WPC9 "C{]bR?!>xyqr'߉Sj/@?2_faqEF#^\\X){!Qu&j4 h4R!p=ax.q ;30- A mediatedorotherwisesettledinagrossamountcaseshavingacumulativevaluein  &  excessof48milliondollars.Eachofourattorneyshandlesabouttwentycaseseach   year,soasyoucansee,thesecasesrepresentonlyasampleofwhatwehavebeen   abletoachieveonbehalfofourclients.   #XXXXQ#XX#XX# Z] XXAUTONEGLIGENCE#XX  Z]#Ԁ &   Z] XX  V   Z]#XQX  VY#Brus#XXXXQ#XQXXXki  v.  CherrylandRuralElectricalCoop ,GrandTraverseCircuitCourt. J Thiscaseresultedinajuryverdictinexcessof$875,000.00innoneconomicdamages, 6 aftertheDefendantsofferedonly$200,000.00insettlement.ThePlaintifflosthislower n rightleginamotorvehiclecollisionwhichtheinvestigatingofficerattributedsolelyto V badweather.#XXXXQ# >  XQXXXHewittv.Crandall ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt.  MaryHewittwascrossingUS31atFourMileRoadwhenamotoristwhoranaredlight  struckher.Thecasewassettledaftermediationfor$500,000,representingnon  economicdamagesforhersubstantialinjuries.#XXXXQ# ~  XQXXXKingv.FarmBureau R  Theplaintiffsufferedabackinjuryinamotorvehiclecollision.Afterthenegligent <  driver'sinsurancewasexhausted,weachievedanadditionalrecoveryof$165,000from $!t hisowninsurance,throughhisunderinsuredmotoristcoverage.Bindingarbitration.  "\ #XXXXQ # XQXXXMeredith v.  Ficaro,etal. ,LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt. #0 Thiscase,forseriousinjuriessufferedbyamotorcyclist,wassettledafterafavorable $  mediationresult.#XXXXQ # %!!  XQXXXPriest  v.  DoAllConstruction ,KalkaskaCountyCircuitCourt. '"# Ayounggirlonherwaytoschoolwaskilledwhenherdriverranintotherearofaslow t(#$ movingbackhoetravelingonthehighwaywithinadequatelighting.Thecasesettled \)$% followingmediation#XXXXQ # D*%&  XQXXXSchichtelv.Bucosky ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt. ,h'( ThroughextensiveinvestigationintotheDefendant'sassets,wesecuredasettlement -T() attwicetheDefendant'savailableinsuranceforthisbadlyinjuredvictimofan -<)* automobilecollision.   Smithv.UnitedVanLines ,WexfordCountyCircuitCourt.  Claimagainsttruckingcompanywhosedriverandpoorlymaintainedsemitractor l causedacollisionresultinginthedeathofthehusbandandfather.Settled. T #XXXXQ#XQXXX#XXXXQP# XQXXXTegelv.Gaines ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt. $ t Abuildersufferedcareerdisabilityinjuriesinamotorvehiclecollision.Afterthe  ` negligentdriver'sinsurancecoveragewasexhausted,thefirmrecovered$400,000from  H thebuilder'sunderinsuredmotoristcoverage.  0   V XXQ# Z]   V##XX  Z](#XX#XX# Z] XXBOATINGINJURIES:#XX  Z]#XQXXX (x   _Odziana_ v.  _Aprill_ :_Leelanau_ԀCountyCircuitCourt. L  Plaintiffwasayounggirlwhowasinjuredinaboatingincident.WhenAllstate 8  attemptedtosettleherinjuryclaim,theProbateCourtfeltthatthesettlementwas  p inadequateandreferredhertoourfirmforassistance.UltimatelytheCasewassettled. X #XXXXQ/# Z] XXCIVILRIGHTS,RIGHTOFPRIVACY *z #XX  Z]#XQXXX _Ortquist_v.DowChemicalandMidlandCounty ,U.S.DistrictCourtEasternDistrict. L Civilrightsactiononbehalfof_Greenpeace_ԀprotestoragainstDefendantsforpublishing 8 afalsestatement.Settled.  p #XXXXQ# Z] XXCONSTRUCTION,INDUSTRIALORWORKSITEINJURIES#XX  Z]# Z] XX B #XX  Z]# Z] XX_DOGBITES_#XX  Z]n# Z] XXԀAND#XX  Z]# Z] XXԀANIMALRELATEDINJURIES#XX  Z]# Z] XX    V   Z]#XQX  Vx#Westv.Russell ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt. *!z Recoveryinexcessof$200,000forinjuriessufferedbyanelderlywomanwhenshe "f wasknockedtothegroundbyanunrestraineddog. V XXQ "N # Z]   V##XX  Z]# Z] XX _DRAMSHOP_ORALCOHOLRELATEDINJURIES#XX  Z]h#  %p    XQXXX Clarkv.TheCornerBar,etal .,KentCountyCircuitCourt. B'"" Plaintiffdied(accordingtothemedicalexaminerof"naturalcauses")11daysafterhe .(~## wasinjuredinaheadoncollisionwithadrunkdriverwhowasserved,afterhewas )f$$ intoxicated,atthedefendantbar.Settledduringtrial,followingproofoftherelationship )N%% betweenthecollisioninjuriesandplaintiff'sdeath. *6&&  _Tomei_v.GoldNugget,etal .,_Benzie_ԀCountyCircuitCourt. ,(( Plaintiffwasbadlyinjuredafterbeinghitheadonbyadrunkdriver.Settled. -() #XXXXQ#XQXXX#XXXXQ_ # Z] XXEMPLOYMENTDISCRIMINATIONANDWRONGFUL  DISCHARGE#XX  Z] #XQXXX "  Downey  v._Charlevoix_ԀCountyRoadCommission ,_Charelvoix_ԀCountyCircuitCourt. D ThefirmwasrequiredtoappealthiscasetotheCourtofAppeals,inordertooverturna  0 localjudgeafterheruledthataRoadCommissionemployeesfamilyhadnoremedy   fordiscriminationthatultimatelyledtotheemployeessuicide.    McCallv.C&ORailroadCo .,U.S.DistrictCourt.EasternDistrict.    HandicappersCivilRightsactionagainstaformeremployerofarailroadengineerwho l  wasdischargedwhenhebecamedependentoninsulintocontrolhisdiabetes.Jury T  verdictforplaintiff#XXXXQ+!#XQXXX <   Peoplev._Friske_ ,_Benzie_ԀCountyCircuitCourt.  \  Female_Benzie_ԀCountySheriff'sDeputywaschargedwiththreemisdemeanorsand H suspendedfromemploymentbasedonchargesofmisconductthatappearedtobe 0 extremelyunfairandpoliticallymotivated.Ourfirmobtainedthedismissalofthese  charges,reinstatementofthedeputy,andappropriatecompensationforthe  Department'sinappropriateconduct.Settled.  #XXXXQ$#XQXXX#XXXXQ'# Z] XXGOVERNMENTLIABILITY,EMERGENCYVEHICLES, h IMMUNITY#XX  Z]'#XQXXX   _Frydrych_  v.  _Gerrish_ԀTownship, FederalCourtfortheEasternDistrictofMichigan.  _Roscommon_sHomecomingQueencandidatewaskilledwhenshewasstruckbya  volunteerrespondingtoanemergencywithoutanysiren.Afterprotractedlitigation,the  Townshipofferedasettlementthatwassatisfactorytothefamily,despitethe  Townshipsimmunityfromnegligence,baseduponfederalclaimsrelatingtothe j TownshipFireDepartmentslonghistoryofdeliberateindifferencetomotoristsafety. R   _Rossman_v.MelroseTownship ,EmmetCountyCircuitCourt. $"t Avolunteerfiredepartmenttruckranaredlight,killingtheplaintiff'shusband.The #`  townshipgaveacashsettlementbeforetrial,andthefiretruckdriverassignedhis #H! personalautomobileinsurancepolicytotheplaintiff.Theplaintiffsuedthepersonal $0 " insurerinadeclaratoryactionandrecoveredtheentireamountofthepolicy,with %!# interestandcosts.#XXXXQo(#XQXXX  &"$ _ #XXXXQ-#XQXXX_#XXXXQf.# Z] XXINSURANCE:#XX  Z].#XQXXX (#& #XXXXQ/#XQXXX Doev.PrudentialInsuranceCompany, FederalCourtfortheWesternDistrictof *%( Michigan. +&) JohnDoepracticelawfornearlytwentyyearsinasmallpartnershipthatpaidfor x,'* disabilityinsuranceonhim.Hewashospitalizedfordepressionandultimately,his `-(+ physiciansdemandedthathegiveuppracticinglaw.Theinsurancecompany  discontinuedhisdisabilitypay,claimingthathehadsimplymadea lifestylechoiceto  leavethepracticeoflaw.AfterafavorablerulingbytheCourtonapreliminaryissue,  theCompanyreinstatedhisdisabilitypolicy. h  _Newcomb_  v.  CitizensInsuranceCompany ,ThePlaintiffsufferedacatastrophically 8  disablingheadinjury.Afterseveralyears,thenofaultinsurancecompanyattemptedto $ t discontinuepaying24hourattendantcareandhiredadoctortosupporttheirposition.  \ Followingbindingarbitration,theCompanywasorderedtopayfor24hourcare#XXXXQb/#XQXXX  D  _Schichtel_v.StateFarmIns .,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt.    ThePlaintiffwasinjuredwhenstruckbyanautomobile.AfterDefendanthadrefusedto   payforPlaintiff'slossfromselfemployment,ajuryverdictwasrenderedagainstthe   InsuranceCompanyforimproperlyrefusingtopaythosebenefits.   #XXXXQX4#XQXXX Schmidt  v.  LakeStatesInsuranceCo. ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt.Aftera P  youngwifewaskilledinamotorvehiclecollision,herfamilysinsurerrefusedtopaythe < familyunderits_Underinsured_ԀMotoristCoverage.Ultimately,theyhadtopayforthe $t wifeswrongfuldeathandforthehusbandhavingwitnessedit.  \  Wilsonv.LakeStates ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt , AfterLakesStaterefusedtomakecompletenofaultPIPpaymentstoaseverelyhead  injuredgirl,thefirmbecameinvolvedandachievedasixfigurejudgmentfromthecourt.  #XXXXQg6#XQXXX#XXXXQ9# Z] XXLEGALMALPRACTICE#XX  Z] :# XQXXX    DeltaRecreationCorpv._Neeson_,etal ,DeltaCountyCircuitCourt.  LegalmalpracticeactionagainstdefendantcounselwhorepresentedDeltainthe  defenseofadramshopaction.Afterexcessjudgmentrendered,defensecounselwas v suedforhisfailuretoadequatelyrepresenttheinterestofhisclient,theinsured.The ^ insurancecompanypaidthefullamountoftheexcessjudgment.Settled. F  #XXXXQf:# Z] XXMEDICALMALPRACTICE#XX  Z]<# h"   XQXXX_Doak_v.GeneralSurgeon, _Charlevoix_ԀCountyCircuitCourt,Mr._Doak_Ԁlosthishearing $" afterhisdoctoradministered_Gentamycin_Ԁforseveralweekswithoutmonitoringits z% # toxicitytohismiddleear.Thecasesettledaftermediation.#XXXXQ`=# b&!$  XQXXXHeadv.Mellon ,_Otsego_ԀCountyCircuitCourt. 6(#& Plaintiffdevelopedparalysisofhisbladderandotherfunctionsaftertreatmentbyhis ")r$' chiropractor.ThecasesettledafteramediationawardtoPlaintiffexhaustedthelimits  *Z%( ofthechiropractor'sinsurance. *B&) #XXXXQ]?# XQXXXHicksv._Crittendon_ԀHospital ,OaklandCountyCircuitCourt. ,(+ TheelderlyPlaintiffdiedofcomplicationsfollowingsurgeryforcoloncancer.Plaintiff -), wasabletoshowthatpromptdetectionoftheflawinherfeedingtubewouldhave  resultedinasuccessfuloutcome.Thecasesettled.#XXXXQ*A#   XQXXXHutchinsonv.RichmondandMedicalArtsGroup ,_Wexford_ԀCountyCircuitCourt. l Afortyyearoldmandevelopedalifelongdisabilitywhenthebloodsupplytohiships X becameinadequate,resultinginaconditionknownasasepticnecrosis.Hehad,inthe @  past,beentreatedbyhiscompanydoctorforcontactdermatitisthathesufferedasa ( x resultofchronicchemicalexposure.Weprovedthatthedoctorhadtreatedhim  ` improperlywithmassivedosesofsystemicsteroids,andactuallycausedthe  H developmentofthehipdisorder.Asaresult,wewereabletosecureasettlement,after  0  mediation,whichwearenotatlibertytodisclose.#XXXXQC#     XQXXXKnappv.BurnsClinic,etal .,EmmetCountyCircuitCourt.   The8montholdplaintiffwasprofoundlybraindamagedandparalyzedalmost   completelyduringahospitalizationforcroup.Thecasewassettledwithalifelong p  structuredsettlementforthechild. X  #XXXXQF# XQXXX_Novosislowsky_v.NorthernMichiganHospitals ,EmmetCountyCircuitCourt. ,| A50yearoldwomanhospitalizedforminorsurgeryexpiredafterbeingimproperly h medicated.Settled.#XXXXQZH# P  XQXXX_Paquin_v.BurnettandBurnsClinicMedicalCenter,PC ,MackinacCountyCircuit $ Court.Whileouthuntingonthefirstdayofhuntingseason,a41yearoldSt._Ignace_  womanexperiencedseverenauseaandacrushingsensationinherchestwhich  radiateddownherrightarm.Shewasalsoshortofbreathandextremelytired.Upon  examinationbyathoracicsurgeon,heconcludedthatshehadthefluandasinus x infectionandsentherhome.Approximatelysevenhourslatershediedofamyocardial ` infarctionthatbegan"atleast"eighthoursearlier.Wewereabletoshowthrough H credibleexperttestimonythatthewomanshouldhaveundergoneadditionaltestingand 0 aperiodofobservation,andthatthesestepswouldprobablyhavesavedherlife.The h casewassettled.  P  Patrickv._Matias_ ._Otsego_ԀCountyCircuitCourt. !   ThePlaintiffwasbadlyscarredacrosstheabdomenwhenhersurgeonfailedto " ! respondappropriatelytoapostsurgicalinfection.AmericanArbitrationAssociation #" awardinherfavor.#XXXXQI#XQXXX $#  _Shimel_  v.  CadillacMercy ,_Wexford_ԀCountyCircuitCourt \&!% Anelderlywomanwasgivenalmost500timestheproperdosageofmedicationwhena H'"& nursemisunderstoodthephysiciansorder.Thecasesettled,withacovenantthatthe 0(#' familycouldnotdisclosetheoutcome,aftermediation. )h$(  _Shureb_v.BurnsClinic ,_Charlevoix_ԀCountyCircuitCourt. *8&* AftertakingherdaughtertoaBurnsClinicphysicianonthreeseparateoccasionsover +$'+ thecourseoftwodays,themothertookherto_Charlevoix_ԀAreaHospitalwhere , (, intussusceptionwasdiagnosed.TheClinicsettledthecasefor$112,000,representing -(- primarilynoneconomicdamagestothechildforherscarring.  #XXXXQO#XQXXX#XXXXQT#XQXXX Smith  v.  MedicalArts ,_Wexford_ԀCountyCircuitCourt.  TheDefendantsettledthiswrongfuldeathactionafterthepatientsownphysician!an l employeeoftheDefendant!testifiedthatdangerousironinfusiontherapyshehad T orderedwasnotappropriateunderthecircumstances. <  #XXXXQHT#XQXXX#XXXXQ2V# XQXXX_Sorger_v.MedicalArtsGroup ,_Wexford_ԀCountyCircuitCourt.  \ Claimagainstphysicianforfailuretodiagnosebilateralhip_dysplasia_Ԁinnewborn  H child.Settled.  0   Vaughanv.MercyHospital,etal .,_Wexford_ԀCountyCircuitCourt.   Afiftyeightyearoldwomanwhowasfrightenedbytheneighbor'sdogfelland   fracturedherhip.Shewastakentothelocalhospitalwherethesurgeondeemedit   advisabletorepairherhipsurgically,whileshewasunderaspinalanesthetic. l  Incredibly,theanesthetistapparentlyallowedtheanesthesiatoprogressupherspine T  toalevelthatinterferedwithhercardiorespiratoryfunction:thenhefailedtorecognize < thatshewasn'tbreathingintimetointerveneandpreventsubstantialbraindamage. $t She"lived"fortwomoreyears,however,herexistencewasnomorethanlyinginafetal  \ positiononahospitalbedinanursinghome.Shewasapparentlycognizantofher D surroundings,asshewouldengageinepisodesofscreamingandmoaning.Thecase , settledinamannersatisfactorytoherfamily,butnotuntiltheeveoftrial.The  Defendantsinsistedthatthefamilysignanagreementnottodisclosetheamountofthe  settlement.  #XXXXQ{V#XQXXX _Willson_v.Chow ,HuronCountyCircuitCourt. d Anelderlywomandiedafterherdoctorfailedtoperformanappropriateworkuponher. P Shehadbeenhospitalizedforapotentialbowelobstruction,however,thedoctorfailed 8 toorderappropriateabdominalxraysduringtheninedayhospitalization.Thecase  p settledatmediation. X #XXXXQ7]# Z] XXNEGLIGENCE/NUISANCE#XX  Z]\_#XQXXX  (  Henselv.StrohBreweryCo.,etal .,KentCountyCircuitCourt. #2" Plaintiffsufferedaquadriplegicinjurywhenhewaspushedfromaraftinariverraft $ # racesponsoredbytheStrohBreweryCompany.Thejuryverdictfoundthattheevent %!$ andsponsorshipconstitutedanuisanceandwasacauseofplaintiff'smassiveinjuries, &!% despiteevidenceofdrinking.JuryverdictforPlaintiff. '"&  _Lamie_v.CityofTraverseCity ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt. V)$( Plaintiff'syoungdaughterdrownedinWestGrandTraverseBaywhileparticipatingina B*%) CityDayCamp.JuryverdictagainstCityforfailuretoproperlysupervisethecamp *+z&* participants.#XXXXQ_#XQXXX ,b'+  _McAlary_v.ConsumerPowerCompany,etal .,InghamCountyCircuitCourt. -2)- DeathofhusbandandwifewhentheyattemptedtoerectaportableCBantennaat  night,touchingantennatoConsumerPowerlinesata_DNR_Ԁaccesssite.Failureto  warntheoryagainstConsumerPower.Settled.  _#XXXXQyc#XQXXX_#XXXXQe# Z] XXPREMISESLIABILITY#XX  Z]e# 8   Z] XX  V   Z]#XQX  V]f#Brewerv.PaylessGasStations ,WayneCountyCircuitCourt.   Severeburninjuryasphantomvehicleleftgasstation,runningPlaintiff'svehicleinto   opposinglaneoftraffic.Juryverdictagainstgasstationonatheoryofnuisanceand    failuretocontrol"hotrodding"patrons.AppealtotheSupremeCourtestablishednew h  guidelinesfavorabletotheinjuredpersoninthesettlementofcasesinvolvingmorethan P  onedefendant.#XXXXQf# 8  XQXXX#XXXXQ$i# XQXXXAmeelv.Weeks,d/b/aWoody'sSettlingInn ,LeelanauCountyCircuitCourt. X  Adeliverymansufferedaseverelyfracturedanklewhenhefelldownanunsafe D entrywayatWoody'sSettlingInn.Thecasesettledafterclosingarguments#XXXXQmi#XQXXX , #XXXXQj# XQXXXKalenav.CedarHillsGolfCourse,etal ,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt.  Substantialsettlementachievedagainstthegolfcourseforplacingropesinamanner  likelytocauseinjurytopatrons.  #XXXXQ-k#XQXXX#XXXXQl#XQXXX#XXXXQl# Z] XXPRODUCTLIABILITY#XX  Z] m# <  Z] XX  V   Z]#XQX  Vrm#Antayav.RuppIndustries ,AntrimCountyCircuitCourt.  HemiplegicinjurytoayoungwomancausedbyathreewheelAllTerrainVehicle(ATV).  Plaintifffoundnexttovehicle,noeyewitnessestoaccident.Productcasebasedupon  designinstabilityofoffroadvehicles.Settled. l #XXXXQm# XQXXXCederquistv.BurdenProducts,etal .,GrandTraverseCountyCircuitCourt.