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-2012 Passenger Claim, $338,264.65 Arbitration Award
A triathlete, skier and rock-climber suffered a broken neck when her vehicle was t-boned by an uninsured driver who ran a red light. Her permanent injuries required the re-invention of her fitness regimen and alteration of her domestic and life-time recreational activities. The insurance company's contentions that my client's injuries were pre-existing and minimal were negated through cross-examination of their expert witnesses and my client's compelling testimony.
Fall-2011 Car Accident, $155,000 Three Panel Arbitration Award
An engaging and athletic senior citizen was struck by a young driver who ran a stop sign. The force of the collision deployed my client's airbag, and its explosive loud sound in the cab of her vehicle damaged her hearing. The insurance company claimed that my client's hearing loss was due to her advanced age, yet there was no history of hearing loss or hearing complaints before the accident.
Fall-2010 Bicycle Accident, $500,000 Settlement
An athletic and active elderly gentleman regularly rode his bike for exercise along Lake Washington Boulevard. One day while riding on the boulevard, he pulled to the curb and stopped to take a break. A large truck approaching him from behind failed to see him and ran over his left foot. He suffered permanent and disfiguring injuries to his foot which required hospitalization and surgery.
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.
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.
