Trial attorneys Michael Schonbuch and Mary Fersch obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach. Plaintiff Lydia Rivera, represented by Girardi & Keese, alleged she sustained a traumatic brain injury after she was struck in the head by the closing gate of a freight elevator. Plaintiff claimed a Hyatt employee directed her to use the hotel’s freight elevator, and counsel asked the jury to award over $9 million in damages. Michael and Mary disputed liability and argued that the plaintiff’s testimony that a Hyatt employee directed her to use the freight elevator was false. The jury agreed, finding that the Hyatt was not negligent, and returning a verdict in favor of the defense. Congratulations trial team!

Congratulations to trial attorneys Moses Lebovits (lead) and Parham Nikfarjam on their trial result in the case of King v. Maxi-Matic U.S.A., Inc., tried in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Ms. King suffered second degree burns to her face, chest, arms and breasts when the lid on her Elite Bistro digital pressure cooker violently exploded and spewed boiling liquid. The defendant did not contest that the product was defective for purposes of trial but did contest Ms. King’s damages and the extent of her emotional distress as a result of the burns. The jury returned a verdict of $4,950,000 in favor of Ms. King which far exceeded defendant’s settlement offer. Congratulations to Moses and Parham on this fine result.

Congratulations to trial attorneys Michael Schonbuch and Mary Fersch. Michael and Mary tried the case of Enriquez v. Gonzalez Travel & Tours in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Adam Shea and Patrick Gunning of Panish, Shea & Boyle LLP represented plaintiffs Soyla Enriquez and her son Jaime Enriquez. Soyla, an elderly woman, sued after a tour bus ran over her legs causing serious injuries including bilateral de-gloving of both legs from the knee down, and tibia and fibula fractures. Soyla underwent multiple surgeries that led to the development of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Soyla’s son Jaime also sued, claiming severe emotional distress due to witnessing his mother’s injuries. Plaintiffs’ counsel asked the jury to return a total verdict of $20 million in damages. The jury rejected that request, instead finding plaintiff 35% at fault for her own injuries and returning a net verdict of just above $4 million. The jury also found that Jaime did not suffer serious emotional distress and awarded him nothing. Congratulations to Michael and Mary for the excellent result on this very challenging case!

Congratulations to trial attorneys Michael Schonbuch and Jonathan Gerber. Michael and Jonathan tried the case of Lima v. Steffey in the Long Beach Courthouse. Plaintiff Cristiana Lima was represented by attorney Gary Dordick. In this auto versus pedestrian case, plaintiff was struck while in an unmarked cross walk on Sunset Boulevard. The defendant was traveling approximately 35 miles per hour before impact. Plaintiff suffered severe injuries including fractured shoulder, tibia, fibula and ribs. She also suffered a liver laceration and collapsed lung. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award $15 million. The jury found plaintiff 60% at fault for the accident and awarded $4.5 million, reduced to a net of $1,717,000 based upon the comparative fault finding. This is an excellent result against one of the most respected trial attorneys in California.

Congratulations to trial attorneys Michael Schonbuch and Nita Lee. Michael and Nita obtained a defense verdict for their client in Root v. Standal tried in the Orange County Superior Court. Plaintiff is a career Marine and Afghanistan and Iraq war veteran. Due to a high speed freeway collision plaintiff underwent three knee surgeries and is facing a total knee replacement. He also injured his neck causing radiating pain and numbness down both arms. Due to these injuries he is being forced to retire early from the Marines. He also lost his promotion to SEAL TEAM SIX which is the elite search and rescue squad responsible for capturing Osama Bin Laden. He claimed past medical expenses, future medical expenses for knee replacement surgery and treatment to the neck and nerves as well as past lost wages for loss of hazardous duty pay and future wages due to the inability to work and be a Marine. The loss of pension claim (retiring at 20 years rather than 30 years) totals over a million dollars by itself. The insurance policy was claimed to be open and the carrier was represented by separate counsel. Plaintiff asked the jury for $5.5 Million. The jury returned a 12-0 defense verdict, finding no negligence by the defendant. The jury thanked the plaintiff for his service to the country and several were crying as they left the courtroom.

Congratulations to trial attorney Mary Fersch. Mary tried the case of Rosario v. McConnell in the Santa Monica branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court. This case arose from a rear end accident where plaintiff alleged he sustained an acute meniscus tear and lumbar spine injury both of which required future invasive surgeries. Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury for over $320,000. The jury returned a net verdict of $31,500. Well done Mary!