Catastrophic Injury
Catastrophic personal injury claims require rapid response, creative thinking and knowledgeable attorneys with the resources and the sensitivity to handle the myriad of issues that arise with such claims. Wrongful death, brain injury, quadriplegia, amputation, and persistent vegetative state are conditions commonly encountered by members of this practice group.
Our attorneys are often called in at, or near, the time of the event giving rise to the potential for litigation to guide and direct investigative and risk management activities, to work with governmental or other regulatory agencies and authorities, and to begin the process of preparing for the litigation that is likely to result. Our attorneys have years of experience both mediating and litigating these types of claims nationwide, and have tried these cases in more than 40 states.
Some examples of catastrophic personal injury cases handled by WWHGD attorneys include:
- Wyoming: Representation of resort hotel where physician and his wife were asphyxiated by carbon monoxide. The physician died and his wife suffered brain damage. An almost five week trial resulted in very favorable judgment for WWHGD client at millions less than the last offer made during trial.
- Texas: Death of oil man from yellow fever after returning from company sponsored peacock bass fishing trip to Brazil. Plaintiff's counsel sought $17 million, but the case was tried to defense verdict.
- Nevada: Defense of case where woman claimed severe and debilitating injuries from an alleged assault and battery by Las Vegas casino employee in ladies restroom. Plaintiffs sought in excess of $12 million in damages. Directed verdict was awarded WWHGDs client after only two days of trial.
- Florida: Medical malpractice trial involving seven separate claims of negligence against four physicians, which resulted in the paralysis of a 10-year-old girl. The jury returned a defense verdict after 3 weeks of trial in Jacksonville.
- Representation of numerous hospital, physicians and other health care providers in medical malpractice cases that result in catastrophic personal injuries.
- Representation of national trucking and bus companies in connection with catastrophic personal injury and multiple wrongful death cases across the United States.
- Representation of schools, nursing homes, day care centers, hotels and apartment complexes in connection with a variety of catastrophic injury cases involving intentional torts and criminal activity resulting in death, rape, sexual assault and battery, as well as other catastrophic personal injuries.
- Representation of a variety of product manufacturers in connection with personal injury cases resulting in death, amputation, brain injury, coma and other catastrophic personal injuries.
Early involvement by counsel allows the identification and preservation of critical evidence and testimony. WWHGD attorneys are experienced in working with clients in connection with these difficult cases, often in instances where there may be no or, at best, very limited liability defenses.
WWHGD has contacts with and experience in locating the best experts to review these cases and provide testimony on all potential issues including liability, causation and damages.
WWHGD attorneys approach each case with the experience and know how to learn the facts quickly and efficiently, develop creative and effective defense strategies, and to passionately present our clients’ case. We have what it takes to stand in front of juries in the toughest jurisdictions with the most difficult facts and vigorously seek a judgment favorable to our client.
If you would like to directly contact the partners in this practice group, we invite you to do so:
Partners in this Practice Area
- Tom Allen
- Bill Buhay
- Chloé Dallaire
- David Dial
- Rick Hill
- Skip Hudgins
- Johnny Krawcheck
- Al Maxwell
- Carol Michel
- Steve Mooney
- Patrick Moore
- Ken Moorman
- Rick Sager
- Jennifer Schmidl
- Terry Sullivan
- Jay Train
- Kevin Williams
