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Xe           _ X]XXX   O _ n?oj8XXdd8 @ XX]REPRESENTATIVECASESHANDLEDBYMEMBERS  OF b  @ THOMPSON,O'NEIL&VANDERVEEN,P.C.  t #a #5   `     a#X]X#  Thesecasesarerepresentativesamplesofthecasespreparedandsuccessfully  n concludedbythelawyersinourfirm.Together,wehavetriedtoaverdict,arbitrated,  V mediatedorotherwisesettledinagrossamountcaseshavingacumulativevaluein  > excessof48milliondollars.Eachofourattorneyshandleabouttwentycaseseach  &  yearso,asyoucansee,thesecasesrepresentonlyasampleofwhatwehavebeen   abletoachieveonbehalfofourclients.   #XXXX]#a XX MAJORCASES $   a#X]X#Y XX]BrewervPaylessGasStations;WayneCountyCircuitCourt   Ourclientsufferedahorribleburninjurywhenaphantomvehicleleftthe  Defendantgasstation,runningPlaintiff'svehicleintotheopposinglaneoftraffic.  Weachievedajuryverdictagainstthegasstationonatheoryofnuisanceand  failuretocontrol"hotrodding"patrons.Wesuccessfullyrespondedtothe z DefendantsappealtotheSupremeCourtestablishednewguidelinesfavorable r totheinjuredpersoninthesettlementofcasesinvolvingmorethanone j defendant. b # Y##XX9# X]XXXY XX]Bruski  v  CherrylandRuralElectricalCoop ; GrandTraverseCountyCircuit F Court  D Ourclients#X]X Y#Y XX]carwasstruck,duringarainstorm,byavantravelingwithoutlights. B  Helosthislegwhenhewasstruckbyanothercarwhileexitinghisvehicle.The :! firmsecuredhimthefullinsurancepolicylimitsfromthedriverofthevan,andina 2" contestedtrial,averdictfor$875,000.00innoneconomicdamagesfrom *#z Cherrylandanditsdriver,despitethefactthattheinvestigatingpoliceofficerhad "$r originallyconcludedthattheseconddriverwasnotnegligent# Yt##XX{ #  %j  X]XXXY XX]CradduckvSecondChance,etal;CharlevoixCountyCircuitCourt &N"!   TheFireworksCaseWerepresentedtwoofthevictimsinthismarathonbattle 'L#" tosecureadequatecompensationforthevictimsoftheincompetentlyplanned, (J$# poorlysupervised,andultimatelyfatalCharlevoixFireworksdisplay.Afternearly )B%$ tenyearsoflitigationourclientsreceivedapproximately1.5milliondollars.  *:&% # Y3 ##XXR #X]XXXY XX] -)( oj o o  DoevRoe;RoeCountyCircuitCourt   Wewerelocalcounselinanactiontocompensateayoungwomanwhosuffered  horrifyinginjuriesinanoutofstandardmunicipaldam.   # Y##XX#X]XXXY XX]DoevHanksElectricService;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt   Werecoveredthepolicylimitoftheatfaultdriverandthelimitsoftwopoliciesof   underinsuredmotoristcoverage.WithPIPbenefits,theyoungfamilyrecovered   morethan1.2milliondollarsininsurancebenefits,alloftheavailablecoverage,   whereonly$50,000hadbeenoffered.# Y##XX#    X]XXXY XX]DoevJohnDoeHospital;WayneCountyCircuitCourt x   Weachievedasubstantial,butconfidential,recoveryforthefamilyofayoung v  womanwhoreceivedanoverdoseofchemotherapyatadownstateteaching n  hospital. f  # Y#Y #X]X Y:#Y XX] GarrisivMetroFireDepartment;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  \ Werepresentedthefamilyofawomanandbabywhowerekilledwhenbroad Z sidedbyafiretruckatasemiruralintersection.Detailsofthisactioncanbe R foundinthearchivesoftheTraverseCityRecordEagleandelsewhereonour J website.Thecasesettledfor2.3milliondollars. B # Y##XX# X]XXXY XX]GilmorevMichiganDepartmentofTransportation;MichiganCourtof &v Claims;InghamCountyCircuitCourt  $t Plaintiffwasseverelyinjuredwhenstruckbyavehiclerunningaredlight.The "r intersectionwasdefectivelydesignedwithacrossroadobscuredinacurve.We j achievedaverdictintheCourtofClaims.# YA##XX`#  b X]XXXY XX]KlavervCronoralContractor,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  F ThefirmobtainedoneofthelargestinjuryverdictsinGrandTraverseCounty D history,onbehalfofaworkmanwhosufferedabadlyfracturedarmwhilebuilding  < theRadioCenterbuildingonFrontStreet.Ourclientfellfourteenfeetasaresult !4 ofthecontractorsnegligentfailuretomaintainasafeworkingenvironment. ", # Yz##XX# X]XXXY XX]KnappvBurnsClinic,etal;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt  $ ! The8montholdplaintiffwasprofoundlybraindamagedandparalyzedduringa %!" hospitalizationforcroup.Thecasewassettledwithalifelongstructured &"# settlementforthechild. '"$ # Y ##XX*# X]XXXY XX]  )$& n? n n   qjRussellvKMartCorporationandSewardLuggageCompany;Oakland  CountyCircuitCourt   An11montholdlittlegirlwasseverelybraindamagedwhenthelidofatoy  storagechesttrappedherneckandstrangledherlongenoughtocauseasevere  oxygendeficittoherbrain.Weallegedthatthestoragechestwasdesignedand  marketedforuseasatoybox,andthatitdidnotmeetthevoluntarystandards   proposed15yearsagofortoyboxes.Thiscasesettledonveryfavorableterms   thatwearenotallowedtodisclose.   # Y##XX# X]XXXY XX]SpicewskivKatara;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt  h   Ourclient,ayounggirl,sustaineddevastatinginjuriestoherlegwhenshewas f  struckbyamotorboatwhiletubing.Withourhelp,afterlitigationsheachieveda ^  settlementwhichwillpayherovertwomilliondollarsoverthecourseofherlife.   V  Thepresentvalueofthissettlementwasafewdollarslessthantheoperators N  milliondollarsincoverage. F  # Y!##XX!# X]XXXY XX]Spink , Estateof#X]X Yk$#Y XX]# YL$#Y  , v  Doe;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt 6  AfterprotractedlitigationcausedbyAllstateInsuranceCompany,wewereableto 4 provethatAllstatesinsuredshouldnothavebeendrivingbecauseshehad ,| amplenoticeofunderlyingmedicalproblemswhichcausedhertorunastopsign, $t killingthisyoungmother.# Y %##XX$#  l X]XXXY XX]StowevDoe;LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  b Thisdeathcasearoseoutofthedeathofayoungmomonherhusbands ` motorcycle.Anelderlywomanpulledoutinfrontofthemonaruralroadwithlittle X sightdistance.Thecasesettledfor$1.5milliondespitetheDefendantsproof P thatthePlaintiffscouldhavestoppedwithoutstrikingtheDefendantsvehicleif H theyhadreactedbybrakingwiththefrontbrakeaswellastherear.Wewere @ abletodemonstratethatinanemergency,evenwelltrainedmotorcyclists,such 8 astheCaliforniaHighwayPatrol,tendtoreactcontrarytotraining.  0 # Y4'##XXS'# X]XXXY XX]VaughanvMercyHospital,etal; WexfordCountyCircuitCourt  " Afiftyeightyearoldwomanwhowasfrightenedbytheneighbor'sdog,felland #  fracturedherhip.Shewastakentothelocalhospitalwherethesurgeondeemed $ ! itadvisabletorepairherhipsurgicallyunderaspinalanesthetic.Theanesthetist %!" apparentlyallowedtheanesthesiatoprogressupherspinetoalevelthat &!# interferedwithhercardiorespiratoryfunction:thenhefailedtorecognizethatshe '"$ wasn'tbreathingintimetointerveneandpreventsubstantialbraindamage.She (#% "lived"fortwomoreyears,however,herexistencewasnomorethanlyingina )$& fetalpositiononahospitalbedinanursinghome.Shewasapparentlycognizant *%' ofhersurroundings,asshewouldengageinepisodesofscreamingand +&( moaning.Thecasesettledinamannersatisfactorytoherfamily,butnotuntilthe z,') eveoftrial.TheDefendantsinsistedthatthefamilysignanagreementnotto r-(* disclosetheamountofthesettlement. j.)+ qj q  q  # Y*##XX*# X]XXXY XX]WelchvMichiganDepartmentofTransportation,etal;WayneCounty    CircuitCourt   Claimagainsttruckingfirm,motoristandDepartmentofTransportationfordeath  ofmotherandbraininjurytothechild.Weweresuccessfulinachievinga  recoveryagainstallpartiesexcepttheRoadAuthority,whichwasdismissedby  theJudgeafteraWayneCountytrial# Y0##XX0# .   p      x      VXX AUTONEGLIGENCE#XX VL3#Ԁ    X]XXXThisisourprimaryareaofexpertiseandwehavehandledmorethan1000autorelated  <  claims.Thefollowingisasample: $      Y XX]Babcock  v  RoadAuthority    #X]X Y4#Y XX]Thefirmassistedthisfamilyininvestigatingandreachingaprivate,confidential   settlementarisingoutofthedeathoftheirsonandbrotherwhenhewasstruckby   atruckplowingsnow.#X]X Y(5#   ,XX]Y ,Bruski  v  CherrylandRuralElectricalCoop ; GrandTraverseCountyCircuit n Court  l Ourclients#, Y6#Y ,carwasstruck,duringarainstorm,byavantravelingwithoutlights. j Helosthislegwhenhewasstruckbyanothercarwhileexitinghisvehicle.The b firmsecuredhimthefullinsurancepolicylimitsfromthedriverofthevan,andina Z contestedtrial,averdictfor$875,000.00innoneconomicdamagesfrom R Cherrylandanditsdriver,despitethefactthattheinvestigatingpoliceofficerhad J originallyconcludedthattheseconddriverwasnotnegligent.#, Yw7# X]X,.X/XXX] B  #X]XX.X/:##,XX]9#Y , Burgess  v  Girlfriendandothers;OttawaCountyCircuitCourt 2  #, Y:#Y ,Werepresentedthisyoungmaninprotractedlitigationafterhesufferedsevere 0 headandorthopaedicinjuriesinanintersectioncollision.Theinsurersforboth ( x driversinsistedthatonlytheotherwasatfaultandhiredseveralindependent  !p doctorstosupporttheirclaimthathehadrecoveredcompletely.Overseveral "h yearsoflitigationweachievedasubstantialrecoveryfromtheatfaultsinsurers #` andalsosecuredcompletetuitionandexpensecoverageforhimtoreturnto $X  collegefromhisowninsurer. %P ! Ѐ #, YT;#Y ,CapativJones; WayneCountyCircuitCourt  &@"# Ourclient,ayoungdoctor,wasseverelyinjuredwhenhercarwasstruckheadon '>#$ byanothervehicle.Afterinitiatingalawsuitthedefendantspaidherfullpolicy (6$% limitstoresolvethistragiccase.#, Y0>#Y , ).%&   ,() Drogt  v  UnitedWaste;#, Y?#Y ,AntrimCountyCircuitCourt   Wehelpedthismanrecoverforthelossofhisanticipatedlifetimeearningsafter  hewasstruckbyagarbagetruckthatranastopsign.Evaluatinghislikelyfuture  incomethroughtheuseofexpertaccountantsandbusinessconsultants,and  discreditingtheincometestimonyoftheDefendantsconsultantswascrucialto  achievingafairrecovery.    EricEllis  v  DMC; #, Y]@#Y , GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt    Despitethebankruptcyofthedeliverycompany,w#, YB#Y ,ewereabletoachieveavery   substantialsettlementforthisyoungmanwhosufferedlifetimeinjuriestohisleg z   whenatruckdeliveringlumbertoajobsiteallowedtheloadoflumbertostrike r  thePlaintiff(whowaswaitingtohelpunloadit.).#, YC#Y ,  j  #, YE#Y ,FinoutvCavalli;ClareCountyCircuitCourt `   AyoungwomantravelingnorthonM115waskilledwhenanoncomingdriver ^  lostcontrolofhisvehicleandcrossedthecenterlinecausingaheadoncollision. V Asuccessfulsettlementwasreachedwithinsurersforthedriverandtheownerof N thevehiclehewasdriving,despiteclaimsthatthecollisionwascausedbydebris F fromathirdvehicle.  > #, YaE#Y ,HewittvCrandall; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  4 MaryHewittwascrossingUS31atFourMileRoadwhenamotoristwhowas 2 blindedbythesun,ranaredlightandstruckher.Thecasewassettledafter *z mediationfor$500,000,representingnoneconomicdamagesforhersubstantial "r injuries. j  KingvFarmBureau;AmericanArbitrationAssociation  Z  Theplaintiffsufferedabackinjuryinamotorvehiclecollision.Afterthenegligent X driver'sinsurancewasexhausted,weachievedanadditionalrecoveryof  P $165,000fromhisowninsurance,throughhisunderinsuredmotoristcoverage.  H Bindingarbitration. !@  LenhoffvLenhoff;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt #0   #, YG#Y ,Wewereabletohelpthewifewhosufferedaseverelyfracturedneckrecoverfair $. ! compensationfromherhusbandsinsurer. %&!"  Lewis vDoeandUnderinsuredMotoristCoverage;LeelanauCountyCircuit '#$ Court  ($%   #, YK#Y ,Weachievedasubstantialsixfiguresettlementforthisteacherwhosuffered )%& longterminjuriesinawreckcausedbyadrunk. * &'   ,() Meredith v  Ficaro,etal.; LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt   Thiscase,forseriousinjuriessufferedbyamotorcyclist,wassettledaftera  favorablemediationresult.  #, Y/M# Y ,PerryvJohnson; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt   ThefirmwasaskedtosubstituteinascounselforthePlaintiff,aftertheoriginal   juryverdictagainstherwasoverturnedbytheCourt.Onretrial,weachieveda   modestverdictonherbehalf.#, Y@O# X]X,.X/XXX]   #X]XX.X/P##,XX]P#Y ,Priest  v  DoAllConstruction;KalkaskaCountyCircuitCourt  z   Ayounggirlonherwaytoschoolwaskilledwhenherdriverranintotherearofa x  slowmovingbackhoetravelingonthehighwaywithinadequatelighting.The p  casesettledfollowingmediation h  #, YpQ#X]X, JaneRoe  v  JaneDoe;BenzieCountyCircuitCourt F   Y XX]Wewereabletoachieveasettlementof$500,000.00forthisyoungwomanwho 2 sufferedveryseverelegfracturesinamotorvehiclecollisioncausedbyherteen *z ageddaughter.#X]X YS#Y XX] "r  SchichtelvBucosky;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  b ThroughextensiveinvestigationintotheDefendant'sassets,wesecureda ` settlementattwicetheDefendant'savailableinsuranceforthisbadlyinjured X victimofanautomobilecollision. P  SmithvUnitedVanLines;WexfordCountyCircuitCourt  @ Claimagainsttruckingcompanywhosedriverandpoorlymaintainedsemitractor > causedacollisionresultinginthedeathofthehusbandandfather.Settledonthe 6 eveoftrialafterfavorablecourtrulings. .  TegelvGaines;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt    Abuildersufferedcareerdisablinginjuriesinamotorvehiclecollision.Afterthe ! negligentdriver'sinsurancecoveragewasexhausted,thefirmrecovered " $400,000fromthebuilder'sunderinsuredmotoristcoveragethroughbinding #   arbitration. `  $ ! #X]X YT#Y XX] Vowelsv_Proact_;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt  &!# Halfmilliondollarrecoveryforamanwhosufferedaheadinjuryinahighway '"$ collision,wheretheDefendantlostcontrolonice,despitetheinvestigating (#% officersacknowledgmentthattheroadwassoicy  theycouldnotstandup. )$&   Y ,()  O  e    BOATINGINJURIES:#Y  c[# e  EstateofDoe v  InsurerRoe;ChippewaCountyProbateCourt 0  Forlessthan$6,000.00inhourlyfees,wewereabletonegotiatethepaymentof . thedriverslargeliabilitypolicy,arrangeafavorableannuitypurchaseand & probatethedecedentsestate.Ayoungwifehadbeenkilledinaboating   accidentintheLesCheneauxIslands,andthedriversinsurerindicateda {  willingnesstonegotiateingoodfaithwithoutfilingsuit.Weadvisedthewidowto s  engageusonanhourly,ratherthanacontingent,feebasis. k  Ѐ  c   Odziana v  April; LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt  [  Plaintiffwasayounggirlwhowasinjuredinaboatingincident.WhenAllstate Y  attemptedtosettleherinjuryclaim,theProbateCourtfeltthatthesettlementwas Q  inadequateandreferredherparentstoourfirmforlegalassistance.Ultimately I  theCasewassettledforasubstantiallylargersum. A    .  Y#Y  .`# SpicewskivKatara;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt  / Ourclient,ayounggirl,sustaineddevastatinginjuriestoherlegwhenshewas - struckbyamotorboatwhiletubing.Withourhelp,afterlitigationsheachieveda % settlementwhichwillpayherovertwomilliondollarsoverthecourseofherlife.    Thepresentvalueofthissettlementwasafewdollarslessthantheoperators  milliondollarsincoverage.     YCIVILRIGHTS,RIGHTOFPRIVACY i #Y  dc# OrtquistvDowChemicalandMidlandCounty; U.S.DistrictCourtEastern  .  DistrictofMichigan  , CivilrightsactiononbehalfofGreenpeaceprotestoragainstDefendantsfor  * publishingafalsestatement.Settled,afterextendedlitigation,onconfidential !" basis. "  SnydervFrankfortPublicSchools;U.S.DistrictCourtWesternDistrictof o$  Michigan m%!!  CivilRightsActiononbehalfoftheschoolsonlyAfricanAmericanchildwhowas k&"" requiredtouseaseparatebathroomthanotherstudents.Settled. c'"#   Y  )(%%  rjCONSTRUCTION,INDUSTRIALORWORKSITEINJURIES#Y  f#  Y e  #Y  kg#KlavervCronoralContractor,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  d ThefirmobtainedoneofthelargestinjuryverdictsinGrandTraverseCounty b history,onbehalfofaworkmanwhosufferedabadlyfracturedarmwhilebuilding Z theRadioCenterbuildingonFrontStreet.Ourclientfellfourteenfeetasaresult  R ofthecontractorsnegligentfailuretomaintainasafeworkingenvironment. .  Y  J #Y  .i#SizemorevCenturyCellunet;  YԀ#Y  @j#OsceolaCountyCircuitCourt   @ Wrongfuldeathclaimforayoungfatherandhusbandafterthetowerhewas  v  helpingtoerectcollapsed.Successfullypursuedunderthetheoryofinherently n  dangerousactivity.  Y f  #Y  ޙk#  YDOGBITES#Y  k#  YԀAND#Y    Defendantgasstation,runningPlaintiff'svehicleintotheopposinglaneoftraffic. 6  Weachievedajuryverdictagainstthegasstationonatheoryofnuisanceand .  failuretocontrol"hotrodding"patrons.Wesuccessfullyrespondedtothe &  DefendantsappealtotheSupremeCourtestablishednewguidelinesfavorableto   theinjuredpersoninthesettlementofcasesinvolvingmorethanonedefendant. {  DoevSaultTribe;BayMillsTribalCourt k  ThementallychallengedPlaintiffwasabletorecoverasubstantialsettlementfrom i histribesconstructionfirm.Hefellintoanunmarkedexcavationinthedarkand a sufferedaseriousheadinjury.Aswithalltribalclaims,thiscaseinvolved Y significantissuesoftribalsovereigntyandimmunity.  Q   Doe,aMinorvBigBoxStore; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt A  Wewereabletoachieveasubstantialrecovery,whichwearenotatlibertyto ? disclose,afteralargestackoflumbercollapsedonthisveryyoungboy.TheBig 7 Boxhadnotproperlystackedorrestrainedthelumber:theCompanyclaimed / patronswereresponsible. '  Doe,M.D.vChineseRestaurant;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt    Wewereabletoachieveafavorablesettlement,presuit,afterthisphysicianfell ! onicewhileenteringtheDefendantsrestaurant.Thefallaggravatedapre " existingarthritisproblem.  #  KalenavCedarHillsGolfCourse,etal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt $ !  Substantialsettlementachievedagainstthegolfcourseforplacingropesina %!" mannerlikelytocauseinjurytopatrons. &"#  WaskeiwiczvPropertyowner;EmmetCountyCircuitCourt (|$%  Wewereabletoachieveasubstantialrecoveryforthisyoungwomanaftershefell )z%& intothebasementofahomewhileattendingaparty.Thefallresultedfrom *r&' severalBuildingCodeviolations,andcausedthegirltosufferasignificanthead +j'( injury. ,b() uL u  u    YPRODUCTLIABILITY#Y  ޥ# 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 $\ ! severalyearslater,boreresponsibilityforthedefectinthecompactor.Thecase %T!" settledontheeveoftrialforaverysatisfactoryamountrecommendedby &L"# mediators. 'D#$  RoesslervMeijerandAlcanAluminum;GrandTraverseCountyCircuit )4%& Court  *2&' Ourclientwasbadlyburnedwhenthelidblewoffofherpressurecooker.We +0'( assembledateamofproductengineersandsecuredasubstantialsettlementby ,(() demonstratingthatthepressurecookerhadnotbeenproperlydesigned.The - )* productmanufacturerhasnowchangeditsdesigntopreventthisfromoccurring. }.*+ vj v  v  RussellvKMartCorporationandSewardLuggageCompany;Oakland e CountyCircuitCourt  c An11montholdlittlegirlwasseverelybraindamagedwhenthelidofatoy a storagechesttrappedherneckandstrangledherlongenoughtocauseasevere Y oxygendeficittoherbrain.Weallegedthatthestoragechestwasdesignedand Q marketedforuseasatoybox,andthatitdidnotmeetthevoluntarystandards I  proposed15yearsagofortoyboxes.Thiscasesettledonveryfavorableterms A  thatwearenotallowedtodisclose. 9   WaidvMirroCorp;ChippewaCountyCircuitCourt  )   PlaintiffwasseverelyburnedwhenthecoverofaMirropressurecookerblewoff, '  scaldingher.Plaintiffwasusingthecookerasa"coveredpan"whenthecover   vibratedintoapartiallylockedposition,buildingpressure.Structuredsettlement   againstMirroforitsfailuretowarnusersofthispotentialhazard.     YROADCLAIMS#Y  #   BelangervCharlevoixCountyRoadCommission;WayneCountyCircuit ' Court  % Plaintiff'shusbandwaskilledwhentherentedvehicleinwhichhewasan # occupantleftthecountyroadandstruckacementwallbuiltbyahomeownerin  theroadrightofway.Allthreeoccupantswereejectedanddied,andauthorities  wereunabletoreconstructwhowasdrivingatthemomentofimpact.Settlement   againsttheRoadCommissionandothervehicleoccupantsbasedupon  presumptionsandroaddesignandmaintenance.   CudworthvJeepCorp.andtheKalkaskaCountyRoadCommission;    KalkaskaCountyCircuitCourt   Paraplegicinjurytoawomanwhenhercarleftthehighway.Shewasejectedout   ofanopendoorcausedbyadoorlatchfailure.Productandroaddesigncase. !z LifelongstructuredsettlementobtainedforPlaintiff. "r  GilmorevMichiganDepartmentofTransportation;CourtofClaims  $b ! Plaintiffwasseverelyinjuredwhenstruckbyavehiclerunningaredlight.The %`!" intersectionwasdefectivelydesignedwithacrossroadobscuredinacurve.We &X"# achievedaverdictintheCourtofClaims. 'P#$  McAlpine v_Alger_ԀCountyRoadCommission;_Alger_ԀCountyProbateCourt )@%&  ThePlaintiffsyoungsonwaskilledinasinglevehiclecollisionasaresultofthe *>&' allegednegligenceofhisdriverandoftheRoadCommission.Asuccessful +6'( settlementwasachievedwithbothparties. ,.()  -&)*  WelchvMichiganDepartmentofTransportation,etal;WayneCounty Circuit e Court c  Claimagainsttruckingfirm,motoristandDepartmentofTransportationfordeath a ofmotherandbraininjurytothechild.Weweresuccessfulinachievinga Y recoveryagainstallpartiesexcepttheRoadAuthority,whichwasdismissedby Q theJudgeafteraWayneCountytrial. I    YTRUCKINGCOMPANY/HEAVYEQUIPMENT#Y   #  @   Y #Y  ޙ#Hattis  v  TruckingCompany;AntrimCountyCircuitCourt     Ourclientsufferedsevereinjurieswhenagraveltrainslidacrossthecenterline   strikinghispickup.Wewereabletoachieveaveryfavorableoutcome,despite   claimsof suddenemergencyweatherconditions.Wewereabletoprovethat   underFederalRegulationsgoverningheavycommercialvehicles,thecompany  shouldneverhaveplaceditsgraveltrainontheroadwayonthemorningofthe  incident. z  Jones , Estateof  v  JamesGathTrucking;GrandTraverseCircuitCourt  j WewereabletoprovethattheprimarycauseoftheDecedentsdeathwashis h motorvehiclecollisioninjuries,overthedisagreementoftheCountyMedical ` ExaminerwhodidnotunderstandthefullimplicationsoftheDecedentschest X injuries.Apaidmedicalconsultantofthehighestcaliberwasabletoeducate P jurorsandtheDefendantCounsel. H   YWRONGFULDEATH#Y  ި#        m  DoevHanksElectricService;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt 3!  Werecoveredthepolicylimitoftheatfaultdriverandthelimitsoftwopoliciesof 1" underinsuredmotoristcoverage.WithPIPbenefits,theyoungfamilyrecovered )# morethan1.2milliondollarsininsurancebenefits,alloftheavailablecoverage, !$ whereonly$50,000hadbeenoffered..  Y.X/X . %  #X]XX.X/ ##Y XX]*# Finch  v  Clark;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  '""  WetriedthiscaseonaprobonobasisforthefamilyofaSheriffsDeputywhowas (## killedwhenhetriedtodefuseadomesticprobleminTraverseCity.Theshooter, ($$ whowaspotentiallyeligibletocollectbenefitsfromatrustestablishedbyhis )%% father,willnowowethosebenefitsandhis cigarettemoneytothefamilyofthe *&& SheriffsDeputy. +''  ,z(( tL t  t   Graham  v  Doe; GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt  e ThisWrongfuldeathactionagainstahighschoolboywhoattemptedtopassina c nopassingzonewassettledfortheDefendantspolicylimits,withoutsuit,after [ extensiveinvestigationanddocumentation. S  Hentschel,EstateofvDoeetal;GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt C   Plaintiffssecuredawrongfuldeathsettlementofmultiplepolicylimitsfromtwo A  differentinsurancecompaniesaftertheDefendantsoriginallymisrepresentedthe 9  availablecoverage.  Y.X/X ..#. X.X/%##Y  .#X]X Y.X/XXX] 1  #X]XX.X/##Y XX]# Kitchen vRoe;GrandTraverseCircuitCourt  '  Thefamilyswrongfuldeathactionwassettledforpolicylimitswhenaspeeding %  motoristcausedthedeathofthisyoungwomanwhileshewasdelivering   newspapersintheearlymorningdarkness,despitethefactthatpolicedidnot   originallycitetheDefendantmotorist.     EstateofSpink  v  Doe;GrandTraverseCircuitCourt   AfterprotractedlitigationcausedbyAllstateInsuranceCompany,wewereableto  provethatAllstatesinsuredshouldnothavebeendrivingbecauseshehadample  noticeofunderlyingmedicalproblemswhichcausedhertorunastopsign,killing  thisyoungmother. ~     YZONING,PUBLICPOLICY f  #Y  ޼"#LeelanauTransitAuthorityvVariousDefendants;U.S.DistrictCourt / WesternDistrictofMichigan,Grand TraverseCounty,LeelanauCounty -  Thefirmhasappeared,probono,onbehalfoftheLeelanauTrailinvarious + litigationandadministrativedisputesoverownershipandzoningissues.  #     Y#Y  $# ProtectThePeninsulavPeninsulaTownship;GrandTraverseCountyCircuit M" Court  K# ThePlaintiffsorganizationobtainedadeclaratoryjudgmentinvalidatingaspecial I$  usepermitthatwouldhaveallowedalargegolf/commercialdevelopmentonOld A% ! MissionPeninsulaandgreatlyincreasedthetaxburdenofPeninsularesidentsas 9&!" aresultofinadequatelimitationsondevelopment  .  Y.X/X .. 1'"# _#. X.X//'##Y  .'#  _