Auto Accident Lawyer Wins $2 Million for Deaths on Ohio Turnpike

Tom and Tess Lee were on the way from their home in Chicago to Cleveland for a family wedding. The couple was traveling in the eastbound lanes of the Ohio turnpike near Toledo. A car driven by retired podiatrist Charles Marlowe, Jr. came from the westbound lanes across the median and into the eastbound lanes striking the Lees' vehicle head-on. The Lees were killed instantly.

Accident Attorney Dennis R. Lansdowne of The Spangenberg Law Firm in Cleveland, Ohio reports that a Federal Court jury in Toledo has returned a verdict of $2,031,196.33 for the deaths of the Lees, a husband and wife on the Ohio turnpike. The award was returned for the five adult children of the couple. (United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Western Division (Toledo), Case No. 3:08CV1739)

Occupant of the other car, Dr. Marlowe, who survived the crash, claimed that he was struck by a sudden medical emergency and was not responsible for the collision. Specifically, Dr. Marlowe claimed he experienced a sudden episode of neurocardiogenic syncope. Ohio recognizes the sudden medical emergency defense which holds that a driver is not liable for a collision if the driver was suddenly stricken with a medical emergency the driver could not anticipate and which causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle. A week before the trial, after a hearing at which a proposed defense expert witness testified, the trial judge rejected the defense because it was not supported by scientific evidence.

Mr. Lee, age 63, was a union rigger and Mrs. Lee, age 62, was a retired nurse. The case was brought on behalf of the Lees' five adult children. "This was a very close and loving family that has been irreparably damaged by this tragedy," Lansdowne said. This 'sudden medical emergency' defense is being raised more frequently by insurance companies according to Lansdowne. "This defense is very dangerous for victims of negligence and must be vigorously challenged," he said. The verdict comprised non-economic damages and funeral expenses.

The Spangenberg Law Firm has consistently proven itself in Ohio Auto Accident Cases

Many of Spangenberg, Shibley & Liber LLP's cases come via word-of-mouth, either from satisfied former clients, or from other attorneys that know the firm is skilled at handling the complex litigation required for their cases. The Spangenberg Law Firm has consistently proven itself a worthy partner in co-counsel arrangements on a range of cases, and willingly accepts any challenges after carefully analyzing the merits of the case. Though the firm has certainly proven its ability with products liability and has some of the best Cleveland personal injury lawyers, it is equally adept in assisting businesses and corporations with the issues that they have involving business disputes and insurance claims.

The Cleveland Attorneys of the Spangenberg, Shibley & Liber Ohio Law Firm have devoted themselves to representing injured persons and aggrieved businesses for more than sixty-five years. They are headquartered at 1001 Lakeside Avenue East, Suite 1700, in Cleveland, Ohio 44114. For more information, you are invited to visit them online at: Spanglaw.com.

Chicago Lawyers Secure Record $25 Million Cook County Jury Verdict for Schaumburg Accident Victim

In a breathtaking conclusion to a five-year ordeal, last week a Cook County jury returned a $25 million verdict in favor of a local resident who was seriously injured in a violent 2004 automobile accident in Schaumburg, Ill.

The case, Chraca v. Miles. (04 L 9461), was tried before Judge William Haddad in Cook County. It stemmed from an incident that occurred on April 19, 2004, in which Andrzej Chraca - the son of Polish immigrants living in Chicago - was driving southbound on Wright Blvd. near the intersection of South Frontage Road in Schaumburg. As Chraca's vehicle entered the intersection, it was struck by a vehicle being driven by Steve Miles, an Illinois Department of Transportation employee.

As a result of the accident, Chraca suffered serious injuries that have rendered him an incomplete paraplegic. He is unable to walk without leg braces and the use of canes or a walker, and generally uses a wheelchair to move around.

Both drivers claimed they had green lights when they entered the intersection and subsequently they sued each other, with Chraca retaining Martin Healy, Jr., founding partner of The Healy Law Firm and a highly regarded transportation and product liability attorney in Chicago. Schaumburg police officers investigated the case and reconstructed the accident, but could not determine which driver was at fault.

At the trial, Healy and his co-counsel, David Huber of The Healy Law Firm, called six eyewitnesses to the stand, one of whom testified that the stoplight for Miles was red at the time of the accident.

"The large verdict is justified by the injuries that were incurred by Andrzej, terrible injuries," Healy said. "He is going to suffer every day of his life."

The Chraca verdict is the highest verdict for a paraplegic in Cook County. The second highest paraplegic verdict in Cook County, $24 million, was also obtained by the Healy Law Firm, in 2002. The Chraca verdict is also the second plaintiff award in excess of $20 million that Healy's firm has secured for a client this year. In March, the firm helped secure a $23.7 million for three plaintiffs who sought compensation for two deaths and one injury that resulted from a vehicle accident near Plainfield, Ill.

For more information about The Healy Law Firm, please go to www.healylawfirm.com.

San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyer Collects $5.5M Settlement for Trucker Run Over by Another Trucker

Mary Alexander & Associates, a premier San Francisco personal injury law firm, has yet another win to report, furthering their reputation in the legal field as California's aggressive advocate for victims.

Through the expertise of Mary Alexander and her team, a long haul trucker received a $5,500,000 settlement in Alameda County Superior Court (Case #RG07324150), after being run over by another trucker in 2005. While outside of the cab of his rig safely locking and inspecting his load, the victim was struck and pulled up into the other semi's dual rear wheels. He was left hanging upside down. His face was crushed and he lost consciousness.

His injuries include severe and permanent brain damage, crushed facial bones, permanent loss of sight in one eye, loss of smell and taste, loss of teeth, orthopedic injuries, post traumatic stress disorder, and pain and suffering.

The victim is fortunate to have come out of such a tragic experience with his life, but many do not. Combining an arsenal of legal and technical expertise, the firm has developed a keen understanding of how defendants and their insurance companies operate, having fought back (and won) time and again.

According to the official website, "Because the firm's strength has been in innovation, creativity and preparation, we have been able to achieve an outstanding record of success. We are justifiably proud of the verdicts and settlements we have obtained for our deserving clients."

To speak to a legal professional about a complex California trucking accident case, visit http://www.maryalexanderlaw.com.