As reported in the Daily Report, Jonathan M. Adelman obtained a defense verdict in the State Court of Fulton County. The case involved a motor-vehicle pedestrian accident from which the plaintiff sustained multiple leg fractures, underwent multiple surgeries, incurred medical expenses of more than $95,000, and was left with a permanent abnormal gait. In addition, the plaintiff’s daughter was killed in the accident. The defense involved proving that the plaintiff negligently walked into the path of the defendant’s vehicle and disproving the plaintiff’s allegation that the defendant was speeding and failed to take evasive action.

As reported in an unsolicited article in the Fulton County Daily Report, Dan Prout obtained a defense verdict in the State Court of DeKalb County. The case involved a collision between an automobile and a bicyclist in which the cyclist was killed. The defense involved proving that the cyclist failed to stop for a stop sign before entering the intersection where the accident occurred as well as disproving that the motorist was speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. Despite the plaintiff-oriented venue and an excellent case presented by plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Prout was able to convince the jury to set aside the great amount of sympathy shown toward the cyclist and follow the evidence shown at trial.

In a hotly contested case of first impression in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Jonathan Adelman, representing a large insurance company, obtained a judgment that his client was not obligated to pay $360,000 in medical payments coverage benefits for unlicensed physical therapy which was allegedly supervised by a licensed medical provider.

In a clear liability motor vehicle collision case involving neck fusion surgery, Jonathan Adelman obtained a defense verdict on behalf of his client. The plaintiffs medical expenses exceeded $80,000. The DeKalb County jury was heavily influenced by prior medical records which contradicted the plaintiffs testimony and photographs of the vehicles which showed minimal damage.

As reported in the Daily Report, Jonathan M. Adelman obtained a defense verdict in the State Court of Gwinnett County. The defendant, who was DUI, rear-ended the plaintiff’s car. The plaintiff underwent a four-level cervical fusion and presented healthcare specials exceeding $135,000. The pre-litigation demand was the policy limits of $250,000. The settlement offer was $40,000.

In 2010, Hilliard Castilla successfully represented an insurance agency owner convicted of DUI after registering a 0.179 on a blood alcohol test. The plaintiff claimed TMJ injuries as well as a rotator cuff tear and other injuries from the collision which the plaintiff, a minister at a prominent Atlanta area church, claimed prevented him from effectively performing his ministerial duties. The prominent plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury for $1,800,000 dollars plus punitive damages and refused to negotiate after an offer of $300,000 which was extended by the insurer providing coverage for Mr. Castilla’s client. Mr. Castilla told the jury that the plaintiff should receive $15,000 to $20,000 for the rear end collision and, much to the chagrin of the plaintiff and plaintiff’s counsel, the jury returned with a verdict of $16,543 plus $5,000 in punitive damages. The trial was featured on the front page of the October 4, 2010 edition of the Daily Report.

Jonathan M. Adelman obtained a defense verdict in the State Court of Fulton County. The case involved a clear liability motor vehicle collision. The plaintiff underwent several rounds of epidural steroid injections and incurred medical expenses in excess of $22,000. In addition, the plaintiff claimed lost earnings in excess of $90,000. At trial, Mr. Adelman successfully cross-examined the plaintiff, the plaintiff’s expert economist, and the plaintiff’s treating orthopedist. The pre-trial offer was $25,000. The pre-trial demand was $100,000.

Jonathan M. Adelman secured a favorable verdict on behalf of a UM insurer in Forsyth County. The underlying accident was one of clear liability. Plaintiff was taken from the scene of the accident by ambulance and immediately began treating with an orthopaedist for complaints of neck and shoulder pain. When conservative measures, including epidural steroid injections, failed, plaintiff underwent a cervical anterior diskectomy and fusion from C4 to C7. The neck surgery was performed within six months after the accident. In addition, plaintiff claimed that the accident necessitated shoulder surgery. The plaintiff incurred medical expenses of $79,000.00 and lost wages of $40,000.00. After deliberating for more than ten (10) hours, the jury returned with a verdict, and judgment was entered for $59,000.00. Plaintiffs’ pre-trial demand was $175,000.00.

Jonathan M. Adelman secured a dismissal with prejudice in favor of his insured client following an extremely effective cross-examination of the plaintiff in the presence of a Fulton County jury. The plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries and more than $13,000 in healthcare expenses as a result of a clear liability motor vehicle accident. As part of his diligent investigation of the plaintiff, Mr. Adelman obtained a deposition from another case in which the plaintiff denied, under oath, sustaining any real injuries in the motor vehicle collision with Mr. Adelman’s client. When presented with that deposition testimony as part of Mr. Adelman’s impeachment effort, the plaintiff actually asked to confer with his lawyer in the presence of the jury. The request was denied, and the impeachment was successful. After all of the evidence closed, the plaintiff’s attorney chose to dismiss with prejudice in lieu of proceeding with closing arguments.

Jonathan M. Adelman prevailed on a motion for summary judgment in favor of a large express delivery company in the State Court of Gwinnett County. The case arose from a motor vehicle collision involving the plaintiff and an independent contractor driver of the express delivery company. The plaintiff argued that the express company controlled the time, manner, and method of the independent contractor’s job duties and, therefore, could be held vicariously liable. Mr. Adelman argued that the elements of control relied upon by the plaintiff did no equate to control of the operative details of the independent contractor’s job duties. Mr. Adelman showed that the independent contractor utilized his own vehicle, picked his own routes, and determined his own hours.