed). To protect him, it was ordered that Plaintiff eat meals in the dining room and that staff members monitor Plaintiff while he ate. Despite the order, Plaintiff was served a regular-diet meal in his room by a CNA staff member without any supervision. Plaintiff stuffed food into his mouth, including hamburger and a bread roll, and choked to death. The staff was negligent in providing Plaintiff a tray of regular-diet food in his room, was negligent in failing to monitor Plaintiff while he was eating, and was negligent in allowing Plaintiff to eat in his room instead of the dining room. The assistant administrator was also negligent in that she observed the CNA staff member leave Plaintiff's room after giving him a tray of food and then failed to monitor the plaintiff herself or require Plaintiff to go to the dining room. Settlement: Confidential.

Confidential Settlement - Wrongful Death Scalding Case
Norfolk Circuit Court (2007)

A 63 year old handicapped woman died after being scalded by water emitting from her bathtub. Her third degree burns resulted in infection which caused her death. The case was settled before trial for a confidential amount.

Confidential Settlement - Personal Injury Case Against the City
Elizabeth City, North Carolina (2008)

Plaintiff turned right onto a two lane city street while traveling behind a City dump truck which had been stopped. As plaintiff waited for oncoming traffic to clear, the City dump truck backed over plaintiff's car resulting in injury to plaintiff.

Confidential Settlement - Medical Malpractice Against Hospital
(2008)

76 year old plaintiff had hip surgery with complications which resulted in an extended stay in the hospital. Plaintiff was later transferred to a nursing home where it was discovered that plaintiff had four Stage IV pressure ulcers of which two were on his heels. The hospital's skin assessment upon discharge indicated that plaintiff's skin was intact with no pressure sores. After proper treatment, the pressure ulcers healed leaving plaintiff unable to stand without assistance.

Confidential Settlement - Nursing Home Malpractice
John Doe v. Nursing Home (2004)

57 year old stroke victim admitted for rehabilitation and long term nursing care with inability to turn and reposition himself, but with no skin breakdown. Prior to admission decedent had been in several hospital facilities several months, but again with no skin breakdown. After admission to defendant nursing home facility he was assigned to a room at the end of the hallway, as far as one can get from the nursing station, and assigned direct givers CNAs that did not turn and reposition him on a regular basis. Decedent could not talk in order to voice complaints or verbalize his needs. Within three weeks decedent had formed Stave IV bed sore on his scrotum. Depositions of the CNA staff proved inadequate staffing to meet decedent's needs to be turned and repositioned on a regular basis. Once the advanced bed sore was recognized by the staff, long delays occurred in providing sufficient and adequate treatment further contributing to the deterioration of his condition. Over 50 alternations in the nursing home chart were demonstrated using the services of a document expert. The decedent having life expectancy of approximately five years because of his underlying condition. The parties settled prior to trial for the maximum coverage available.