Punitive damages may be awarded in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Virginia. These damages serve two purposes: Punish especially egregious misconduct and deter the defendant or others from engaging in similar acts. These damages are sometimes referred...
At Geoff McDonald & Associates, we have seen first-hand the devastating impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on victims and their families, especially those who have suffered SCI from an auto accident, slip and fall or workplace incident. This is why we are glad...
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recently released an update about its three-year study of deer travel patterns to identify strategic locations to reduce animal-vehicle car accidents. The VDOT says it is focused on a section of Interstate 64 on Afton...
Property damage in a personal injury lawsuit typically refers to the damage or destruction of a motor vehicle that has been involved in an accident. However, other types of property can be harmed by others’ negligence or wrongdoing, including: Trailers, boats or other...
Medical expenses tend to comprise the largest portion of the recovery in a personal injury lawsuit. This is because the costs of medical care and treatment in the U.S. can be extremely high – even when the injury is minor. An injury that causes a permanent disability...
Recent reports provide conflicting evidence as to whether banning drivers’ use of cell phones is a proper way to fight the increase in distracted driving accidents. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Drive Smart...
As much as a swimming pool presents the opportunity for recreation and relaxation, it also presents a wide range of potential dangers – especially for children. This is why swimming pool owners owe certain duties to their guests. Swimming pool owners in Virginia can...
Soon, area children will be back in school, walking to and from their bus stops and making the trek to school on foot. Because hundreds of children die each year when involved in pedestrian accidents, it is crucial for parents to talk to their children now about...
An individual who has suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to the negligence of another may seek compensation to pay for the costs and losses associated with the injury. This claim must take into account not only past medical expenses but future costs of...
The attorneys of Geoff McDonald & Associates focus on assisting victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our experience has allowed us to develop the skills and resources that are needed to properly investigate and litigate these unique and often challenging...
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Our client was a New Mexico resident visiting family in Richmond. She was crossing Broad Street at a crosswalk in Church Hill when she was hit and knocked to the ground by a car that failed to yield. She sustained a mild traumatic brain injury and fracture to her knee that required an open reduction internal fixation of the left tibial plateau, performed at VCU. Following discharge at VCU, the plaintiff received rehabilitative care at Manor Care Health Services before returning to New Mexico. Any further treatment in New Mexico was complicated by the coronavirus pandemic. We were able to settle the case before trial for $475,000, sparing our client from having to fly to Virginia for a lengthy and emotional trial.
Our client suffered from significant chemical burns in the course of his employment. The burns resulted in permanent nerve damage and chronic pain in his arms and chest. Our attorney settled the case for $300,000.
Our client was attempting to make a left-hand turn on a motorcycle when the motorcycle was struck by a car, causing our client to be thrown from the motorcycle. Our client suffered multiple rib fractures, a traumatic brain injury, collapsed vertebrae, contusion of the lung, and a laceration. Following intensive discovery and negotiations, the parties settled the case for $250,000.
Our client was traveling down a sidewalk in Richmond in his wheelchair when a SUV backed into him, knocking him out of his wheelchair and to the ground. Our client sustained serious injuries to his back and left leg that resulted in a lumbar fusion. The case was settled shortly before trial for the policy limits of $250,000.
Our client sustained a head injury while assessing a quote on the job. A coworker went up on a ladder to look at a unit in a hotel kitchen, when the coworker touched the unit a large ceiling tile fell and landed on our client’s head. The injury led to significant neurological abnormalities, which were all contested by the insurance company. Our attorney was able to negotiate a settlement of $207,733, plus funding of a Medicare Set-Aside annuity.
While operating his vehicle, another driver veered into our client’s lane, causing him to swerve to avoid a collision and resulting in him losing control, striking an embankment and coming to rest in a wooded area. The client sustained serious injury, including breaking both of his legs, serious foot fractures, several broken ribs, and a lacerated liver. A settlement was reached in pre-suit for $200,000.
Our client was on the job, outside in the snow, dealing with a truck driver when snow and ice got trapped in our client’s shoe and caused him to slip and fall. Our client injured both knees in the fall. Our attorney settled the case for $195,000.
The client was driving a work vehicle through a construction zone when the tractor ahead slowed down with no break lights, when our client slowed down the tractor in behind rear-ended the client, causing the client to hit the tractor ahead. Our client injured both knees, the lower back, and neck. Our attorney settled the case for $194,070.
Our client sustained a back injury while on the job. While attempting to clean out gutters that were out of immediate reach, our client was hoisted upwards and, during this process, sustained injuries to his back and lower extremities. The injuries resulted in our client requiring a cane for ambulation. Our attorney settled the case for $160,000.
Our client was operating his motorcycle and, while turning right, a car crashed into him causing our client to be thrown onto the car’s windshield. The crash resulted in serious injuries and permanent impairments to our client. Following the exchange of discovery, the parties reached a settlement of $200,000 at Mediation, ending the litigation process.
Our client was driving a motor scooter when an accident occurred, rendering our client unconscious and him suffering a head injury, hand fracture, rib fracture, and neck and arm contusions. Following intensive discovery, the parties reached a settlement of $249,000 during Mediation, sparing the client from an emotional and lengthy trial.
Our client was shopping for groceries at a big box retailer when she slipped on a substance on the floor near an over-stacked pallet. As a result of the fall our client sustained serious and permanent injuries to her knee that required surgical repair. The case settled at Mediation prior to trial for $265,000, sparing the client from an emotional and lengthy trial.
Our client was a back-seat passenger in a vehicle when the driver lost control, drove off the road, hit a curb and crashed into a tree. Our client sustained serious and permanent injuries, emotional injury, and loss of earning capacity. The case settled prior to trial for $300,000.
Our client was side swiped by another vehicle attempting to merge into the client’s lane without seeing the client. Our client sustained a mild brain injury due to the car accident. We settled the case before the trial date for $175,000.
Our attorney was a 59-year-old who was rear-ended driving a small vehicle at approximately 6 am on July 8, 2016 in Manassas on his way to work. The collision resulted in no visible damage to his vehicle with the exception of a hitch that was bent slightly upwards. Defendant testified at her deposition that she was going about 35 miles per hour when the collision occurred.
Five hours after the crash, Plaintiff left work to go to the ER, where he complained of neck pain and was released shortly thereafter. Three days later he returned to the ER complaining of back pain radiating into his legs. After subsequently seeing his primary care physician, he was referred to pain management who ordered an MRI of his lower back which revealed multilevel degenerative disc disease and a disc bulge with protrusion at L5-S1. Plaintiff treated conservatively and was given an injection at that level in September 2016 which provided him with 90 percent relief as reported on follow-up with his doctor in December 2016. Plaintiff did not return for treatment until January 2019 when he returned to pain management and subsequently received an additional injection. At trial the Plaintiff testified that his back pain returned after approximately six months, but he did not seek any treatment because he was afraid the doctor would tell him he had to have surgery, which would make it more difficult for him to care for his wife, who is disabled and has mobility concerns. Plaintiff incurred approximately $15,000 in medical bills and $10,000 in lost wages.
At trial, Plaintiff’s pain management doctor testified he would need future injections or a lumbar fusion, with projected costs for each between $105,000 and $125,000. The defense argued at trial that plaintiff’s ongoing issues after December 2016 were related to pre-existing back issues and unrelated to the subject motor vehicle collision.
The pre-trial settlement offer was $40,000 dollars. The jury deliberated approximately one hour and returned a verdict of $250,000 in compensatory damages, the amount requested in closing arguments.
GMA’s client was injured as a result of a rear-end collision in the greater Richmond area. The crash occurred a little after 9 pm in early 2017 and the at-fault driver was driving a company vehicle on his way to pick his son up from a school activity. The client was taken to VCU hospital where she was diagnosed with comminuted split-depressed fracture of the lateral tibial plateau and underwent surgical repair. Suit was filed seven months after the crash and was set for trial in October 2018. Just a few weeks prior to trial the insurance company issued a reservation of rights, claiming there was no coverage afforded the driver because he was operating the vehicle outside the scope of the company’s use limitations. The parties agreed to mediate and reached a settlement of $700,000.
Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury after being assaulted and knocked to the ground while fueling his logging truck during the course of his employment. After the insurance carriers denied liability, a lawsuit was commenced, and the matter was tried before a jury of his peers. Following three days of testimony and compelling arguments made by our trial attorneys, the jury returned a verdict in favor of our client in the amount $1,250,000.
Our client was injured at work when he was sprayed by a leaking tank of nitric acid causing severe burns to his upper extremity and torso. The client received approximately three years of wage loss benefits and medical treatment before we were able to negotiate a lump sum settlement for $300,000 on his behalf.
Our client was killed in an industrial accident when an unauthorized worker was operating an overhead crane and pinned our client between the crane and a beam. Our client, a beloved father of four minor children, died on route to the hospital. After suit was filed and extensive discovery was conducted by all parties, our trial attorneys were able to negotiate a settlement prior to trial in the amount of $4,700,000.
While at work, our client injured his back while lifting a box. After paying for the client’s back surgery and over three years of wage loss benefits, the insurance carrier had interest in settlement. We were able to negotiate them up from an initial offer of $75,000 to a lump sum settlement in the amount of $120,000.
Abogados del demandante: Theodore Briscoe
clienta sufrió un choque por detrás y sufrió distensiones en los músculos de la columna. Necesitó fisioterapia y tratamiento quiropráctico durante más de un año. El seguro hizo una oferta baja y le negó la cobertura de su tratamiento más allá de los 60 días a partir de la fecha del accidente. La clienta sufrió un choque por detrás y sufrió distensiones en los músculos de la columna. Necesitó fisioterapia y tratamiento quiropráctico durante más de un año. El seguro hizo una oferta baja y le negó la cobertura de su tratamiento más allá de los 60 días a partir de la fecha del accidente.
Abogados del demandante: Theodore Briscoe
Client fue atropellado por un conductor que se dio a la fuga. El seguro inicialmente había negado la responsabilidad. Pudo resolver el caso por los límites máximos de la política. El cliente tampoco estaba asegurado y tenía facturas médicas en exceso más allá de los límites de la póliza. Pudo negociar una reducción de gravamen con la Procuraduría General para que el cliente reciba efectivo de su acuerdo.
Nuestro cliente se lesionó mientras trabajaba, cuando resbaló con aceite en el piso y se cayó, aterrizando sobre su lado derecho y lastimándose severamente su hombro derecho. El trabajador lesionado se había sometido a una reparación fallida del manguito rotador, antes de ser remitido a un segundo cirujano, quien realizó la cirugía con éxito. Nuestro abogado presentó el caso en una audiencia ante la Comisión y ganó un Premio para nuestro cliente por Opinión Escrita del Comisionado Adjunto. Adjudicación por beneficios por pérdida de salario (pagos continuos de $ 618.17 / semana), más una compensación por beneficios médicos de por vida y pago y autorización para cirugía de reparación del manguito rotador y tratamiento médico relacionado. (El valor actual total del premio se estima en $ 120,000).
Abogados del demandante: Richard H. Talbot
Mientras estaba en el trabajo, nuestro cliente se lesionó la espalda al levantar una caja. Después de pagar la cirugía de espalda del cliente y más de tres años de beneficios por pérdida de salario, la compañía de seguros tuvo interés en llegar a un acuerdo. Pudimos negociarlos desde una oferta inicial de $ 75,000 hasta un acuerdo de suma global por un monto de $ 120,000.
El fallecido murió mientras conducía su motocicleta en la carretera y la responsabilidad fue inicialmente disputada. Finalmente, Geoff McDonald & Associates pudo resolver el caso con toda la cobertura disponible y asegurar el mejor resultado posible para la esposa y la familia del fallecido.
Nuestro cliente sufrió lesiones graves en la espalda, el hombro izquierdo y el cuello mientras trabajaba, reparando una unidad de aire acondicionado en el techo de un edificio comercial. La lesión en el cuello requirió una cirugía de fusión espinal cervical y una fisioterapia extensa, así como un tratamiento continuo. Después de recibir una oferta de $ 20,000 de la compañía de seguros, nuestro abogado pudo negociar esa cantidad a $ 100,000, más el financiamiento de una anualidad de Medicare Apartada, junto con el pago de facturas médicas pendientes.
Abogados del demandante: Justin M. Sheldon, Frank H. Hupfl, Geoffrey R. McDonald, Richmond
demandante era un hombre de 59 años que fue chocado por detrás conduciendo un vehículo pequeño aproximadamente a las 6 am el 8 de julio de 2016 en Manassas el su forma de trabajar. La colisión no provocó daños visibles en su vehículo, a excepción de un enganche que estaba ligeramente doblado hacia arriba. La acusada testificó en su declaración que iba a unas 35 millas por hora cuando ocurrió la colisión.
Cinco horas después del accidente, el demandante dejó el trabajo para ir a la sala de emergencias, donde se quejó de dolor de cuello y fue dado de alta poco después. Tres días después regresó a la sala de emergencias quejándose de dolor de espalda que se irradiaba hacia sus piernas. Posteriormente, después de ver a su médico de atención primaria, lo remitieron a control del dolor, quien ordenó una resonancia magnética de la espalda baja que reveló una enfermedad degenerativa del disco en varios niveles y un abultamiento del disco con protuberancia en L5-S1. El demandante fue tratado de manera conservadora y recibió una inyección a ese nivel en septiembre de 2016, lo que le proporcionó un alivio del 90 por ciento, según lo informado en el seguimiento con su médico en diciembre de 2016. El demandante no regresó para recibir tratamiento hasta enero de 2019 cuando regresó al manejo del dolor y posteriormente recibió una inyección adicional. En el juicio, el demandante testificó que su dolor de espalda regresó después de aproximadamente seis meses, pero no buscó ningún tratamiento porque temía que el médico le dijera que tenía que someterse a una cirugía, lo que le dificultaría más el cuidado de su esposa. , que está discapacitado y tiene problemas de movilidad. El demandante incurrió en aproximadamente $ 15,000 en facturas médicas y $ 10,000 en salarios perdidos.
En el juicio, el médico de manejo del dolor del demandante testificó que necesitaría inyecciones en el futuro o una fusión lumbar, con costos proyectados para cada uno entre $ 105,000 y $ 125,000. La defensa argumentó en el juicio que los problemas en curso del demandante después de diciembre de 2016 estaban relacionados con problemas de espalda preexistentes y no estaban relacionados con la colisión del vehículo de motor en cuestión.
La oferta de conciliación previa al juicio fue de $ 40,000 dólares. El jurado deliberó aproximadamente una hora y emitió un veredicto de $ 250,000 en daños compensatorios, la cantidad solicitada en los alegatos finales.
Abogados del Demandante: Richard H. Talbot.
Nuestro cliente resultó herido en el trabajo cuando fue rociado por un tanque de ácido nítrico que goteaba y le causó quemaduras graves en la extremidad superior y el torso. El cliente recibió aproximadamente tres años de beneficios por pérdida de salario y tratamiento médico antes de que pudiéramos negociar un acuerdo de suma global de $ 300,000 en su nombre.
Nuestro cliente sufrió una lesión en el ojo después de ser golpeado por una lima de metal durante la clase de dibujo mientras asistía a la escuela secundaria. Después de recibir una denegación de responsabilidad por parte de la compañía de seguros, nuestros abogados pudieron llegar a un acuerdo a través de la mediación por un monto de $ 350,000.
Geoff McDonald & Associates obtuvo un acuerdo previo de $ 450,000.00 para un cliente con una lesión cerebral traumática y una cirugía de revisión de fusión lumbar luego de un choque trasero.
Abogados del demandante: Justin M. Sheldon y Geoff R. McDonald, Richmond
El cliente de GMA resultó herido como resultado de una colisión por alcance en el área metropolitana de Richmond. El accidente ocurrió poco después de las 9 pm a principios de 2017 y el conductor culpable estaba conduciendo un vehículo de la empresa cuando iba a recoger a su hijo de una actividad escolar. La cliente fue llevada al hospital de la VCU donde se le diagnosticó una fractura conminuta con depresión dividida de la meseta tibial lateral y se sometió a reparación quirúrgica. La demanda se presentó siete meses después del accidente y se programó para el juicio en octubre de 2018. Solo unas semanas antes del juicio, la compañía de seguros emitió una reserva de derechos, alegando que no había cobertura otorgada al conductor porque estaba operando el vehículo fuera del alcance. de las limitaciones de uso de la empresa. Las partes acordaron mediar y alcanzaron un acuerdo de $ 700.000.
Nuestro cliente sufrió un traumatismo en el cuello / cabeza y una muñeca rota después de que su vehículo fuera atropellado por un conductor ebrio mientras estaba detenido en un semáforo. Tras el rechazo de una oferta de liquidación de $ 325,000, nuestro equipo de litigios presentó una demanda. Poco tiempo después, pudimos llegar a un acuerdo exitoso para nuestro cliente por un monto de $ 860,000.
Abogados del demandante: Geoffrey R. McDonald, Frank H. Hupfl, Justin M. Sheldon.
Nuestro cliente sufrió una lesión cerebral traumática después de ser agredido y golpeado al suelo mientras cargaba combustible en su camión maderero durante el transcurso de su empleo. Después de que las compañías de seguros negaron la responsabilidad, se inició una demanda y el asunto fue juzgado ante un jurado de sus pares. Después de tres días de testimonio y argumentos convincentes hechos por nuestros abogados litigantes, el jurado emitió un veredicto a favor de nuestro cliente por la cantidad de $ 1,250,000.
Nuestra clienta sufrió una lesión cerebral traumática, un trauma facial, una cadera dislocada y un traumatismo abdominal severo cuando fue chocada por detrás en un semáforo por un camión con remolque. La demanda se inició poco después del accidente para permitir que nuestros abogados litigantes tuvieran acceso a información imperativa de la defensa. Después de un descubrimiento intensivo, las partes llegaron a un acuerdo durante la mediación, evitando al cliente un juicio largo y emocional.
Abogados del Demandante: Jeffrey A. Breit y Justin M. Sheldon
Nuestro cliente murió en un accidente industrial cuando un trabajador no autorizado estaba operando una grúa aérea y sujetó a nuestro cliente entre la grúa y una viga. Nuestro cliente, amado padre de cuatro hijos menores, murió de camino al hospital. Después de que se presentó la demanda y todas las partes realizaron un amplio descubrimiento, nuestros abogados litigantes pudieron negociar un acuerdo antes del juicio por un monto de $4,700,000.
Attorneys for the Plaintiff: Theodore Briscoe
Client was rear-ended and suffered strains to the muscles in her spine. She required physical therapy and chiropractic treatment for more than a year. Insurance made a low offer and denied coverage of her treatment beyond 60 days from the date of the accident.Client was rear-ended and suffered strains to the muscles in her spine. She required physical therapy and chiropractic treatment for more than a year. Insurance made a low offer and denied coverage of her treatment beyond 60 days from the date of the accident.
Attorneys for the Plaintiff: Theodore Briscoe
Client was struck by a hit and run driver. Insurance had initially denied liability. Was able to settle the case for maximum policy limits. Client was also uninsured and had excess medical bills beyond the policy limits. Was able to negotiate a lien reduction with the OAG so that client would receive cash from her settlement.
Our client was injured while working, when he slipped on oil on the floor and fell, landing on his right side and severely injuring his right shoulder. The injured worker had undergone one unsuccessful rotator cuff repair, before being referred to a second surgeon, who successfully performed the surgery. Our attorney presented the case at a hearing before the Commission and won an Award for our client on Written Opinion by the Deputy Commissioner. Award for wage loss benefits (ongoing payments of $618.17/week), plus an award for lifetime medical benefits and payment and authorization for rotator cuff repair surgery and related medical treatment. (Total Present Value of Award is estimated at $120,000).
The deceased was killed while riding his motorcycle on the highway and liability was initially disputed. Ultimately, Geoff McDonald & Associates was able to resolve the case for all of the available coverage and secure the best result possible for the deceased’s wife and family.
Our client suffered severe injuries to his back, left shoulder and neck while at work, making repairs to an A/C Unit in the lofted ceiling of a commercial building. The neck injury required a cervical spinal fusion surgery and extensive physical therapy, as well as ongoing treatment. After receiving an offer of $20,000 from the insurance carrier, our attorney was able to negotiate that amount to $100,000, plus funding of a Medicare Set-Aside annuity, along with payment of outstanding medical bills.
Our client suffered an eye injury after being struck by a metal file during drafting class while attending high school. After receiving a denial of liability from the insurance carrier, our lawyers were able to reach a settlement through mediation in the amount of $350,000.
Geoff McDonald & Associates obtained a $450,000.00 settlement pre-suit for a client with a TBI and a lumbar fusion revision surgery following a rear-end crash.
Our client suffered neck/head trauma and a broken wrist after his vehicle was struck by a drunk driver while he was stopped at a traffic light. Upon rejection of a settlement offer of $325,000, our litigation team filed suit. Shortly thereafter, we were able to reach a successful settlement for our client in the amount of $860,000.
Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury, facial trauma, a dislocated hip and severe abdominal trauma when she was rear-ended at a traffic light by a tractor trailer. Suit was commenced shortly after the crash to allow our trial attorneys access to imperative information from the defense. Following intensive discovery, the parties reached a settlement during mediation, sparing the client from an emotional and lengthy trial.
