The results shown here were dependent on the facts of each particular case. The results will differ if based on different facts.
Box v. Lawyer — $1.3 million jury verdict
At Universal Studios, Suzanne Box accompanied her seven-year old son on ” Jurassic Park –The Ride.” The person seated next to her was heavier than either she or her son, so when the ride attendant lowered the restraint to secure the riders, there was considerable room between her son and the bar.
When the ride proceeded to its thrilling climax — an 84-ft. drop down a 50-degree slide into a pool of water — Ms. Box feared for her son’s safety, so she turned to prevent him from falling out, and as the boat splashed down, Suzanne felt a severe jolt of pain.
The injury that Suzanne received required surgery and left her with unresolved chronic shoulder pain. She retained an attorney, but he failed to file her claim within the statute of limitations. Suzanne was referred to Stuart Law Firm.
To prevail before a jury on Suzanne’s behalf, Stuart Law Firm would have to obtain a jury award for a defect in the design and operation of a fixed amusement park ride. This was something no attorney in California had ever achieved. Based upon the evidence and arguments that Tony Stuart presented at trial, however, the jury returned a verdict of $1,305,910.
Lopez v. Maged Abu-Assal — $1.5 million jury verdict
Neurosurgeon Maged Abu-Assal, M.D. recommended that his patient, Sandra Lopez, undergo surgery to remove a spinal tumor. Sandra agreed. As a result of the surgery, Sandra was paralyzed.
According to Sandra, Dr. Abu-Assal had not advised her of the serious risk of paralysis that this surgery presented. If she had been so advised, she stated, she never would have consented to it. Before the surgery, she said, she could walk, exercise, and function as a normal person .
Dr. Abu-Assal contended, on the other hand, that he did advise Sandra and her husband of all risks of the surgery. He also claimed that when he recommended the surgery, Sandra was walking spastically, had abnormal lower extremity reflexes, increased muscle tone, and other abnormal signs.
The case went to trial. Medical malpractice cases are notoriously difficult to win, especially where they involve swearing matches between the doctor and the patient. Based upon the evidence and argument that Tony Stuart presented to the jury, however, it awarded Sandra a verdict in the amount of $1,545,440.
Orejel v. City of El Segundo — $3.5 million settlement
At a birthday party, Michael Orejel fell eighteen feet from a second-story balcony to the ground. Paramedics summoned to the scene refused to take Michael to a hospital despite the concerns of one of the party guests, who was a former paramedic.
Michael Orejel awoke the next morning paralyzed from the chest down.
With expert medical testimony, Tony Stuart showed that immediate medical attention would have prevented Michael’s permanent injury. After five years of litigation, the case was settled out of court for $3.5 million.
Ramirez v. Good Samaritan Hospital — $1.9 million jury verdict
When Carlos Ramirez was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital for emergency surgery, the hospital inserted a line into one of his main arteries.
In the morning, Carlos awoke from surgery with severe pain in his lower right leg. He alerted his wife and aunt, who were near him. They saw that his leg was severely swollen and discolored. They asked the nurse repeatedly to do something, but she wouldn’t.
No one but the nurse saw Carlos until 6:30 p.m., when Carlos’s cardiac surgeon discovered the situation. The surgeon arranged for the immediate removal of the line, but the damage was done. Much of the muscle and nerve tissue in Carlos’s leg had been destroyed, and it had to be removed. Carlos was left with a disfigured leg, and he was disabled.
Based upon evidence and argument that Tony Stuart presented over the course of a three-week trial, the jury awarded Mr. Ramirez $1,900,000. This amount was reduced to $1,485,000, however, due to a legislative cap on awards for medical malpractice known as MICRA.
Scott & Johnston v. Whittiker Corporation — $1.5 million jury verdict
Two business executives were promised substantial bonuses to launch the Whittiker Corporation’s fledgling HMO, and to make it a profitable venture. Then the defendant decided to sell the HMO, promising the executives a different bonus if they would assist with the sale. After the company was sold, however, the defendant reneged on its promise to award the executives their bonuses.
Tony Stuart proved the defendant was unjustified in denying the bonuses, and a jury awarded the plaintiffs $1.5 million.
Caceres v. Amtech Reliable Elevator Company – $671,000 jury verdict
A maintenance engineer suffered a low back injury as he stumbled into a mis-leveled elevator at his place of work. Although he returned to his job after undergoing surgery, earning more after the accident than before, Tony Stuart asked the jury to award exactly $670,984 against the elevator maintenance company. The returned a verdict for that precise amount.
Farajpour v. University of Southern California – $1,000,000 jury verdict
A university librarian was beaten and arrested by campus security guards after an argument about an illegally parked car. University administrators offered to drop criminal charges against the librarian in an attempt to get him to give up his right to bring a civil action against the university. The librarian insisted on maintaining his rights. Tony Stuart took the case to trial and won $200,000 for the man’s physical injuries, and $800,001 in punitive damages against the university.
McNair v. Worldwide Church of God – $1,250,000 jury verdict
This case tested the right of citizens to protect their names from libel against the Constitution’s protection of religion. The plaintiff, defamed by a minister of the church from the pulpit and in a church publication, was awarded $1,250,000 in a jury trial.
Shulman v. Group W Productions – Decision of the California Supreme Court
Ruth Shulman was the unfortunate victim of a car crash and subsequently, an unwilling victim of a reality television show. While she was in a state of shock at the accident scene, Ms. Shulman’s statements were videotaped, enhanced, and then aired on national television – without her permission. Her case was dismissed when the Superior Court ruled that the media had a First Amendment right to videotape and broadcast the sights and sounds of her ordeal. Stuart Law Firm appealed the decision to the California Supreme Court. In an important decision for the right of privacy, the Supreme Court found for Ms. Shulman. Shulman v. Group W Productions, 18 Cal.4th 200 (1998), establishes that the right to privacy exists even in public places, and shows that an individual’s right of privacy can overcome even the interests of the largest and most powerful media corporations.
Workers compensation legal malpractice — $500,000 policy limit paid.
A prominent workers compensation attorney failed to properly prepare a case alleging that a death from heart disease was caused by the stress and strain of employment. Policy limits of $500,000 were recovered from the negligent attorney.
Wrongful death of 82 year-old man in automobile accident — $600,000 recovered.
Class Action Case against Anthem Blue Cross – 157,000 California policy holders given relief from ‘death spiral’ practices that caused high rate increases. Settlement approved by the court.
Case against health insurer alleging fraud in the sale of health insurance to young mother who developed breast cancer — $900,000 recovered.
Case against health insurer and association alleging fraud in the sale of health insurance — $1,710,000 recovered. Christensen v. The Mega Life and Health Insurance Company.
Insurance company failed to properly rebuild home after serious earthquake damage — $250,000 recovered.
Invasion of privacy case against television production company — $1,875,000 recovered.
Medical malpractice case against neurosurgeon — $1,545,440 recovered by jury verdict.
Medical malpractice case against hospital for nurse negligence — $1,485,000 recovered after jury verdict of $1,910,000 reduced by MICRA cap.
Medical malpractice case against nursing home for causing broken leg of developmentally disabled teenager — $200,000 jury verdict.
Negligence case against Volkswagen, A.G. for automobile accident occurring in Mexico causing soft tissue injury to neck — $884,000 recovered by jury verdict.
Negligence case against gas station for failing to control traffic in queue during gas crisis resulting to crush injury to leg of 10-year old boy — $1,406,000 recovered by jury verdict.
Class action case against blue shield for misleading 25,000 policyholders: $12.5 million settlement approved by the court
Personal injury case for auto accident victim suffering low back and shoulder pain: $700,000 recovered