Fall Newsletter 2006

RECENT CASES

Recently, we have resolved four cases involving traumatic injuries.  Two involved collisions with tractor trailers.  In the first, our client was severely injured when the tractor trailer attempted to change lanes and forced our client’s vehicle into a concrete wall on Interstate 59.  Fortunately, she was not killed, but she did suffer from a herniated disk.  The case was successfully mediated.

In the second tractor trailer collision, our client was exiting from Interstate 65 in Cullman, AL.  Immediately after exiting, a tractor trailer pulled from a truck stop right in front of our client.  The client had to slam on his brakes, but he could not avoid the truck, and as a result, he suffered from a severe fracture to his ankle as well as abdominal injuries.  This case was successfully mediated, as well.

Another case we mediated involved a work related accident that happened in 2001.  We filed a workers compensation claim for our client as a result of his permanent injuries.  A State Ombudsman mediated this case for us, and we settled the claim to the client’s satisfaction in the amount of $135,000.00.

Finally, we resolved a case against General Motors as a result of our client’s being ejected from his vehicle after being forced off of the road by a phantom vehicle.  The vehicle contained one of the older seatbelt designs, which are attached to the door.  Our client suffered from several compression fractures in his back requiring significant surgery and leaving him with a permanent disability.  This case was also successfully mediated.

In addition to the above, the Healthsouth case we’ve mentioned previously was dismissed from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and finally remanded back to the Circuit Court of Alabama.  Of course, the defendant has now filed another motion to compel arbitration in state court.  We have won several battles, but we will have to continue fighting the war.  We’ll keep you posted.

In another arbitration battle, Daimlerchrysler has filed a motion to compel arbitration in a lemon law case we are handling.  We recently had a hearing before Judge Smallwood, and we are awaiting his ruling.  Of course, if we win that one, we are sure to be dueling in the appellate courts.

If you, or anyone you know, need our services, we appreciate your referrals.  We are always ready to provide information to prospective clients.  Whether we end up representing them or not, we are interested in making sure the clients know their rights and receive the best representation possible.