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2/9/2016

MillionDollarSettlementsof2015|VirginiaLawyersWeekly

Million-Dollar Settlements of 2015


By:DeborahElkins February8,2016
BusinesscasesledthelistofthetopsettlementsreportedtoVirginiaLawyersWeeklyduring2015.
Thisyearstallywas46caseswithsettlementsofatleast$1million,downfrom53casesloggedin2014.That
numberwasarecordhighinthissurveyconductedsince2009.
TherunawaywinnerofourannualcompilationwasDuPontslongrunning
caseagainstKolonIndustries,aSouthKoreanmanufactureraccusedof
stealingtradesecretsrelatedtoKevlar.Afterappellatelitigationinthewake
ofa2011juryawardtoDuPontof$920.55million,thepartiessettledthe
caselastApril,withKolonagreeingtopayDuPont$275millionin
restitution.
Consumerprotectionadvocatesscoredseveralbighits.Ateamthat
includedConsumerLitigationAssociatesPCobtaineda$20.8millionmediatedsettlementinitsFairCreditReporting
ActclassactioninvolvingdefendantAcxiomRiskManagementsemploymentrelatedreports.Thatsumincluded
over$6millioninattorneysfeesandcosts.
CLAalsowon$18millioninanotherFCRAcaseagainstBackgroundchecks.com,whichallegedviolationsinvolving
criminalrecordreportsreleasedtothesubjectsemployersorpotentialemployers.
StarScientificInc.,whoseproductAnatablocloomedlargeduringthecriminaltrialofformerGov.BobMcDonnell
andhiswifeMaureen,agreedtosettleashareholdersclassactionfor$5.9million.
Personalinjurycasesrepresentthedominantgroupofhighdollarsettlements,including22vehicularaccidents,
eightofwhichinvolvedtractortrailers.The14medicalmalpracticesettlementsincludedsixwrongfuldeathcases.
ForthoseusingourVerdicts&SettlementsReportstovaluecases,thisyearssurveyincludedahighnumberofties
intherankings.Severalautoaccidentcasesclusteredaroundthe$3millionmark,andeightpersonalinjurycases
autoaccidentandmedmalcameinatthe$1millionthresholdforthelist.
AdditionalreportingbySarahStanley

#1$275Million
Tradesecretscasesettledafterremandtodistrictcourt
E.I.duPontdeNemoursandCompanyv.KolonIndustries,Inc.
Typeofcase:Tradesecretmisappropriation
Court:U.S.DistrictCourt,Richmond
Attorneys:BrianC.RiopelleandRodSatterwhite,RichmondMichaelSonger,Washington
DuPontaccusedKolon,aSouthKoreancompany,ofstealingtradesecretsrelatedtoKevlar.In2011,ajury
awardedDuPontcompensatorydamagesof$919.9million.ThecourtawardedDuPont$350,000inpunitive
damagesandenteredajudgmentof$920.25million.
In2014,the4thCircuitvacatedthejudgmentandremandedthecasetoU.S.DistrictCourt.The4thCircuitopined
thatthedistrictcourthadappliedanincorrectevidentiarystandardinexcludingcertainevidencethatKolonclaimed
wouldshowthat42ofDuPontstechnicaltradesecretshadbeendisclosedduringpatentlitigationinthe1980s
concerningcertainaspectsofKevlartechnology.
InApril2015,thepartiesreachedasettlementagreement.Separately,Kolonenteredapleaagreementwiththe
U.S.JusticeDepartmentinwhichitpledguiltytoasinglecountofconspiracytoconverttradesecrets.Kolonagreed
topayDuPont$275millioninrestitution,inadditiontopayingafineof$85milliontotheU.S.government.

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#2$20.8Million
EmploymentpurposedreportsallegedlyviolatedFCRA
Hendersonv.AcxiomRiskManagement,Inc.
Typeofcase:FairCreditReportingActclassaction
Court:U.S.DistrictCourt,Richmond
Mediator:JedD.Melnick
Attorneys:LeonardA.Bennett,NewportNewsDaleW.Pittman,PetersburgSusanM.Rotkis,NewportNews
MatthewJ.Erausquin,AlexandriaChristopherC.North,NewportNews
TheplaintiffsclaimedthatthedefendantsviolatedtheFairCreditReportingAct,by:(1)failingtoprovideconsumers
withnoticethattheywerefurnishinganemploymentpurposedconsumerreportatthetimetheyweredoingso
(2)failingtofollowproperproceduresforresolvingconsumerdisputesand(3)failingtohaveapermissiblepurpose
forissuingcertainconsumerreportstoemployersandvendors.Despitedenyingliabilityandwrongdoing,the
defendantsdecideditwasintheirbestinteresttosettlethelawsuittoavoidtheburden,expense,riskand
uncertaintyofcontinuingthelitigation.
Asettlementof$20,800,000wasapprovedinJuly2015,including$6,015,618.30inattorneysfeesandcosts.
Defendantpaidthecostsofadministeringtheclass.Acommonfundintheamountof$13,265,691.25was
establishedforthepaymentofstatutorydamagestoclassmembers.Classmemberswithmorerecentclaims
automaticallyreceivedanetpaymentof$35.25.Classmemberswitholderclaimsautomaticallyreceivedanet
paymentof$11.75.Inaddition,peoplewhofiledclaimsinthedisputeclasswillreceiveacheckforatleast
$5,000.

#3$18Million
Suit:BackgroundreportswerepreparedinviolationoftheFCRA
Hendersonv.Backgroundchecks.com
Typeofcase:FairCreditReportingAct,classaction
Court:U.S.DistrictCourt,Richmond
Mediator:RodneyMax
Attorneys:LeonardA.Bennett,NewportNewsSusanM.Rotkis,NewportNewsDaleW.Pittman,Petersburg
ChristopherC.North,NewportNewsMatthewJ.Erausquin,Alexandria
TheplaintiffsclaimedthatthedefendantviolatedtheFairCreditReportingActinconnectionwithpreparing
backgroundreports.Specifically,plaintiffscontendedthatthedefendantviolatedtheFCRAby(1)reportingcriminal
recordstoemployersorpotentialemployerswithouteitherfurnishingnoticetotheconsumerofthefactofsuch
reportingorconfirmingthecompletenessandtimelinessoftherecordsatthetimeitpreparedthereportand(2)
reportinginaccuratecriminalrecordinformation.
Despitedenyingliabilityandwrongdoing,thedefendantdecideditwasinitsbestinteresttosettlethelawsuitto
avoidtheburden,expense,riskanduncertaintyofcontinuingthelitigation.Asettlementof$18millionwas
approvedinJuly2015,including$5,149.000inattorneysfeesandcosts.Defendantpaidthecostsofadministering
theclass.10,707membersofthestatedinjuryclassfiledaclaimandreceived$658.40.Inaddition,approximately
1,300peopleinthesubstantiatedinjuryclasswhofiledaclaimwillreceiveacheckforapproximately$3,000
presently.ThesettlementalsorequiredBGCtochangecertainprocessesandprovidefreecreditreportsforclass
memberswhorequestedthem.

#4$5.9Million
ShareholderssettleclassactionagainstStarScientific
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ShareholderssettleclassactionagainstStarScientific
InreStarScientific,Inc.SecuritiesLitigation
Typeofcase:Securitiesclassaction
Court:U.S.DistrictCourt,Richmond
Attorneys:StephenJ.Oddo,SanDiegoCollinJ.Hite,Richmond
Thiswasasecuritiesclassactiononbehalfofallpersonswhopurchasedorotherwiseacquiredthepubliclytraded
securitiesofStarScientificInc.betweenOct.31,2011andMarch18,2013,againstStarScientificandcertainofits
officersand/ordirectorsforviolationsoftheSecuritiesExchangeActof1934.Theclassconsistedofcurrentand
formershareholdersofStarScientificwhopurchasedsharesofstockduringMay2011andJanuary2013.Intheir
suit,theclassclaimedthecompanymademateriallyfalseandmisleadingstatementsduringtheclassperiodin
pressreleases,analystconferencecallsandfilingswiththeSEC.Theclassallegedthattheyhadbeendamagedby
themisrepresentationsmadebyStarScientificanditsofficersand/ordirectorsrelatedtoresearchonitsproduct
Anatabloc.

#5$4.125Million
Plaintiffsufferedseriousinjuriesinmultivehicleaccident
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Mediator:ThomasShadrick
Attorneys:AdamH.LotkinandBrotherRutter,Norfolk
Plaintiffwasacommercialtruckdriveronalocalrunwhenhewaspassedbyseveralcarsonaruralfourlane
highwayinmoderatetraffic.Asaresultofthepassingvehiclesmaneuvers,oneofthecarscrossedoverinto
oncomingtrafficandcollidedwithatractortrailer.Thetractortrailerlostcontrolandrolledintotheplaintiffslane,
collidingwiththeplaintiffstruck.Plaintiffsvehiclewentofftheroadintoafield,ultimatelystrikingatree.The
accidentinvolvednumerousvehiclesandinjuries,includingafatality.Plaintiffsufferedfracturestohiswrist,
collarbone,legs,face,orbitalbonesandjaw,aswellasaclosedheadinjury.
Plaintiffslawsuitnamedmultipledefendantsandincludedvariousallegationsofnegligenceagainstthedriversof
thepassingcarsandthedriverofthetractortrailer,aswellasagainsttheownersofthevehiclesandtheemployers
ofthedrivers.
Plaintiffsmedicalbillstotaledalmost$1million,andheallegedapproximately$2millioninlostpastandfuture
wages.Thecasewasvigorouslydefendedandsettledinasecondroundofmediationamonthandahalfbefore
trial.

#6$3.65Million
PsoriasismedicationledtobraindamageinHIVpositivepatient
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice
Mediator:BrianNash
Attorneys:ScottM.PerryandMikhaelD.Charnoff,Arlington
A37yearoldHIVpositivepatientsoughttreatmentforpsoriasisfromthedefendantdermatologist.The
dermatologistprescribedabiologic,whichworkedbysuppressingtheimmunesystem.Althoughawaretheplaintiff
wasHIVpositive,thedermatologistdidnottesthisHIVstatusorconsultwithhisinfectiousdiseasedoctor.
Beforereceivingthebiologic,theinfectiousdiseasedoctorslabresultsshowedthattheplaintiffsCD4counthad
droppedandhisviralloadhadrisen.Thismeantthathisimmunesystemwasshowingsignsofbeingcompromised.
Theinfectiousdiseasedoctordidnotprescribeantiretroviraltherapy.
Soonafterbeingprescribedthebiologic,theplaintiffdevelopedperiventricularmultifocalleukoencephalopathy,a
rare,usuallyfatalbraindiseasethatusuallyoccursinindividualswhoseimmunesystemsareseverelycompromised.
Althoughhesurvived,theplaintiffwasleftpermanentlybraindamagedanddependentonfulltimecare.

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Plaintifffiledsuitagainstthedermatologistandtheinfectiousdiseasedoctor.Plaintiffhada$10millionlifecare
planandeconomicloss,buttherewaslimitedinsurance.Thecasesettledshortlybeforetrial.

#7$3.5Million
Tractortrailerswerved,hitvehiclestoppedonshoulder
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Attorneys:H.AubreyFord,ElliottM.BucknerandJeffreyN.Stedman,Richmond
Plaintiffwasapassengerinamotorvehiclethathadpulledontotheshoulderoftheinterstatehighway.Atractor
trailercollidedwiththevehicleafterswervingtoavoidanothermotorvehicleinthehighway.Theyoungplaintiff
sustainedsubstantialorthopedicinjuries.Defenseclaimedthetractortrailerdriveractedreasonablywhenhe
confrontedasuddenemergency.

#8$3.01Million
4yearoldscaldedwhenfreestandingrangetoppledover
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,productsliability,premisesliability
Court:FairfaxCountyCircuitCourt
Mediator:JohannaFitzpatrick
Attorneys:RobertStoney,PeterEverett,MarkTowery,ChidiJamesandJessicaSura,DavidNestor
Theplaintiff,a4yearoldboy,wasplayingwithanotherboyintheapartmentrentedbyhisfamily.Hismotherwas
cookingnoodlesonthefreestandingrangeinthekitchen.Astheboysmotherssatinthelivingroom,thetwoboys
ranintothekitchenandstoodorleanedontheovendooroftherange.
Unbeknowntothemothers,thelandlordandpropertymanagerhadfailedtoinstallanecessaryantitipbracketon
therange.Whentheyboysputweightontheovendoor,therangetoppledover,dousingthemwithboilingwater.
Plaintiffwasburnedon20percentofhisbody.
Since1991,allfreestandingrangeshavebeenrequiredtohaveantitipbracketsinstalled.Inthiscase,ofthe1,065
unitsintheapartmentcomplex,about80percentdidnothavethebracket.Duringthetwoyearsthefamilylivedat
thecomplex,thelandlordandpropertymanageruninstalledandreinstalledtherangeonthreeseparateoccasions,
butdidnotinstallthebracket.
Thelandlordandpropertymanagersettledthecase10daysbeforetrial.Therangemanufacturerhadearliersettled
withtheplaintiffforaconfidentialamount.

#9(tie)$3Million
Driverwithpastmurderconvictionattackedfellowtrucker
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,negligenthiring
Court:FairfaxCountyCircuitCourt
Attorney:DouglasB.Wessel,Reston
Theplaintiffandthedefendantwerebothdriving18wheelersonI81northinruralSouthwestVirginiawhenthey
gotintoanargumentovertheCBradioandpulledtothesideofthehighway.Duringtheconfrontation,the
defendantstrucktheplaintiffonthebackoftheheadwithalargehammer.Theplaintiffsufferedatraumaticbrain
injury.
Thedefendantdriverhadbeenhiredbythedefendanttruckingcompanydespiteapastfelonymurderconviction.
Alsonamedinthesuitwastheprofessionalemployerorganizationthatrancertainadministrativepartsofthe
truckingcompanysbusinessandhadexpresslyapprovedofhiringthedefendantdriverdespitehiscriminalpast.
Plaintiffwaspreparedtofocusthecaseonwhetherthebusinessownershadtakenadvantageofsignificanttax

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benefitsforcompaniesthathireformerconvicts.
Theplaintiffslastdemandforsettlementwas$10million,butplaintiffscounselwithdrewthedemandandcancelled
ascheduledmediationafterlearningthatdefensecounselhadfailedtoproducecertaindiscoveryresponses.One
weeklater,thedefendantsofferedtheircombinedpolicylimitsof$3million.

#9(tie)$3Million
Amateurracecardrivercrashedvehicleatspeedwayevent
Mowfyv.VictoryLaneMotorsports
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,premisesliability
Court:HamptonCircuitCourt
Attorneys:StephenM.SmithandDavidB.Holt,HamptonEdwardE.Scher,RichmondRogerT.Creager,
Richmond
TheplaintiffwenttoLangleySpeedwaytoparticipateinaneventthatofferedmembersofthepublicthechanceto
driveaNASCARstyleracecaronarealracetrack.Plaintiffhadneverdrivenaracecarbefore.Whiletheplaintiff
drovearoundthetrackatapproximately35mph,thevehiclewentoutofcontrolandcollidedwiththewallonthe
driverssideofthevehicle.
Intheplaintiffsassignedcar,theseatbackwasnotsecurelyattachedtotherollcage,andasaresult,theplaintiffs
helmetedheadstruckeithertherollbarorthewall,causingatraumaticbraininjury.
Plaintiffsuedboththeeventpromoterandthetrack,allegingthatthespeedwaywasinajointventurewiththe
promotorandshouldshareliability.Thetrackownerclaimeditmerelyleaseditsfacility.Afteracomplexprocedural
battle,bothpartiesagreedtosettle.
Thepromoterhad$1millionincoverageandthetrackhad$2millionincoverage.Thecaseresolvedwithpayment
ofthefull$3million.

#11$2.9Million
Driverkilledafterswervingtoavoidoncomingtruck
Klaiberv.Manzur
Typeofcase:Wrongfuldeath,autoaccident
Court:LoudounCountyCircuitCourt
Attorney:JamesK.Freeman,Fairfax
ThedecedentwaskilledasaresultofamotorvehiclecollisionthatoccurredonRoute15inLeesburg.The
defendantscommercialtruckcrossedintotheoncominglaneoftravel.Whiletherewasnocontactwiththe
defendantsvehicle,theplaintiffwaspreparedtoprovethatthesoleproximatecauseofthecollisionwasthe
negligentoperationofthecommercialvehicle,causingthedecedenttoswervetotherighttoavoidtheoncoming
truckandthereforelosecontrolofhisvehicle.
Liabilitywaschallengedbythedefendant,whoallegedthathiscommercialvehiclehadreturnedtohislaneoftravel
priortothedecedentslosingcontrolandthatthedecedentwascontributorilynegligentbasedonhisuseofa
cellularphoneandthefactthathelostcontrolofhisvehicle.
Thedecedentsufferedcatastrophicinjuriesthatultimatelywerefatal.Hewasmarriedwithnochildren.

#12(tie)$2.2Million
Truckerwashighonmethwhenhestruckandkilleddriver
EstateofKarenAnnWhitakerv.HouseofRaefordFarms

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Typeofcase:Wrongfuldeath,autoaccident
Court:HenricoCountyCircuitCourt
Mediator:ThomasS.Shadrick
Attorneys:JonathanE.HalperinandAndrewLucchetti,GlenAllen
The60yearolddecedentwasstruckandkilledbyatractortrailerdriverasshewasleavingherjobinHenrico
County.Thedefendantdriverlostcontrolofhisemptytractortrailerandjackknifed,crossingthecenteryellowline
andstrikingthedecedentsvehicle.Atthetimeoftheaccident,thedefendantdriverwashighonmethamphetamine
andhadbeenawakeforthepreviousfivedays.ThedefendanthadnovalidCDLandalongandrichcriminal
history.
Inadditiontosuingthedriverandmotorcarrier,plaintiffalsofiledsuitagainsttheSouthCarolinachickenproducer
whohadcontractedwiththemotorcarriertoshipaloadoffrozenchicken.Plaintiffarguedthattheshipperdidno
duediligencetodeterminethesafetyofitsmotorcarrier.Hadtheshippercheckedeithersource,itwouldhave
learnedthatinthemonthbeforethecollision,themotorcarrierwasinthelowestthirdpercentilefordrugtesting
compliance.
Thedriverandmotorcarrierhad$1millioninavailablecoverage.Theshipperpaidanadditional$1.2millionto
settlethecase.

#12(tie)$2.2Million
Chainreactioncrashpromptedmultiplelawsuits
Typeofcase:Wrongfuldeath,autoaccident
Attorneys:CharlesF.PurcellandMichaelC.Kildoo,LouisaIrvinV.Cantor,ElliottM.BucknerandStephanieE.
Grana,Richmond
The70yearolddecedentdiedasaresultofinjuriessustainedinamultivehicle,chainreactioncrash.Decedent
wasoperatingthemiddlevehicleinalineofthreevehiclesthatwereintheprocessofstoppinginresponsetoa
trafficbackupcausedbyapreviousaccident.Theaccidentwasilluminatedbytheflashinglightsofemergency
vehicles,andthedefendanttractortrailerdriverhadextensiveandunobstructedsightdistance.Despitethese
conditions,thetruckdrivercrashedintotherearofthefirstvehicleatfullspeed.Theimpactknockedthefirst
vehicleintothedecedentsvehicle,whichinturnpropelledforwardintothethirdvehicle.Thedecedentsvehicle
ultimatelylefttheroadwayandcaughtfire.
Thecrashgaverisetomultiplelawsuitsagainstthetruckdriverandhisemployer,whichwerefiledbyfivedifferent
lawfirms.Therewaslimitedinsurancecoverageforthisaccident,withpolicylimitsbeingwellbelowplaintiffs
combineddamages.Thecasewasresolvedthroughmultipartysettlementnegotiationssixmonthspriortotrial.

#14$2.175Million
Womansufferedmultipleinjuriesinmotorcycleaccident
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:MiddlesexCountyCircuitCourt
Mediator:F.BradfordStillman
Attorneys:DanielM.Schieble
TheplaintiffwasapassengeronherhusbandsHarleyDavidson,whichwasstruckbyapickuptruckthatmadean
abruptleftturninfrontofthemotorcycle.Defendantadmittedheneversawthemotorcycle.Plaintiffshusband
attemptedtoavoidthecollision,butstrucktherightsideofthepickup.Theplaintiffwasejectedfromthe
motorcycleandwasrunoverbythetruck.Shesufferedmultipleorthopedicandinternalinjuries,includinga
severelycomminutedintraarticularfractureoftherightfemur.ShewasairliftedtoVCUMedicalCenterand
remainedhospitalizedforthreeweeks.
Inthemonthsfollowingtheaccident,theplaintiffsufferednumerouscomplicationsinvolvingtheinjuriestoherright
leg.Theplaintiffwasunabletowalkforseveralmonths.Shecontinuestosufferfrombalancedifficulties,post
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leg.Theplaintiffwasunabletowalkforseveralmonths.Shecontinuestosufferfrombalancedifficulties,post
traumaticarthritisanda40percentpermanentpartialimpairmenttoherlowerrightextremity.Plaintiffsorthopedic
physicianopinedthatshewouldeventuallyrequireatotalrightkneejointreplacement.Theplaintiffremainedunder
thecareofapainmanagementspecialistatthetimetheclaimwasresolved.

#15$1.95Million
Anesthesia,intubationsequenceledtopermanentbraininjury
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice
Attorneys:StephanieE.Grana,IrvinV.Cantor,andElliottBuckner,RichmondJeffreyA.Breit,VirginiaBeach
The53yearoldplaintiffwasadmittedtothehospitalforaredoocciputtoC5instrumentationandfusion.The
anesthesiapreprocedureconsultnotedspecificconcernsforanesthesiaincludingseverelylimitedneckmotionand
alimitedmouthopening.Priortosurgery,atranstrachealblockwasperformed.Twominuteslater,theplaintiffwas
inducedwithLidocaineandPropofol.Despitetheplaintiffhavingdifficultywithbreathing,plaintiffwasgiventhe
musclerelaxantRocuroniumtoassistwithventilation/intubation.Atthispoint,theplaintiffwasparalyzedandcould
nolongerbreatheforhimself.
Multipleattemptstoopentheplaintiffsairwaywereunsuccessful.Theplaintiffbecamebradycardicandeventually,
nopalpablepulseswerefelt.CPRcommenced,andhereceivedapproximatelyfourminutesofchestcompressions.
Eventually,theplaintiffwassuccessfullyintubated,buthewasleftwithpermanentbraininjuries.
Plaintiffwasdischargedtoalongtermcarefacility.Heremainsunabletocareforhimselfindependently,unableto
walkandunabletocommunicateverbally.Plaintiffsexpertswereoftheopinionthattheinductionofanesthesia
andintubationsequencedidnotmeetthestandardofcare,directlyresultingintheplaintiffspermanentinjuries.

#16$1.93Million
Injuredhighwayworkerreachessettlementinworkerscompclaim
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident,workerscomp
Court:VirginiaWorkersCompensationCommission
Mediator:BrookeAnnHunter
Attorneys:CraigB.Davis,RichmondJohnM.CooperandJimHurley,Norfolk
Theintoxicateddefendantdrovearoundorangeconesandastationarypolicecruiserwithflashingbluelightsata
constructionsiteonI264inNorfolk.Theplaintiffandhiscoworkerweresittingonthebedofaflatbedtruckwith
theirlegshangingovertheedgeastheyplacedcones.Defendantcrashedatahighrateofspeedintothebackof
theworktruck,resultinginguillotineamputationstobothoftheplaintiffslegs.
Theplaintiffsettledapersonalinjuryclaimfor$937,775.50.Theworkerscompcarrierwasowed$300,000ofthe
personalinjuryproceedsforitssubrogationlien,andhadafuturecredit/offsetofapproximately$405,000beforeit
wouldowetheplaintiffadditionalworkerscompbenefits.Thepresentvalueofindemnitybenefitsundera
permanentandtotaldisabilityclaimwasapproximately$383,000,whichwaslessthanthecompcarriersfuture
credit.
Mediationwasunsuccessful,butthepartiescontinuedtonegotiateuntilanagreementwasreachedtosettlethe
claimforalumpsumpaymentof$1,600,000andawaiverofthecarrierssubrogationlien,foratotalvalueof
$1,930,000.Thecombinedvalueofbothsettlementswas$2,866,775.50.

#17$1.908Million
TraumaticextubationbyCNRAledtobraininjury,death
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice,wrongfuldeath

Attorneys:MatthewBroughtonandJulianaPerry,RoanokeEricFerguson,RockyMount

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The57yearolddecedentwenttotheemergencyroomwithcomplaintsofabdominalpain.ACTrevealedpossible
migrationofasurgicalclipfromapriorgallbladdersurgery,andsurgerytoremovetheclipwasscheduled.In
preparationforthesurgery,thedecedentwasintubatedbyacertifiedregisterednurseanesthetist.Duringtransfer
totheproceduretable,aninadvertentextubationoccurredandtheairwaywascompromised.
Decedentsufferedananoxicbraininjuryandacuterenalfailure.HeremainednonresponsiveintheICUforseveral
weeks.Inlightofmultisystemorganfailurecoupledwithnoneurologicalimprovement,andinanticipationthathe
wouldremaininapersistentvegetativestate,thefamilydecidedtowithdrawcare.Shortlythereafter,decedent
passedaway.
AnexpertanesthesiologistconcludedthatthedecedentsbraininjuryanddeathwerepreventableandtheCRNAs
conductwasaclearexampleofnegligence.TheCRNAshouldhavecalledforhelpfromthesupervising
anesthesiologistthemomentdifficultywasencountered,plaintiffclaimed.Thepartiesreachedasettlementpriorto
mediationfor$1,908,000,plusawriteoffofoutstandingmedicalbills.

#18$1.9Million
Womanlostsecurityclearanceatjobduetobraininjury
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,slip&fall
Court:AlexandriaCircuitCout
Mediator:JohannaFitzpatrick
Attorneys:JohnD.Whittington,Manassas
Astheplaintiffwassteppingoffanelevatorintothemarblefoyerofherofficebuilding,sheslippedonarecently
moppedwetfloor.Therewerenowetfloororothercautionsignsplacedatthetime.Asaresultofherslip,
plaintifffellontoherleftshoulderandhead.Shesufferedatraumaticbraininjury,whichleftherunabletoworkat
hertopsecretsecurityclearanceITjob.
Thefallwascapturedonsecurityvideo,whichwasakeypieceofevidenceinthecase.

#19$1.795Million
TeenrenderedparaplegicinJeeprolloveraccident
Robertsonv.Daniel
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:NottowayCountyCircuitCourt
Attorneys:JohnC.Shea,Richmond
Plaintiffwasabackseatpassengerina1995JeepGrandCherokeeoperatedbythedefendantwhenthevehicle
veeredacrosstheroadwayandoverturnedseveraltimesbeforecomingtoarest.Thedefendantwasroundinga
lefthandcurveatanelevatedspeedof70mph.Defendantadmittedheswerved,andthenovercorrected,
ultimatelyoverturningthevehicle.Heclaimedadeerranintheroadinhispath.Theinvestigatingtroopercharged
defendantwithrecklessdriving.
Theaccidentrenderedtheplaintiff,a10thgrader,aparaplegic.Plaintiffcannolongerwalkorfeelanythingbelow
hernaval.Shereturnedtoschoolandcontinuedtoexcelacademically.Astructuredsettlementwaspreparedforthe
plaintiff.

#20$1.75Million
Truckturnedagainstredlight,strikingplaintiffspickup
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:AlbemarleCircuitCourt
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Court:AlbemarleCircuitCourt
Attorneys:J.GregoryWebbandE.KyleMcNew
Plaintiffwasdrivinghomefromdinnerinasmall,halftonpickup.Shewasonamajorroadwayapproachingamajor
intersectionandhadagreenlight.Defendantwasdrivingalarge,UHaultypetruck,travelingtheoppositedirection
fromplaintiffandattemptingtoturnleftattheintersection.Hedidnotrealizehehadaredlightandturnedleft
directlyintothepathoftheplaintiff.
Liabilitywasnotstronglyinquestion,butdamageswerehotlydisputed.Plaintiffsufferedsevereorthopedicinjuries,
whichweregenerallyuncontested.However,thedefendantcontestedthattheplaintiffsufferedanypastorfuture
wageloss,anddisputedtheneedforfutureorthopedicsurgeries.Suithadbeenfiledbutmatterwasresolvedby
mediationearlyinthelitigationprocess.

#21$1.6Million
Manwaskilledinstantlyintractortrailercollision
Typeofcase:Wrongfuldeath,autoaccident
Mediator:JohannaL.Fitzpatrick
Attorneys:JasonW.Konvicka
Theplaintiffsdecedentwaskilledinstantlywhenhewasrearendedbyatractortrailer.Thedecedentwas63years
oldatthetimeofthecrash.Hewasdivorcedandhadtwoadultchildrenwhowerethesolebeneficiariesunderthe
WrongfulDeathAct.Therewerenoeconomicdamagesotherthanthefuneralbill.

#22$1.55Million
ATVfelloffforklift,strikingplaintiff
Spearsvs.AtlasHonda
Typeofcase:Personalinjury
Court:BristolCircuitCourt
Attorneys:CarltonBennett,KevinSharpandJohnZydron,VirginiaBeachRobertWard,BristolRichardSerpe,
NorfolkO.L.BuzzGilbert,Norfolk
The61yearoldplaintiffsustainedinjurieswhenthedefendantsemployeewasintheprocessofoffloadinganATV
fromtheplaintiffstruckwithaforkliftafterplaintiffhaddeliveredthetrucktothepremisesofthedefendant
corporation.Defendantsemployeefailedtoproperlyinstallaforkintheforklift,theforkliftgavewayandthe
containerwiththeATVfelloffandstruckplaintiff.Plaintiffsustainedcompressionfracturesofthethoracicspineand
traumaticbraininjurywithvestibularcomplications.
Defendantinitiallyarguedthattheplaintiffwasnegligentsincehehadbeenstandingtooclosetotheforklift.
Additionally,thedefendantfiledapleainbararguingthattheplaintiffhadbeenengagedinhisemployersbusiness
atthetimeoftheincident,suchthatplaintiffsonlyremedywasworkerscompbenefits.
Severaldaysbeforetrial,defendantadmittedliabilityandofferedplaintiff$250,000toresolvetheclaim.Plaintiff
rejectedtheofferandthematterproceededtotrial.Onthethirddayoftrial,defendantofferedplaintiff$1,550,000
toresolvetheclaim.Plaintiffacceptedandthecourtdismissedthejury.

#23(tie)$1.5Million
Childdiedafterfallingthroughrailingofhotelbalcony
Typeofcase:Wrongfuldeath,premisesliability
Mediator:DonaldKent
Attorneys:JohnC.Shea,RogerT.CreagerandMarkS.Lindensmith,Richmond

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The3yearolddecedentandmembersofherfamilyrentedaroomatthedefendanthotelforanovernightstayat
thebeach.Whileonthebalconywithfamilymembers,thedecedentlostherbalanceandfellthroughoneofthe
spacesbetweenthebalconyrailings.Sheultimatelydiedfromherinjuries.
Plaintiffsexpertsdeterminedthespacesbetweenthebalustersonthebalconyrangedfrom5.51to5.55inches
apart.Whilethebalustersmetbuildingcodestandards,plaintiffcontendedtheywereunsafe.Thehotelinitially
contendedthatitwasimpossibleforachildtofallthroughtherailings,andarguedthatthechildmusthaveclimbed
overthetop.PlaintiffsexpertsexaminedCTscansofthechildsskullanddeterminedthebreadthofherskullwas
5.48to5.51inchesatthewidestarea.Plaintiffsanthropometricexpertopinedthattherailingswouldnothave
preventedthechildfrompassingthroughthem.
Mediationheldtwoweeksbeforetrialwasnotsuccessful,butthemediatorremainedinvolvedandthecasesettled
severaldaysbeforethefirstdayoftrial.

#23(tie)$1.5Million
MotheroftwogirlskilledinwreckonChristmasEve
Typeofcase:Wrongfuldeath,autoaccident
Court:BotetourtCountyCircuitCourt
Attorneys:KevinM.OHaganandEveGrandisCampbell,Richmond
A34yearoldmotheroftwoyounggirls,ages7and10,diedonChristmasEvein2012whenhercarwascrushed
intoajerseywallbyatractortrailerthatwasloadedwithlogsfordelivery.Althoughthedefendantsallegedly
inspectedthetractortrailerpriortodrivingthatday,40percentofthebrakeswerefoundoutofadjustment
immediatelyaftertheaccidentandforreasonsunrelatedtotheaccident.Theplaintiffsarguedthatthedriverofthe
tractortrailershouldnothavebeenontheroadthatdaybecauseoflackofsleepandroadconditions.
Afterseveraldemurrerswereargued,thecourtfoundthattheallegationsprovidedsufficientfactstosupporta
claimforpunitivedamages.Ontheseconddayoftrial,thecasesettled.

#25$1.452Million
Flaggersallegedlymisdirectedtraffic,causedaccident
Brickeyv.KickinAsphaltPavingandSealingLLC
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident,negligence
Court:SpotsylvaniaCountyCircuitCourt
Mediator:JoanneF.Alper
Attorneys:LeilaH.Kilgore,FredericksburgMichaelG.Phelan,Richmond
ThedefendantasphaltcompanywaslayingshoulderstoneattheintersectionofRoute669andRoute3in
Culpeper.Plaintiffallegedthattheasphaltcompanyundertookcontroloftheintersectionbymeansofflaggers,and
thatitdidsonegligently.Theallegationsincludedthattheflaggerswerepositionedimproperlyatthetimeoffthe
crash,thusallowingsouthboundRt.669toturnleftontoRt.3atthesametimethatwestboundRt.3wasallowed
toproceedat55mph.
DefendantdriverwastravelingwestboundonRt.3whenaDoevehiclepulledoutintotheintersectionfromRt.669.
Defendantdriverswervedandcrashedintotheplaintiffsvehicle,whichwasstoppedattheRt.669stopsign.
Plaintiff,age38,workedasaCNAinanadultdaycarefacility.Shewasunabletoreturntoworkortoherprevious
leveloffunctionduetoatraumaticbraininjury.Defendantsexpertscontendedthattheplaintiffrequiredno
neurologicalcareafterthemonthoftheaccident,andthathercomplaintsofpain,emotionaldistressandinabilityto
returntoworkwereallduetosecondarygain.

#26(tie)$1.4Million
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Workerrenderedparaplegicaftercrushaccident
McKinseyv.PCAInc.
Typeofcase:Workerscomp
Court:VirginiaWorkersCompensationCommission
Mediator:BrookeAnnHunter
Attorneys:SethR.Carroll,Richmond
TheclaimantwasinjuredwhileworkingforPCAInc.HesufferedacrushinjuryresultinginTAASIAcomplete
paraplegia.Hereceivedamedicalawardfollowinghisinjury,resultinginmorethan$370,000inmedicalbenefits
andmorethan$40,000inlostwagebenefits.ClaimswerefiledforauthorizationandpaymentofReWalksystems,
asrecommendedbyhisphysician.ReWalkisaroboticexoskeletonthatprovidespoweredhipandkneemotionto
enableindividualswithspinalcordinjuriestostanduprightandambulate.Thisandotherclaimsformedical
equipmentweredocketedforhearing.
Priortothehearingontheseclaims,thepartiesagreedtomediatethecase.Mediationwasconductedthroughthe
VirginiaWorkersCompensationCommission.Asaresultofthemediation,thepartiesagreedtoalumpsumcash
settlementof$1.4million.Aportionofthesettlementproceedswerestructuredbytheclaimant,resultinginatotal
projectedfuturevalueof$2,065,479.

#26(tie)$1.4Million
Docsneveradvisedpatienttofollowupafterlungnodulediscovered
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice
Attorneys:StephenC.Swain,VirginiaBeachRogerCreager,Richmond
The54yearoldplaintiffreceivedXraysattheERaftercomplaintsofflulikesymptoms.Hewasdiagnosedwith
pneumoniaandprescribedmedication.Unbeknownsttotheplaintiff,theXraystakenatthehospitalshoweda
14mmnodulardensityinoneoftheplaintiffslungs.TheXrayreportexpresslyrecommendedfollowupCTtesting,
buttheplaintiffclaimedhewasneverinformed.
Twoyearslater,theplaintiffunderwentanotherXrayatthesamehospitalforcomplaintsofchestpain.Thedoctor
mentionedthatthenoduleonthepreviousXrayhadbecomelarger.Theplaintiffimmediatelysoughtfurther
testingandlearnedthathehadStageIIIAlungcancerthathadspreadtohisbrainandhisspine.
PlaintiffsexpertsopinedthatatthetimeofthefirstXray,the14mmnodulewasmostlikelyonlyaStageInon
metastaticlungcancer,andthathadthenodulebeenproperlytreated,thecancerwouldhavebeencured.The
defendantsexpertsassertedthattheplaintiffalreadyhadmetastaticlungcancerwhenthenodulewasdetectedon
thefirstXray.

#26(tie)$1.4Million
Drivershotbyhuntertapsmultiplehomeownerspolicies
Eppsv.Savi
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,negligence
Court:SuffolkCircuitCourt
Mediator:ThomasS.Shadrick
Attorney:WilliamL.PerkinsIII,VirginiaBeach
The52yearoldplaintiffwasshotbyahunterashewasridingdowntheroad.Astheplaintiffpassedanorganized
deerhuntoperatedbyahuntclub,a16yearoldboyfiredhisrifleacrosstheroad.Thebulletlodgedinthe
plaintiffsspineandlefthimpermanentlyparalyzedfromhiswaistdown.
Thedefendantsdivorcedparentshadacombinedtotalof$400,000inhomeownersinsurance.Thecomplaint
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Thedefendantsdivorcedparentshadacombinedtotalof$400,000inhomeownersinsurance.Thecomplaint
namedthehuntmaster,whoalsohadahomeownerspolicywith$300,000.Thehuntclubhadanadditional
$1,000,000incoverageforitsofficersanddirectors.
AninvestigationconcludedthatthedefendanthadfiredhisrifleacrosstheroadinviolationofVirginiastatutes.The
huntmasterandhuntclubdeniedliability.TheplaintiffreliedonthetheoryofassumeddutyassetforthinBurnsv.
Gagnon.Asaresultofprovisionsintheclubsbylaws,thehuntmaterhadassumedthedutytoberesponsiblefor
thesafeuseofriflesinorganizedhunts.
Thepolicylimitsoftheparentshomeownersinsurancewasofferedearlyinthecase.Thehuntclubandhunt
mastersettledafterseveralmonthsofmediation.

#29$1.375Million
Plaintiffspreexistingconditionsworsenedafteraccident
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:ChesterfieldCountyCircuitCourt
Mediator:ThomasS.Shadrick
Attorney:JohnC.Shea,Richmond
TheplaintiffwasdrivingwestboundonJamesRiverDriveinSurryCounty.Avehicletravelingeastboundsuddenly
cameacrossthedoubleyellowlinesandstruckplaintiffsvehicleinhislane.Plaintiffdrovehomeanddidnotseea
doctorforfivedays.Whilethedefendantadmittedliability,damageswerehighlycontested.
Plaintiffbegantoexperienceheadaches,memoryproblems,dizzinessandotherstandardconcussionsymptoms.He
underwentoccipitalinjections,vestibularrehabilitationtherapy,speechtherapy,physicaltherapy,occupational
therapyandvisualtherapy.
Plaintiffwasunderactivemedicalcareatthetimeofhisinjuryfordepressionandanxiety.Hehadalonghistoryof
chronicheadachesandhadsymptomssimilartothoseheexperiencedafterthewreck,althoughthesymptoms
worsenedtoagreaterextentpostaccident.Theplaintiff,whoownedhisownplumbingbusiness,wasunableto
workasaresultoftheaccident.Plaintiffsexpertsopinedthathewouldrequiremedicalcareinthefuture,including
medicationandperiodictherapyforhispostconcussivesyndrome.Thecasesettledatmediation.

#30$1.35Million
DoctorsfailedtodiagnoseneckfracturevisibleonXray
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice
Attorneys:StephanieE.Grana,IrvinV.Cantor,andElliottBuckner,Richmond
Followingacaraccidentthatresultedinmajorfrontenddamagetohisvehicle,the83yearoldplaintiffwastaken
totheemergencyroom.TheXrayreportnotedadvanceddegenerativechangeswithnofractures.Shortly
thereafter,hewasreleasedhome.Thenextmorning,plaintiffwasunabletomovehisarmsandlegs.Hereturned
tothesameemergencyroomandtheCTrevealedatransversefracturethroughC6.Uponreview,thefracturehad
beenvisibleontheXraysfromthedaybefore.Surgerywasperformed,buttheplaintiffremainedparalyzed.
Plaintiffhadbeentheprimarycaregiverofhiswifeandtheirmentallychallengedadultson.Despitehisage,hewas
generallyhealthyandindependent.Plaintiffswifehadtomovetoanursinghomeonapermanentbasis,asher
husbandwasunabletocareforher.Plaintiffspentthenextyearundergoingphysicaltherapyandatattempted
recoveryatvariousnursinghomes,rehabilitationfacilitiesandhospitals.Heneverfullyrecovered,anddied
approximatelyoneyearaftertheinitialERadmission.Severalsizableliensexistedasaresultofplaintiffsextensive
medicalcare.

#31.$1.275Million
Newborndiedfollowingcomplicationsfromcardiacprocedure
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Newborndiedfollowingcomplicationsfromcardiacprocedure
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice,wrongfuldeath
Attorneys:LewisT.StoneburnerandBellamyStoneburner,Richmond
Thenewborndecedentwasatwinbornprematurelyat33weeks.Hewasdiagnosedprenatallywithpulmonary
atresia,withanexpectedcardiacinterventionplannedfollowingbirth.Thedecedent,whowasstablepriorto
surgery,underwentacardiaccatheterizationprocedurewithradiofrequencyperforationoftheatreticpulmonary
valveandpulmonaryballoonseptostomy.Duringtheprocedure,thepulmonaryvalvemembranewasperforated
andthegreatersaphenousveinwastransectedjustbelowthesaphenofemoraljunction.Thetransectionwasnot
timelyrecognizedandresultedinacutehemorrhage.
IntheNICU,theattendingneonatologistfailedtoorderteststoassesstheinfantsdeterioratingstatus.The
decedentprogressedintofullcardiorespitoryarrest.Emergentbedsidesurgerywasperformed,findingthatthe
greatersaphenousveinhadbeentransected.Anautopsyrevealedavasculardefectintheleftgroin,ahematoma
overtheleftpsoasmuscle,alacerationofthemedialmainpulmonaryarteryandanadditionalserosanguinousfluid
intheperitonealcavity.
Thecasewasresolvedpriortothedesignationofexperts.Thedecedentwassurvivedbyhisparents,brotherand
twinsister.

#32(tie)$1.25Million
Teacherstruckbydrunkendriver
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:FluvannaCountyCircuitCourt
Attorneys:ThomasE.Albro,Charlottesville
Plaintiffwashitheadonbyaminivandrivenbyanintoxicateddriver.Plaintiffhadtobecutfromhervehicle.She
sufferedmultipleorthopedic,tissueandinternalinjuries.Plaintiffwasaschoolteacherwhotaughthospitalbound
childrenandwasunabletoreturntoteachinguntilthefollowingschoolyear.Thecasesettledforthetotalavailable
liabilityinsurancecoverage.

#32(tie)$1.25Million
Manpumpinggaswasstruckbyoutofcontrolvehicle
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:RichmondCircuitCourt
Attorneys:DrewGallalee,Richmond
The57yearoldplaintiffwasstandingatagasstationpumpinggaswhenhewasstruckbyacarwhosedriverhad
lostcontrol.Plaintiffhadmultiplesurgeriesonhisleg,butthedoctorsultimatelywerenotabletosavetheleg.The
accidentwasinvestigatedbythepolice,butnochargeswerefiled.Defendanthadliabilitylimitsof$250,000andan
umbrellapolicyof$1,000,000,allwiththesameinsurancecompany.Thecasewassettledforthepolicylimits
betweenplaintiffscounselandtheinsurancecompanyshortlyaftersuitwasfiled.

#34$1.175Million
Mansufferedbrokenhipinheadoncollision
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:FairfaxCountyCircuitCourt
Attorney:MichaelJ.Shevlin,Fairfax
Theplaintiffwasinjuredwhenthedefendantdrivercrossedthedoubleyellowlineandhittheplaintiffsvehicle
headon.Plaintiffsufferedadislocatedrighthipwithacomminutedfractureoftherightacetabulum.Thesurgical
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headon.Plaintiffsufferedadislocatedrighthipwithacomminutedfractureoftherightacetabulum.Thesurgical
repairlastedmorethanfivehoursandrequiredtheplacementof21screws.
Atthetimeoftheaccident,theplaintiffwasgainfullyemployedinajobthatinvolvedsignificantphysicaldemands.
Hewasoriginallynotexpectedtoreturntoworkgiventheextentofhisinjuries.Throughadedicatedphysical
therapyregimenlastingmorethan18months,theplaintiffdidreturntohisfulltimeduties.However,thephysical
demandsofhisemploymentforcedhisretirement.Themedicalexperttestimonywasthattheplaintiffwouldlikely
needafuturehipreplacementwithin1015yearsandlikelywouldrequirearevisionofthatsurgeryinthefuture.
Thecollisionoccurredwhiletheplaintiffwasworking.Asaresult,theplaintiffreceivedworkerscompbenefits.
Repaymentofthosebenefitswasanissueaddressedduringsettlementnegotiations.

#35$1.15Million
N.Y.womanstruckbytractortraileronI95inStaffordCounty
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:FairfaxCountyCircuitCourt
Attorneys:PeterS.Everett,RobStoney,MarkTowery,ChidiI.JamesandJessicaSura,Fairfax
Plaintiff,aNewYorkresident,wasdrivingwithherhusbandandtwoyoungdaughterstoFlorida.Asshewas
travelingonI95inStaffordCounty,acommercialtruckdrivenbythedefendantstruckhercarfromtherear.Atthe
scene,shedeniedtransporttothehospital,despiteaheadache.ThefamilymadeittoFlorida,wheretheplaintiffs
symptomsworsened.
AfterreturningtoNewYork,theplaintiffwasdiagnosedwithamildtraumaticbraininjurywithsignificant
psychiatricconsequences.
Thedefensewouldlikelyhavearguedthattheplaintiffsdeclinationofemergencytransport,thedrivetoFloridaand
hernegativebrainMRIraisedquestionsregardingtheexistenceandseverityofherinjuries.
Partoftheclaimsentailedresponsibilityupthechain.CompanyAhadbeenhiredbyCompanyBtomakethe
delivery.ThecomplaintallegedthatCompanyBhadtherighttocontrolthedriverandhadnegligentlyhired
CompanyA,asmallmotorcarrierthathadamassednumerousviolationsofFMCSAsafetyregulations.Theplaintiff
furtherallegedthatthedefendantdriverwasastatutoryemployeeofCompanyB,subjectingittovicariousliability.

#36$1.125Million
Delayeddiagnosisofvasculardiseaseledtolegamputation
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice
Attorneys:DavidJ.Pierce,Norfolk
The64yearoldplaintiffwasreferredtoasportsmedicinespecialistforcomplaintsofleftlegpain.Thephysician
notedduskyskincolorchangesinthefoot,alongwithdecreasedskintemperature.HeorderedanMRIand
prescribedpainmedication.Uponevaluationoftheplaintiffslegduringafollowupvisitninedayslater,the
physiciannotedadditionalskinchangesdescribedasabrasionsandwoundsalongwithincreasedpainanddifficulty
weightbearing.TheplaintiffwasplacedinasplintforimmobilizationandplacedonBactrimforapotentialinfection.
Shewasscheduledforfollowupintwoweeks.
Plaintiffpresentedtoherprimarycarephysicianfivedayslater,whereshewasdiagnosedwithcriticalleftlower
ischemiadueltomultilevelocclusivedisease.Despitesurgicalattemptstorevascularizethepatientsleg,shewas
forcedtoundergoabelowkneeamputation,followedbyanabovekneeamputationduetononhealing.
Thecasesettledafterthecompletionofallexpertsdepositionsandtheweekpriortotrial.

#37$1.1Million
Toddlerdiedduetocomplicationsofanesthesia
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Toddlerdiedduetocomplicationsofanesthesia
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice,wrongfuldeath
Mediator:ThomasS.Shadrick
Attorneys:LewisT.StoneburnerandBellamyStoneburner,Richmond
The21montholddecedentdiedfollowingtheadministrationofanesthesiaforanelectivesurgery.Thechildwas
bornwithambiguousgenitaliathatnecessitatedaseriousofurologicalsurgeriestofreethetetheredtesticlesand
reconstructthegenitalia.Thedecedentalsosufferedfromfailuretothrivesyndromeandwasgrosslyunderweight
atthetimeofthesurgery.Inapriorsurgery,hehadexperiencedlaryngospasm.
Despitethepreexistingconditions,theurologicalsurgeryoccurredatanambulatorysurgerycenter.Thedecedents
estateallegedthatthechildwasgivenatoxicoverdoseofaweightbasedcaudalblock.Thechildexperienceda
profoundbradycardicepisodeshortlyafterthecaudalblock.Hewasrevivedmomentarily,andthesurgery
continued,followedbyanothercrashinvitalsigns.Thechildwasextubatedandsenttorecovery,wherehecoded
anddied.
TheallegationsofnegligenceincludedthefailuretoperformthesurgeryinaLevelIIIhospital,failuretoadminister
thecorrectanestheticdoses,improperextubationandfailuretotimelyresuscitate.Liabilityandcausationwerehotly
contested,andthecasesettledafterthedesignationofexpertsforbothparties.

#38$1.04Million
Teendevelopedspinalepiduralhematomaaftersurgery
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice
Mediator:JohnMorrison
Attorneys:WilliamE.ArtzandAndrewJ.Waghorn,ArlingtonRobertMoreland,Norfolk
Plaintiffsallegedthatthedefendantsfailedtotimelydiagnoseabloodclotspinalepiduralhematomathatformedin
thelowerspineoftheir14yearolddaughterfollowingscoliosissurgery.Theyfurtherallegedthattheywerenever
informedoftherisksofusingaspinalepiduralforthemanagementofpostoperativepain.Finally,plaintiffsalleged
thatlargeamountsofanestheticagentsand/orfluidweregiventhroughtheepiduralcatheter.Asaresultofthe
defendantsnegligence,theminorplaintiffsufferedpermanentbowelandbladderdysfunction.
Seventeenhoursaftersurgery,theplaintiffdevelopedsevereneurologicaldefectsinherlowerextremities,atwhich
timetheepiduralwaspulled.Accordingtoplaintiffsexperts,defendantshadadutytoorderaCTofthespineto
ruleoutahematomaaftertheplaintiffdidnotregainfullneurologicalfunctionwithintwohoursafterherepidural
waspulled.OncetheCTcamebacknondiagnostic,defendantshouldhaveorderedamyelogram.Hadthisbeen
done,thehematomawouldhavebeendiagnosedintimetoremoveitsurgicallywithoutpermanentinjury.

#39(tie)$1Million
DecedentschestXrayshowedsignsofdissection
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice,wrongfuldeath
Court:PortsmouthCircuitCourt
Attorneys:JudithCofield,VirginiaBeach
The41yearolddecedentpresentedtotheemergencyroomwithcomplaintsofchestpainradiatingtohis
neck/throatwithnausea.ThedefendantphysicianorderedtwoEKGs,whichhelpedruleoutaheartattackbut
suggestedsomecardiacevent.ThefirstwasmachinereadashavinganonspecificTwaveabnormality.The
secondEKGshowedTwaveinversioninlateralleads,whichshouldhaveraisedtheindexofsuspicionforaortic
dissection.TheEKGalsohadanaxisdeviation,whichraisesthesuspicionofsignificantunderlyingpathologyand
shouldhavepromptedfurtherinvestigation.Despitethesefindings,therewasnoothertreatment,nofurtherwork
up,noranyconsultwithavascularsurgeon.
Instead,theplaintiffwasprescribedpainmedicationanddischargedhome,wherehewasfoundunresponsive
shortlyafterdischarge.Autopsyrevealedthecauseofdeathwasanaorticdissectionwithruptureintothe
pericardialsac.Thepressurefrombloodbuildingupinthepericardialsaccausedthehearttostopbeating.
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pericardialsac.Thepressurefrombloodbuildingupinthepericardialsaccausedthehearttostopbeating.
PlaintiffsexpertsarguedthatthestandardofcaremandatedaCTtoruleoutadissectinganeurysm.Thecondition
isrepairablebetween7590percentofthetimeifdiagnosed/treatedproperly.

#39(tie)$1Million
Nervedamagefrommotorcyclewreckcausedchronicnausea
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:FredericksburgCircuitCourt
Mediator:ThomasB.Hoover
Attorneys:RichardN.ShapiroandRandallE.Appleton
TheplaintiffwasapassengeronthebackofherfriendsHarleyDavidsonmotorcycle.Theyweretakingashortride
intheFredericksburgareaona55mphhighway.Thedefendant,whowastravelinginthesamedirectionasthe
plaintiff,meanderedfromtheleftlaneovertotherightlane,whichwasalreadyoccupiedbythemotorcycle.The
motorcyclewasforcedofftheroadanddippedintoasmallculvert,ejectingthedriverandtheplaintiff.
Plaintiffsufferedmajororthopedicandinternalinjuries.Shealsodevelopednauseaanddifficultydigestingfood.
Ultimately,agastroenterologistdeterminedthatthecauseofherchronicnauseawaspermanentdamagetothe
vagusnerve.Plaintiffunderwenttheimplantationofavagusnervegastricstimulator,andalthoughitdidnot
eliminatehernausea,thereweresignsthatitmighthelpcontroltheworstsymptoms.
Plaintiffhad$500,000inunderinsuredmotoristcoverage,andalsohadanumbrellapolicythatprovided$1,000,000
inUIMcoverage.Thepartiesreachedanimpasseduringmediation,butnarrowedthesettlementgapconsiderably,
andsoonthereaftersettledfor$1,000,000.

#39(tie)$1Million
Defendanttriedtopasstruck,struckdecedentsvehicleheadon
Typeofcase:Wrongfuldeath,autoaccident
Court:RockinghamCountyCircuitCourt
Attorneys:RichardArmstrong,Charlottesville
Amotheroftwowaskilledwhenthedefendantcollidedheadonwithhervehicleashewastryingtopassatractor
traileronRoute340inRockinghamCounty.Awitness,whowasdrivingaschoolbus,claimedthedefendantpassed
hisbusagainstasolidyellowline,andthatthedefendantwasspeedinganddrivingrecklessly.Theaccident
occurredlessthantwomilesfromthisillegalpass.
Thetractortrailerdriverwasdrivingthespeedlimitwhenthedefendantstartedtopasshim.Ashewaspassingthe
truck,thedefendantdidnotslowdownforthedecedentsoncomingvehicle.Defendantessentiallytrappedthe
decedent,asshehadnowheretogotherewasanembankmentonherrightandatractortraileronherleft.
Whenthevehiclescrashedheadon,thenosesofthevehicleswerepusheddownwhiletherearofbothrose,until
thecarsbouncedapartandendedupconsiderablyapartfromeachother.
Ittookatleast10minutesforrescueworkerstoextractthedecedentfromhervehicle.Shediedtwodayslater.
Thecasesettledforpolicylimits.

#39(tie)$1Million
Spinaloperationperformedatwronglevel,furthersurgeryrequired
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice
Attorneys:StephanieE.Grana,IrvinV.CantorandElliottBuckner,Richmond
The44yearoldplaintiffhadalonghistoryofminorneckpain.AnMRIrevealedaherniateddiscatC6C7with

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foraminalnarrowing.Consequently,ananteriorcervicaldecompressionandfusionwasperformed.Thepreand
postoperativenotesallindicatedthesurgicallevelsasC6C7.However,theradiologyreportfortheCspine
followingsurgerydescribedthesurgicallevelsasC7T1.Plaintiffcontinuedtotreatwiththedefendantsurgeonfor
sixmonths.Despitecontinuedcomplaintsofpainandheadaches,andfollowupXrayscontinuallyreportingstatus
postACDFfromC7T1,thesurgeondidnotadvisetheplaintiffonanysurgicalcomplicationsorthathehad
operatedatthewronglevel.
Thesurgeoneventuallyreleasedplaintifffromhiscare,advisinghimthattherewasnothingsurgicallywrong.One
yearaftersurgery,plaintiffconsultedwithanorthopedicsurgeonandanMRIshowedtheACDFhadbeen
performedatC7T1.TheimagingstudiesalsonotedacentraldiscbulgeatC6C7thatwasunchanged.Plaintiffhad
nochoicebuttoundergoasecondandmoreextensivespinalsurgeryatC6C7withaposteriorspinalfusionwith
instrumentationatC6C7.

#39(tie)$1Million
Wrongfuldeathoffetusyieldscaseoffirstimpression
Acreev.Austin
Typeofcase:Autoaccident,wrongfuldeath
Court:SuffolkCircuitCourt
Attorneys:JohnE.Zydron,VirginiaBeach
The38yearolddecedentwassevenmonthspregnant.Sheleftwork,travelingwestboundonRoute460inSuffolk.
Atthesametimeandplace,thedefendantmadeanimproperlanechangeandcollidedwiththedecedentsJeep,
causingthedecedenttogointotheoncominglanes.Whendecedentattemptedtogetbackintoherlane,shewas
Tbonedinherdriverssidedoor.Bothmotherand7montholdfetuswerepronounceddeadatthescene.Policy
limitswerepaid.
ThecausesofactionwerebroughtunderVirginiaCode8.0150and8.0150Band32.1249.2forthe7month
oldfetus.Formanyyears,Virginiacaselawheldthatsinceafetusisnotalegallycognizablepersonseparatefrom
itsmotheruntilbirth,VirginiasWrongfulDeathStatutedoesnotallowacauseofactionforthedeathofanunborn
child.
The2012amendmentcreatedsuchacauseforactionforafetus,regardlessoftheterm.

#39(tie)$1Million
Prostatecancerpatientdiedduetopulmonaryemboli
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice,wrongfuldeath
Mediator:DianeM.Strickland
Attorneys:LewisT.StoneburnerandBellamyStoneburner,Richmond
The62yearolddecedentwasdiagnosedwithprostatecancerandunderwentanopenradicalretropubic
prostatectomy.Althoughpreoperativeimagingindicatednoextraprostaticextensionofthecancer,thedefendant
conductedanextensive30lymphnodedissection.Alllymphnodeswerenegativeforcancer.Duringthecourseof
thisprocedure,thedefendantcausedaniatrogenicinjurytotherectum.
Postsurgery,thedecedentslaboratoryvalueswereabnormal.Thephysicianperformedarectalexaminationand
notedconcernforarectalinjury,butdidnothingtoruleitout.Aweekfollowingthesurgery,anabdominalCT
confirmedthelargerectalbreachbetweentheanteriorrectumandtheproximalureter.Thedecedentunderwent
extensiverepairsurgery.
Followingthesecondsurgery,aCTscandemonstratedanunchangedabscessandfluidcollectioninthepelvis.
Despitehiscondition,thedecedentwasdischargedthefollowingday.Twoandahalfhourslater,hecollapsedat
home.Anarteriogramshowedthrombusintherightpulmonaryartery.Catheterdirectedthrombolysiswas
attempted,butdespitetheseefforts,circulatorycollapsefromsaddlebackpulmonaryemboliresultedindeath.
Thecasewassuccessfullymediated.

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2/9/2016

MillionDollarSettlementsof2015|VirginiaLawyersWeekly

#39(tie)$1Million
Pedestrianstruckinparkinglotsufferedbraininjury
Harrisv.Barrett
Typeofcase:Personalinjury,autoaccident
Court:NorfolkCircuitCourt
Attorneys:GregoryL.Sandler,VirginiaBeach
DefendantwasdrivingavanthroughaparkinglotinNorfolk.Defendanttraveledinthewrongdirectionagainstthe
angledparkingspacesandattemptedtomakeasevereturnintoaspace.Whenthedefendantbackedoutofthe
space,hefailedtoseetheplaintiff,apedestrian.Thevanbackedintotheplaintiff,knockinghimtotheasphalt,
wherehestruckthebackofhisheadonthepavement.Attheemergencyroom,plaintiffunderwentanemergency
CTofthebrain,whichrevealedasubstantialsubduralhematoma.Emergencysurgerywasperformedtoremovea
portionoftheplaintiffsskull.
Theplaintiffwasa62yearoldamateurmusicianlivingonasailboatandworkingasaseniorCADDoperator.Asa
resultofhisinjury,itwasnolongersafetoliveontheboat,andhecouldnolongerplayguitarlikebefore.He
sufferedanestimatedlossof11IQpointsandsubsequentlyretiredaftertryingtoresumehisworkduties.
Theinsurancerepresentativewasquitecompassionateregardingtheplaintiffsinjuries,andthroughaseriesof
negotiations,ultimatelyofferedthesettlementamountof$1million.

#39(tie)$1Million
Delayedcancerdiagnosisledtopatientsdeath
Typeofcase:Medicalmalpractice,wrongfuldeath
Court:NewportNewsCircuitCourt
Attorneys:AveryT.SandyWatermanJr.,NewportNews
Thismedicalmalpracticecaseallegedthewrongfuldeathofa75yearoldduetodelayedcommunicationofcancer
diagnosis.

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MILLIONDOLLARSETTLEMENTS

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