Verdicts and Settlements
Illustrative Cases
Notice:
These cases summaries are provided for informational and illustrative purposes only, and do not represent the value of your claim or the amount of money you would recover. Selander O'Brien PLLC is unable to guarantee any specific result or outcome for your case; each case is different and the value of your claim will depend upon the specific facts and circumstances surrounding your unique situation.
Spring-2009 Bicycle Accident, $140,000 settlement
Client was struck on his bicycle and suffered a fractured greater trochanter as well as contusions and abrasions to his knees, thighs, wrists, elbows and hands. Surgery was required to repair his fracture that included insertion of tension bands which were later removed. Recovery for his significant injuries and surgeries was limited by the available insurance.
Summer-2008 Motorcycle Accident, $2,400,000 Settlement
Young client suffered untimely and tragic death while commuting to work on I-5 after hitting a rut in the roadway that the State of Washington had failed to properly repair. He left behind a loving wife and beautiful young daughter. Damages were claimed under Washington’s wrongful death and survival statutes for the profound and significant losses that stemmed from his death.
Winter-2007 Daycare Slip and Fall, $30,000 Settlement
This case involved a toddler who slipped on a wet floor at his daycare facility and fractured his left femur. This case presented considerable challenges proving the fault of the daycare facility given the toddler’s inability to testify about how the accident happened. Given the dynamics of the case, this mediated settlement represented a good resolution for a difficult and hard fought case.
Winter-2006 Motorcycle Accident, $1,000,000 Settlement
Motorcycle enthusiast was commuting to work on his bike when a young driver entered the roadway from a stop sign and struck him. Profound and permanent injuries to client’s right ankle and lower leg resulted from multiple fractures and anatomical changes to the integrity of his foot and ankle. Client was unable to continue his job that required walking and standing throughout the day, and was also forced to quit many of the activities he loved including Kung Fu.
Spring-2006 Car Accident, $280,910.89 Verdict
Client was a creative and intelligent woman who was merely waiting at a traffic light in her neighborhood when she was rear-ended. Unfortunately she suffered a herniated disc in her neck that caused on-going pain and problems while performing her work or engaging in her recreational activities. The jury awarded a significant sum for the diminution in her quality of life.
Winter-2006 Pedestrian Accident, $800,000 Settlement
Elderly client was struck by a government vehicle while crossing the street in the crosswalk en route home. She suffered fractures to her ankle, heel and big toe as well as degloving injuries to her foot. Her permanent and painful injuries resulted in problems walking and standing and greatly diminished her quality of life.
Spring-2005 Car Accident, $325,000 Settlement
Client is a delightful woman who was the victim of a careless driver who ran a red light and smashed into her car. She suffered a broken femur that required hospitalization and placement of a rod in her leg.
Winter-2004 Bicycle Accident, $100,000 Settlement
Client, an avid triathlete, was struck by a motorist while riding his bicycle. The impact launched him into the air and smashed his shoulder upon landing on the pavement. Conservative treatment failed and client eventually required surgical repair of his torn labrum. Limited insurance coverage capped client’s recovery for his serious injuries.
Winter-2003 Car Accident, $127,100.55 Settlement
Client was an extraordinary woman who suffered from significant medical conditions before she was rear-ended on the freeway. She injured her lower back and, failing to improve with conservative treatment, underwent a laminectomy and disc excision to allay her unabating lower back discomfort.
Fall-2002 Swimming Pool Contamination, $20,000 Settlement
Client was an intelligent teenage boy who received a horrible rash and swelling throughout his body as a result of swimming in a public pool that did not maintain required levels of chlorine and violated water quality standards. His medical bills totaled under $500 and he missed roughly two months of school. Pseudomonas folliculitis, a bacteria, was detected in the pool by local health officials.
Summer-2002 Airline Beverage Cart Accident, $18,000 Settlement
While a passenger on a domestic airlines flight and occupying the aisle seat, client was struck in the elbow by the food/beverage cart that the flight attendant negligently pushed through the aircraft. Client suffered olecranon bursistis to his right elbow.
Fall-2001 Bike Accident, $60,000 Settlement
Client was an active middle-aged man with a previous artificial hip replacement as a result of years of running. While bicycling along Lake Washington one day, he was struck by a negligent motorist who had attempted a left-hand turn in front of him. After being dislodged from his bike and striking the roadway, his artificial hip dislocated and required emergency medical care. Due to his injuries, he required crutches for three weeks, and subsequently became more careful about his movements to guard against another dislocation. Medical bills for his treatment totaled $2,146.00.
Summer-2001 Car Accident, $193,752.62 Arbitration Award
Client was a talented and charismatic young woman who suffered neck injuries in a car crash that eventually required surgery. Due to the injuries in her neck, she lost sensation in the index and middle fingers of her dominant hand. This permanent condition was devastating because it prevented her from sewing, playing the piano and doing needlework, all activities she loved and engaged in often. Medical bills for her treatment and surgery totaled $20,905.27.
Summer - 2001 Motor Vehicle Accident, $27,929.96 Arbitration Award
Client's vehicle was rear-ended in downtown Seattle by a film company van. As a result, client suffered headaches and neck, back and shoulder sprains. His most significant injury, however, was aggravation of a previously asymptomatic arthritic condition in his mid-back. Medical treatment expenses totaled $7,494.83.
Fall - 2000 Pedestrian/Wheelchair Accident in Nursing Home, $110,000 Settlement
A charming and strong 86-year-old woman was injured after being struck by a wheelchair driven by another resident in an assisted living facility. She suffered a fractured pelvis and significant pain and discomfort that required hospitalization and rehabilitation services. Most disturbing, however, was the significant mental decline she experienced after the incident and onset of increased delirium, confusion and inability to perform daily living activities.
Summer-2000 Car Accident, $140,000 Settlement
My client was a delightful and spunky 76-year-old woman who had the misfortune of having a careless driver pull out in front of her on the roadway. Although the defendant driver was cited for a ticket, the insurance company defending him initially claimed that my client was also at fault. She suffered neck and back injuries for which she received medical treatment totaling $7,530.61. Her major injury and claim, however, was her significantly diminished sense of smell and taste after the accident. This is a devastating injury for anyone, but particularly for my client who enjoyed cooking and entertaining.
Summer-2000 Pedestrian/Car Accident, $85,000 Settlement
My client was a high school senior who was struck by a car while she was walking across the street to her school bus. She sustained serious injuries that included broken pelvic bones and a head injury, and was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. The defendant and his insurance company claimed that my client was not in a crosswalk when the collision occurred, and that she was running in the roadway. Who was at fault in this accident was therefore heavily contested.
Summer-2000 Car Accident, $160,000 Settlement
Client was injured in a rear-end collision with little visible damage to her vehicle and body repair work totaling $703.00. We retained an expert who found additional damage to the frame of the vehicle to demonstrate a more significant impact. Client failed to get better and was finally diagnosed with a herniated disc in her neck that required surgery. Her medical bills totaled $31,383.33.
Winter-1998, Car Accident, $52,000 Underinsured Motorist Arbitration Award
An active 41-year-old female was stopped on the roadway and was rear-ended in a chain reaction collision in which she was the third car in line. She incurred $7,166.30 in medical expenses, including physical therapy, and suffered a herniated disc in her neck, which was disputed by the insurance company. Her condition did not require surgery, but affected her ability to fully enjoy her recreational activities.
Winter-1998 Dog Bite of Minor, $4,677.98 Settlement
A five-year-old boy was riding his bicycle at his grandmother’s house and was bit on the thigh by the neighbor’s German Shepherd. He required some stitches, and incurred $497.07 in medical expenses.
Fall-1996 Food Contamination Case, $10,750.00 Settlement
My client suffered from scromboid poisoning, a type of food poisoning, after eating a tuna sandwich purchased at a local restaurant. His medical bills totaled $1,553.59, and he fully recovered from the event. It was discovered that the tuna had sat on a dock too long and went bad.
