Virginia: Special Cases – a Lawyer’s Malpractice

placeholder image big

Trial is the monthly magazine for American Association for Justice (“AAJ”), formerly American Trial Lawyers Association (“ATLA”). Its issue for December, 2014, is entitled “Civil Rights”.

December Trial’s 4 lead articles are: “Tips for Representing LGBT Clients,” subheaded “Sensitivity and knowledge are key to advocating for clients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender,” id. at 14-18. “DEFEATING IMMUNITY DEFENSES,” subheaded “Immunity defenses invoked in police misconduct cases pose challenges for plaintiffs, but they can be overcome with the proper research and planning,” id. at 20-26; “Disability Redefined Under the ADA Amendments Act,” subheaded “The passage of this law was a game changer for plaintiffs with impairments or medical conditions,” id. at 28-32; and “MEDICAL CARE BEHIND BARS,” subheaded “cases brought by prison inmates for inadequate medical care are a complex mix of constitutional rights, medical malpractice, and administrative remedies”. Id. at 34-40.

Trial in December also reported 6 major cases in its “Verdicts & Settlements”: $27,000,000.00 Texas jury verdict for 2 deaths for premises liability in “Jury Holds McDonald’s Accountable for Lax Security Leading to Death,” id. at 8; $6,340,000.00 California jury verdict for government liability in “Unsafe Driving by Border Patrol Agent,” id. at 8-9; $14,000,000.00 California settlement for school liability in “Sexual Abuse of Students,” id. at 10; $1,920,000.00 Texas jury award for workplace liability in “Pipefitter Falls through Defective Scaffolding,” id. at 10, 12; $2,700,000.00 Michigan jury verdict for construction liability in “Highway Contractor Created Public Nuisance, Leading to Biker’s Death,” id. at 12; and $435,000.00 Washington jury verdict for pet liability in “Failure to Control Pit Bull”. Id. at 12.

Mr. Waterman has been an AAJ/ATLA member for over two decades. His practice focuses on vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and other wrongful deaths, brain injuries, and other serious personal injuries.