Colorado Woman Awarded $10 Million in Wal-Mart Lawsuit

A woman making a delivery to the Greeley, Colorado Wal-Mart who slipped and fell on ice and grease in the deli area of the store has been awarded $10 million by Colorado’s Supreme Court.  The Court upheld a previous verdict of $15 million, although the award amount was reduced by $5 million due to the state’s cap on non-economic damages.

According to CBS News, the 41-year-old woman suffered extensive injuries in the fall requiring three spine surgeries.  After the accident she was unable to return to work and subsequently lost her truck and her livelihood. 

Wal-Mart denied there was a spill, but the woman’s lawyers presented city documents proving that some grease from the store’s deli was not picked up properly by the grease trap.   

If you have been injured in a personal injury accident including a slip and fall injury, contact a personal injury attorney at Munley, Munley & Cartwright.   The experienced personal injury attorneys of Munley, Munley, & Cartwright can assist you in obtaining compensation for your injury. Contact us today at 1-800-318-LAW1 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.

IL Family Wins $36 Million in Fiery Train Derailment Lawsuit

A Rockford, Illinois family will receive $36 million from the Canadian National Railway Company after the wife and mother died as a result of a train derailment near Rockford in June 2009.  The woman’s husband and daughter were both seriously injured in the fiery explosion. 

The family was sitting at the railroad crossing when 18 of the 114 cars of the train, which were carrying over 2 million gallons of ethanol, derailed and erupted in flames.  The family car became engulfed in flames.  The woman died as she ran from the car trying to escape the fire.  The daughter, who was 19-years-old and pregnant at the time, suffered serious burns and lost her baby.  

The family’s lawyer found that the train’s engineer had been warned that the track was washed out in the direction he was heading.  However, instead of stopping the train, the engineer apparently sped up in hopes of maneuvering the tracks. 

A spokesman for the train company said, “The family has endured a terrible tragedy and CN wishes to express again its sincerest regrets and deepest sympathies to the entire family. No amount of money can replace the family’s losses.” 

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a fire or explosion accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering and lost wages.   For a free consultation regarding your legal concerns, contact Munley, Munley & Cartwright online or call us toll free at 1-800-318-LAW1. 

Explosion Accident

Oregon County to Pay $1.2 Million in Resort Injury

Josephine County, Oregon will pay a Washington couple $1.2 million for injuries they suffered after falling from a suspension bridge at a “treesort” in Takilma, Oregon.  The couple was posing for a picture on the bridge that was suspended between two trees when the railing gave way causing them to fall head-first to the ground.

The family sued the county claiming they failed to inspect and issue permits for construction of the bridge; failed to require the design to meet applicable standards; and failed to stop the resort from building structures without inspections and permits.  The Out ‘n’ About Treesort features guest housing in tree houses. 

The lawsuit claimed the woman suffered spinal injuries, a fractured left wrist, multiple bruises and emotional distress from the fall.  Her husband suffered injuries to his brain, ribs, left shoulder and arm, as well as mental and emotional distress.  They had initially sought $7 million.

While the county paid the amount, they did not admit liability and settled to avoid further litigation.

If you have been injured in a personal injury accident including a slip and fall injury, contact a personal injury attorney at Munley, Munley & Cartwright.   The experienced personal injury attorneys of Munley, Munley, & Cartwright can assist you in obtaining compensation for your injury. Contact us today at 1-800-318-LAW1 or fill out our online form for a free case evaluation.

Personal Injury

Washington Woman Awarded $2.2 Million in Dog Attack

A Pierce County, WA jury awarded a woman $2.2 million for injuries she suffered when two pit bull dogs attacked her leaving her with bite wounds to her face, neck, breasts, nose, arms and hands.  The owner of one of the dogs is responsible for $1.1 million and a neighbor, who had left her dog in the care of the other, is liable for $110,000.  Pierce County was found liable for $928,000.

The county, who has said they will appeal, was found negligent for not following up on earlier complaints about vicious dogs in the dog owners’ houses.  The county said its animal-control officers acted reasonably given the information available to them.  They also deny there were 14 calls made to the county related to these dogs. 

The appeal will primarily focus on WA law that says a government agency is not to blame when it does its normal government function.

The now 63-year-old woman, who was attacked by the dogs in her home in 2007, may require additional surgeries for scarring.

The law firm of Munley, Munley & Cartwright has substantial experience in the handling of dog bite claims.  If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog and feel you may have sustained an injury, contact us online for a free consultation or call us now, toll free, at 1-800-318-LAW1. We can help. 

WA Dog Bite

San Diego Man Awarded $2.4 Million in Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit

A San Diego Navy Veteran who was diagnosed in 2010 with mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer, was awarded $2.4 million in damages after his disease was found to be attributed to his work in ship boiler rooms.

The lawsuit, filed against John Crane, Inc., claimed the plaintiff was exposed to asbestos while serving in the Navy from 1961 to 1971 in his work in the maintenance and repair of boilers, pumps and valves.  The suit claimed John Crane made some of the asbestos-containing packing material and gaskets in the equipment.

The total damages of about $2.4 million include nearly $1.4 million in noneconomic damages and $450,000 for loss of consortium.  The jury found John Crane five percent liable, the Navy and insulation companies 57 percent at fault, some manufacturers and suppliers 37 percent at fault.  The plaintiff himself was found to be one percent at fault.

The plaintiffs have settled with or dismissed 20 other parties named in the suit.

Toxic products and substances can cause injury and harm to individuals in many ways. Companies and manufacturers have a responsibility to supply and use products in a safe manner compliant with their intended use.  If you or someone you care about is suffering from mesothelioma or another sickness due to exposure to a toxic product, call the experienced attorneys at Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation regarding your legal concerns.  We can be reached at 1-200-318-LAW or by using our online contact form.

Toxic Product Injury

Woman Sues Carnival After Trailer Hits Her Car

A lawsuit has been filed by an East Texas woman against Austin A. McWhorter, Lon McWhorter and Mac’s Carnival and Attractions after a trailer carrying carnival equipment detached from its Ford truck and hit her vehicle on May 14, 2009.

The woman was a passenger in a 2008 Dodge Ram when the incident happened.  The lawsuit alleges the defendants were negligent in failing to use safety chains, failing to control the vehicle and for entrusting the truck to an unlicensed, incompetent or reckless driver, among other things.

Damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of earning capacity, interest and court costs are being sought by the plaintiff.

The Munley, Munley, & Cartwright law firm has years of experience in personal injury claims.  If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another, call our office today at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation

Personal Injury

Personal Injury Filed Against City Following Wheelchair Accident

The city of Sheboygan, WI is being sued by Ronald Behr following an incident on May 2, 2009, when his wheelchair tipped on a ramp between the street and sidewalk.  Behr claims he suffered severe and permanent injuries from his fall.

According to the complaint, a piece of patched asphalt broke loose, causing his wheelchair to dig into the pavement, pitch forward and throw him onto the ground.  He claims the city was aware of the danger of the carelessly patched asphalt which was done in a “careless and negligent manner.”  The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages and reimbursement of attorney fees.

The city denies receiving notice of the defect in the ramp.

The Munley, Munley, & Cartwright law firm has years of experience in personal injury claims.  If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an accident caused by the carelessness or negligence of another, call our office today at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.

Personal Injury

$322 Million Awarded To Mississippi Man Over Asbestos Exposure

In what is believed to be the largest award in a single plaintiff’s asbestos case, a jury has awarded $322 million to a 48-year-old man who is suffering from asbestosis and has to be on oxygen 24 hours a day. 

The jury awarded $300 million in punitive damages and $22 million in actual damages, and found the defendants were liable for defectively designing their product and failing to provide an adequate warning to workers.

The lawsuit, filed against Chevron Phillips Chemical Company and Union Carbide Corp., states the man worked in the oil field from the age of 16 in 1979 to the mid-1980s and mixed an asbestos drilling additive. It was during this time, the lawsuit claims, he inhaled the harmful substance. 

The drilling mud was manufactured by Union Carbide and sold by Chevron Phillips. The two companies are accused of continuing to market the almost 100% asbestos product after they knew it caused cancer and lung disease.

Toxic products and substances can cause injury and harm to individuals in many ways. Companies and manufacturers have a responsibility to supply and use products in a safe manner compliant with their intended use.  If you or someone you care about is suffering from exposure to a toxic product, call the experienced attorneys at Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation regarding your legal concerns.  We can be reached at 1-200-318-LAW or by using our online contact form.

Toxic Product Injury

Deadly Crane Collapse Brings $1.45 Million Award

A former crane operator has been awarded $1.45 million for injuries he suffered in Nov. 2006 after the collapse of a construction crane.  Warren Yeakey, 39-year-old father of four, had asked for $12 million.  Yeakey is considered 100% disabled by the Department of Labor & Industries.

The defendants in the lawsuit were Seattle-based general contractor Lease Crutcher Lewis and the Seattle engineering firm Magnusson Klemencic Associates.  Yeakey was operating a 210-foot crane when it came crashing down on two buildings, killing a man in one of the buildings.  An investigation into the accident found the collapse was caused by the flawed engineering design of the crane’s base.

As a result of the collapse, State lawmakers passed tougher standards for crane safety.

The Munley, Munley, & Cartwright law firm has years of experience in personal injury claims.  If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of an accident caused by the carelessness or negligence of another, call our office today at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.

Personal Injury

Florida Man Awarded $3 Million After Car Crash

In 2008 an Immokalee teacher suffered a fractured neck and wrist when a driver smashed into his pickup truck.  The other motorist had only $25,000 in coverage and paid, but it was not nearly enough to cover the teacher’s extensive injuries.

The teacher then filed with his insurer, State Farm, to receive the $2 million policy limits under his underinsured motorist policy. State Farm refused, giving him only $190,000.  He then sued State Farm, and the Lee Circuit jury awarded the 53-year-old man of Fort Myers $3 million.  Had State Farm paid him the limits of the coverage he purchased, he would not have sued.

Under a bad faith claim, an unreasonable denial of benefits, State Farm was liable for more than the policy limits: the verdict, as well as the teacher’s legal fees and costs.

The attorneys at Munley, Munley, & Cartwright law firm have years of experience in personal injury claims as a result of an automobile accident.  If you have been injured or lost a loved one as a result of a motor vehicle accident, call our office today at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.

Personal Injury