Powell Law Group

Las Vegas motorcyclist settles case with cab company for $4.9 Million

geoff — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:16:04 +0000

Las Vegas, Nevada — A motorcyclist who sued a cab company in connection with a 2002 vehicle crash received a $4.9 million settlement, according to attorney Paul Powell.

Paul Butler was riding a motorcycle past the Sahara Hotel in January 2002 when a cab from Vegas Western Cab Co. struck him. Butler was seriously injured and lost the use of his right arm.

“He went through a lot of understandable depression,” Powell said. “A lot of things we take for granted in everyday life were taken from him. He could no longer tie his shoes. He had difficulty doing basic things for himself.”

Man receives $1.6 Million jury verdict following Las Vegas crash

geoff — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:15:34 +0000

Las Vegas, Nevada — Following eight days of trial, a jury returned a verdict of $1.6 Million for Powell Law Group client, Danny Williams. The case was tried by PLG attorneys Paul Powell and Kevin Sprenz.

“It was good to see this outcome,” Powell said. “We tried on several occasions to reach a settlement and to avoid trial, but the insurance company refused any serious overtures. The final offer we received from the insurance company before trial was less than half of the jury verdict.”

Mr. Williams’ crash happened on a rare snowy day in January 2005. Mr. Williams was traveling southbound on the 215 beltway near Lone Mountain. These unusual weather conditions left the road covered with a layer of ice and snow. These hazardous road conditions ultimately caused the defendant to lose control of his vehicle — skidding into oncoming traffic and slamming into Mr. Williams’ truck. As a result of the crash, Mr. Williams underwent cervical fusion surgery. His medical bills at the time of trial were $268,000. Defense counsel refused to admit fault for the crash.

The trial was overseen by the Honorable Jessie Walsh of the Eighth Judicial District Court.

PLG client awarded $4.23 Million by Las Vegas Jury

geoff — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:15:13 +0000

Las Vegas, Nevada — Powell Law Group client Barbara Maynes received a verdict of $4.23 Million following a two-week trial. Ms. Maynes suffered from neck and back injuries since 2004 when the defendant ran a red light, crashing into Ms. Maynes’ Monte Carlo. Ms. Maynes ultimately underwent lumbar fusion surgery and will require additional medical care. Her medical bills at the time of trial were $275,000. The case was tried by PLG attorneys Paul Powell, Kevin Sprenz, and Leah Martin.

“This was a case that never should have made it to litigation,” Powell said. “The defendant had just $15,000 in insurance coverage, but the insurance company refused to pay the policy limits in the claims stage. The case should have settled within two months of the accident. The insurance company essentially forced the case forward in hopes of saving a few dollars. That strategy really backfired.”

Defense attorneys Kurt Harris and Michael Merritt argued at trial that Ms. Maynes injuries were pre-existing and not caused by the defendant — even though Ms. Maynes had no back or neck injuries before the accident. Defense counsel also alleged that Ms. Maynes illegally sped through a red light causing the accident. This testimony was contrary to three different witnesses at the scene, who all said that Ms. Maynes’ light was green at the time of the crash, and that the defendant ran the red light.

The trial was overseen by the Honorable Kathleen Delaney of the Eighth Judicial District Court.