Tractor-Trailer Crash Lawsuit Settled for over 2 Million Dollars
Pritzker Olsen attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman recently obtained a $2,560,000 recovery for the victims of a tractor-trailer crash.
The clients were a husband and wife in their sixties whose automobile was hit from behind by a tractor-trailer. The initial impact caused their automobile to lose control, cross the center median and collide head-on with an SUV traveling in the opposite direction. The husband suffered a traumatic brain injury and both the husband and wife had extensive orthopedic injuries.
The cause of the crash was hotly contested. The trucking company claimed the driver of the car allowed her vehicle to drift into the truck’s lane while the plaintiffs contended the semi-truck drifted into their lane. Eyewitness testimony supported each claim.
Pritzker and Hageman retained the services of an accident reconstruction expert able to identify and map out tire markings from the automobile that showed it was in its proper lane at the time the tractor-trailer crashed into it. Using that data, an animationist hired by our law firm created a short video demonstrating how the crash occurred.
The trucking company (defendant) hired its own reconstruction expert and an engineer, who prepared a computer simulation of the crash using a software program claimed to be more scientifically accurate than the plaintiffs’ animation.
Pritzker and Hageman attacked the scientific claims of the defendant’s engineer by retaining an expert in the same software program to testify that the software program was manipulated to reach a pre-ordained conclusion. They also brought a motion to exclude the testimony of the trucking company experts and the simulation on which it was based. The tractor-trailer crash lawsuit was settled for 2.56 million dollars the day prior to the hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion to exclude.
Gas Explosion Lawsuit: Liability in a House Explosion Case
Investigators of a gas explosion in Albert Lea, Minnesota in April 2009 have determined that the explosion stemmed from an uncapped natural gas valve that entered the house’s kitchen, according to a story in the Albert Lea Tribune.1
The Albert Lea, Minnesota gas explosion injured 3 people and destroyed a house on Academy Avenue. Alliant Energy was the gas provider for that house, according to the investigation. The house was being rented.
According to the official report from the Albert Lea Fire Department:
The cause of this fire is accidental. Based on interviews and the scene exam, the gas valve to the kitchen was opened. Since it was not capped, natural gas entered the house and an unknown ignition source ignited the natural gas that had migrated to the upper level. After the initial explosion there was still gas entering the kitchen area and that was ignited. Fire then spread to the rest of the main floor.
The uncapped gas valve was one that would be used for a gas stove. The stove was electric. An interview with the landlords of the house suggested that they had put in the electric stove when they bought the house.
Gas Line Explosion Lawsuit: Liability of Landlord
If there is a gas explosion in a rented house, the owner of the house (landlord) is usually liable, meaning the landlord is responsible for paying burn victims and their families compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, disability, loss of quality of life and other damages.
The insurer of the rented house is usually the party that pays the injured parties and/or the families of people killed in a gas explosion involving a rented house.
Gas Line Explosion Lawsuit: Liability of Gas Provider
Depending on the facts of the case, the gas provider may be found liable for a gas explosion in a house that has injured or killed occupants of the house.
Gas companies often deny liability and fight hard to prove that they are not at fault for the gas explosion. Because of this, our law firm immediately hires fire and explosion experts to reconstruct the accident. It is important to hire a law firm that has the resources to do this because these cases generally hinge on the quality of the expert witnesses, their testimony and the attorney’s use of this testimony to prove the case.
Gas Explosion Lawsuit: Product Liability
Every gas explosion case should be carefully investigated by an attorney who has product liability experience. These cases often involve defective products. Pritzker Olsen attorneys have a national reputation in the area of product liability litigation and have appeared on CBS News, Fox News and other news programs discussing product liability lawsuits and product safety.
When we represent people in product liability cases, our clients often want to take action to prevent similar incidents. Our law firm fights alongside our clients for law and policy changes that will make products safer and hold manufacturers accountable.
CONTACT PRITZKER OLSEN ATTORNEYS ABOUT BURN VICTIM COMPENSATION >>
WE DON’T GET PAID UNLESS YOU WIN.
Resource: Sarah Stultz, Uncapped line is cause of explosion, Albert Lea Tribune, June 12, 2009.
Hydroxycut Recall Due to Possible Liver Damage and Failure
Pritzker Olsen attorneys are currently investigating cases of liver damage to dieters and body builders who have used Hydroxycut, a widely sold nutritional supplement. We are accepting Hydroxycut liver damage and liver failure cases nationwide.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. One death due to liver failure has been reported to the FDA. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure.
Liver injury, although rare, was reported by patients at the doses of Hydroxycut recommended on the bottle. “The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products,” said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements that are marketed for weight-loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names. The list of products being recalled by Iovate currently includes:
Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
Hydroxycut 24
Hydroxycut Carb Control
Hydroxycut Natural
Although the FDA has not received reports of serious liver-related adverse reactions for all Hydroxycut products, Iovate has agreed to recall all the products listed above.
If you have been injured by one of these products, please contact one of our attorneys about a Hydroxycut lawsuit at 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.
MN Car-Tractor Accident Injures Driver and Passenger
On March 21, a 17-year-old who was driving a tractor pulling equipment stopped on the highway during foggy conditions because he had missed his turn. The tractor was struck from behind by a car. The car’s driver and passenger, both injured in the accident, were taken to St. Cloud Hospital.
Every car accident case is unique, and our Minnesota car accident lawyers treat them as such.
In an accident like this one, there are many issues that need to be resolved:
- Liable Parties. The driver and the owner of the tractor would be liable. If the equipment being pulled was owned by some else, that person may also be liable. If the driver of the tractor was employed by a third party, the employer may be liable. It is critical to determine all liable parties to obtain the best possible compensation for injuries.
- Fault for Rear End Collision. Generally, the driver who rear ends a vehicle is at fault. However, if a driver stops in the middle of the road in the fog merely because he missed a turn, the issue of fault becomes more complex. Our law firm has successfully handled numerous cases involving accidents in bad weather and accidents involving inexperienced drivers.
- Compensation for Injuries. Any head trauma, even mild head trauma, can lead to serious brain injuries. Our lawyers are recognized for their skill and experience in this area and are frequent speakers at legal seminars on traumatic brain injury (TBI).
If you have been in a rear end collision, please contact PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation with a Minnesota car accident lawyer.
