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Weachievedajuryverdictagainstthegasstationonatheoryofnuisanceand  failuretocontrol"hotrodding"patrons.Wesuccessfullyrespondedtothe z DefendantsappealtotheSupremeCourtestablishednewguidelinesfavorable r totheinjuredpersoninthesettlementofcasesinvolvingmorethanone j defendant. b # ^\##XX# XQXXX^ XXQBruski  v  CherrylandRuralElectricalCoop ; GrandTraverseCountyCircuit F Court  D Ourclients#XQX ^ #^ XXQcarwasstruck,duringarainstorm,byavantravelingwithoutlights. B  Helosthislegwhenhewasstruckbyanothercarwhileexitinghisvehicle.The :! firmsecuredhimthefullinsurancepolicylimitsfromthedriverofthevan,andina 2" contestedtrial,averdictfor$875,000.00innoneconomicdamagesfrom *#z Cherrylandanditsdriver,despitethefactthattheinvestigatingpoliceofficerhad "$r originallyconcludedthattheseconddriverwasnotnegligent# ^ ##XX #  %j  XQXXX^ XXQCradduckvSecondChance,etal;CharlevoixCountyCircuitCourt &N"!   TheFireworksCaseWerepresentedtwoofthevictimsinthismarathonbattle 'L#" tosecureadequatecompensationforthevictimsoftheincompetentlyplanned, (J$# poorlysupervised,andultimatelyfatalCharlevoixFireworksdisplay.Afternearly )B%$ tenyearsoflitigationourclientsreceivedapproximately1.5milliondollars.  *:&% # ^ ##XX #XQXXX^ XXQ -)(     DoevRoe;RoeCountyCircuitCourt   Wewerelocalcounselinanactiontocompensateayoungwomanwhosuffered  horrifyinginjuriesinanoutofstandardmunicipaldam.   # ^<##XX[#XQXXX^ XXQDoevHanksElectricService;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt   Werecoveredthepolicylimitoftheatfaultdriverandthelimitsoftwopoliciesof   _underinsured_Ԁmotoristcoverage.WithPIPbenefits,theyoungfamilyrecovered   morethan1.2milliondollarsininsurancebenefits,alloftheavailablecoverage,   whereonly$50,000hadbeenoffered.# ^##XX7#    XQXXX^ XXQDoevJohnDoeHospital;WayneCountyCircuitCourt x   Weachievedasubstantial,butconfidential,recoveryforthefamilyofayoung v  womanwhoreceivedanoverdoseofchemotherapyatadownstateteaching n  hospital. f  # ^#^ #XQX ^#^ XXQ EstateofSgt._Fierens_  vDoeTransport;W.D.ofMichigan: \  WewereabletorecoverasignificantsettlementforthefamilyofareturnedIraq Z warveteran,afterhewaskilledbyatruckerwhofellasleepatthewheel.Weare R notatlibertytodisclosetheamountoftherecovery.Thedeadveteranwasa J stellarsoldierandstudentwhohadrecentlyscoredinthetopfivepercentonthe B lawschoolentranceexam. : _#XQX ^x#^ XXQ# ^6#^  Garrisi_ԀvMetroFireDepartment;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  *z Werepresentedthefamilyofawomanandbabywhowerekilledwhenbroad (x sidedbyafiretruckatasemiruralintersection.Detailsofthisactioncanbe  p foundinthearchivesoftheTraverseCityRecordEagleandelsewhereonour h website.Thecasesettledfor2.3milliondollars. ` # ^[##XX# XQXXX^ XXQGilmorevMichiganDepartmentofTransportation;MichiganCourtof D Claims;InghamCountyCircuitCourt   B Plaintiffwasseverelyinjuredwhenstruckbyavehiclerunningaredlight.The !@ intersectionwasdefectivelydesignedwithacrossroadobscuredinacurve.We "8 achievedaverdictintheCourtofClaims.# ^##XX#  #0  XQXXX^ XXQKlavervCronoralContractor,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  %!" ThefirmobtainedoneofthelargestinjuryverdictsinGrandTraverseCounty &"# history,onbehalfofaworkmanwhosufferedabadlyfracturedarmwhilebuilding ' #$ theRadioCenterbuildingonFrontStreet.Ourclientfellfourteenfeetasaresult ($% ofthecontractorsnegligentfailuretomaintainasafeworkingenvironment. )$& # ^##XX# XQXXX^ XXQ -(* n? n n  KnappvBurnsClinic,etal;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt   The8montholdplaintiffwasprofoundlybraindamagedandparalyzedduringa  hospitalizationforcroup.Thecasewassettledwithalifelongstructured  settlementforthechild.  # ^ ##XX # XQXXX^ XXQ qjRussellvKMartCorporationandSewardLuggageCompany;Oakland   CountyCircuitCourt    An11montholdlittlegirlwasseverelybraindamagedwhenthelidofatoy ~  storagechesttrappedherneckandstrangledherlongenoughtocauseasevere v  oxygendeficittoherbrain.Weallegedthatthestoragechestwasdesignedand n   marketedforuseasatoybox,andthatitdidnotmeetthevoluntarystandards f  proposed15yearsagofortoyboxes.Thiscasesettledonveryfavorableterms ^  thatwearenotallowedtodisclose. V  # ^"##XX"# XQXXX^ XXQSpicewskivKatara;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt  :  Ourclient,ayounggirl,sustaineddevastatinginjuriestoherlegwhenshewas 8 struckbyamotorboatwhiletubing.Withourhelp,afterlitigationsheachieveda 0 settlementwhichwillpayherovertwomilliondollarsoverthecourseofherlife.   (x Thepresentvalueofthissettlementwasafewdollarslessthantheoperators  p milliondollarsincoverage. h # ^ &##XX,&# XQXXX^ XXQSpink , Estateof#XQX ^(#^ XXQ# ^(#^  , v  Doe;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt X  AfterprotractedlitigationcausedbyAllstateInsuranceCompany,wewereableto V provethatAllstatesinsuredshouldnothavebeendrivingbecauseshehad N amplenoticeofunderlyingmedicalproblemswhichcausedhertorunastopsign, F killingthisyoungmother.# ^)##XXB)#  > XQXXX^ XXQStowevDoe;LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  4 Thisdeathcasearoseoutofthedeathofayoungmomonherhusbands 2 motorcycle.Anelderlywomanpulledoutinfrontofthemonaruralroadwithlittle  * sightdistance.Thecasesettledfor$1.5milliondespitetheDefendantsproof !" thatthePlaintiffscouldhavestoppedwithoutstrikingtheDefendantsvehicleif " theyhadreactedbybrakingwiththefrontbrakeaswellastherear.Wewere #  abletodemonstratethatinanemergency,evenwelltrainedmotorcyclists,such $ ! astheCaliforniaHighwayPatrol,tendtoreactcontrarytotraining. %!" # ^+##XX+# XQXXX^ XXQVaughanvMercyHospital,etal; WexfordCountyCircuitCourt  '"$ Afiftyeightyearoldwomanwhowasfrightenedbytheneighbor'sdog,felland (#% fracturedherhip.Shewastakentothelocalhospitalwherethesurgeondeemed )$& itadvisabletorepairherhipsurgicallyunderaspinalanesthetic.Theanesthetist *%' apparentlyallowedtheanesthesiatoprogressupherspinetoalevelthat |+&( interferedwithhercardiorespiratoryfunction:thenhefailedtorecognizethatshe t,') wasn'tbreathingintimetointerveneandpreventsubstantialbraindamage.She l-(* "lived"fortwomoreyears,however,herexistencewasnomorethanlyingina d.)+ qj q  q  fetalpositiononahospitalbedinanursinghome.Shewasapparentlycognizant  ofhersurroundings,asshewouldengageinepisodesofscreamingand  moaning.Thecasesettledinamannersatisfactorytoherfamily,butnotuntilthe  eveoftrial.TheDefendantsinsistedthatthefamilysignanagreementnotto  disclosetheamountofthesettlement.  # ^D/##XXc/# XQXXX^ XXQWelchvMichiganDepartmentofTransportation,etal;WayneCounty     CircuitCourt ~   Claimagainsttruckingfirm,motoristandDepartmentofTransportationfordeath |  ofmotherandbraininjurytothechild.Weweresuccessfulinachievinga t   recoveryagainstallpartiesexcepttheRoadAuthority,whichwasdismissedby l  theJudgeafteraWayneCountytrial# ^5##XX#5# .   p      x   d   XXX AUTONEGLIGENCE#XX X7#Ԁ    XQXXXThisisourprimaryareaofexpertiseandwehavehandledmorethan1000autorelated  claims.Thefollowingisasample:     ^ XXQBabcock  v  RoadAuthority t  #XQX ^9#^ XXQThefirmassistedthisfamilyininvestigatingandreachingaprivate,confidential r settlementarisingoutofthedeathoftheirsonandbrotherwhenhewasstruckby j atruckplowingsnow.#XQX ^9# b  4+XXQ^ 4+Bruski  v  CherrylandRuralElectricalCoop ; GrandTraverseCountyCircuit @ Court  > Ourclients#4+ ^ ;#^ 4+carwasstruck,duringarainstorm,byavantravelingwithoutlights. < Helosthislegwhenhewasstruckbyanothercarwhileexitinghisvehicle.The 4 firmsecuredhimthefullinsurancepolicylimitsfromthedriverofthevan,andina ,| contestedtrial,averdictfor$875,000.00innoneconomicdamagesfrom $ t Cherrylandanditsdriver,despitethefactthattheinvestigatingpoliceofficerhad !l originallyconcludedthattheseconddriverwasnotnegligent.#4+ ^;# XQX4+.XXXXQ "d  #XQXX.X>##4+XXQn>#^ 4+ Burgess  v  Girlfriendandothers;OttawaCountyCircuitCourt $T   #4+ ^ ?#^ 4+Werepresentedthisyoungmaninprotractedlitigationafterhesufferedsevere %R ! headandorthopaedicinjuriesinanintersectioncollision.Theinsurersforboth %J!" driversinsistedthatonlytheotherwasatfaultandhiredseveralindependent &B"# doctorstosupporttheirclaimthathehadrecoveredcompletely.Overseveral ':#$ yearsoflitigationweachievedasubstantialrecoveryfromtheatfaultsinsurers (2$% andalsosecuredcompletetuitionandexpensecoverageforhimtoreturnto )*%& collegefromhisowninsurer. *"&' Ѐ ,()  #4+ ^?#^ 4+_Capati_vJones; WayneCountyCircuitCourt   Ourclient,ayoungdoctor,wasseverelyinjuredwhenhercarwasstruckheadon  byanothervehicle.Afterinitiatingalawsuitthedefendantspaidherfullpolicy  limitstoresolvethistragiccase.#4+ ^B#^ 4+   _Drogt_  v  UnitedWaste;#4+ ^gD#^ 4+AntrimCountyCircuitCourt    Wehelpedthismanrecoverforthelossofhisanticipatedlifetimeearningsafter   hewasstruckbyagarbagetruckthatranastopsign.Evaluatinghislikelyfuture   incomethroughtheuseofexpertaccountantsandbusinessconsultants,and |  discreditingtheincometestimonyoftheDefendantsconsultantswascrucialto t   achievingafairrecovery.  l  EricEllis  v  DMC; #4+ ^E#^ 4+ GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  b  Despitethebankruptcyofthedeliverycompany,w#4+ ^G#^ 4+ewereabletoachieveavery `  substantialsettlementforthisyoungmanwhosufferedlifetimeinjuriestohisleg X  whenatruckdeliveringlumbertoajobsiteallowedtheloadoflumbertostrike P thePlaintiff(whowaswaitingtohelpunloadit.).#4+ ^GH#^ 4+  H Engineer  v_Cordes_ԀExcavating;_Otsego_ԀCo.:  > Ourclientwasinjuredataroadconstructionsitewhenhewaspinnedbetween < twoparkedtrucks,afteroneofthetruckswasstruckbyasemitractordelivering 4 gravel.Thetruckingcompanypaidaconfidentialsettlementafteranunanimous ,| caseevaluationrecommendedasettlementof$400,000.00. $t #4+ ^I#^ 4+ EstateofSgt._Fierens_  vDoeTransport;W.D.ofMichigan: j  WewereabletorecoverasignificantsettlementforthefamilyofareturnedIraq h warveteran,afterhewaskilledbyatruckerwhofellasleepatthewheel.Weare ` notatlibertytodisclosetheamountoftherecovery.Thedeadveteranwasa X stellarsoldierandstudentwhohadrecentlyscoredinthetopfivepercentonthe  P lawschoolentranceexam.  H #4+ ^%L# ^ 4+_Finout_ԀvCavalli;ClareCountyCircuitCourt "8  AyoungwomantravelingnorthonM115waskilledwhenanoncomingdriver #6  lostcontrolofhisvehicleandcrossedthecenterlinecausingaheadoncollision. $. ! Asuccessfulsettlementwasreachedwithinsurersforthedriverandtheownerof %&!" thevehiclehewasdriving,despiteclaimsthatthecollisionwascausedbydebris &"# fromathirdvehicle.  '#$ #4+ ^N#^ 4+o^  ^#o4+ o^/Q#oXQXo4+Harmv#XQXXoXQRQ#_Dinger_,Webber,and_Hanshaw_sXXXXQ:  ) %& #XQXXsX>R#Inthiscaseourclientwasbadlyinjuredwhenavehiclehitanengineblocklayinginthe *&' road,lostcontrolandstrucktheclientsvehicle.Wesuedthedriverandownerofthe +&( truckthathaddroppedtheenginefromitsbedandobtainedasubstantialsettlementfor ,') theclient. p-(* #4+XXQQ#^ 4+ _Hewitt_vCrandall; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt   MaryHewittwascrossingUS31atFourMileRoadwhenamotoristwhowas  blindedbythesun,ranaredlightandstruckher.Thecasewassettledafter  mediationfor$500,000,representingnoneconomicdamagesforhersubstantial  injuries.   KingvFarmBureau;AmericanArbitrationAssociation    Theplaintiffsufferedabackinjuryinamotorvehiclecollision.Afterthenegligent   driver'sinsurancewasexhausted,weachievedanadditionalrecoveryof |  $165,000fromhisowninsurance,throughhisunderinsuredmotoristcoverage. t   Bindingarbitration. l   _Kuieck_vJ.P.Maintenance,Inc;_Antrim_ԀCo.:  \  Wewereabletoachieveaverysubstantialsixfigurerecoveryforthisdelightful Z  andtalentedartistwhowasseverelyinjuredinamotorvehiclecollision.Theat R  faultdriverwasaninattentiveirrigationworkerwhohadworkedanexcessive J numberofhoursintheweeksprecedingthecollision.Althoughthevictims B  secondcareerinoilpaintingwasnotparticularlylucrative,lossofhisabilityto : enjoythisveryskilledavocationresultedinalargeawardof noneconomic 2 damages. *z #4+ ^'T#^ 4+ _Lenhoff_vLenhoff;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt j  #4+ ^[#^ 4+Wewereabletohelpthewifewhosufferedaseverelyfracturedneckrecoverfair h compensationfromherhusbandsinsurer. `  Lewis vDoeandUnderinsuredMotoristCoverage;LeelanauCountyCircuit P Court  N   #4+ ^[#^ 4+Weachievedasubstantialsixfiguresettlementforthisteacherwhosuffered L longterminjuriesinawreckcausedbyadrunk. D  Meredith v  Ficaro,etal.; LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  !: Thiscase,forseriousinjuriessufferedbyamotorcyclist,wassettledaftera "8 favorablemediationresult. #0  #4+ ^E]# ^ 4+PerryvJohnson; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  % !" ThefirmwasaskedtosubstituteinascounselforthePlaintiff,aftertheoriginal &"# juryverdictagainstherwasoverturnedbytheCourt.Onretrial,weachieveda '#$ modestverdictonherbehalf.#4+ ^A_# XQX4+.XXXXQ ($% #XQXX.X`##4+XXQ`#^ 4+ ,()  O  e    Priest  v  DoAllConstruction;KalkaskaCountyCircuitCourt  e Ayounggirlonherwaytoschoolwaskilledwhenherdriverranintotherearofa c slowmovingbackhoetravelingonthehighwaywithinadequatelighting.The [ casesettledfollowingmediation S #4+ ^qa#XQX4+ JaneRoe  v  JaneDoe;BenzieCountyCircuitCourt 1   ^ XXQWewereabletoachieveasettlementof$500,000.00forthisyoungwomanwho   sufferedveryseverelegfracturesinamotorvehiclecollisioncausedbyherteen   ageddaughter.#XQX ^d#^ XXQ    SchichtelvBucosky;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt    ThroughextensiveinvestigationintotheDefendant'sassets,wesecureda   settlementattwicetheDefendant'savailableinsuranceforthisbadlyinjured   victimofanautomobilecollision.    SmithvUnitedVanLines;WexfordCountyCircuitCourt  v Claimagainsttruckingcompanywhosedriverandpoorlymaintainedsemitractor t causedacollisionresultinginthedeathofthehusbandandfather.Settledonthe l eveoftrialafterfavorablecourtrulings. d  o^  ^#oXQX o^#e#_Stachowski_v_Antrim_ԀDrillingCompany:  T Inthisautonegligencecaseourclientsustainedaseriousfootfracturewhenstruckon > adirtroadbyalargecommercialtruck.Wewereabletoshowthatthetruckwasinour & clientslaneoftravelandobtainedalargesettlementontheeveoftrial. s #XQXXoXQ&h#^ XXQ _Tegel_vGaines;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  S Abuildersufferedcareerdisablinginjuriesinamotorvehiclecollision.Afterthe Q negligentdriver'sinsurancecoveragewasexhausted,thefirmrecovered I $400,000fromthebuilder'sunderinsuredmotoristcoveragethroughbinding A arbitration. `  9  #XQX ^Kj#^ XXQ Vowelsv_Proact_;_Antrim_ԀCountyCircuitCourt  )" Halfmilliondollarrecoveryforamanwhosufferedaheadinjuryinahighway '#  collision,wheretheDefendantlostcontrolonice,despitetheinvestigating $! officersacknowledgmentthattheroadwassoicy  theycouldnotstandup. % "  v" ^ -() BOATINGINJURIES:#^ " vKn# e  EstateofDoe v  InsurerRoe;ChippewaCountyProbateCourt 0  Forlessthan$6,000.00inhourlyfees,wewereabletonegotiatethepaymentof . thedriverslargeliabilitypolicy,arrangeafavorableannuitypurchaseand & probatethedecedentsestate.Ayoungwifehadbeenkilledinaboating   accidentintheLesCheneauxIslands,andthedriversinsurerindicateda {  willingnesstonegotiateingoodfaithwithoutfilingsuit.Weadvisedthewidowto s  engageusonanhourly,ratherthanacontingent,feebasis. k  Ѐ  c   _Odziana_ v  April; LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  [  Plaintiffwasayounggirlwhowasinjuredinaboatingincident.WhenAllstate Y  attemptedtosettleherinjuryclaim,theProbateCourtfeltthatthesettlementwas Q  inadequateandreferredherparentstoourfirmforlegalassistance.Ultimately I  theCasewassettledforasubstantiallylargersum. A    .# ^#^ #.s# SpicewskivKatara;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt  / Ourclient,ayounggirl,sustaineddevastatinginjuriestoherlegwhenshewas - struckbyamotorboatwhiletubing.Withourhelp,afterlitigationsheachieveda % settlementwhichwillpayherovertwomilliondollarsoverthecourseofherlife.    Thepresentvalueofthissettlementwasafewdollarslessthantheoperators  milliondollarsincoverage.    v" ^CIVILRIGHTS,RIGHTOFPRIVACY i #^ " v+v# OrtquistvDowChemicalandMidlandCounty; U.S.DistrictCourtEastern  .  DistrictofMichigan  , CivilrightsactiononbehalfofGreenpeaceprotestoragainstDefendantsfor  * publishingafalsestatement.Settled,afterextendedlitigation,onconfidential !" basis. "  SnydervFrankfortPublicSchools;U.S.DistrictCourtWesternDistrictof o$  Michigan m%!!  CivilRightsActiononbehalfoftheschoolsonlyAfricanAmericanchildwhowas k&"" requiredtouseaseparatebathroomthanotherstudents.Settled. c'"#  v" ^ rj #-(( rj  r  r  CONSTRUCTION,INDUSTRIALORWORKSITEINJURIES#^ " vy# v" ^ e  #^ " vzz#KlavervCronoralContractor,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  d ThefirmobtainedoneofthelargestinjuryverdictsinGrandTraverseCounty b history,onbehalfofaworkmanwhosufferedabadlyfracturedarmwhilebuilding Z theRadioCenterbuildingonFrontStreet.Ourclientfellfourteenfeetasaresult  R ofthecontractorsnegligentfailuretomaintainasafeworkingenvironment. .# ^  J #^ #.|#LarkvONMinerals;_Presque_ԀIsleCo.:   @ Ourclientsufferednearfatalcomplicationsfromblunttraumatotheabdomen,  >  whileperformingmaintenanceonamassive70tonquarryexcavator.Wewere 6  successfulinprovingthattheinjuryoccurredasaresultofthenegligenceofa .  quarryemployee,whohadbeenassignedtomanipulatetheexcavatorcontrols &  duringthemaintenanceprocess.    _Sizemore_vCenturyCellunet; v" ^Ԁ#^ " v#OsceolaCountyCircuitCourt  { Wrongfuldeathclaimforayoungfatherandhusbandafterthetowerhewas L helpingtoerectcollapsed.Successfullypursuedunderthetheoryofinherently D dangerousactivity. v" ^ < #^ " v# v" ^DOGBITES#^ " vJ# v" ^ԀAND#^ " v# v" ^ԀANIMALRELATEDINJURIES#^ " vہ# v" ^   #^ " v5#WestvRussell;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  a Recoveryinexcessof$200,000forinjuriessufferedbyanelderlywomanwhen _ shewasknockedtothegroundbyafriendlybutunrestraineddog. W  v" ^ DRAMSHOPORALCOHOLRELATEDINJURIES#^ " v#  N   ClarkvTheCornerBar,etal;KentCountyCircuitCourt  "x Plaintiffdied(accordingtothemedicalexaminerof"naturalcauses")11days #v afterhewasinjuredinaheadoncollisionwithadrunkdriverwhowasserved, $n  afterhewasintoxicated,atthedefendantbar.Settledduringtrial,followingproof %f!  oftherelationshipbetweenthecollisioninjuriesandplaintiff'sdeath. &^"!  o^  ^oXQX o^DoevSleepyBearLoungeetal:  (N$# Adrunkdrivercollidedwithourclientcausingveryseriousinjuries.Althoughweknew )8%$ thedrunkdriverhadbeendrinkingindefendantbarwehadonlycircumstantial * &% evidenceofhimbeingservedwhilevisiblyintoxicated.Despiteaverynegative m+'& appellatecaseontheevidenceissueweobtainedthepolicylimitsfromthedrunkdriver U,'' andasubstantialsettlementfromthebarforourclient. =-(( #XQXXoXQ8##^ XXQW# _Tomei_vGoldNugget,etal;BenzieCountyCircuitCourt  e Plaintiffwasbadlyinjuredafterbeinghitheadonbyadrunkdriver.Settledfor c policylimitsofdrunkandbar. [  v" ^EMPLOYMENTDISCRIMINATIONANDWRONGFUL C  DISCHARGE#^ " v# u   DoddervIoscoCountySheriffsDepartment;IoscoCountyCircuitCourt  :  ThiswhistleblowerclaimwasbroughtonbehalfofanIoscoCountyjail  8  administratorwhowasfiredwhenhereportedthatthesheriffwasillegally 0  recordingthepersonaltelephoneconversationsofDepartmentemployees.  (  Doe  vAlkenZeigler; KalkaskaCountyCircuitCourt    Wewereleadcounselinachievingajuryverdictforayoungmanwrongfullyfired   fromhisproductionjob. {  Downey  vCharlevoixCountyRoadCommission;CharlevoixCountyCircuit  k  Court;MichiganCourtofAppeals i  ThefirmsuccessfullyappealedthiscasetotheCourtofAppeals,inorderto g overturnalocaljudgesrulingthataRoadCommissionemployeesfamilyhadno _ remedyfordiscriminationthatultimatelyledtotheemployeessuicide. W  FortunevPointesNorthPrinting;CharlevoixCountyCircuitCourt M  Achievedsignificantsettlementforworkerwhowasfiredfromhisjobwhenhe K refusedtoperformworkwithoutproperpermits. C  _Fouts_vElmwoodTownship;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt 9  ElmwoodTownshiprefusedtohireMr._Fouts_Ԁafterlearningthathereceived 9  SocialSecurityDisabilityBenefits.Whentheyrefusedourrequesttoputhimto 1! work,wesuedandobtainedasettlementofnearlythreeyearslostwages.  )" McCallvC&ORailroadCo.;U.S.DistrictCourtEasternDistrictof $  Michigan  % ! HandicappersCivilRightsactionagainsttheformeremployerofarailroad &!" engineerwhowasdischargedwhenhebecamedependentoninsulintocontrol '"# diabetes.Substantialjuryverdictforplaintiff.UltimatelypreemptedintheSixth  (#$ Circuit. )$%  ,~()  PeoplevFriske; BenzieCountyCircuitCourt  e FemaleBenzieCountySheriff'sDeputywaschargedwiththreemisdemeanors c andsuspendedfromemploymentbasedonchargesofmisconductthatappeared [ tobeextremelyunfairandpoliticallymotivated.Ourfirmobtainedthedismissal S ofthesecharges,reinstatementofthedeputy,andappropriatecompensationfor K theDepartment'sinappropriateconduct.Agrandslam! C   ShermanvProComTower;WexfordCountyCircuitCourt 3   MikeShermanwasseverelyinjuredatworkwhenaradiotowerpaintingcompany 1  failedtoproperlysecureitsequipment.Byartfullypleadingthecasewewere )   abletogaintheparticipationofseveralinsurancecompaniesandachievea !  milliondollarresolutionforourclients.    SmithvEastBayTownship;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt     Werepresentedandachievedasettlementfortownshipworkerwhowasfired   afterdemandingthebenefitshewaspromisedintheemployeemanual.   v" ^GOVERNMENTLIABILITY,EMERGENCYVEHICLES,  IMMUNITY#^ " v#   DoevRoe;RoeCircuitCourt I  Wewerelocalcounselinanactiontocompensateayoungwomanwhosuffered G horrifyinginjuriesinanoutofstandardmunicipaldam.  ? Frydrych  v  GerrishTownship; U.S.DistrictCourtEasternDistrictof  5  Michigan 3  RoscommonsHomecomingQueencandidatewaskilledwhenshewasstruckby 1 avolunteerrespondingtoanemergencywithoutanysiren.Afterprotracted )  litigation,thetownshipofferedasettlementthatwassatisfactorytothefamily, !! despitethetownshipsimmunityfromnegligence,baseduponfederalclaims " relatingtotheTownshipFireDepartmentslonghistoryofdeliberateindifference # tomotoristsafety.  $   GarrisivMetroFireDepartment;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  %!" Werepresentedthefamilyofawomanandbabywhowerekilledwhenbroad &"# sidedbyafiretruckatasemiruralintersection.Detailsofthisactioncanbe '#$ foundinthearchivesoftheTraverseCityRecordEagleandelsewhereonour ($% website.Thecasesettledfor2.3milliondollars. )z%&  ,b()  _Lamie_vCityofTraverseCity; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  e Plaintiff'syoungdaughterdrownedinWestGrandTraverseBaywhile c participatinginaCityDayCamp.GeorgeThompsonmanagedthisclaimforthe [ clientsformostofthelifeofthecase. Jurynullificationverdictagainstcityfor S failuretoproperlysupervisethecampparticipants,eventhoughthejurydidnot K findanyindividualemployeestobenegligent.Thompsonsresearcharisingout C  ofthiscasewasturnedintotwo  publishedarticlesongovernmentalimmunityin ;  Michigan. 3   RossmanvMelroseTownship;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt;Michigan )   CourtofAppeals  '  Avolunteerfiredepartmenttruckranaredlight,killingtheplaintiff'swife.The %  townshipgaveacashsettlementbeforetrial,andthefiretruckdriverassignedhis   personalautomobileinsurancepolicytotheplaintiffwhenhisinsurerclaimedan   exceptiontocoverage.Theplaintiffsuedthepersonalinsurerinadeclaratory    actionandrecoveredtheentireamountofthepolicy,withinterestandcosts.     _Scharaswak_vUnitedWasteetal;_Otsego_ԀCo.:   Ourfirmrepresentedthefamilyofanelderlymanwhoservedonedayayearon  aTownshipTaxReviewCommittee.Onhiswaytoataxseminarinavehicle  operatedbytheTownshipSupervisor,hewaskilledwhentheSupervisorstruck  therearendofaWasteManagementrefusevehiclemakingapickupona x blusteryday. p WewereabletoovercomeimmunityargumentsbytheTownshipSupervisors ` insurerandtheSupervisorentrappedhimselfwithcontradictoryclaimsregarding X awinter whiteout.ByjoiningaclaimagainstWasteManagementforits P negligence,withtheclaimsagainstthePlaintiffsdriver,andthefamilysown H insurer,wewereabletorecovercompensatorythatapproachedonemillion @ dollarsintotal.  8  v" ^tL uLvj INSURANCE#^ " vU# #   o^  ^oXQX o^AutoClubvWilsonetal:  #&!" Inthiscasewerepresentedagentlemanwhowasseriouslyhurtwhenaccidentlyshot  '"# byafellowdeerhunter.AutoClubwastheinsureroftheshooteranddeniedhim '#$ coveragebasedonthe criminalactsexclusioncontainedintheirpolicy(despitethe (x$% factthattheshooterwasnotchargedwithacrime).WedefeatedtheAutoClubs )`%& coverageargumentintheCircuitCourtandCourtofAppealsandobtainedalarge *H&' settlementfortheclient. +0'( #XQXXoXQ##^ XXQ#  {-)* DanielsvAAA;OtsegoCountyCircuitCourt e  MeganDanielssufferedatraumaticbraininjurywhenshewasstruckbyacaras c ayoungchild.Whenherfamilyapproachedourfirmwithaquestionabouther [ rights,wediscoveredthatAAAhadbeengrosslyunderpaying herfamilyforthe S caretheyprovide.Afterwefiledalawsuit,AAApaidmorethanthreequartersof Q amilliondollarsinoverduebenefits. XQX ^.XXXXQ I  #XQXX.X@##^ XXQ!#_DeWildt_vABCInsurer;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt ?   Afteracatastrophicmotorvehiclecollision,thisyoungwomansinsurerclaimed =  thathercoveragehadbeencancelledfornonpayment.Shewasleftwithmore 5   than$250,000.00indebt.Afterprotractedlitigationanddiscoveryofthe -  DefendantsrecordsinOhio,wewereabletoreinstatehercoverage,including %  wageloss,completemedicalandliabilitycoverage.    DoevPrudentialInsuranceCompany;U.S.DistrictCourtWesternDistrict    ofMichigan    JohnDoepracticedlawfornearlytwentyyearsinasmallpartnershipthatpaidfor   disabilityinsuranceonhim.Hewashospitalizedfordepressionandultimately,  hisphysiciansdemandedthathegiveuppracticinglaw.Theinsurancecompany  discontinuedhisdisabilitypay,claimingthathehadsimplymadea lifestyle  choicetoleavethepracticeoflaw.AfterafavorablerulingbytheCourt,the  Companyreinstatedhisdisabilitypolicy. |  GearvFarmBureauandStateFarm;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt l  Aftermotheranddaughtersufferedverysevereheadinjuriesinamotorvehicle j collision,theirinsurerclaimedthattheinsurancecoverageontheirvanhadbeen b cancelledfornonpayment.Wewereabletoshowthattheinsurerhadnot Z compliedwiththepropernoticerequirementsandachievedreinstatementofthe R policy,includingsubstantialUnderinsuredMotoristBenefitsforalloccupants,and J PIPandvehiclecollisioncoveragefortheowner.Wewereabletochargemost  B ofthelegalfeesandexpensestoStateFarm,thecompanythatpaidPIPbenefits !: totheoccupants,afteritsmanagementrefusedtoparticipateintheunderlying "2 litigation[whichresultedinalargerepaymenttoStateFarm.] #*     o^  ^oXQX o^_Heika_vWeber:  %!" Ourclientwasseriouslyinjuredwhenhismotorcyclewasstruckbyapizzadelivery i&"# driver.ThePizzeriahadnocoveragefortheincidentduetothenegligenceoftheir Q'"$ insuranceagent.WetookanassignmentofthePizzeriasclaimagainsttheagentand 9(#% obtainedasignificantsettlementforourclient. !)$& #XQXXoXQ##^ XXQ# ,(*  _Krueger_vMichiganInsurance;GrandTraverseCo. : e ThefirmwasretainedafteraFloridalawyersettledtheclientsliabilityclaim c withouttheexpressconsentoftheclientsinsurer.Theinsurerhadfiledsuitin [ Michigantoinvalidateits$500,000.00_Underinsured_ԀMotoristCoverageandto S enforceitsdecisiontostoppayingPIPbenefits.Throughlitigationanda K mediatednegotiation,wewereabletoenforcetheclientsrightstoreceiveboth C  continuedPIPandsubstantial_UIM_Ԁbenefits.  ;  _Newcomb_  v  CitizensInsuranceCompany; PrivateArbitration  1  ThePlaintiffsufferedacatastrophicallydisablingheadinjury.Afterseveralyears, /   thenofaultinsurancecompanyattemptedtodiscontinuepaying24hour '  attendantcareandhiredadoctortosupporttheirposition.Wewereaskedbyhis   retiringattorneytofulfillhisobligationtoseekbenefitsthroughacontested   arbitration.Followingbindingarbitrationbeforearetiredjudge,theCompanywas   orderedtopayfor24hourcare.    Olman  v  Insurer;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt   Afterthiscouplesufferedverysevereinjuriesinamotorvehiclecollision,we  wereabletonegotiatethepaymentoftheirsubstantialUnderinsuredMotorist  Coverage,withoutsuit.Wewereabletopassontothemsubstantialfeeand  expensesavings. x  Schmidt  v  LakeStatesInsuranceCo.;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt h  Afterayoungwifewaskilledinamotorvehiclecollision,herfamilysinsurer f refusedtopaythefamilyunderitsUnderinsuredMotoristCoverage.Ultimately, ^ wecompelledthemtopayforthewifeswrongfuldeathand,inaseparateaction, V weobtainedajudgementagainstthemtocompensatethehusbandforhaving N witnessedthedeath. F  VowelsvProActServicesCorporation; KalkaskaCountyCircuitCourt   < Wewereabletonegotiateasubstantialrecoveryforthisheadinjuredclientafter !: extensivelitigation.Thedefendantattempted,unsuccessfully,toattributethe "2 collisiontoslipperywinterroads. #*   WilsonvLakeStates;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  %!" AfterLakesStatesrefusedtomakecompletenofaultPIPpaymentstoa }&"# severelyheadinjuredgirl,thefirmbecameinvolvedandachievedasixfigure u'#$ judgmentfromthecourt. m($%  E-(*  v" ^LEGALANDPROFESSIONALMALPRACTICE#^ " v#  e  DeltaRecreationCorpvNeeson,etal;DeltaCountyCircuitCourt  * LegalmalpracticeactionagainstdefendantcounselwhorepresentedDeltainthe ( defenseofadramshopaction.Afterexcessjudgmentrendered,defense   counselwassuedforhisfailuretoadequatelyrepresenttheinterestofhisclient, }  theinsured.Theinsurancecompanypaidthefullamountoftheexcess u  judgment. m   Inre:LelandTownship ]    Thetownshipconsultedwithusonanhourlybasiswithregardtotheprofessional [  negligenceoftheengineerswhodesignedtheirsewersystem. S   Knappv ProfessionalEngineers  v" ^;#^ " v# LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  v" ^ I  #^ " v #Werecoveredmostoftheoutofpocketexpenseincurredbyalocaldeveloper { whenthedevelopersconsultantdesignedaroadthatencroachedonthe s neighborsrightofway. v" ^ k   MEDICALMALPRACTICE#^ " vV# b  Doakv.GeneralSurgeon;CharlevoixCountyCircuitCourt   Mr.DoaklosthishearingafterhisdoctoradministeredGentamycinforseveral  weekswithoutmonitoringitstoxicitytohismiddleear.Thecasesettledafter  mediation. z  DoevJohnDoeHospital;WayneCountyCircuitCourt j  Weachievedasubstantial,butconfidential,recoveryforthefamilyofayoung h womanwhoreceivedanoverdoseofchemotherapyatadownstateteaching  ` hospital. !X  HeadvMellon;OtsegoCountyCircuitCourt  #H Plaintiffdevelopedparalysisofhisbladderandotherfunctionsaftertreatmentby $F  hischiropractor.ThecasesettledafteramediationawardtoPlaintiffexhausted %>!! thelimitsofthechiropractor'sinsurance. &6""  HendravJohnDoe; HoughtonCountyCircuitCourt (&$$  Wewereabletoprovethatagallbladdersurgeryhadbeenmismanagedand )$%% achieveafairsettlementontheeveoftrial. *&&  i-))  HicksvCrittendonHospital;OaklandCountyCircuitCourt  e TheelderlyPlaintiffdiedofcomplicationsfollowingsurgeryforcoloncancer. c Plaintiffwasabletoshowthatpromptdetectionoftheflawinherfeedingtube [ wouldhaveresultedinasuccessfuloutcome. S  HolmesvFamilyPracticeDoctor;BenzieCountyCircuitCourt  C  Thiselderlywomanlosthersightcompletelyafterherdoctordiscontinuedsteroid C  treatmentsheneededtosuppressinflammationoftheopticnervecausedby ;  temporalarteritis.Settledforthedoctorspolicylimitsandasubstantiallien 3  claimedbyMedicarewassuccessfullydefeated. +    HutchinsonvRichmondandMedicalArtsGroup;WexfordCountyCircuit     Court    Afortyyearoldmandevelopedalifelongdisabilitywhenthebloodsupplytohis   hipsbecameinadequate,resultinginaconditionknownasasepticnecrosis.He   had,inthepast,beentreatedbyhiscompanydoctorforcontactdermatitisthat  hesufferedasaresultofchronicchemicalexposure.Weprovedthatthedoctor  hadtreatedhimimproperlywithmassivedosesofsystemicsteroids,andactually  causedthedevelopmentofthehipdisorder.Asaresult,wewereabletosecure  asettlement,aftermediation,whichwearenotatlibertytodisclose.   KnappvBurnsClinic,etal;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt  r The8montholdplaintiffwasprofoundlybraindamagedandparalyzedduringa p hospitalizationforcroup.Thecasewassettledwithalifelongstructured h settlementforthechild. `  LocalSheriffvJohnDoe,Pathologist,MD;_Otsego_ԀCo.:  P WewereabletoachieveasubstantialrecoveryforaNorthernMichiganCounty P Sheriffafterthepathologistmisreadhistissueslidesandmisdiagnosedskin H cancer.Theerrorwasdiscoveredanumberofyearsaftertheoriginalmistake,  @ whenthetumor_metastasized_.Afterovercomingnumerousobstaclesincluding !8 thestatuteoflimitationsand discoveryperiod,thelimitationsonrecoveryfora "0 livingvictims lossofopportunityforsurvivalandclaimsoffaultagainstthe #(  victimandthefamilydoctor,wewereabletoachieveaconfidentialrecovery $ ! whichtheSheriffconsideredreasonable. }%!"  _McDoe_ԀvGeneralSurgeon;WexfordCountyCircuitCourt m'#$  Weachievedamediatedrecoveryforthiswomanafterherdoctorcontinued k($% estrogentherapythroughouthertreatmentforbreastcancer.Ourexperts, c)$& includingadoctorfromtheNationalCancerInstitute,testifiedthatestrogen [*%' therapygreatlyreducedourclientslifeexpectancy.Atthetimeofsettlement, S+&( cancerhadmetastasizedthroughoutherbody,despiteearlydiagnosisandan K,') initiallyoptimisticprognosis. C-(*  McPhersonvDr.Doe;LuceCountyCircuitCourt e  Weachievedasubstantialsettlementforthisyoungwomanafterherdoctorfailed c toreactappropriatelytoa peasizedbreastlumpthathadbeenpresentformore [ thanonemenstrualcycle.Thelumpturnedouttobecancerthatwasdiagnosed S late,leadingtoasubstantiallypoorerprognosisforthepatient. K  NovosislowskyvNorthernMichiganHospitals;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt ;   A50yearoldwomanhospitalizedforminorsurgeryexpiredafterbeing 9  improperlymedicated.Thenursingstaffcontinuedtoadministermorphineeven 1  afterhernailbedswereturninggray. )    PaquinvBurnettandBurnsClinicMedicalCenter,PC;MackinacCounty     CircuitCourt    Whileouthuntingonthefirstdayofhuntingseason,a41yearoldSt.Ignace   womanexperiencedseverenauseaandacrushingsensationinherchestwhich    radiateddownherrightarm.Shewasalsoshortofbreathandextremelytired.  Uponexaminationbyathoracicsurgeon,heconcludedthatshehadthefluanda  sinusinfectionandsentherhome.Approximatelysevenhourslatershediedofa  myocardialinfarctionthatbegan"atleast"eighthoursearlier.Wewereableto  showthroughcredibleexperttestimonythatthewomanshouldhaveundergone  additionaltestingandaperiodofobservation,andthatthesestepswould x probablyhavesavedherlife. p  PatrickvMatias;OtsegoCountyCircuitCourt  ` ThePlaintiffwasbadlyscarredacrosstheabdomenwhenhersurgeonfailedto ^ respondappropriatelytoapostsurgicalinfection.Duringthisperiod,binding V arbitrationwasmandatoryinmalpracticeandwesecuredanAmericanArbitration N Associationawardinherfavor. F  RoevCommunityHospital;CrawfordCountyCircuitCourt   6 Thisyoungteacherreachedasubstantialsettlementaftersufferingthirddegree !4 burnsduringsurgery.TheHospitalrefusedtoacceptresponsibilityforher ", injuriespresuit,andtheinsurersfortheprofessionalsintheoperatingroomall #$  deniedresponsibilityandpointedfingersatoneanother. $ !  SchinkathvBellairePharmacy,Inc.,andFifelski;AntrimCountyCircuit q& "# Court o' #$  PlaintiffdiedasaresultofDefendantpharmacistdispensingthewrong m($% medication.ThecasesettledfortheavailablelimitsoftheDefendantsinsurance e)%& coverage. ]*%'  E-(*  eShimel  v  CadillacMercy;WexfordCountyCircuitCourt  e Anelderlywomanwasgivenalmost500timestheproperdosageofmedication c whenanursemisunderstoodthephysiciansorder.Thecasesettledafter [ mediation,withacovenantthatthefamilycouldnotdisclosetheoutcome. S  ShurebvBurnsClinic;CharlevoixCountyCircuitCourt  C  AftertakingherdaughtertoaBurnsClinicphysicianonthreeseparateoccasions A  overthecourseoftwodays,themothertookhertoCharlevoixAreaHospital 9  whereabowelproblemcalledintussusceptionwasdiagnosed.Unfortunately,it 1  nowrequiredsurgerytoreverse.TheClinicpaidnoneconomicdamagestothe )   childtocompensateforherscarring. !   Slocum  v  NursingHome;CharlevoixCountyCircuitCourt    Wewereabletohelpthisfamilybringapainandsufferingclaimagainsttheir   elderlymothersnursinghomeforinjuriesshesufferedpriortoherdeathasa    resultofneglect.Althoughthedecedentsinjuriesdidnotcauseherdeath,the  familywishedtobringanactiontoprotectotherelderlypersonswhowereunable  toprotectthemselvesfromsimilarneglect.   Smith  v  MedicalArts;WexfordCountyCircuitCourt   TheDefendantsettledthiswrongfuldeathactionafterthepatientsown ~ physician!anemployeeoftheDefendant!testifiedthatdangerousironinfusion v therapyshehadorderedwasnotappropriateunderthecircumstances. n  _Sorger_vMedicalArtsGroup;WexfordCountyCircuitCourt  ^ Claimagainstphysicianforfailuretodiagnosebilateralhipdysplasiainnewborn \ child.CaseEvaluationinthechildsfavorresolvedtheclaim. T  VaughanvMercyHospital,etal; WexfordCountyCircuitCourt  D Afiftyeightyearoldwomanwhowasfrightenedbytheneighbor'sdog,felland  B fracturedherhip.Shewastakentothelocalhospitalwherethesurgeondeemed !: itadvisabletorepairherhipsurgicallyunderaspinalanesthetic.Theanesthetist "2 apparentlyallowedtheanesthesiatoprogressupherspinetoalevelthat #*  interferedwithhercardiorespiratoryfunction:thenhefailedtorecognizethatshe $" ! wasn'tbreathingintimetointerveneandpreventsubstantialbraindamage.She %!" "lived"fortwomoreyears,however,herexistencewasnomorethanlyingina w&"# fetalpositiononahospitalbedinanursinghome.Shewasapparentlycognizant o' #$ ofhersurroundings,asshewouldengageinepisodesofscreamingandmoaning. g($% Thecasesettledinamannersatisfactorytoherfamily,butnotuntiltheeveof _)$& trial.TheDefendantsinsistedthatthefamilysignanagreementnottodisclose W*%' theamountofthesettlement. O+&(  ?-(*  WilsonvChow;HuronCountyCircuitCourt  e AnelderlyTawasareawomandiedafterherdoctorfailedtoperforman c appropriateworkuponher.Shehadbeenhospitalizedforapotentialbowel [ obstruction,however,thedoctorfailedtoorderappropriateabdominalxrays S duringtheninedayhospitalization.Thecasesettledatmediation. K  v" ^MOTORCYCLES 3   #^ " vK#Curryv_Gabourie_;_Leelanau_ԀCo.:   2  Ourclientsufferedadamagedkneewhentheoperatorofa4x4RVdroveintoa 0  parkedpickupwithherasapassenger.Theoperatorshomeownerscoverage (  ultimatelypaidaconfidentialsettlementontheeveoftrial,afterinitiallyrejectinga   sixfigurecaseevaluationaward.Aggressivebutjudicioususeofdiscovery }  techniquesinpreparingfortrialundercutthedriversplanneddefenses. u  v" ^#^ " v5# Meredith v  Ficaro,etal;LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  : Thiscase,forseriousinjuriessufferedbyamotorcyclist,wassettledaftera 8 favorablemediationresult. 0  HanleyvMotorist;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt    Settlementforpolicylimitsafteramotoristmadealeftturninfrontofthis  motorcyclist,causingamoderateheadinjury. {  RamseyvVanSlembrouck;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  k Plaintiffwasseverelyinjuredonhisdirtbikewhenhestruckacablewhichthe i Defendanthadstretchedacrossaprivateroad.Thelandownerknewthedrive a wasusedbymotorcyclists,whomistakenlybelievedthatitwasapublicroad.The Y injuredcyclistachievedasubstantialrecovery. Q   ScheckvDoe;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt A"  ThisGrandTraverseCountyresidentachievedasubstantialrecoveryforsevere ?# legfractureshesufferedintheparkinglotoftheCherrylandMall,whenthe 7$  Defendantmotoristpulledoutinfrontofhimontheaccessdrive.TheDefendant /% ! claimedthatshewasdeceivedbypoorroadwaydesign. '&!"  StowevDoe;LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  (#$ Thisdeathcasearoseoutofthedeathofayoungmomonherhusbands )$% motorcycle.Anelderlywomanpulledoutinfrontofthemonaruralroadwithlittle  *%& sightdistance.Thecasesettledfor$1.5milliondespitetheDefendantsproofthat +&' thePlaintiffscouldhavestoppedwithoutstrikingtheDefendantsvehicleifthey +'( hadreactedbybrakingwiththefrontbrakeaswellastherear.Wewereableto ,() uL u  u  demonstratethatinanemergency,evenwelltrainedmotorcyclists,suchasthe e CaliforniaHighwayPatrol,tendtoreactcontrarytotraining. ]  v" ^NEGLIGENCE/NUISANCE#^ " v # E   CradduckvSecondChance,etal;CharlevoixCountyCircuitCourt o    TheFireworksCaseWerepresentedtwoofthevictimsinthismarathonbattle m  tosecureadequatecompensationforthevictimsoftheincompetentlyplanned, k  poorlysupervised,andultimatelyfatalCharlevoixFireworksdisplay.Afternearly c   tenyearsoflitigationourclientsreceivedapproximately1.5milliondollars.  [    Doe  v.  SkiResort;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt  K  Wewereabletoachieveaverysubstantialrecoveryforayounggrandfatherwho I  sufferedcatastrophicspinalcordinjuriesontheDefendants tubingrun.After A  twootherfirmstoldtheinjuredPlaintiffthathedidnothaveaviableclaim,we 9 wereabletoachievearecoverythatapproachedsevenfigures. 1  Knappv ProfessionalEngineers  v" ^;#^ " vU# LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  v" ^ ! #^ " v#Werecoveredmostoftheoutofpocketexpenseincurredbyalocaldeveloper S whenthedevelopersconsultantdesignedaroadthatencroachedonthe K neighborsrightofway. v" ^ C #^ " v# _Lamie_vCityofTraverseCity;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  3 Plaintiff'syoungdaughterdrownedinWestGrandTraverseBaywhileparticipating 1 inaCityDayCamp.JuryverdictagainstCityforfailuretoproperlysupervisethe ) campparticipants. !  McAlaryvConsumerPowerCompany,etal;InghamCountyCircuitCourt    DeathofhusbandandwifewhentheyattemptedtoerectaportableCBantennaat ! night,touchingantennatoConsumerPowerlinesataDNRaccesssite.Failureto " warntheoryagainstConsumerPower.Settled.Thompsoncoauthoredpublished " severalarticlesabouttheRecreationalUserActasaresultofourexperiencein #  thiscase.HisarticleshavebeencitedintheMichiganSupremeCourtandbylaw $ ! reviewauthors. %!"  v" ^PREMISESLIABILITY#^ " ve# (j$%  v" ^ #^ " v#AmeelvWeeks,d/b/aWoody'sSettlingInn;LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  3+&' Adeliverymansufferedaseverelyfracturedlowerlegwhenhefelldownan 1,'( unsafeentrywayatWoody'sSettlingInninNorthport.Thecasesettledafter )-() closingarguments. !.)* vj v  v  _______ Brewer_ԀvPaylessGasStations;WayneCountyCircuitCourt;Michigan e SupremeCourt  c Ourclientsufferedahorribleburninjurywhenaphantomvehicleleftthe a Defendantgasstation,runningPlaintiff'svehicleintotheopposinglaneoftraffic. Y Weachievedajuryverdictagainstthegasstationonatheoryofnuisanceand Q failuretocontrol"hotrodding"patrons.Wesuccessfullyrespondedtothe I  DefendantsappealtotheSupremeCourtestablishednewguidelinesfavorableto A  theinjuredpersoninthesettlementofcasesinvolvingmorethanonedefendant. 9   _Czuk_vABCRetailer;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourtl ^lXXl )    #lXlXȦ##^ l#Ourclientsustainedasevereinjurytohislegwhenimproperlystored   merchandisefellonhimwhileshopping.Throughtheuseofstoresafetyexperts    fromacrossthecountryandacarefulexaminationofthestoresproceduresand   policieswewereabletoobtainasubstantialsettlement.    DoevSaultTribe;BayMillsTribalCourt   ThementallychallengedPlaintiffwasabletorecoverasubstantialsettlementfrom  histribesconstructionfirm.Hefellintoanunmarkedexcavationinthedarkand ~ sufferedaseriousheadinjury.Aswithalltribalclaims,thiscaseinvolved v significantissuesoftribalsovereigntyandimmunity.  n   Doe,aMinorvBigBoxStore; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt ^  Wewereabletoachieveasubstantialrecovery,whichwearenotatlibertyto \ disclose,afteralargestackoflumbercollapsedonthisveryyoungboy.TheBig T Boxhadnotproperlystackedorrestrainedthelumber:theCompanyclaimed L patronswereresponsible. D  Doe,M.D.vChineseRestaurant;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  : Wewereabletoachieveafavorablesettlement,presuit,afterthisphysicianfell  8 onicewhileenteringtheDefendantsrestaurant.Thefallaggravatedapre !0 existingarthritisproblem. "(  KalenavCedarHillsGolfCourse,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt }$ !  Substantialsettlementachievedagainstthegolfcourseforplacingropesina {%!" mannerlikelytocauseinjurytopatrons. s&"#  WaskeiwiczvPropertyowner;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt c(#%  Wewereabletoachieveasubstantialrecoveryforthisyoungwomanaftershefell a)$& intothebasementofahomewhileattendingaparty.Thefallresultedfrom Y*%' severalBuildingCodeviolations,andcausedthegirltosufferasignificanthead Q+&( injury. I,')  A-(* Ї v" ^PRODUCTLIABILITY#^ " v$# e  AntayavRuppIndustries;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt  * HemiplegicinjurytoayoungwomancausedbyathreewheelAllTerrainVehicle ( (ATV).Plaintifffoundnexttovehicle,noeyewitnessestoaccident.Productcase   basedupondesigninstabilityofoffroadvehicles.Settled. }   CederquistvBurdenProducts,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt m   Plaintiff'sminorchildwascrushedtodeathwhileherodeahomeelevator. k  Productcaseagainstanelevatorcomponentsupplierforitsfailuretoprovide c   adequateandsafecomponents.Settled. [   GrundelvA.A.Jones&Shipman;U.S.DistrictCourtWesternDistrictof K  Michigan  I  Industrialworkerreceivedseriousfacialinjurywhenagrinderwheelonthe G  PrecisionGrinderhewasoperatingfailedandbrokeapart.Productcasebased ? upondefendant'sfailuretoprovideanemergencyshutoffswitch.Settledonthe 7 eveofFederaltrial. /  LawickivNorthwoodAviation,etal;LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt   Plaintiff'sonlytwosonswerepassengersinaseaplanethatcrashedintoLake  Leelanau.AccordingtotheresultingNTSBreport,thecrashwascausedbypilot  error.Wedugdeeper,andthecasesettledagainsttheairframemaintenance   companyforfaultyrefabricatingoftheairframeleadingtoalossofflightstability.   MillervPremierTruckSales,Inc.,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuit  Court   Thelefthandofagarbagetruckdriverwasincompletelyamputatedwhenit  becamecaughtinthecompactingmechanismofhistruck.Heattemptedto  preventmaterialfromfallingoutofthecompactorandinadvertentlyplacedhis  | handinthecrushmechanism.Weprovedthatthecompactordidnotcomplywith !t industrystandardsthataredesignedtopreventthistypeofoccurrence.Sincethe "l originalmanufacturerwasnolongerinexistence,wehadtoprovethatthe #d  companywhopurchaseditsassets,andacompanythathadrefurbishedthetruck $\ ! severalyearslater,boreresponsibilityforthedefectinthecompactor.Thecase %T!" settledontheeveoftrialforaverysatisfactoryamountrecommendedby &L"# mediators. 'D#$  y-)* tL t  t  _Roessler_vMeijerandAlcanAluminum;GrandTraverseCountyCircuit e Court  c Ourclientwasbadlyburnedwhenthelidblewoffofherpressurecooker.We a assembledateamofproductengineersandsecuredasubstantialsettlementby Y demonstratingthatthepressurecookerhadnotbeenproperlydesigned.The Q productmanufacturerhasnowchangeditsdesigntopreventthisfromoccurring. I   RussellvKMartCorporationandSewardLuggageCompany;Oakland ?  CountyCircuitCourt  =  An11montholdlittlegirlwasseverelybraindamagedwhenthelidofatoy ;   storagechesttrappedherneckandstrangledherlongenoughtocauseasevere 3  oxygendeficittoherbrain.Weallegedthatthestoragechestwasdesignedand +  marketedforuseasatoybox,andthatitdidnotmeetthevoluntarystandards #  proposed15yearsagofortoyboxes.Thiscasesettledonveryfavorableterms   thatwearenotallowedtodisclose.    WaidvMirroCorp;ChippewaCountyCircuitCourt   PlaintiffwasseverelyburnedwhenthecoverofaMirropressurecookerblewoff,  scaldingher.Plaintiffwasusingthecookerasa"coveredpan"whenthecover  vibratedintoapartiallylockedposition,buildingpressure.Structuredsettlement  againstMirroforitsfailuretowarnusersofthispotentialhazard.   v" ^RECREATIONALVEHICLE l  #^ " vI7#Curryv_Gabourie_;_Leelanau_ԀCo.:  5 Ourclientsufferedadamagedkneewhentheoperatorofa4x4RVdroveintoa 3 parkedpickupwithherasapassenger.Theoperatorshomeownerscoverage + ultimatelypaidaconfidentialsettlementontheeveoftrial,afterinitiallyrejectinga #  sixfigurecaseevaluationaward.Aggressivebutjudicioususeofdiscovery ! techniquesinpreparingfortrialundercutthedriversplanneddefenses. "  v" ^ROADCLAIMS#^ " v<:# o% !!  BelangervCharlevoixCountyRoadCommission;WayneCountyCircuit ':## Court  (8$$ Plaintiff'shusbandwaskilledwhentherentedvehicleinwhichhewasan )6%% occupantleftthecountyroadandstruckacementwallbuiltbyahomeownerin *.&& theroadrightofway.Allthreeoccupantswereejectedanddied,andauthorities +&'' wereunabletoreconstructwhowasdrivingatthemomentofimpact.Settlement ,(( againsttheRoadCommissionandothervehicleoccupantsbasedupon {-)) presumptionsandroaddesignandmaintenance. s.** wu we  w  CudworthvJeepCorp.andtheKalkaskaCountyRoadCommission;    KalkaskaCountyCircuitCourt   Paraplegicinjurytoawomanwhenhercarleftthehighway.Shewasejectedout  ofanopendoorcausedbyadoorlatchfailure.Productandroaddesigncase.  LifelongstructuredsettlementobtainedforPlaintiff.   GilmorevMichiganDepartmentofTransportation;CourtofClaims    Plaintiffwasseverelyinjuredwhenstruckbyavehiclerunningaredlight.The   intersectionwasdefectivelydesignedwithacrossroadobscuredinacurve.We   achievedaverdictintheCourtofClaims. z    McAlpine v_Alger_ԀCountyRoadCommission;_Alger_ԀCountyProbateCourt j   ThePlaintiffsyoungsonwaskilledinasinglevehiclecollisionasaresultofthe h  allegednegligenceofhisdriverandoftheRoadCommission.Asuccessful `  settlementwasachievedwithbothparties. X   WelchvMichiganDepartmentofTransportation,etal;WayneCounty Circuit H Court F  Claimagainsttruckingfirm,motoristandDepartmentofTransportationfordeath D ofmotherandbraininjurytothechild.Weweresuccessfulinachievinga < recoveryagainstallpartiesexcepttheRoadAuthority,whichwasdismissedby 4 theJudgeafteraWayneCountytrial. ,|  v" ^TRUCKINGCOMPANY/HEAVYEQUIPMENT#^ " vD# d  v" ^ #^ " vD#Engineer  v_Cordes_ԀExcavating;_Otsego_ԀCo.:  x Ourclientwasinjuredataroadconstructionsitewhenhewaspinnedbetween v twoparkedtrucks,afteroneofthetruckswasstruckbyasemitractordelivering n  gravel.Thetruckingcompanypaidaconfidentialsettlementafteranunanimous f! caseevaluationrecommendedasettlementof$400,000.00. ^"  v" ^ #^ " vVG#EstateofSgt._Fierens_  vDoeTransport;W.D.ofMichigan: $   WewereabletorecoverasignificantsettlementforthefamilyofareturnedIraq % ! warveteran,afterhewaskilledbyatruckerwhofellasleepatthewheel.Weare ~&!" notatlibertytodisclosetheamountoftherecovery.Thedeadveteranwasa v'"# stellarsoldierandstudentwhohadrecentlyscoredinthetopfivepercentonthe n(#$ lawschoolentranceexam. f)$%  >.)*  _Hattis_  v  TruckingCompany;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt   Ourclientsufferedsevereinjurieswhenagraveltrainslidacrossthecenterline  strikinghispickup.Wewereabletoachieveaveryfavorableoutcome,despite  claimsof suddenemergencyweatherconditions.Wewereabletoprovethat  underFederalRegulationsgoverningheavycommercialvehicles,thecompany  shouldneverhaveplaceditsgraveltrainontheroadwayonthemorningofthe   incident.    Jones , Estateof  v  JamesGathTrucking;GrandTraverseCircuitCourt  v  WewereabletoprovethattheprimarycauseoftheDecedentsdeathwashis t   motorvehiclecollisioninjuries,overthedisagreementoftheCountyMedical l  ExaminerwhodidnotunderstandthefullimplicationsoftheDecedentschest d  injuries.Apaidmedicalconsultantofthehighestcaliberwasabletoeducate \  jurorsandtheDefendantCounsel. T   v" ^ #^ " vN#_Kuieck_vJ.P.Maintenance,Inc;_Antrim_ԀCo.:  ~ Wewereabletoachieveaverysubstantialsixfigurerecoveryforthisdelightful | andtalentedartistwhowasseverelyinjuredinamotorvehiclecollision.Theat t faultdriverwasaninattentiveirrigationworkerwhohadworkedanexcessive l numberofhoursintheweeksprecedingthecollision.Althoughthevictims d  secondcareerinoilpaintingwasnotparticularlylucrative,lossofhisabilityto \ enjoythisveryskilledavocationresultedinalargeawardof noneconomic T damages. L  v" ^WRONGFULDEATH#^ " vRR#       m  DoevHanksElectricService;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt "  Werecoveredthepolicylimitoftheatfaultdriverandthelimitsoftwopoliciesof   underinsuredmotoristcoverage.WithPIPbenefits,theyoungfamilyrecovered ! morethan1.2milliondollarsininsurancebenefits,alloftheavailablecoverage, " whereonly$50,000hadbeenoffered..# ^.XX#. # #XQXX.XT##^ XXQT# Finch  v  Clark;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt % !  WetriedthiscaseonaprobonobasisforthefamilyofaSheriffsDeputywhowas &!" killedwhenhetriedtodefuseadomesticprobleminTraverseCity.Theshooter, '"# whowaspotentiallyeligibletocollectbenefitsfromatrustestablishedbyhis (#$ father,willnowowethosebenefitsandhis cigarettemoneytothefamilyofthe )$% SheriffsDeputy. *%&  f.)*  Graham  v  Doe; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt   ThisWrongfuldeathactionagainstahighschoolboywhoattemptedtopassina  nopassingzonewassettledfortheDefendantspolicylimits,withoutsuit,after  extensiveinvestigationanddocumentation.   Hentschel,EstateofvDoeetal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt    Plaintiffssecuredawrongfuldeathsettlementofmultiplepolicylimitsfromtwo   differentinsurancecompaniesaftertheDefendantsoriginallymisrepresentedthe   availablecoverage.# ^.XX#..#.#X.XZ##^ #.nZ#XQX ^.XXXXQ |  #XQXX.X[##^ XXQZ# Kitchen vRoe;GrandTraverseCircuitCourt  r  Thefamilyswrongfuldeathactionwassettledforpolicylimitswhenaspeeding p  motoristcausedthedeathofthisyoungwomanwhileshewasdelivering h  newspapersintheearlymorningdarkness,despitethefactthatpolicedidnot `  originallycitetheDefendantmotorist. X   _Scharaswak_vUnitedWasteetal;_Otsego_ԀCo.:  H Ourfirmrepresentedthefamilyofanelderlymanwhoservedonedayayearona H TownshipTaxReviewCommittee.Onhiswaytoataxseminarinavehicle @ operatedbytheTownshipSupervisor,hewaskilledwhentheSupervisorstruck 8 therearendofaWasteManagementrefusevehiclemakingapickupona 0 blusteryday. (x WewereabletoovercomeimmunityargumentsbytheTownshipSupervisors h insurerandtheSupervisorentrappedhimselfwithcontradictoryclaimsregarding ` awinter whiteout.ByjoiningaclaimagainstWasteManagementforits X negligence,withtheclaimsagainstthePlaintiffsdriver,andthefamilysown P insurer,wewereabletorecovercompensatorythatapproachedonemillion H dollarsintotal. @  EstateofSpink  v  Doe;GrandTraverseCircuitCourt !0  AfterprotractedlitigationcausedbyAllstateInsuranceCompany,wewereableto ". provethatAllstatesinsuredshouldnothavebeendrivingbecauseshehadample #&  noticeofunderlyingmedicalproblemswhichcausedhertorunastopsign,killing $ ! thisyoungmother. %!"    v" ^ZONING,PUBLICPOLICY (#%  #^ " v~c#LeelanauTransitAuthorityvVariousDefendants;U.S.DistrictCourt +b&' WesternDistrictofMichigan,Grand TraverseCounty,LeelanauCounty ,`'(  Thefirmhasappeared,probono,onbehalfoftheLeelanauTrailinvarious -^()  litigationandadministrativedisputesoverownershipandzoningissues.  .V)*   v" ^ #^ " ve# ProtectThePeninsulavPeninsulaTownship;GrandTraverseCountyCircuit 2 Court  0 ThePlaintiffsorganizationobtainedadeclaratoryjudgmentinvalidatingaspecial . usepermitthatwouldhaveallowedalargegolf/commercialdevelopmentonOld & MissionPeninsulaandgreatlyincreasedthetaxburdenofPeninsularesidentsas   aresultofinadequatelimitationsondevelopment  .# ^.XX#..   #.#X.Xh##^ #.g#